Cessna T-37 Tweet - FOR SALE

[Steve Leach]

Hi Guys. I started this project about 8 years ago - I don't like to rush..... I was after a twin edf model that was a little different and came across the CessnaT37. I couldn't really find much information about it but did come across a small airfix equilvalent of about 1/72nd scale in an rc model shop whilst on holiday in America. The web describes it as such....

The Cessna T-37 Tweet (designated Model 318 by Cessna[2]) is a small, economical twin-engine jet trainer-attack type aircraft which flew for decades as a primary trainer for the United States Air Force (USAF) and in the air forces of several other nations. The A-37 Dragonfly variant served in the light attack role during the Vietnam War and continues to serve in the air forces of several South American nations.

I made up some plans...plans might be an overly grand description and got to work to frame up the fuselage with a small amount of planking.the fuselage includes up to just outside of the engines with the outboard section of both wings plugging into carbon fibre tubes and a full height wing spare. The top side of both wings, the tailplane and the rudder are all sheeted with the thin fibreglass sheeting supplied by Mick Reeves - Pro skin. The model will be about 70 inch span and will have 2 75mm fan units probably running off 5S packs. I haven't quite decided yet if i will fit retracts. This weeks work, the first in a very long time will be to sheet the fuselage and get a rigid structure. It's a little flimsy still at the moment but getting stronger all the time. As time passes i will add some more pictures.

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[paul smith]

that looks great!!!! really good

[Steve Leach]

Thanks Paul, I'm just getting re- aquainted with the work I've already done and wondering why i did it ! but hey that's the fun of self design - your the boss, maybe.

Regards Steve

[paul smith]

have you given yourself a time limit for the whole build or are you building it as you feel with no time limit
i think as in my build if you rush the build then mistakes happen but if you build slowly the plane starts to take on its own personality (just an idea)
P

[Steve Leach]

well Paul the 8 years did include a divorce which was a little unplanned !

I was looking for a new project and then realised that i had a perfect unfinished project in the loft so i will continue steadily through the remainder of the 'summer' and see where that gets me. I have the majority of both outboard wing tips, tailplane and rudder already 80% finished so it's not that far off. I will photograph those this week and post them.

Regards Steve

I have now taken some pictures of the wings, tailpane and rudder. The plug in wings are made and the top surface is covered in Pro Skin. I will cut out the aileron and possibly flaps from the inboard section built into the fuselage. The tailplane halves are almost complete - covered in proskin on both upper and lower surfaces as is the rudder.The vertical stabiliser on the fuselage has already been covered in Proskin. I'm very pleased with the way the proskin went on for my first attempt at using it.

Anyway i'm off to the workshop to do more fuselage planking. I have almost decided that i will fit retracts so can anyone suggest a decent set of trike airs or electric that would be suitable fo a model of around 8/9lbs that won't break the bank ??

Regards all Steve

[Steve Leach]

Guys,

If anyone comes across any decent quality pictures of the tweet I would be most grateful if you could give me a shout. The reference pictures that I have are not too great in resolution. I particular I am looking for detail around the front engine air intake and rear exhaust and undercarraige down when viewed from underneath for positioning.

Many Thanks. Steve

[Steve Leach]

Well it's been a fairly productive day. I have finished both elevator halves to the same state, they span 31 inches. I will be putting a servo in each half. I have also planked the starboard underside and part way back towards the tail. Hopefully by the end of the weekend i will have the fuselage pretty much sheeted and then a really good rub down.

Then i will concentrate on trying to get some flaps sorted on the inboard section of the wing and positioning for retracts. I will keep you posted !

[Steve Leach]

Even more planking today and thought I would do a moral boosting dry fit so here goes - taking shape........

[Steve Leach]

well quite a bit done over the past few days but not easy to see on the photographs exactly what ! What you can't see in the pictures are the securing cages that secure the fan units into the ducting. The reason is that i want to be able to get to the fan units and remotor them if there is a power issue. This way they are secure and i will create an access panel in each side to regain access. I have also faired into the exposed part of the exhaust ducting. Later pictures will show this in better detail. Once these are complete then i will continue with the top sheeting to create a frame around the canopy. then comes the daunting task of creating a canopy.

[Steve Leach]

well it's been a busy couple of weeks so a short progress report. The retracts ( a set of trikes ) have arrived and they are installed and working well. The entire fuselage is planked and has had it's first shaping rub down so resembles the almost finished shape. The canopy shape has been defined slightly over size to allow for final trimming. The inner wing subs have been covered with the 0.3mm thick proskin sheet. The ailerons have been cut out of the plug in wings and servo boxes created. The nose has been shaped from blue foam and the fuselage sits on it's own wheels now. I can now fit the motors and speed controllers with a loose fit out of the batteries to see if it will move with the required 'motivation'.

I will post some updated photos over the weekend. Thanks for looking....

[Tony Collins 1073]

Hi Steve, you should be able to find some decent pictures here.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?num=10& ... kqPj34_FtM

Or maybe this maybe more productive.

http://www.vermontel.net/~tomh/AIRCRAFT ... hotos.html

[Steve Leach]

Wow Tony,

that should be enough to get the detail I want.

Thanks very much - regards Steve

[Steve Leach]

As promised here are some updated pictures of progress to date.

[paul smith]

wow looking really good and the hedghog looks pleased too :0)

[Steve Leach]

Thanks Paul,

It's all starting to take shape. Leading edges going on at the moment. wing fillets have been shaped, aileron servos installed. Possibly glass clothing the fuselage at some stage this week.

Regards Steve

[Steve Leach]

This is now for sale as a 'Winter Project' in the For Sale or Wanted section - happy viewing