Wellington build and re-build

Why not share your information on your latest creation
Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Wellington build and re-build

Postby Steve Vodrey » January 20th, 2014, 3:27 pm

I already have a thing about twins and a while ago had taken to the Tony Nijhuis design Wellington (13 foot) having seen one owned by Tony Hooper (IC) and another owned by Tony Hill (electric). This is available as a CNC cut kit available through SLEC.
I had a pair of suitable Zenoahs to spare from a similar sized twin which had been good runners.
Before long Ian Redshaw had fixed me up with a partially started kit and I got the retracts ordered from unitracts.
After leaving everything lying around for a couple of years (others have waited longer) I recently set about getting on with it.
The basic fuz frame had been started and was very flimsy but this was soon sorted out when the planking went on. This seemed to take ages and I was reminded how long it takes to build a model from scratch. Something I haven't done for about 10 years.
Basic fuz frame.jpg
Starting the planking.
Basic fuz frame.jpg (49.27 KiB) Viewed 22404 times
partially sheeted fuz 2.jpg
taking shape
partially sheeted fuz 2.jpg (48.2 KiB) Viewed 22402 times

The model didn't come with any wing tubes so I rooted out some standard waste pipe and an aerial pole from B&Q which are a crack on fit for nominal cost. Looking at the second pic the wing tubes look out of line but sliding a wing rib on each side made the line up look about right.
Next thing to line up was the tail which at the time I needed to be removable. On the plan the tail is supported by a rectangular vertical spar and a carbon fibre rod. These slide through the fuz (see next pic) and once again of course have to be lined up. I have to confess to being a bit lost at this point so rather than make a mess of it I put the fuz in the too difficult tray for a while to make a start on the wings.
Tail support.jpg
tail support
Tail support.jpg (50.79 KiB) Viewed 22292 times

If there's anything I hate it's cutting out wing ribs of different sizes so to pop them out from a pre cut sheet is bliss. The basic frame is easy enough to do and soon takes shape.
The ribs are only cut from lite ply and quite bendy hence the temporary spruce strips to keep em straight.
Wing frame 1.jpg
basic frame
Wing frame 1.jpg (56.67 KiB) Viewed 22289 times

To sheet the upper surface I used the trusted cellotape hinge method to make an enormous width of 3/32 balsa which I stuck on in one piece. The end result is step free and needs very little sanding.
Completed planking sheet.jpg
Completed planking sheet
Completed planking sheet.jpg (33.77 KiB) Viewed 21981 times

Sheeted wing.jpg
Sheeted wing
Sheeted wing.jpg (53.83 KiB) Viewed 22285 times

I just did the frame for the other wing so I might have something to put together in a couple of days.
Both wings done now but only sheeted on top surface so far.
The next dilemma was whether to build flaps in or not. Tony Hooper didn't bother and for that matter neither did Tony Nijhuis.
Following representations from numerous it looks like I will have to build em. Research shows the flaps to be split and running full length from the fuz to just short of the aileron.
Looks like I will end up doing em as it's obviously easier to do it now...
Flap detail 2.jpg
Flap detail 2.jpg (13.02 KiB) Viewed 22238 times
Last edited by Steve Vodrey on November 14th, 2023, 9:27 am, edited 3 times in total.

Seamus O'Donnell
Posts: 18
Joined: January 14th, 2010, 5:32 pm
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Seamus O'Donnell » January 22nd, 2014, 6:24 pm

Will be watching this one as it is on my to build list ;)

Mike Booth
Posts: 648
Joined: December 4th, 2008, 5:51 pm
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Mike Booth » January 25th, 2014, 11:29 am

Steve I'd definitely go for flaps while you can.
That way it'll be a real bomber, you'll be able to vary the approach to suit conditions and land where you want, rather than waiting for a long glide to finish.
Generally you will have far more control over the thing.

Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Steve Vodrey » January 27th, 2014, 10:42 am

Wings fitted.jpg
Wings fitted
Wings fitted.jpg (29.65 KiB) Viewed 21984 times
Thanks Mike. Looks like that is the general opinion. Better too for a short landing strip.
I will make the effort.
Man flu prevented weekend progress but I did manage last week to get some idea of progress by sliding the wings on.

Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Steve Vodrey » February 3rd, 2014, 5:45 pm

Building flaps took longer than expected. What else is there to do though this weather?
Flap on bench.jpg
on the bench
Flap on bench.jpg (48.35 KiB) Viewed 21803 times

It seems to look about right.
flap on model.jpg
on the model
flap on model.jpg (20.21 KiB) Viewed 21803 times

At 37 inches long I reckon each one will take two servos. The flap is a bit bendy anyway.
Seems like an ideal time to glue the wing tubes in position before sheeting the underside.
Note the deliberate mistake with the inboard servo position...
flap servo.jpg
inboard servo position
flap servo.jpg (36.58 KiB) Viewed 21803 times

Should create plenty of drag. What do you reckon Crusty?
both flaps deployed.jpg
both flaps deployed
both flaps deployed.jpg (21.99 KiB) Viewed 21803 times

Nick Reeves 3055
Posts: 149
Joined: December 4th, 2008, 5:42 pm
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Nick Reeves 3055 » February 3rd, 2014, 7:35 pm

this is just the thread ive been waiting for!!! have been longing to build the welly but now it looks a lot more achieveable. did you cut the flaps out of the ribs once the wing was built?
Adreneline is a Natural substance, Enjoy it when you can!
Too many planks to count, & two helis all guided by Futaba

Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Steve Vodrey » February 4th, 2014, 1:44 pm

Hi Nick.
Good to know all this typing is of some use.
Anyone else should feel free to comment. Good or bad. I'm open to suggestions to make things better.
To make up the flaps I had to add another spar made from a strip of 10mm balsa to the wing on which to hinge the flap and then cut out some off the trailing ribs.
The flap is made seperately from a length of 3mm lite ply. Another strip of 10mm balsa along the hinged edge. The little ribs on it are small cuts of 3mm birch ply.
The underside is still to be sheeted.after I re-position the inboard flap servo and come up with a decent method to stop the wing panels sliding off. Not too keen on screwing a bolt into the wing tubes...

Karl mander
Posts: 174
Joined: October 31st, 2011, 10:41 am
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Karl mander » February 4th, 2014, 7:31 pm

Ayup-

You seem to be quite good at this model building, you should do it more often!

User avatar
Dave Parry
Site Admin
Posts: 1078
Joined: November 27th, 2008, 10:39 pm
Location: St.Helens, Mersyside.
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Dave Parry » February 4th, 2014, 8:50 pm

Steve, I wouldn't want you to waste all that typing, so why don't you do a build article for the Journal I am sure it would be of interest to the members old and new. it is looking great keep up the good work.

Peter Siggins
Posts: 333
Joined: January 12th, 2010, 8:41 am
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Peter Siggins » February 4th, 2014, 9:56 pm

hello Steve
i have sent you an email - re drilling tubes.Have to agree with Karl you should build more - looking good
all the best Pete

Peter Siggins
Posts: 333
Joined: January 12th, 2010, 8:41 am
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Peter Siggins » February 4th, 2014, 9:56 pm

hello Steve
i have sent you an email - re drilling tubes.Have to agree with Karl you should build more - looking good
all the best Pete

John Greenfield
Posts: 424
Joined: December 5th, 2008, 2:08 pm
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby John Greenfield » February 5th, 2014, 7:38 am

Steve

If you want to stop the back edge of the flap distorting glue a piece of 3mm carbon rod along the trailing edge. It can be attached with thick cyno and then filed in with lightweight filler. The rod will support the wood and stop id going out of line. don't forget to cut 3mm off the flap first or it will be too big !?

John

Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Steve Vodrey » February 5th, 2014, 8:17 am

Thanks John. Great suggestion.
I'll do that.

Steve

Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Steve Vodrey » February 8th, 2014, 11:14 am

Speaking of how to hold the wings in I opted to fit some tabs to the end of the panel.
5a72.jpg
wing tabs
5a72.jpg (39.16 KiB) Viewed 21448 times

The idea being to slide these into the fuz
60a6.jpg
60a6.jpg (58.94 KiB) Viewed 21448 times

Then they can be braced together using some lightweight bolts.
b1581.jpg
b1581.jpg (42.34 KiB) Viewed 21448 times

Wings are sheeted now on the underside so time to move onto the nacelles or tail feathers...

User avatar
paul needham
Posts: 784
Joined: April 23rd, 2009, 10:29 am
Location: Sproutlandshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby paul needham » February 9th, 2014, 3:21 pm

Hi Steve, The Wellington is looking good, if its any help, regarding the wing fixing, my wellington (don't know who built it) has tabes much the same as you have put on your wings then uses a nylon cable tie to hold them from sliding out.

Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Steve Vodrey » February 9th, 2014, 7:37 pm

Thanks Paul.
All I need to do is hold them together. Probably go for a length of plywood and some plastic bolts with thumb nuts.
Anyway moving onto the tail. It goes together quite easily. Once again the ribs were crack on.
18c0.jpg
half tail
18c0.jpg (48.41 KiB) Viewed 21341 times

The wing is quite a size slid together.
1453.jpg
1453.jpg (43.06 KiB) Viewed 21341 times

The main strength in the nacelle is the ply sides and firewall. These fit in the gap and engage on the main spars.
I use the method shown to line em up vertically so the down thrust is the same. Get this out and your twin will roll quite nicely all on it's own.
285d.jpg
285d.jpg (37.7 KiB) Viewed 21332 times

Next to line up for side thrust. I suppose we all have our way of doing this so I might get some comments.We all introduce right thrust to make up for the prop rotation over the tail feathers. This is fine on the starboard engine but creates an adverse problem on the port engine if it's left running on its own. Fot that reason I opt to keep the port engine straight ahead.
Like I say comments please...
I did the adjustments at this stage to hopefully avoid packing the engines out from the firewalls although looking at the photo now it looks like I need more right thrust on the starboard side.
Attachments
e06f.jpg
e06f.jpg (38.84 KiB) Viewed 21332 times

User avatar
Rob Buckley
Posts: 565
Joined: March 14th, 2009, 12:08 pm
Location: Just Outside Bath
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Rob Buckley » February 17th, 2014, 7:37 am

Steve,

That looks like it's coming along nicely & the flaps look like a good idea.

For the side thrust, some say that having both engines toeing out by a couple of degrees helps to counteract assymetric thrust in an engine out situation.

In other news, if anybody's read this thread and fancies having a go at a build of one of these Wellington kits on a sub-contract basis, give me a call or an email.
LMA Secretary - I've got a reasonable idea where you live!

Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Steve Vodrey » February 20th, 2014, 9:53 am

Tail frame is fairly simple really and encouraging as the model looks closer to being finished.
Tail frame structure.jpg
Tail frame structure.jpg (38.64 KiB) Viewed 21108 times

Back to the nacelles I made the effort to make a well for the wheels to go into so the mud would be contained somewhere. Simple enough job but seemed to take me ages to do.
wheel well.jpg
wheel well.jpg (41.37 KiB) Viewed 21108 times

These units from unitracts really are the business.
The wheels are Dubro from the States which I had to bail out from customs...
undercarriage unit in position.jpg
undercarriage unit in position.jpg (41.15 KiB) Viewed 21108 times


Sadly though, halfway through the build I bought the below which is almost complete so I'm moving over to that for a while as it wil soon be ready to fly.
Islander.jpg
Islander.jpg (39.73 KiB) Viewed 21108 times

Steve Vodrey
Posts: 145
Joined: July 6th, 2009, 8:04 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby Steve Vodrey » February 23rd, 2014, 9:26 am

Well just to finish off for now.
Here is the present state of the build.
10f2.jpg
10f2.jpg (40.17 KiB) Viewed 20993 times

ian redshaw
Posts: 217
Joined: December 4th, 2008, 7:13 pm
Contact:

Re: Wellington build thread

Postby ian redshaw » February 23rd, 2014, 9:40 am

Looking good Vod, non too shabby mate. It's great you fitted the flaps, if the real one had them and all that. I still need to pick them wheels up too!

Ian.


Return to “Your New Projects”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests