• Administrator
  •  
    Before your membership becomes valid, you will receive an email that must be answered.
    Please check your spam folder or this email.
     

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 »

Apologies Andrew, I used your last name.
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

The tailfin spar, having been bonded with resin, is now very stiff, offering good strength.

The foam was removed and spar placed in.
Attachments
20211202_171354.jpg
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Having finished the top sheeting, the support were sawn off and the formers rubbed down.

Bottom sheeting can now be glued on.
Attachments
20211202_171330.jpg
User avatar
Andrew Ray
Posts: 88
Joined: 19 Mar 2015, 19:15
Location: Staffordshire

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by Andrew Ray »

No worries Martin. I'll be keeping an eye on this thread now I've found it.
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

More progress on the bottom sheeting - this was more tricky than the top, due to the compound curves.

I've also put together a fuselage stand (from the many ply offcuts I have in the workshop), with some foam edging.
Attachments
20211204_103004.jpg
20211204_105930.jpg
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

After an overnight cure, the tailfin has both sides and the spar bonded on. It weighs 116g and is very strong vertically & tortionally.

The leading edge was filled with a stiff expoxy/micro balloons mix and will be shaped to the correct profile.

Tail plane mounting screw at the top.
Attachments
20211205_091627.jpg
20211205_091650.jpg
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Skin finished (bar sanding down) and the fuselage comes in at approx. 700g

Couldn't resist propping the tail on!
Attachments
20211206_203308.jpg
20211206_203056.jpg
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

As the front of the fuselage will potentially quite weak, I've lined the inner sheeting with 3mm, high compression, foam. (That will then be glassed on the inside.
Attachments
20211206_192807.jpg
20211206_192813.jpg
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Where the wings will connect to the fuselage, it's important that the location pins are in line.

I created a jig from an oak offcut - drilled & reamed two 5mm holes, to give a snug fit to 2 carbon fibre rods. Then the brass tubes can bonded to the wing profiles perfectly aligned.
Attachments
20211213_194053.jpg
20211213_194729.jpg
20211213_201807.jpg
MartinE
Posts: 126
Joined: 28 Oct 2021, 14:36
Location: Essex

Re: Schleicher ASH31 4m

Post by MartinE »

Having bonded the foam onto the inside of the balsa skin, a layer 100gsm glass (on the bias) was applied.
Attachments
20211216_161147.jpg
Post Reply