96" Grumman Albatross flying boat kit/scratch built model

[Michael]

Now it's beginning to look like a flying boat!

It's been a busy and a productive day of model airplane construction.

Fuselage sides are built up, then joined with a built-up plywood center section which supports the wings and the servos for the tail. Also glued in place is a built-up plywood platform for a battery, and the formers are glued in.

[Michael]

All right, that's all I can get done on this thing this weekend. We have guests coming over to visit soon.

The servos and pushrod sleeves are installed, and the top area over the wing has been sheeted. The servos were supposed to be completely sealed in, but I built a snug-fitting hatch for access.

The last image (with the red arrow) shows balsa sheeting on a compound curve. I spray Windex on the sheeting before gluing it on. It becomes pliable and rubbery, and then can be worked as needed. I glue on the sheeting while the wood is still wet.

[wollins]

All right, that's all I can get done on this thing this weekend.

That's all?   You'll be done the entire plane before I even finish my fuse! (deadline Jan month end)

Colin

[sihinch]

Wow this looks amazing! What a fabulous model and build thread.

[Michael]

All right, that's all I can get done on this thing this weekend.

That's all? You'll be done the entire plane before I even finish my fuse! (deadline Jan month end)

Colin

The construction is the easy part.

Finishing will take the most time.

BTW, the fuselage at this point, with servos and pushrod sleeves and all plywood parts, weighs 576 grams (a little more than one pound).

[Michael]

Decals ordered.


Canadian it is!

[Papa]

So where's the fulsize picture???


Jack.

[Michael]

So where's the fulsize picture???


Jack.

Reply 7, first page of this thread.

[Papa]

You change your mind so frequently I figured you had a new Prototype in mind.


LOL


Jack.

[Michael]

I'm back at it!

Here's about 3 hours of work; essentially sheeting the upper fuselage and lower fin.

[Papa]

The fit is remarkable.


Jack.

[Michael]

Those parts were not laser-cut; those were cut out by me from templates, and then sanded to a fine bevel.

[Michael]

This rear part of the lower fuselage has been planked, but will be covered by more structure and sheeting later.

With the tail in place, it looks like an airplane!

[Wingnutz]

Decals ordered.


Canadian it is!

Wow! A Canadian marked Skywriter and now a Canadian Grumman Albatross! I'm feeling overwhelmed with patriotism! ... and awed by the speed at which you build! Do you ever sleep or just stay up and build model airplanes?

[piker]

Fantastic work!  I can't wait for float flying season!!!!