37% Ultimate Recover-Build-And Fly

[sweetpea]

Ok, Long Story:

So first; I met Ken and Jeff at the 2007 Las Vegas Huckfest. I had always wanted an ultimate and but never got around to getting one. Ken let me fly his PAU Ultimate and encouraged me to 3-D it. I flew very high up and didn't 3-D too well but Ken kept telling me to fly lower and not worry about losing his plane (He since knows better with my flying!). Then I watched Ken let everyone fly the 43% Edge except me. Somehow when it was my turn he "accidently" stepped on the wingtube cracking it. Ken had brought a trailer of New planes to sell with him. What he didn't know at the time was that I was very close to buying an Ultimate but just didn't have the funds to outfit.

Then we fast forward to the Shootout. As a competitor there is quite the prize pool. I went down the list and saw all the great prizes and on the list was a 37% Ultimate. Of course I didn't place well enough to get one of the DA's or the Krill planes but when it was my turn I jumped at picking up the Ultimate. Then it sat in my garage for 2+ yrs. I knew a move from Vegas was coming and I didn't have the time build/outfit or room for another plane. My master plan had always been to recover/repaint the plane in something custom as I never thought the silver/blue/red combo jumped out. While the covering is Monokote and should be shiny, something about the combination too me made it look dull.


Finally last week I stripped the covering off the plane. I recommend using a heat gun on any of the silver parts as this will stop the silver from leaving residue. Next I went through some schemes I had drawn up and some of those I saw on the internet. I believe I used one from back in the Aerotech design a scheme days and I modified it slightly to my covering ablities. To whoever I borrowed the scheme from......Thanks! Its not an easy one to do!

First Step was to lighten the fuse slightly. I found several places to drill some holes in the side of the fuse. I also put a hole in each side of the motor box. I plan to make a removable opening in the top of the motor box as well similar to the AW ARF line.

Second Step was to lighten the rudder. I used a compass and drew some circles on the rudder. Then I drilled them and used a sanding drum to enlarge them. Of course after I did all that I found my template for my 42% rudder that would have looked cooler, oh well.

3rd Step was to lighten the stabs the same way.

4th Step was to find a place for the Rudder servos to be in the rear of the fuse for a push/pull configuration.


***Check back for pics of all this as my camera battery died last night and I will edit them back into this post today.

[sweetpea]

Last night I decided to tackle the bottom wings. The design changed slightly from what I had originally wanted because I tried, but dang I just can't do curves consistently.

I used the glass method. You take a large piece of glass and smear some water on it. Take the Monokote (Yes, that is what I like to use) and lay it down on top of the glass without the backing. It basically sticks to the glass but pulls up very easily.

On the wing I covered the white then red on the bottom first. Then went back and covered the top. I then made measurements and rulers and drew up the design based off my printed picture. Making notes along the way of dimensions. Everything was drawn on the covering on the wing in dry erase markers. Next I laid some legal size paper over the design (several sheets had to be taped together to get the size) and traced the design on that. Then I cut out the template and taped it to the black covering on the glass. Then with a razor blade (not a hobby knife) and a ruler I cut around the template so the black would be one large piece. Then I simply laid it down on the wing over the lines and used an iron to apply it. I did it this way so the covering would be 1 piece with no seams. You have to be very careful and go slow so you don't get bubbles. Wasn't willing to wait for the windex method of applying ontop of other covering. Then I took the same template and taped it to my Yellow covering on the glass table. This time I drew the design and removed the template. Then I had to measure out along all the lines as this piece was going to be an outline. Then I had to go back and cut each line I drew and then slowly place it on the wing and slowly iron it down. I think everything worked out just fine. Last thing to do was heat up the soder iron that I use specifically for covering. I melted out the tube hole, the cabane holes and the servo hole.

Bottom wings are done (the ailerons for them are about 90% done). Just 2 more wings to do.

The one elevator I covered with scrap covering needs to be slightly redone as the scheme isn't quite the same. I'll attempt to get to that as well. Tomorrow I plan to mask up the fuse and paint the speckle unless I can get to it today (not likely)


Bottom of Wing

DSC01481.JPG

Top of Wing

DSC01480.JPG

[castlebravo]

Subscribed!

[Flyfalcons]

Nice scheme on the wings, Sam! Looks like a bit of creativity and planning went into the top design.

[sweetpea]

So what are you saying......the bottom is boring?

When infact I left room for vinyl there.

[rcalbuquerque]

Nice thread ....could you please post some shots of the lightning holes you drilled. I have a original BME Ultimate that is in need of the same treatment.

[CSpaced]

Looks great so far, I like the design.

[Ken-H]

I like it...the top that is.

Have you started the fuse yet?

[Oilsands]

Keep up the posts, looks good so far.

[sweetpea]

Haven't started the fuse yet. There's 4 wings on this thing. Just when you think you are done there is another wing to do.

I'll snap some pics tomorrow of the progress.

[yakpilot]

Looks pretty sweet so far! I can't wait to see it all done.

[jssophusson]

Lookin good Sam, cya at bellair this weekend!