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Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 18 Apr 2021, 13:00
by Peter Balcombe
Canopy moulding now cut to shape in a couple of steps, principally due to the moulding thickness which made cutting with my large scissors or scalpel a no-no until the trimming stage.
First a rough cut around the canopy frame with a disc cutter, then a closer cut using a fine tipped soldering iron as a hot knife got me to the final trimming stage.

As you can see, I have replaced the central ply canopy cross member with a 4mm carbon rod which is a lot narrower and closer to the front of the rear cockpit instrument panel binnacle (as on full size). The rear cross members will get the same treatment & I will also fit an 1/8” doubler to the top edge of the frame to increase moulding gluing area along the sides.
The finished frame will be painted prior to attaching the moulding.

Note that thecanopy i moulded with a translucent protective film on the inside surface & a clear film on the outside.
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Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 18 Apr 2021, 22:56
by Max Wright
That canopy is looking great, Peter. 8-)

Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 19 Apr 2021, 14:46
by patte de loup
great master piece , not easy to make ;)
Pat'

Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 20 Apr 2021, 15:08
by Peter Balcombe
Once cut to shape & with centreline reference marks (masking tape) on front & rear of fuselage & canopy moulding the canopy went on without a problem - just hold the sides of the canopy away from the glue until front & back centres are correctly aligned.
Pleased with the result - just a little final trimming to do.
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Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 20 Apr 2021, 21:32
by catwok
Really nice Pete, I picked mine up from Jack at the weekend and can't wait to do the finishing bits and pieces.

Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 21 Apr 2021, 13:05
by Peter Balcombe
Trial assembly today for a rough balance check to see how much church roof can be squirrelled away in the reinforced nose cone.
I reckon that I can safely put 1.5-2Kg up front, so time to make some lead block to epoxy into place.
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Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 22 Apr 2021, 12:44
by Bovin
Really nice canopy, no distorsions, if I am using the right terms for that.

Vincent

Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 24 Apr 2021, 20:22
by Peter Balcombe
Many thanks from your nice comment Vincent.

Meanwhile, the often stressful task of cutting the clear view screen apertures & fitting the screens using 3D printed runners has been greatly eased by using a cutting template which can now be supplied by Cliff.
The template can be temporarily clipped to the canopy frame & the holes cut using a sharp scalpel without the usual need for very careful measurement.
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Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 01 May 2021, 21:30
by Peter Balcombe
The model is currently being covered in Ceconite using dope as the adhesive.
This works well if the material is laid on as smooth as possible, then tacked around the perimeter with dope before gently taking out any wrinkles/bubbles with gentle iron heat & securing all wood supported areas. Then shrink open areas to taste & seal the weave with dope.
You may need to go over areas several times with the iron as the material does relax a bit as it cools down.
All parts except the ailerons & one side of the fuselage are currently covered, so hopefully, I can assemble for some pre-paintshop shots in a couple of days (when I can find a dry & relatively calm day next week!).

However, it’s worth noting that whilst getting close up & personal with the 0.4mm ply skins used on parts of the model (fin, tailplane & wings) it is apparent that although the skins went on ok, there are areas where they have taken up a less than smooth profile, with a few small hollows now evident
This is most noticable on the top half of the fin (where I have filled the worst of the skin hollows) and on a couple of wing D box rib bays.
I suspect the largish rib spacing & thin ply skin, coupled with compound curves has come into play in these areas, so builders may want to consider adding extra internal support such as riblets, else lightwieght foam inserts cut to profile using a small Hotwire cutter across pairs of normal ribs.

Re: ASK13 1/3 Scale

Posted: 05 May 2021, 14:33
by Peter Balcombe
The airframe is now covered, with all control surfaces hinged.
It’s now over to Cliff for the paint shop activities.
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