rebuilding a real old 50% laser

[ssllc902]

This plane was just sitting in some guys barn so I had to save it. Well hopefully I can save it. It really needs a lot of work and time but I think I can keep it from the burn pyle. Keep in mind I am not going for a 3d power house. Just a real large plane that will fly and add to my hanger. I dont even know really what kind of plane this is. We will just call it a home bulit laser. A week ago the plane had a covering on it that was just horrible so I took it off. I will know begain to fill it all dents and bruses and sand till my arms fall off. After taking off the cover on the wings I see they are foam with many little bumps. I dont know why they are not sheeted cause it looks like when you just cover over bumpy foam. This is where I really am stuck. What is the best way to cover this wing. A little over my head cause I have never had to sheet anything before.


Here are some pictures to start the rebuild. Please let me know your tips and tricks.

[youngflyer]

nice to see you tackleing a project like this. i can forsee lots of sanding in your future.....you may want to look into finding another cowl....that one looks like it came off a yak or sukhoi lol.

[JeeUm]

In the last picture, is that a metal channel in the fuse?

[TheTank]

	Quote: Originally Posted by JeeUm
	In the last picture, is that a metal channel in the fuse?

your right Jeeum, that looks like 1x1 thick wall square tube.

[RudderAuthority]

As for covering the wings I would suggest fibre glassing technique, I just learned this technique several weeks ago and it's awesome. it takes time but it can be light and so smooth, ohhh it feels great. I've covered at least 3 30+% size airplanes with this and it adds only a slight amount of wight but makes the airframe extremely strong. It doesnt take much getting used to just a little time and effort and some long setting epoxy and you can get the application down.

I don't know how deep your dimples or bumps in the wing are but the epoxy fills most gaps then you sand down the epoxy anyway to make it smooth.

hope this helps.

[MrKiwi]

What motor is that???? It looks really old.

[ssllc902]

	Quote: Originally Posted by RudderAuthority
	As for covering the wings I would suggest fibre glassing technique, I just learned this technique several weeks ago and it's awesome. it takes time but it can be light and so smooth, ohhh it feels great. I've covered at least 3 30+% size airplanes with this and it adds only a slight amount of wight but makes the airframe extremely strong. It doesnt take much getting used to just a little time and effort and some long setting epoxy and you can get the application down. I don't know how deep your dimples or bumps in the wing are but the epoxy fills most gaps then you sand down the epoxy anyway to make it smooth. hope this helps.

	Quote: Originally Posted by MrKiwi
	What motor is that???? It looks really old.

I think this is the best way also.

Its a qudra 100. Really old. Looking for a bigger engine.


It is a metel tube. I have Know Idea what the heck its for.

[snap a saurus]

	Quote: Originally Posted by JeeUm
	In the last picture, is that a metal channel in the fuse?

I think this is the equivalent of a wing tube, I guess that's how they did it back then.

[Biff]

For sure it's not a Miami. Should be a bitchin save. Go for it!!!

[paco ritter]

Hey 902, from the looks of what you have there, it appears to me you may be the proud owner of a Lanier 1/3 scale Laser. I currently have an older, unfinished version in about the same state of repair as yours and it looks strikingly familiar. Same foam sheeted wings, same tail feathers, same fuse design, turtle deck on mine is from plastic, but is offered in fiberglass from aftermarket or suggest covering with balsa as yours is or balsa stringers and monokote or similar covering. Cowl looks like it may have started life as a Laser cowling modified. My wingspan is 96" (I think). Wing tube is an aluminum tube with only the foam wing part having a housing for it. The tub just goes thru the fuse sides, no tubing housing in this area. The sidewall of the fuse where all the lightening holes are cut are of door skin sheeting. The area up front is light ply. Canopy is much different, but someone could have put a different canopy on the Laser. Could very well be the same plane. If so, you can probably get new wings from Lanier if you choose to. They are sheeted foam wings. Maybe this will give you some insight. PACO

[JeeUm]

Starting to think its a scratch built design.

[GMoney]

	Quote: Originally Posted by JeeUm
	Starting to think its a scratch built design.

Yeah I am with Jim here. Some serious carpentry involved. I would recomend looking into another set of wing cores. They are cheap and you could dump that square tubing and go with a wing tube and phenolic set up.(Save wieght and add strength). I am really interested in your project please keep us updated take lots of pics.