Island Models 1/3 scale Ka3

[Sean Fitzgibbon]

Hi guys,
Thought I would share the progress to date on my 1/3 scale Ka3 being built from the Island Models laser cut short kit.
I began construction earlier this year and initially progress was quite slow as I sourced the other materials I needed and work commitments limited available hours.
I've recently got myself better organised and my aim is to have two models ready for next season's aerotowing, this one and Vic Steele's Fauvel AV 48.
Wish me luck!

[Cliff Evans]

Good luck!!

[Sean Fitzgibbon]

Initial wing root assembly with the carbon tubes installed.

[Sean Fitzgibbon]

General view of one of the wing panels. Fred's drawing is based around skinning the wings in thin ply, I decided to go with the balsa option, which was pretty straightforward to do. Much scarfing of sheet wood ensued!

[Sean Fitzgibbon]

Early stages of the fuselage assembly.

[Sean Fitzgibbon]

After coming to a complete halt earlier this year, I'm hoping to crack on and have this one ready for covering before Christmas. Not much left to do, construction wise, and had an informative discussion with John Greenfield at Gaydon about ideas for strut attachment and construction that hopefully has resolved a few issues.
Still haven't quite decided on the colour scheme!

[mick a]

hi
sean,
i built this model a couple of years ago,please feel free to shout if you have any hiccups
although i found it a good kit

have a video on vimeo of maiden but can’t seem to get link
mick

[mick a]

here is link to video of maiden

https://vimeo.com/133760686

[Sean Fitzgibbon]

Hi Mick,
Thanks for the response, I've followed some of your posts on the Glider Ireland forum and I'm quite taken with the colour scheme you chose for your Ka3.
I would be interested in knowing how you tackled the wing struts, construction and attachment.
I've found the model to be generally excellent to build, the wood quality and cutting accuracy have made it pretty stressless.
My main problem has been building time, being self employed you would think I could get more planes built!!

[mick a]

hi sean
the struts , gave me headaches as well
in the end i got 3 mm bolt rod , in a carbon tube (tight fit) then put ball joints on end and
bolted in , the supports i used alloy either side of plate
the first flight attempt the struts come out so that’s why i did method above
apparently you don’t need then for structure , up i never took the risk
colour scheme was just made up from various pics
know what you mean , self employed as well and struggle to find time to build
will see if i can dig any pics of the struts
mick