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DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 10th, 2014, 6:40 pm
by richard armstrong
as some of you know i brought alf machins large scale DH Beaver, as a first major revamp for me
at present i am in the process of stripping is back to basics, and going through it, to check all is well and to fix anything that needs it fixings
the cowl is not in great condition after further inspection, i think it might need a replacement? but we will see on that once all repaired that are need, i first i need to recover "big burther" with solartex or other similar material, suggestion welcome?
where can i purchase White Solartex semi gloss or gloss, in 10m + rolls at a very good price
the final paint scheme has been chosen, but that will be surprise if it turns out!
any can help me make masks for paint spraying
also can someone point to a graphics company that can do decals, letter and nose art
richard
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 10th, 2014, 7:16 pm
by paul needham
Hi Richard, sounds like you want ''glosstex'' for covering, its more or less the same as solartex as far as useing it goes but it has a gloss paint finish as the name suggests, can be bought in 10m rolls. Heres their website...
http://www.solarfilm.co.uk/
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 10th, 2014, 10:41 pm
by richard armstrong
gloss tex sound the way to go
can u paint it with car paint or use the solarlac products?
trying to do a a 3 colour scheme i need this is the scheme
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 6:01 am
by paul needham
Not sure if auto paint is compatable with glosstex, best to try some on an offcut first. I've been useing Hobby Flight Warbird and Gloss paint latley, seems good paint, but not sure again if its compatable with glosstex.
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 8:05 am
by DAVE JOHNSON
Richard---I cant understand why you want to spend your hard earned money on a recover ? its covered in Solartex at the moment,any repair work needed could have a patch put on to make look like one of the many panels the airframe would have---and then a rub down and complete repaint.
The airframe was structurally sound,and just a general refurbishment would put the model back into a good flying model----just my 2ps worth !!!
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 8:31 am
by richard armstrong
paul needham wrote:Not sure if auto paint is compatable with glosstex, best to try some on an offcut first. I've been useing Hobby Flight Warbird and Gloss paint latley, seems good paint, but not sure again if its compatable with glosstex.
time to do the science bit
TEST paints, on offcuts and post result,
where do i get hobby flight war bird and gloss paint from? if u mean house hold gloss i have a shed full?
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 8:36 am
by richard armstrong
DAVE JOHNSON wrote:Richard---I cant understand why you want to spend your hard earned money on a recover ? its covered in Solartex at the moment,any repair work needed could have a patch put on to make look like one of the many panels the airframe would have---and then a rub down and complete repaint.
The airframe was structurally sound,and just a general refurbishment would put the model back into a good flying model----just my 2ps worth !!!
dave i understand your point, but as Dave B stated if the jobs worth doing it worth doing properly and and don't skimp on the final product,
a s this is a long term gig, i worth the investment to get it right first time, i will to swallow the cost and get right
i may not have to recover all, we will see as i get further into it
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 8:42 am
by richard armstrong
one thing i will need help with is the duel RX setup as this is my first time, but that is later on
for now
it paint test time
can any one let me have samples of differant paint befor i go and purchase the correct type
i have Emanuel and car paint, plus water base spray paint,
can any one help em please?
i will be at rougham!
ric
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 7:41 pm
by Steve Mansell
Richard,
I have used Spectrum (Flair), both spray and brush on Glosstex without any problem. One thing to remember is if using an iron always use a sock on Glosstex as the sole of the iron can flatten the finish.
Love the colour scheme.
Steve
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 7:49 pm
by paul needham
[quote=
where do i get hobby flight war bird and gloss paint from? if u mean house hold gloss i have a shed full?[/quote]
kings lynn model shop
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 9:17 pm
by richard armstrong
Steve Mansell wrote:Richard,
I have used Spectrum (Flair), both spray and brush on Glosstex without any problem. One thing to remember is if using an iron always use a sock on Glosstex as the sole of the iron can flatten the finish.
Love the colour scheme.
Steve
thanks for the tip
wool or cotton?
i need t pin stripe and mask areas,
what tape can u get to pin stripe
i was thinking frog tape for larger area's?
looking for a suppler of car masking tapes i think it the blue stuff that can go round curves
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 9:19 pm
by richard armstrong
paul needham wrote:[quote=
where do i get hobby flight war bird and gloss paint from? if u mean house hold gloss i have a shed full?
kings lynn model shop[/quote]
thanks paul i will have a look at the KLMS
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 9:20 pm
by richard armstrong
but first i need to find cheap 10m rolls of white glosstex
any suggestions?
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 11th, 2014, 9:50 pm
by stuart knowles 1611
If t'were mine I would def fly it 'as is' and see what its like before the big refurb. Invest is a big motor, 80cc minimum and get some air under its wings for a season.
still - your call
stu k
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 12th, 2014, 12:33 pm
by Bob Thompson1894
"cheap" Glosstex....

At £18 for two metres its going to cost an arm and a leg for that. Put it away until you have some proper experience under your belt, learn to fly, take a proficiency test on that Greenly you have and bring that model back out in five years time. You may be ready for it (and an 80cc engine) by that time.
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 12th, 2014, 5:21 pm
by Alan Cantwell 1131
do what work is needed, and get it flying, trust me, you will end up,with a half finished plane, and lose interest in it,
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 12th, 2014, 6:42 pm
by Peter Siggins
Hello Richard,
If you haven't used gloss text before I would stick to Solartex it's much easier to work with,it can be sprayed using acrylic car paint,which is readily available at most car paint suppliers.It sprays very well and covers brilliantly.It is fuel proof after letting harden for a couple of weeks.
Just my twopennorth - I would finish it how you want to then learn how to fly a scale model at your leisure
All the best with the refurb
Pete
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 12th, 2014, 7:26 pm
by richard armstrong
thanks for the advice pete
suspect the the airframe was either scratch built, from own plans or they where wendel hosteler plans as the fuzz is the same size as the plans
solartex and car paint it is, do i go for a natural and spray it white or a white and spray semi gloss?????????
one wing in very good condition, little work needed, on the other, a rewire recover and paint,
having to replace 2 panels and rewire for the servo wires and lights, but all in all not to bad,
bad wing, aileron at some point been crushed, some ribs need replacing so having to cut 6 " off the aileron, remake the 6" piece and epoxy it to the rest, not the best way but i don't have plans to remake the aileron, new hinges where needed, new horns, and pushrods throughout
new servos have been ordered for the rear end refitting in the wing, and rudder, using the old rudder servo as a tail wheel rudder
the wiring on this is a bit dated better safe than in the deck, needs a new light controller (suggestions here please)
rudder had been taken off, new hinges been sent for, rudder has been sanded and found newspaper under the paint, respray job me thinks
fuse in pretty good nick, few holes to fill, and new tank ordered, the old one was a baked bean can, now that's improvising, recover and spray,
not sure what to do with under cart at present but that's on hold
horizontal tail, just need a light sanding and respray, new servos and horns
cowl beyond repair, lead removed, 1 kg of lead, found one that fits in the USA, ordered,
new motor??????
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 12th, 2014, 7:27 pm
by richard armstrong
Alan Cantwell 1131 wrote:do what work is needed, and get it flying, trust me, you will end up,with a half finished plane, and lose interest in it,
alan i believe if you started a job u finish it
Re: DH Beaver revamp - project big burther
Posted: May 12th, 2014, 7:29 pm
by Joshua Henderson
Richard, check your messages