FAIREY FIREFLY MARK 5, 1:4 SCALE

[Karl mander]

Hi,
Well it's been several weeks since I've finished and flown the bear and with the inability to sit still the latest project is started.

Ive decided on a fairey firefly mark 5 at a scale of 1:3.85 making it a 128" wingspan. If it works I intend to use the zenoah inline triple I've created. My inline twin has done a couple of hours and is running well.

It's different in that it has the fairey-youngman flaps I've shown a picture of the 10mm flap torque rods with the arms I've had brased onto them.

The construction of the fuselage is as my normal method, using poles as jigs then building the longerons onto the formers. The longerons are a mixture of 1/2 by 1/4 " cyparis and 1/4" square hard balsa that I've built from laminating 1/8 hard balsa(1/4 balsa don't bend), with the sheeting applied this is very strong. To keep it strong I intend to build a one piece wing.

The 8" spinner is from a full sized powered glider.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Blimey, Look forward to this one, Do you sleep?

[David Brown]

Karl, you never cease to amaze me how quick you get on with your builds. looking forward to the one piece wing, at over 10 ft it will you need a bigger van ??.

Dave

[ian redshaw]

Now you are talking!!! Superb choice and the best Mk too, much more pleasing than the earlier shape cowl. Top job mate,

Ian.

[Karl mander]

With a concerted effective effort I've managed to finish the tail feathers in order to be able to move onto the wing.
Nothing unusual about the construction of these, using my normal 1/8 hard balsa stringers and 3/32 sheeting. The tail is made removable, it's 135 cm wide. I've over engineered it as usual, putting locating pegs at the front of the unit and also on the rudder post. The tail unit is then locked in position by 6mm bolts through 12mm ply.

To ensure that the tail is seated parallel to the wing I've zip tied one of my poles to the wing mounting plate in the fuselage giving me the correct level.

I've then spent the last few evenings ensuring the wing ribs are all cut correctly and sorting out laminating etc.
I've decided to make it in one piece at 128" it'll fit in the van.

[rob ellis]

nice..,.,any idears on a scheme yet karl.,.,,..,last yr there was a pair of firefly"s at duxford.,.,both pretty ratty & painted all over in yellow.,.,.,.,not sure if they were target tugs ?? .,.,I spose at the rate you get through em,,this will be flying in a fortnite!!

[Karl mander]

Hi

It's going to be finished in Korean war era markings, the attached picture shows similar, I intend to have the identification stripes on it.
I think it'll take more than a fortnight to finish, the big unknown is the engine, will the inline triple work?

Karl

[David Brown]

I am sure that with all of your shedoligy skills the engine will be a great success. Can't wait to hear it run.

Dave

[Karl mander]

Started on the wing, as the spars have already been scarfed and the webs already cut they're coming together quickly. First impressions are good as everything fits together well and there appears lots of washout.

[DAVE JOHNSON]

Karl---I think age or work must be slowing you down---3 weeks into the build and its not at the painting stage----come on man--pull your finger out HAPPY XMAS TO YOU

[Karl mander]

Thanks Dave, happy Christmas to you and everyone in the Lma.

Sorry for taking so long on the firefly but after building the bear in just over 7months I have taken a bit of sabbatical from the shed I'll kick in again in the new year.

I've had a back plate made for the back of the spinner. This has been made beautifully by The Tony Thompson, in fact it's so pretty I replaced the star on the top of the tree with it.

[Karl mander]

Christmas has come and gone and I've managed to get back into the shed.
Both wings have been top skinned and the fairey-youngman flaps and ailerons have been completed.
The pictures show the the large flaps at almost a metre each as well as the large wing spars.

Before sheeting the bottom of the wing I've got to install the flap operating mechanics which is something I'm looking forward to.

I've decided to build the wing in two pieces as the wing is going to be huge. The plan shows a quarter ply tongue which fits into a pocket on the opposite wing. I'll increase it to a 1/2" by 5" by 12" , I'll also secure the tongue in the pocket by putting 6mm bolts through it.

I'm most impressed by the plan as everything fits spot on. Plus helpful touches like jigs to place the upside down wing when sheeting the bottom.

[ian redshaw]

Are they scale Frise ailerons we see too mate!!?? Super stuff indeedly

Ian.

[Karl mander]

Yes, all down to the excellent plan, I normally build the ailerons by cutting them out of the wing however on this occasion I've had to follow the plan and make them scale.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Very impressive, whoes plan is it?

[MalcolmDouglasPorter]

Karl,

Have you thought about extending the "shed"? LOL.

[Karl mander]

Hi

The plans are from vanguard plans in the states.

Malcolm, I would like to get a bigger shed however that would incur the wrath of Mrs M, a truly terrifying experience!

I've installed the torque rods for the flaps today, all fits well, as this involved installing 1/4 ply formers that the rods use as a bearing. I don't have enough of the correct M4 bolts to show the flaps in action.

I've also shown the ailerons including the 20mm ply aileron hangers and the pocket that's being created in the main spar joining tongue.

[Karl mander]

A few weeks since I've updated the build thread.

During this time the firefly has had an inspection prior to the bottom sheeting of the wing going on.

As a result of ther wings being finished this has allowed me to continue with the other jobs like mounting the wing, ailerons etc.

The pictures show the complete model to date.

The cowl is shown attached, although it appears balsa I have glassed the inside with resin and tape like my tempest cowl which has been bullet proof.

Also shown is the engine bracket that I've had welded, I had previously bolted it together

[paul needham]

Absolutely stunning work there Karl.

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

fantastic, Do you stop to eat Karl? I wish i had a tenth of your enthusiasm,