Balsa P47 conversion

Michael · January 17, 2013, 02:30:44 PM

I may coat the finished model with water-based Poly-urethane, or thinned white glue, or thinned matte medium.

As far as dope is concerned, I don't believe he's a member of TEMAC anymore.

Michael · January 17, 2013, 10:58:40 PM

The covering is coming along nicely.

I think the finished product will resemble this:

sihinch · January 18, 2013, 09:11:49 AM

Beautiful, can't wait to meet her!

Michael · January 18, 2013, 08:07:46 PM

A little more progress.

The tissue has not been shrunk tight yet.

Michael · January 21, 2013, 10:40:00 AM

Covering is essentially complete, and all surfaces have been shrunk and coated with a water/white glue sealing layer.

Belly of fuselage is complete, ailerons and wing installed.

Next will some work on the landing gear, tail installation, canopy and some more decoration.

Last will be the battery tray/holder in the fuselage, the location of which will be determined by balance considerations.

Ededge2002 · January 21, 2013, 11:05:49 AM

Nice work Michael that looks terrific

gordonbw · January 21, 2013, 03:53:04 PM

Work of art!

piker · January 21, 2013, 05:37:54 PM

Lookin' awesome! You're moving fast!

Michael · January 24, 2013, 08:27:28 PM

More progress.

Landing gear (removable) is shaped/wrapped with tape and painted black; wheel hubs hand-painted; landing gear doors made of stiff paper sandwiched between light grey and light green tissue; canopy decorated with 2 layers of light grey tissue; pilot's head-rest installed; canopy glued on.

A pilot will probably be installed from inside later on.

It's beginning to look like a P47 Thunderbolt!

Ededge2002 · January 24, 2013, 09:09:09 PM

The running build thread is great. love seeing the progress. this is a beautiful build with great photos. you should have built two so I could have one! I built one of those balsa stick models once..... a size 10 on it in a fit of frustration finished it off!!!

sihinch · January 24, 2013, 09:17:06 PM

The photos look like studio shots! Very nice.

The model work/craftsmanship is something else.

Michael, would you like to build my next plane?

Michael · January 24, 2013, 09:21:13 PM

Tail mostly installed.

OK, that's it for a few days, but at this rate, I might get it done in a week or two.

Michael · January 27, 2013, 05:27:57 PM

OK, finished, and ready for flight. If it's a great flyer, I will add more details later in the season. An antenna post has been added since the photos were taken.

Some decals (thanks Jack), fake cowl detail, tail controls connected, interior has had major changes to include a battery tray location to suit balancing the model, and tail wheel done (all landing gear is removable for outdoor flying).

Total weight is 2.7 ounces; 2.5 ounces without landing gear. The power system comes from an E-Flite model of similar size and a weight of 2.65 ounces.

Michael · January 27, 2013, 06:37:57 PM

Fits in the E-Flite box, with landing gear attached, with simple modifications.

Ededge2002 · January 27, 2013, 07:59:18 PM

That looks wonderful! Great job. The little details really set it off. Very inspiring