Balsa USA Eindecker 40 Build Log

piker · October 15, 2012, 05:56:49 PM

I haven't worked with the material yet, but Flight Metal seems to be the way to go for a polished aluminum finish. I have a roll for my Ryan if I ever get back to that plane. I assume you could put the Flight Metal on the ABS, then work it into the desired finish you want... I guess

Glad to hear you're moving ahead on the build. We seem to have quite a bit of good, old fashion, balsa bashing going on this year. Very exciting

Robert

Madman · October 17, 2012, 09:05:44 PM

Quote from: gordonbw on October 15, 2012, 05:46:16 PM
The Eindecker wing is all framed up. I didn't experience any of the issues noted by Stephen... maybe BUSA has improved. Now I've gotta find me some hard balsa longerons, 'cause I am definitely not going to use the heavy 3/16" sheet fuz sides included in the kit.

Gordon

Well mine has 3/32" sheet sides and poorly fitting ribs. Mine is supposed to be brand new from BUSA so maybe a new generation. Turns out to balance well even though I built it stock (solid sheet rear fuse, and tail feathers). Just covering so lots yet to go.

Stephen

Gregor77 · October 18, 2012, 11:43:02 AM

I was also considering getting this kit.. Where did you find it? I checked AJ and their price seems way off the path compared to everyone else. I picked up my Bristol kit for $80 at a LHS. They seem to be asking the same price for the 90 size for the 40? I am not bashing AJ's as I am not a customer of theirs due to my location being a few K away from Pin. Where and how much does this one go for?

Gordon, Stephen, post more pics to get our mouths watering! ;o)

gordonbw · October 18, 2012, 06:55:18 PM

Great Hobbies sells it for $107. http://www.greathobbies.com/productinfo/?prod_id=BUS419.

I got a sweet deal on RCCanada ... $75 including decals, vintage wheels and scale machine gun.

Madman · October 18, 2012, 07:15:34 PM

I had Pinnacle bring it in after seeing they were now carrying BUSA products. The price was within a buck or two of the US list (maybe less than list but don't remember, just happy). They also got in the gun and white tyre wheels. I wish Williams would do a putty grey not white colour as I think that is more correct.

Stephen

Gregor77 · October 24, 2012, 09:12:53 AM

Gordon, any progress?

gordonbw · October 26, 2012, 11:36:14 AM

Told you this would be slow!

I now have the materials on hand to build the stick fuselage. I'll be starting that tomorrow and will post another update on the weekend.

Madman · October 26, 2012, 11:50:30 AM

Gordon

I have both of the new Windsock books on the Fokker Eindekkers. If you need info let me know. I can copy plans etc.

Stephen

gordonbw · October 26, 2012, 07:36:22 PM

Thsnks Stephen! Info on colour schemes would be really helpful, if it's in the books.

gordonbw · October 27, 2012, 07:47:43 PM

I built the EIII fuselage sides this afternoon. I first cut off the 3/32" sheet sides from the kit just past location of the rear wing former. Then I built a stick frame for the LH side over the plan. The RH side was built directly on top of the completed LH side (wax paper in between the two assemblies) to ensure a match.

The fuse longerons are 1/4" x 3/16" basswood, uprights and diagonal trusses are 1/4 square balsa.

So far, so good.

piker · October 29, 2012, 10:53:50 AM

Hey Gordon! Lookin' great. Keep up the good work.

Robert

gordonbw · October 29, 2012, 12:40:19 PM

I added 1/64" plywood gussets over each of the fuselage joints.

There's a huge amount of information about building techniques at the Airfield Models site: http://www.airfieldmodels.com/index.html. That's where I am getting help for this build. The author is way more of a perfectionist than me -- he sets a very high standard!

gordonbw · November 03, 2012, 01:21:50 PM

The fuselage is pretty much all framed up. It's not 100% perfect, but not too shabby either. The Warren truss framework is unbelievably stiff and I'm certain it's lighter than 3/32" sheeting. It should look nice under translucent Antique Solartex. A Turnigy G46 670kv motor is on order from the King. Predicted output on 4 cells with 13x6 prop is 394 W.

Now, must learn how to do laminated outlines for the fin, rudder and stab...

battlestu · November 03, 2012, 04:05:25 PM

Looking good!

gordonbw · November 05, 2012, 10:31:30 PM

Today a 5' x 10" roll of aluminum tape arrived from srbatteries.com... to be used for finishing the EIII cowl and fuselage front. On inspection the material looks identical to the 2" HVAC aluminum duct tape available from Home Depot for $11.99. SRbatteries has some informative video tutorials showing how to apply it on their web site.