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Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 31 Jan 2019, 12:43
by RobbieB
Looking well Peter, no hiding place or room for error with all that 'air conditioning' :lol:

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 31 Jan 2019, 15:21
by StephenB
Very impressive, the pilot looks fantastic!

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 14 Feb 2019, 14:43
by Peter Balcombe
Work has continued over the last couple of weeks to skin the tail feathers and make a start on the wing skinning.
The pics below show first wing assembly to check that they will plug together, and also to check that the root ribs are parallel.
Also shown are a couple of first overall assembly shots.
Rudder pedals now fitted & only bits left to initially fit are the control wire sheaves below pilot seat and on top tail boom rail.
Initial wing join check
Initial wing join check
First assembly1
First assembly1
First assembly2
First assembly2

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 17 Feb 2019, 13:58
by SOTIRIS
Good,job!!!!!!!!!

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 06 Apr 2019, 16:42
by Peter Balcombe
Over the past few weeks I have finished the wing skinning and stained all of the skins and exposed wooden parts.
(Note use Wood stain, rather than Wood Dye as this gives a more uniform colour on both ply & balsa, even when the balsa has been sealed to prevent it fluffing up when wetted with stain).

I decided to apply the Ceconite covering using dope (rather than the manufacturer's recommended adhesive) as I needed to get a uniform print-through of the underlying skinning & cap strips.
Therefore, i first applied a base coat of dope to the parts & then laid down a line of masking tape to define the boundary between the covering and exposed wooden finish.
The Ceconite covering is then laid in position and dope applied to attach it to all skinning/cap strips, rubbing the dope into the weave as necessary with a fingertip to ensure that the stained skins show through everywhere.
(I managed to recover lighter patches on the very first side by gently rubbing these areas with a cloth dipped in cellulose thinners to reflow the dried dope).
The Ceconite is doped over the edge of the masking tape. When dry the covering is trimmed around the edges and then along the masking tape line using a sharp blade. The covering can then be removed from the masking tape and this then carefully removed to leave a clean edge between the covering and stained wood. See photos below.
Rudder
Rudder
Elevator ready to cover
Elevator ready to cover
Elevator covering in position
Elevator covering in position
Elevator covered
Elevator covered

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 10 Apr 2019, 19:33
by Peter Balcombe
Tail feathers & fuselage covering is now done, so have started the wings today after installing the aileron servo & cable run.
First wing upper side covered this afternoon & aileron dry fitted to see what it will look like.
Initial shrinking has been done, but final go, plus dope sealing coats will be done once everything has been covered.
First wing top covering
First wing top covering

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 19 Apr 2019, 16:46
by Peter Balcombe
Getting there!
Control runs & rigging still to be sorted, plus hiding the Rx in a seat back cushion, hopefully avoiding the need for the pilot to undergo painful back surgery.
Covered front view
Covered front view
Rear view
Rear view

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 19 Apr 2019, 21:36
by VinceC
Oh! So that's what a wireless is?

Nice work Peter

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 23 Apr 2019, 17:09
by StephenB
Beautiful job Peter, very impressive - well done!

Re: Jilles Smits 1/3 scale SG38

Posted: 25 Apr 2019, 20:29
by Peter Balcombe
A small altimeter equipped Rx has been installed fairly neatly on the seat back & a blue foam pad cut to follow the seat-back curve and with a slot for the RX & cables.
The plan is to cover the pad in material to ressemble a full back cushion & the pilot will cover the Rx when in place ;)