1/10th scale Blackburn Beverley.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

This is the end of Phase One of the wings. Next step is to get rid of the errors, this could mean re-cutting a few of the frames if they are too bad? Some will just need a bit of trimming off and/or building up on the edges.

What I am proposing for the flaps operation is to have a lay shaft running the length of the wing (each side) with three levers attached to the operating rods to the flaps. This shaft can be rotated by a single HD servo in the central position. That is the basic plan at the mo. I have yet to try to work out the throws on the levers. This will be complicated by the fact that the flaps taper off, so the three hinge points will need to be the same measurement between centres, therefore the three levers can be the same length, unless my logic is flawed?

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Lots of stuff going on, but I thought you'd like to see some glue setting? These are the outer frames of the inboard nacelles with the main engine mounting bars now glued in place. The nacelles themselves form part of the structure to support the motors, they will be more than adequate.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

I am progressing slowly with the assembly of the wings. I am using my planned method of using the box spar as a jig. The principle is to use the datum to square everything up. This way the basic fit and squareness has to be right, but I do check the spar for squareness as I go. What is different, however, is that I will have a fair bit of "putting right" the errors in the cutting of the curves. You will notice the datum line drawn along the length of the spar. This lines up with the corresponding datum on each aerofoil frame. I am also lining up the longeron slots and various other bits and pieces as I go, one frame at a time, using common reference points. This is being done from frame No. 1 to frame No. 13, No. 13 being put on and taken off a thousand times to assist in the lining up. Once frame No. 13 is fixed, the remaining six frames will be lined up from the first 13 frames. There will then be some trimming and building up which could take ages to do. A longer sanding stick will be needed.

I accept that some of you will be throwing your arms in the air and tut tutting. This is a completely different approach to what most of you will be used to. This method is different, not wrong! I will need to compare measurements from each wing to the other, but this is not going to cause any grief. Whilst the outer portion of the wings are similar in design, I will need to use a different construction method as there will be some washout built in. I have some ideas about this which will need a building board etc. I will need to be more accurate in cutting the aerofoils for this, but I am in no hurry to make these just yet, also I have the tail plane assembly to re-design and then re-make, not to mention the thousand other things that need doing!.

Now, regarding the advice that several people have offered, I want you to know that it has all sunk in, nothing is wasted! I am using the suggestion regarding keeping the flaps portion attached during the construction. I had started to remove them from the first three frames, but this will not hinder the lining up of them later on.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

I thought it a good idea to show this picture from this morning, it shows the process clearly. There are two frames ready to be marked up, No's. 8 and 9. Frame 13 is in its relative position to provide alignment for the marking up.

I am very happy with the progress.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Similar picture to this mornings offer showing frame No's. 8 and 9 prepared and glued in. The next three frames are the outboard engine nacelle. Not easy to see in the pictures, but the leading edges are reasonably good, the worst errors are at the trailing edges.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

The Port wing is now finished to frame No. 13 and I am preparing for the final stage of building this wing. Once this is done, I have it all to do again for the Starboard wing which is currently built to frame No. 6.

Once they are both fully built up, then I have the task of fettling the frames to an acceptable alignment. Not difficult to do, just tedious! This does prove the merits of laser cutting I suppose? But I am an old fashioned old git and stuck in my ways?

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Been busy despite the heat.

The Port wing is now fully assembled, that is to say all 19 frames are glued in place and the leading edge stiffener is glued in. I had to have two goes at the stiffener, spent a lot of time making sure the joint slots were accurate, and when I offered it up, they were all over the place, that went in the bin!

Dunno about you lot, but I recon this is going very well! Might be a good idea to build the Starboard wing to the same stage before starting to fettle away the cock ups.

[paul needham]

taking shape nicely Malcolm.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Just to let you know that I am still alive. I spent six days in hospital last week and am still poorly at home. I may have to go back in for observation etc, I'll take it a day at a time.

Thought I'd just show you how I left things, the Starboard frames S10 & S12 waiting on the bench to have the bearers attached, and the wing waiting patiently for some more bits to be added.

Watch this space.

[Dave Berry 2911]

Hope you are soon on the mend Malcolm.
Always look forward to the next instalment - its quite a project!
Dave

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Just got back home from another eight days in hospital. Plenty more to do with this but will be back in the workshop when I am settled a bit more. Looking forward to processing the Beverley once more.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Not feeling too bad since my return from hospital yesterday so managed a little work.

I marked out the back end of frame S7 and got that glued in place. The picture shows the set up for marking with frame S13 in place to line up from. It is clear to see that some of the rear ends of the flap portions are not very well lined up, so lots of remedial work to do there, but I do not fear what needs to be done. I will methodically process the adjustments once this basic wing assembly is done to match the Port side, they will be worked on in tandem to assure similarity on both sides. I am in no hurry to make the outer wing sections till these assemblies are complete in their alignment etc. The skinning will not be done till I am satisfied that the entire wing framing is in order.

I also marked, cut and glued in place the remaining two engine bearers to frames S10 and S12. They will now wait their turn to be fitted to the box spar.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Had an excellent day. The Starboard wing is now complete to frame No. S13. There seems to be more obvious errors on this side than the Port wing. Not to worry, the wing is essentially square in its structure, just a matter of fiddling about with the back ends to get a good line, nothing I cannot handle.

Once this wing is complete to frame S19, I may well assemble the model outdoors at some point soon to photograph the progress so far. Just want to play!

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

The first picture shows the step in the main spar. This is to accommodate the outer wing section as it forms the joint box. The aerofoil profiles will need some adjustment once the wings are complete. The ribs do vary a little. Some will need a bit of build up, and others a bit of material removal. I will need to invent a method of ensuring that both wings end up the same. Structurally they are square and in line, but the aerofoil section will need some adjustment to line up the ribs. I will do this top first then the underside. The starboard wing needs more attention than the port, so I'll finish the port wing first then match them. For those of you who have doubts regarding the structure of this wing, you need not worry, it is fit for purpose.

The second picture shows the S14 flap frame marked out. These will be separated once the whole wing is lined up. This will require some material to be removed and some added to square them up prior to removal of the complete flap frame. There will be quite a lot of fiddling about and adjustments to assure the correct hinge alignment for the flaps. The flaps taper but the hinge centres will be constant along its length. The flaps will be controlled by a lay shaft and a single servo. The flap frames that have the hinge elements will be made from fibre glass board as will the hinge mounts. I will try to make them look like the real thing, but this will be difficult.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Had a visit from the workshop inspector this morning, poking his nose in!

Didn't do much today. I am suffering some tiredness due to my almost two weeks in hospital, I am unable to concentrate properly. I am worried that the outer part of the Starboard Wing is not as good as I want it to be. I will add the final frame tomorrow and see if I need to strip it back a few frames and re-make them? If I can get away with adjustment, I will do that.

However, I decided to have a photo call and assembled the model in the garden. I confess this activity knackered me. I have to recover from being in hospital!

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Malcolm--looking really good there---good to see you back working on it----how is the weight doing? have you weighed it recently?

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Just had a weigh in. I weighed each assembly separately than added them together. Total weight as per the above pictures is 39 lbs 12.7 ounces. It is heading for under 100 lb flying weight? The fuselage is just under ten feet long and the wings are eight and a half feet at the mo with almost another four feet to go each side.

[Philip Goff]

Dear Malcolm
You need to be congratulated for having the bottle
to take on such an ambitious project, which is taking shape
before our very eyes. The Beverley certainly has a unique shape
as I mentioned in a previous post, I can remember seeing them
at the Coltishall Battle of Britain airshows.

I look forward to seeing your superb Beverley completed
and of course seeing it fly.

Well done that man.

Regards Phil Goff
Coltishall

[paul needham]

As has already been said, it's looking really good now that the main assembleys are together, pleased to see some more progress on her after your few days away from it.

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

I am flattered and indeed very proud that so many people are showing an interest in this project. Your positive comments are much appreciated. This level of interest is not something that I expected, and now I feel that I must continue to a satisfactory conclusion with it. However, as you will have gathered from my previous comments, I do have a health issue to deal with. This is interfering with my life on several levels, not least my ability to concentrate, hence the minor but obvious cock up on the Starboard wing which I worked on since leaving hospital last week. Today I have another appointment to deal with my health issues. I intend to get back on top of this as soon as I can, I have a life to live.

I will not be in the workshop as much as I would like for a while, I'll have good and bad days. Even if I do half a hour at a time, I will keep you up to date when there is something to say.