Wellington build and re-build

[Steve Vodrey]

After going to Gaydon last week I returned home enthused having spoken to many fine people and seeing so all those new projects I felt the need to resume my efforts on the Wellington.
Next decision is bomb doors. They are really long and give great access but take out some strength and are difficult to hinge and operate with servos as they are prone to warping.
To avoid stalling servos and spending too long setting up the hinges I have opted to make them as per the scale size but as an enormous removable hatch. Might strengthen up the fuz depending on how bendy it is after I curt out the doors.

IMG_3915.jpg (20.94 KiB) Viewed 15090 times

\

Comments are always welcome...

[Rob Buckley]

I considered bomb doors on mine...but as the full size had about 25 of them I decided not to bother & just put a small hatch in the bottom to get to the wing fixing & leave it at that!

[Steve Vodrey]

Thanks Rob.
Great picture of the bomb door detail.

[Steve Vodrey]

I did wonder, having seen the build article by Phil Robertshaw whether to continue with this thread. The intention from my point of view is to benefit newcomers to this model type and by explaining my problems and how I get over them.
Comments are welcome of course.

Decision made on bomb doors. Will make four small ones rather than two long ones. Manual closing. They will then do for access underneath.
Next to get on with finishing the planking the fuz and get it ready for covering.Before this is done the leads need to go in for the tail feathers. I went for the Dave Hayfield twisted wires using the drill method.

Fuz wiring .jpg (39.83 KiB) Viewed 14774 times

[Steve Vodrey]

Tail wheel position according to the plan is mid point between formers .
I beefed it upon a little and went for the servo mid point with a long push rod.
Thanks to Tony (Uncle Albert) Thompson for making my tail wheel assembly.

Tail wheel.jpg (32.33 KiB) Viewed 14775 times

[Steve Vodrey]

Tailplane is supported by a long 12mm carbon fibre tube and a length of hardwood running from the hinge line into the fuz.
The fin detail is sparse and since I wanted mine to be removable I set about making a similar arrangement.

Fin stab.jpg (35.87 KiB) Viewed 14775 times

[Steve Vodrey]

All goes together quite easily now although the tailplane for reasons best kept to myself didn't line up with the wings. I made a couple of large washers out of plywood and re-positioned the rigging holes for the carbon fibre tube sliding the washers into the correct position.
The three lengths of hardwood can now be held together using a triangle of plywood bolted through using blind nuts.

internal configuration.jpg (22.69 KiB) Viewed 14774 times

All lined up.

[Dave Parry]

Hi Steve, don't know why you would think of stopping this thread just because it has been covered in the Journal. remember not all forum members belong to the LMA. I like the way you are explaining on how you are overcoming the challenges. keep up the good work, pity you didn't submit it to the Journal, but I respect your chose.

[Dave Collis 2296]

Thanks for keeping this going.
I have the SLEC kit..had it for a good number of years, and this year it is on the "to build" list...right after the 1/3 Anderson Kingfisher and Balsa USA 1/3 Fokker D-VII

Hopefully, Unitract still can provide the gear.

Cheers,
Dave.

[Steve Ogden]

Unitracts will still make you the retracts. But be aware it can take2 months plus to get them. Cost me £360 for a set just a few weeks ago.

[Steve Vodrey]

With the wiring done, tailwheel and tail feathers secured I can complete the rear planking.

Rear fuz planking completed.jpg (34.33 KiB) Viewed 14647 times

[Steve Vodrey]

At the front I opted to make a sliding tray to hold the batteries, switches, air tank and retract valve with servo. Ballast can be fitted to this tray underneath. One again not much detail on the plan so it's a case of doing what suits your needs.
Although this model should be underweight i'm going for two receivers which helps split the load of the 13 servos.

Battery and accessory tray.jpg (30.31 KiB) Viewed 14647 times

[Steve Vodrey]

Back to the nacelles. Engines now fitted. The rectangular plate that comes with a Zenoah 23 or 26 cannot be used really as the four mounting holes foul the plywood sides of the nacelle box. It could be re-drilled of course but taking it off reduces the overall length which makes it a perfect fit anyway. I simply put the three bolts through from the inside.

engine mounted up.jpg (36.4 KiB) Viewed 14585 times

[Steve Vodrey]

I always make it a rule that I have access to everything if I need to.
The tanks at 500ml will run the engines for more than long enough. I can slide them up to the far end of the recess. Access to them will be via a hatch underneath so as not to spoil the top surface.
Throttle servos can be mounted on the bulkhead so as to avoid bell cranks that only add slop to the linkages which isn't great (especially on a twin).

tank access.jpg (35.19 KiB) Viewed 14585 times

[Steve Vodrey]

Time to do the bit I have been putting off...
The nacelles.
Formers soon go into place. The CNC parts really fit well.
Dreaded planking to follow.

ready for planking.jpg (33.42 KiB) Viewed 14549 times

[Steve Vodrey]

Planking done now.
Two days work.
Ridiculous amount of time.
Back to the fuz next week and get it all ready for covering.

completed planking.jpg (24.02 KiB) Viewed 14492 times

[Steve Vodrey]

Now that all that silly hat and tinsel business is done with it's back to the building.
Elevators, rudder and ailerons now fully completed ready for covering. Another job that took far too long.
Anyway. Decision made on bomb doors which are a total of 38 inches long. As pointed out earlier in a helpful post they were infact a combination of up to 25 separate doors so I opted to build in the front half completely and make a pair of the back end giving access to the wing tensioners, connecting cables and two receivers which are in the centre of the fuz.I intend to hinge them and use catches not bothering with servos. Got no spare channels anyway as I have opted for six and seven channel receivers...

Underbelly.jpg (24.86 KiB) Viewed 14349 times

[paul needham]

Looking good Steve, giving me the urge to get mine started.

[Steve Vodrey]

Thanks Paul.
Cowls from Vacform are great by the way. They have saved me loads of time and fit really well.

[Steve Vodrey]

After a lazy week away it's time to get back into this.
Time for all those dreaded strips on the fuz.

Front planking.jpg (38.04 KiB) Viewed 14017 times