Top Flite Elder 40 electric conversion

piker · February 07, 2013, 12:05:14 PM

Who you kidding? Lynn is the boss!

Michael · February 07, 2013, 10:57:29 PM

Well, Mr. Perfectionist himself, Piker, came over tonight, examined the wings, and declared my sanding job as a "first step".

I guess he's right. The smoother it is, and the less imperfections, the nicer the covering finish will be.

OK, I'll give it some more fine-sanding.

I also got started on the fuselage, and sorted out the motor mount, battery location and battery hatch, all with Robert's approval.

Michael · February 09, 2013, 03:12:41 PM

Fuselage started.

Going as per instructions, except firewall has been drilled for stand-offs matching the pattern of the E-Flite 46 mount.

Lots of tedious and 'physical' work, as all hardwood parts and posts must be carefully measured, angled and cut by saw, and then fine sanded to fit properly.

Michael · February 10, 2013, 02:04:50 PM

Fuselage coming along, under the watchful eye of master builder Piker, who is making suggestions and helping me correct some minor mistakes along the way.

The motor installation is pretty simple, and the bay behind the firewall will have a removable top hatch (on the left in the photo).

Robert helped put the plane together for a short "hangar-flight".

battlestu · February 10, 2013, 04:07:21 PM

Looking good .... So what's up next? (Since this one is nearly done

)

Michael · February 10, 2013, 04:13:14 PM

There's still a lot to go.

- cowl sheeting
- landing gear and details
- sanding

-radio installation
- power system installation
- air cooling

- covering
- decals
- assembly

details
- flying wires and posts
- simulated bracing wires
- cockpit combing
- machine gun

sihinch · February 10, 2013, 04:36:19 PM

Was that Robert's "Airplane News" cover shot smile?

Michael · February 10, 2013, 04:53:26 PM

Robert's always smiling.

piker · February 11, 2013, 09:59:24 AM

You guys are so full of it!

Michael · February 11, 2013, 10:27:23 AM

Full of sawdust!

Michael · February 11, 2013, 08:18:23 PM

More work:

hatch sanded, fairing/sheeting on wing, landing gear wires wrapped with copper wire and soldered.

Much more fine sanding to come.

sihinch · February 11, 2013, 08:26:00 PM

It's looking good Michael, but you're going to have to slow down. At this rate you could get another 2 planes (at least) built before proper flying season!

Michael · February 11, 2013, 08:40:07 PM

In a few days I'm going to hit a stretch of work consisting of very long hour days, and won't have any time to build.

This model will still take a couple or a few more weeks.

Michael · February 15, 2013, 11:01:29 AM

Sanding complete, open-work fuselage structure primed and painted, landing gear painted.

Next step, CLEAN THE WORKSHOP in preparation of covering.

sihinch · February 15, 2013, 11:22:07 AM

Urrgh, cleaning the workshop! That's my next job, too! And I'm not looking forward to it.