ziroli c47 build

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Dave---this bad weather is good for you---will keep you in that machine shop !!!

[paul smith]

heres the marrying of the fuz and center section
im taking the build slowly cause of me health

but its gradually getting there

building the center flaps which ive split for scale
the plan says that there must be covered with 1/32 ply on both sides
but this would cover the center flap ribs which make it look scale
any ideas ??

[David Brown]

just checked mine & I sheeted both sides, my mate has used proskin from Mick Reaves with open ribs on his jet and it is very strong giving the scale look, I think it is available in various thicknesses. Yours is taking shape now and it just gets bigger as you go, when you get to mounting your engines I will send you a pair of flat mount plates if you opt for Z38s so you don't have to modify your bulkheads. I have not flown mine since I got my full exemption due to our field being waterlogged, keep up the good work.

Dave

[paul smith]

thanks for that dave i would be greatfull to you for them
are the ailerons made out of ply or balsa its not clear
ive got so many questions lol

[David Brown]

Mine are 1/32 ply as per plan but split

dave

[David Brown]

Sorry Paul, got my wires crossed thinking of the flaps, the ailerons are built as part of the wing sheeted with 3/32 balsa & cut out after sheeting adding leading edges after removal, if memory serves me right, not forgetting to add the horn mount & hinge blocks to both aileron & wing before sheeting the lower surfaces. My latest DC-3 was as I said part built with the wings sheeted with balsa on the top & ailerons already cut out. With the first method the ailerons have the washout built into them but cutting them off early risks losing it resulting in an aileron that does not follow the wing profile. Its best to sheet the wings on the top first with the panel fixed over the plan with the washout packers in thus holding in the washout with the sheeting. I now use 3/32 lite-ply for sheeting all wing surfaces in one panel using foaming glue to fix, so my wings have balsa top skin & lite-ply lower.
any probs you can ring me on 01283500418.

Dave

[paul smith]

cheers dave will definately give ya call

heres the trim tab on the rudder
god this is hard work
but worth it i hope

[paul smith]

trim tab rudder

[paul smith]

starting the starboard wing build today

[paul smith]

heres the starboard wing ready for structural assembly,
This will have a landing lights fitted and am thinking that i should use 2 servo's 1 for the flap section of the wing and 1 for the mail aileron,

I shall also fit navigation lights in the wing tips, red and green naturally
I will post more pics as i build

[paul smith]

right wing assy
the aileron ribs have been removed in error in these shots
its all a learning process this one.
still it feels good building her!!

right wing assy3.jpg

[paul smith]

more pics of progress so far

[paul smith]

hi all
the port wing begins

[paul smith]

HI all
have finished the cockpit lighting
by stripping a 4 l.e.d 3 AAA battery torch thingy
I used some orange chocolate wrappers for the orange effect
its looking good

[David Jones]

Hi Paul, its looking good. I'm almost up to the "ready for its maiden flight" stage with mine. The engines are in and my mate Alan has done a cracking job with the exhausts and cutting the cowls to fit, we're hoping to get it to our club field to synchronise the engines and give it a few taxi runs this weekend. I'll post some more pictures on my build thread when we've done it. One of the jobs I've put off is the cockpit, my intention is to test fly it with the nose cone taped on, if all is well I can then go to town on scale detail. What glue did you use for your cockpit? This thin plastic is murder if you are a bit heavy handed like me. I'll no doubt be picking your brains when the time comes. Keep up the good work. Jonesey.

[paul smith]

Hi Dave
great news about your dak, im looking forward to seeing some pics
are you using the fiber glass nose cone on yours and how will you fit it in the end?
will it be screwed on or fillered and stuff?
its a tricky call
yes ive used a soft balsa plank for the floor support wich is screwed in with nuts and bolts
ive tried using as little glue as possible but have used wood glue and bolts for the cockpit floor you know, for the vibration from the engines etc.
I used black gaffer tape for cockpit interior side,s with a bit of glue on the top part to stop it coming off
I hope you have good luck with your first stage taxi which I feel will be a great event in itself !!pictures please!!
refards
Paul

[David Jones]

Hi Paul, the idea at the moment is to glue the glass resin nose cone on permanently once everything checks out and the cockpit has been done. I've rebated the sheeting as per the plan to allow it sit sit flush, but the moulding is bigger than the fuse so some trimming will be required. I've made a recessed panel in the left handside of the fuse to accomodate the switches, air valve and charging sockets, these will then be accessed and hiden by the door to rear of the cockpit. I'll post some pictures after the weekend. I had my cockpit kit and pilots sent in from the States, they cost over £170 in total once the Customs and postal charges were added on, I'm begining to regret that decision now and may re think what I'm going to do, bearing in mind the small windows giving limited vision into the cockpit. Jonesey.

[paul smith]

dc3c1.jpg

Hi Dave
Yes I know what you mean it does seem a bit daft doesn't it
I wonder if the LMA would allow a nose cone to be detachable or maybe screwed on somehow
it is a tricky one
the cockpit does give a lot of build satisfaction
I built the seats up and painted them black with enamel.
a good idea was to cut the rubber off of a mouse mat and use that for the seat surfaces
and used string to simulate the yoke grips and scuffed them up a bit with a pencil.
I kept it simple lol
now I think ive now got to get on with the rest of the plane
im a bit stuck on a few things
did you have to do a lot of carving for the tail fairing you know the bit right on the end that goes into a point or did you sheet it ?
what wood did you use for the wing bolt blocks im thinking of some pine or stronger balsa perhaps?

Paul

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

OH GAWD Paul, i like lights jonesy will be looking for some now, he like gadgets, does our dave

[John Greenfield]

Paul

I can't see why making the nose cone should not be acceptable as it does not actually form a structural part of the aircraft. Obviously it will need to be properly secured and not have any critical parts attached to it but there are many models out there with removable parts.

It is always best to discuss the detail of the modifications with your LMA inspector though before making a final decision.

John