Tony Nijhuis 1/6 Scale Lancaster

[Craig Green]

That's quite a big job after a tutor 40. Just goes to show that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.
Arthur, sorry for not responding fully to your earlier question, the fuselage tube is 54 inches long. I wanted to ensure that it is attached well to the formers. As well I went as far to the rear, so that the entire structure also will support the tail wheel, which has yet to be thought of.

Have been working on mounting of the fuel tanks, there is plenty of room to place them as close to the main spar as possible.
More to follow as I progress.

Craig

[Craig Green]

Have been working on the firewalls.
Looks like I need to take care of the cooling issue before I attach the firewalls. The engines will have no vent with the current firewall size, so I cut out an opening that will allow the air to pass the cylinder head. I will also build a duct so the air will pass through the engine and out the bottom.

Craig

[Craig Green]

Placed the inboard wings on the fuse and squared everything up.
I will be mounting my firewalls, and plan on setting them back about 1/2 an inch from the end of the mounting rails.
I will set them, run a bead of medium CA down the join, these pictures are before I did all that.
I will then add hardwood to the joint, and pin them for security.

Craig

[Craig Green]

I have two firewalls glued at this point, and will do the others shortly.
I only have so many clamps, lol, so the black bulldog clamps work perfect for this application.

Craig

[Craig Green]

Started the pinning process.
Drilled 1/8th holes, inserted a 1/8 dowel, and glued them in.
Trimmed them back and a light sanding.

Craig

[Craig Green]

Some progress, hung my first engine, happy the way it has turned out, three more to go.

Craig

[Craig Green]

Finished up my evening mounting the remaining engines.
Pretty happy with how they look and the alignment so far, threw on some old props just for a look.

Cheers

[Robert_Greenwood]

I think that part took me about 3 weeks to do! Are they all new engines? I am going to be keen to see how you build your narcels... i had many issues with mine.

Having said that, seeing how you have built it so far i'm sure you will have some fantastic idea!

Keep up the good work!!

Rob

[Craig Green]

Robert

I have been milling all of this over in my head for a while, just trying to put things into action.
I picked up new engines last year, think they have been bench tested, but will work on them in the spring to get them going. Who knows if the weather is good I can test them sooner.
The nacelles will take a bit of pondering. Lots of angles and shapes and to have the cowls fit perfectly, will take a bit of work. Did you find that the cowlings were much bigger than the balsa construction on the nacelle? I need to figure out the best angle for the cooling, then insert a plywood plate to that angle, then build around the opening.

More to follow when I get working on that part.

Craig

[Robert_Greenwood]

I spent more time worrying than building, :-)

With regards to the cowls, they were larger than the balsa narcels. If I was to do it again I think I would get some blue foam and shape my own to fit, I spent lots of time making cuts in them and re-shaping them. I don't know if the falcon kit is slightly different to the Slec kit.

They did the job though, where are you planning to install your fuel tanks?

Regards rob

[Craig Green]

Rob
I have used foam in the past with good results.
My fuel tanks are installed behind the former that is at the leading edge.
I will post a few pictures tonight.
The inboard tanks slide on 1/8th ply into the bottom, and the outboard tanks, also on a plywood plate get screwed into location. I plan on making a removable hatch for the outboard fuel tanks.

Craig

[Craig Green]

I made 1/8th plywood platforms for my fuel tanks. These will be secured with a foam pad, to be added later.
For the inboard mounting, I made rails, the tanks slide in and out.
For the outboard tanks, the plate will be placed in, and secured with screws.
On all fuel systems, the fuel tubing will exit a hole in the former just in front of the leading edge, also plenty of room for the servo wires.

Craig

[Robert_Greenwood]

That's a brilliant idea, i can't wait to see how you make your nacelles. They were so complex with so many different angles.

I had a number of issues with the tanks, i had a hatch on the top of the nacelle but that was also a pain...

[Craig Green]

Rob

I think I will wait until my cowls arrive. I can then check to see how much I need to adjust for size. I am thinking I may have to increase the size of the formers.
This will aid in the fit, and I do not want to have any cowl line that is obvious after it is done.

Cheers

[Robert_Greenwood]

Did you order the Falcon ones? i can't wait to see how you do this

I may be getting a few boxes of wood soon for Lancaster Mk2

[Craig Green]

Yes I ordered the Falcon ones.
They said it will take about a month, they make them for each order.
If I have issues with them, I will modify them if needed.
Where did you get your spinners from? How was the quality?

I think I will work on the cooling deflectors next, set them at the best angle. I can start looking at the emphanage while I wait for the cowls.

Craig

[Robert_Greenwood]

Yes, he molds them for each order. I am sure you will be able to make them smaller to fit the slec kit..

As for the spinners, i think they also came from Falcon. I'm sure of it. They were very good quality. I can't remember the size, 4" comes to mind....

I will have a look...

[Craig Green]

Thanks for the info Robert, I appreciate the quick reply.
I finished up the deflectors behind the engines. These are set at about 55 degrees. This should allow the air to pass the cylinder and muffler and go straight out. I used 1/4 inch plywood, not concerned about the weight, as I will no doubt need nose weight, and this is functional. Additionally it ties in the bottom of the firewall in to the sides of the mounting rails.
I also pinned it into location with 1/8 inch dowels.
I will need to complete the sheeting on the nacelles to tie it all in together. I first need my cowling so. I think they might be slightly larger than the sheeting will be. If this is the case, I will add material to the formers to suit the cowl size.

Craig

[Craig Green]

Started thinking about the horizontal and vertical stabilizer for the emphanage.
I will use a servo for each rudder. I cleaned out the center of the horizontal stab where the spars meet. I pre drilled the servo mounting holes before glueing in the plywood.
There is plywood on both sides, pinned with dowels. This is super strong and I can mount my rudder servos.

[Craig Green]

The rudders will be controlled by bell cranks operated by carbon fiber rod from the servo.
I made up two bell cranks, and these will be mounted after the verftical fins are attached so I get good alignment.
More to follow as I progress with the tail section.