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Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 13 Oct 2021, 01:27
by Jilles
Tail struts are fabricated more or less as I showed on the drawing, A M3 nut was added just for scale reasons. This is used on the full scale to adjust the length to the correct pin centers. The clips shown on the pictures are just temporary. It was what I had available to test fit for now.
Also shown the trim bar on top of the horzontal stab, This is a scale feature. I presume this was adjusted by adding or removing weight bars subject to pilot weight to get the correct trim
In this model case it is built of a aluminium strip and 3 mm plywood to keep it as light as possible to reduce nose weight. It will be painted red.
Pictures of the full scale items included

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 13 Oct 2021, 08:15
by Jilles
Everything setup together for the first time. Lined up wings as they should be and measured the required wing strut pin centers.
Both are 712mm, drawing specified 713 mm so all good I would say.

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 13 Oct 2021, 08:37
by Peter Balcombe
Looks good Jilles.
Not bad for a beginner :lol: :lol:

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 07 Nov 2021, 02:45
by Jilles
Getting close to the end of the construction fase. The wing struts are shaped and test fitted. The center cover plate between the two wings is completed. As per original it slides through a slot created in the wing root ends and the 3D printed Head cushion is included.
I got myself a 1:3 scale Pilot from Great Planes part GPMQ9105 . For the open cockpit operation this has a suitable head gear. The Pilot required some shoulder surgery to make it fit inside the canopy opening.
Before fitting the fabric the surface will get a wood stain treatment to make the play surface a little darker. then a layer of spray-on clear Varnish
Then the Fabric will be fitted to the open area's. I did order 8m Diacov fabric from Sarik Hobbies and it took only 7 days to arrive at my address in Australia. good service. The Diacov looks great and will suit this type of vintage model very well. I expect a good result. The final surface treatment will be an other spray-on layer of clear varnish

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 07 Nov 2021, 08:45
by Cliff Evans
Looks great Jilles.

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 29 Nov 2021, 09:12
by Jilles
The Kirby kite is ready for covering. The ply surfaces were stained with a woodstain of Western Cedar color. then a light coat of clear varnish was sprayed on.The covering material will be Diacov what I got from Sarik hobby. A first for me but a test bit gave me good results so I am confident that this Diacov will give the required semi tranparent looks.

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 29 Nov 2021, 09:56
by Cliff Evans
Stunning Jilles!

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 30 Nov 2021, 20:43
by BrianF
Looks fantastic Jilles, looking forward to seeing it fly, maybe even tow it.

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 01 Dec 2021, 03:45
by Jilles
The tail bits are now covered with Diacov. it was the first time I used Diacov and I have to say it is a very good fabric type covering material
For those that do not know this fabric the following . It is easy to apply with the an iron. I used the iron to tighten the fabtic as well. I have bad expereinces with a heat gun like burning holes in the film.
With Diacov no need to use heat sensitive glue and/or dope. Thumbs up for the product, the price is very competitive compared to other simmilar options. The transport cost to Australia from the UK is a bit steep but not an issue it you buy 16 meter like I did . An other advantage is that you can order continuous lenght up to 10 meter.
Attache pictures show the result of today.
Also made up a wire harness for the power supply. A 3S-2200 lipo will be used with a voltage regulator to 6V. The power switch is fitted to the instrument panel

Re: Slingby Kirby Kite 1:3 Jilles**

Posted: 12 Dec 2021, 02:13
by Jilles
The kirby Kite had its first outing yesterday during our monthly Tow day. It was not ready to fly . I did a test rigging on the field just to see if extra tools were required and took some pictures. need to apply the last layer of Varnish, install the radio gear and ballast to get the C.O.G where it should be.
at the moment I expect the flying weight to be close to 8 kg (17lbs for the old guys)
Transport frames were fabricated for in the back of my little truck, or Ute as they call them here in Australia. I can carry my Ka6E and Ka8 at the same time, that is plenty for a tow day
It should fly at our next Tow event. That could be January but because it is high summer here and holiday time with many people away, we may skip the January event and go for February