Large Model Association Forum

Last night I made up the sheeting for the tops of the elevator. Two pieces of 3/32 balsa taped and glued together.
Put some weight on it and let it sit over night.
Removed the tape, a light sanding and the seam almost disappears.

Craig

I cut the sheets to the rough size, and taped it to the leading edge.
Applied my glue to the ribs, then rolled the elevator over onto the sheeting.
I now have two elevators, in the rough!!
These need a trailing edge balsa piece and sanding to shape.

Craig

Placed the horizontal stab on the rear fuse piece, to have a look, with the elevators sitting there, and the vertical stabs placed on as well.
This is a big piece, lol, love the size.

Craig

WOW! that looks fantastic! It looks so much more manageable... How long have you been building her now?

That's a good question Robert. Just looked at my first post here, November 2014, so it is going on two years. I don't build in the summer months, so actual work, maybe 10 months at this point.
I am glad I made the fuselage in two pieces, as you say, much more manageable for sure.
I am happy with the results so far, still lots to do.
Sand elevators to shape, Install hinge points, Glue hinges into the vertical stab, Set up bell cranks for rudders, Build elevator servo hinge pockets, attach vertical fins, Sheet bottom of horizontal stab, I think the list has a few more items.
Just plugging away in a sequence that makes sense.

Craig

Inserted the male ends of the elevator hinges into the elevator. Placed it against the trailing edge and cut out the slots for the elevators. Just need to do some fine tweeting before they get glued into place, which will happen later.

Craig

Lovely clean work! On the plan I can only see a single sheet on the rudder, did you bond two together with carbon for the extra strength? Whichever way it looks good and strong!

KR

Rob

Robert

I think it called for two layers, but not sure. Anyways I liked the carbon fiber sandwich method, sure it adds more sanding, but it is super strong. Once it is glassed it will seal it nicely.

Cut my elevator pins to length, and bent the ends over. Cleaned out a slot on the end so it remains flush when it is inserted.
I am hoping to glue in the hinges tonight and I still need to do more shaping.
Craig

Glued in the hinge points.
Checked the alignment, placed in my spacers between the leading edge and trailing edge.
Once every thing was set, I just lifted the hinge, applied some medium CA, then lowered it into location and held it for about 20 seconds. Then used the bull dog clamps to maintain pressure as the glue set.

Craig

Applied some triangle stock to the end, it is pretty solid at this point.
Added some wood on the inside to cover the opening. This is filled with balsa and sanded flush.

Craig

I now have two elevators installed.
Still a few things to do on the elevator, but the hinging is complete.

Craig

Started on the "L" brackets for the vertical stabilizer.
Drilled some holes for the glueing of the actual fin, it will bite better.
Epoxied in the bracket to the spar, once cured I will drill and pin it for extra security.

Craig

Looking very smart!! Like the L shape support! No issue of this coming off in flight!

What grade of carbon fiber did you use on your rudders? Is this the same as you used on the fuzzy where you have split it?



Cheers
Rob

Robert
I don't know what grade of carbon fiber it was, but it was a good weight, but not sure. Yes it is the same stuff I used on the fuselage split.
So the "L" brackets are in and secured. I also sheeted the leading edge of the bottom of the stab. Have shaped the leading edge before I attach the vertical stabilizer. Much easier at this point.

Craig

Started on the vertical fins, tapped a piece of thick balsa on the trailing edge, then tapped a level to that.
Made sure the stab was level, inserted the rear dowel, and moved the fin until it was level up and down.
Marked the bracket location and cut out a 1/8th piece for the bracket.
Slid the fin into location.....perfect.
The fit is tight, and it holds itself at this point.
I still need to do a bit of trimming of the plywood bracket.

Craig

Vertical find are now glued in. They are supper strong.
Hinges are now also glued in, so a simple removal of my hinge pin allows them to be removed with ease.
Also made up the rudder horns from plywood, after careful measuring with the belcrank control rods, I cut away part of the rudder and inserted the horns and filled in the voided area with balsa.

Craig

I finished up the construction of the belcranks for the rudders.
Made of laminated plywood, super strong and installed the 440 bolts for the linkage.
The pivot of the belcrank had a 1/8 dia brass piece added, and a couple wraps of Teflon tape to allow smooth movement and no slop.
These are now installed on a plywood plate.

Craig.

Installed the rudders, and made the linkage from the belcrank to the rudder horn.
I have plenty of travel.

Craig

Made up the linkage covers for the rudders, I still need to cut the end off flush and cap it, that is marked with the line in the last picture.
Turned out pretty good.
The linkage is hidden, but when the rudder is fully outboard, I have access to the horn attachment bolt.
The attachment linkage moves freely in and out of the cover.

Craig

Beautiful building Craig. A neat idea for the rudder link too