Tony Nijhuis 1/6 Scale Lancaster

[chris willis]

Nice and neat Craig, liking the fuz joiner, keep the push going.
Chris

[Craig Green]

Thanks Chris, it is coming along.

Robert
I was wondering how you did your servo's in the tail. I am thinking the elevator servos in the stab, lots of room and a belcrank system for the rudders.
I also noticed from your thread you have beefed up the verticle fins for strength. Is this common prcatice as it is not shown on the plans. Did you glue them onto the horizontal stab or are they removeable.
Last question, lol, what are you using for a tailwheel bracket, and how is it secured to the bottom wing fuse piece?

I will no doubt have several questions as I go, just hope you dont mind.
Feel free to put pictures on the thread, so we all can see how you did things.

Thanks for posting, and appreciate your input.

Craig

[Craig Green]

Added four more bolts for the securing of the rear fuse portion, total of 6 bolts, she is nice and snug.

Craig

[Craig Green]

I applied some 3/4 oz cloth on both ends of the fuse join, to seal it and to prevent the balsa from chipping.
I also put the horizontal stab on, inserted the main spar, and double checked for level and squareness. It is good.

[Craig Green]

Time to start on the nose. Lots of complex curves with this piece as well as the forward turret, and nose glass piece.
First I clamped the nose piece in location, checked to make sure it is centered and allowed room for the forward flange that covers the rear edge of the turret glass.
Made a template out of cardboard, which will be the ledge that the front turret sits on.

Craig

[Dean Grobbelaar]

that's great news

have made contact and they are busy manufacturing including the tailwheel retract and wheels.

thanks so much for the info

regards
Dean

[Craig Green]

Hi Dean that's great, I am interested in seeing the gear when you get it.
Curious to the weight of them with wheels.

Made the base for the front turret, laminated soft balsa, and capped the top with light 1/8 ply. Opened it up as I plan on detailing the front end.
More though needed on the front glass piece.
Had to make sure it is level and that it has a slight incline on the front.

Craig

[Ron Lesyk]

Nice progress Mr. Green

[Craig Green]

More progress on the front end.
It was almost like making a bird house that will be sanded down to the round fuselage shape.
Some complex curves on the front of the Lancaster.

[Craig Green]

Sanded the wood down so all of the pieces are blended together.
Cut out the ring for the nose bubble, centered its location and glued it on.
Sanded it all down to the fuselage shape, added a little filler, but more sanding to be done.

Once the front is all sanded and glassed I will carve out the remaining balsa that you can see inside of the ring, so it will be completely open.

Craig

[Nick Reeves 3055]

following with interest!!!

[Craig Green]

Finished shaping the front nose section. Being constructed of very soft balsa, sanding went well, and also glassed the nose with 3/4 ounce cloth. This should prevent lots of dings.
The glass pieces and turrets can be detailed later, but they are a good fit.
Just placed the two glass pieces on to have a look, they are not trimmed as of yet.

[Craig Green]

Now it is time to work on the tail gunners piece. Currently making the flange at rear of the fuselage. Placed the glass piece on and took a picture. More shaping is required of the rear of the fuselage.

[Craig Green]

Did some playing around with the two piece canopy.
Need to do some trimming, as well as adding some balsa to the cockpit sides to bring the wood up to the canopy. I have a feeling this will take a bit of tinkering.

[Craig Green]

Finished up pinning the main spar.
Cut out some bamboo, pre drilled the holes and glued them into location.
Just need to trim them flush when dry and sand smooth.

[Craig Green]

Cleaned out the balsa inside of the front ring, sanded out pretty easy.
Glued the two piece canopy together, it will take a bit of work to get this in the right position.
My plan is to have it removeable, for cockpit access.

Craig

[Nick Reeves 3055]

very impressive work and very inspiring!! inspiring to a point i am now looking at building one!! for those that have built and flown the nijhuis lanc, where has your equipment ended up being?? i ask as a removable front turret would be good for access to a tray that is right at the front of the fuz for say batteries. if a tray is required it might be easier to put it in during the early stages of the build. just a thought

[David Brown]

Hi Craig, are these for you ? nearly done, just the wheels to assemble when the bearings arrive tomorrow.
Dave

[Craig Green]

Hello Dave and Nick

I have not ordered any gear as of yet, it does look good. Have not seen any information regarding the tail wheel, even if that is also available.
Seems most are using a free casting type, where I would think that a controlled wheel would be much better.
Thanks for posting the picture.

Craig

[Craig Green]

Not to much progress, but have been doing a few things.
Made the front flange that goes over the front turret, layed up some glass and have cut it to shape. I will not add this until after the fuse is glassed.
I do want to glass what I have done on the fuse so far, before I start denting all that balsa.

Craig