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Schleicher ASH31 4m

Let us all watch your new project progress.
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Some progress from the last week or so;

Filled and sanded top and bottom, front & mid section.

Filled the wing root fillets with balsa and ply rear curve.

Applied another glass layer to cockpit interior and removed the crossbar.
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Cardboard mock up of the cockpit seat.
Attachments
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Wing roots have an initial fill
Attachments
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Rear fuselage section now filled and sanded.

The tail can now be bonded on, doing what I could with T-squares to get the angle set correctly.

The servo wires have been inserted before bonding.
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

The open cockpit will be weaker than the general fuselage, so I've added 2 webs (one either side) from the main former to the cockpit sides.

3mm ply panels have been glassed, ready for radio gear and batteries.
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Having filled (with balsa) and blended the tail onto the fuselage, a layer of 60gsm Kevlar (ar 45deg) was applied to give the joint more strength.

A layer of 50gsm glass was then added to graduate the joint a provide a slightly smoother surface.
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

I failed to source an off-the-shelf canopy, so will have to make my own.

The initial ply former had already been CNC cut, I just adjusted it to fit the opening.

Next step was to transfer it's shape onto some foam and fit.
Add the side blocks (shaping the underside to fit as close as possible). I used UHU foam safe glue to attach them.

Then rough-cut the outer shape.
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

I reinforced the the tailfin joint (just at the leading edge) - it now feels pretty strong, as I've tried pulling & twisting it against the fuselage boom with very little movement and no cracking noises :D

Rudder could then be added. Starting to look like a glider now.
Attachments
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

To rough cut the canopy plug, I bought a Dunelm electric knife (£15 bargain!).

Next stage was with the course side of a Perma-grit sander.
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MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

After the rough shaping, final shape was done with 120grit, smoothed with some well-used 120grit.
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