CALLING OUT THE LIGHTWEIGHTS

[WangoTango]

Mike,
Your thread is a good idea. I've seen what you write here on FG and you've got some good ideas. Weight huh? I'll give it a go..... I have this 1/3 scale Spacewalker that Kyle inherited before his accident. The fuse was a Monokote bag of balsa and ply confetti and the wings and tail group had busted and splintered pieces held together with reminants of covering. Two other projects of his were a pancake-landed Great Planes Pitts and my old Brishagella Skybolt. (over 25 years old) The two bipes were mine and he inherited them from me. I felt like these had to have the same pristene covering jobs he was capable of doing when I brought them back to life.
Well..... My building ability is pretty well up the scale. My woodwork on my planes looks as good as the cabinetry I do when building homes. When doing rebuilds or even a first time build I always look for a way to lighten an airframe up. When you have a crash you want to piece things back together and then trace it off on new stock. Once I cut out the part I like to surface sand each part. Just knocking off the fuzz from cutting it out and then sanding the flat surface of the part takes off weight. When I'm done, it's always lighter. I also like knocking off glue bumps. Aside from making the framework look better, it also removes weight. Tonight I made four new ribs for the root section of the left wing. The lightening holes were cut in each rib but that wasn't enough. I took sandpaper and went around the holes in each rib. It not only smoothed things out but I took out a couple of ounces. Doing this everywhere on the airframe that was possible has made for an overall weight drop before covering of 25 ounces. (both wing panels and the center section.) This ain't exactly the bird that needs lightening but every little bit helps in the overall scheme of things. I'll keep ya posted and maybe get some pics as I go along. Again........ A good idea for a thread!
WT

[sensei]

	Quote: Originally Posted by WangoTango
	Mike, Your thread is a good idea. I've seen what you write here on FG and you've got some good ideas. Weight huh? I'll give it a go..... I have this 1/3 scale Spacewalker that Kyle inherited before his accident. The fuse was a Monokote bag of balsa and ply confetti and the wings and tail group had busted and splintered pieces held together with reminants of covering. Two other projects of his were a pancake-landed Great Planes Pitts and my old Brishagella Skybolt. (over 25 years old) The two bipes were mine and he inherited them from me. I felt like these had to have the same pristene covering jobs he was capable of doing when I brought them back to life. Well..... My building ability is pretty well up the scale. My woodwork on my planes looks as good as the cabinetry I do when building homes. When doing rebuilds or even a first time build I always look for a way to lighten an airframe up. When you have a crash you want to piece things back together and then trace it off on new stock. Once I cut out the part I like to surface sand each part. Just knocking off the fuzz from cutting it out and then sanding the flat surface of the part takes off weight. When I'm done, it's always lighter. I also like knocking off glue bumps. Aside from making the framework look better, it also removes weight. Tonight I made four new ribs for the root section of the left wing. The lightening holes were cut in each rib but that wasn't enough. I took sandpaper and went around the holes in each rib. It not only smoothed things out but I took out a couple of ounces. Doing this everywhere on the airframe that was possible has made for an overall weight frop before covering of 25 ounces. (both wing panels and the center section.) This ain't exactly the bird that needs lightening but every little bit helps in the overall scheme of things. I'll keep ya posted and maybe get some pics as I go along. Again........ A good idea for a thread! WT

Yah Mike, you sure have some good ideas... LOL

Bob

[MikeC3D]

Well, I learned it all from you Buddy....YOUR idea of a how to video seems to be sparking a little interest, what do ya say we try it.

[MikeC3D]

WT, thats funny....I just acquired a 1/3rd scale Spacewalker last night myself. Needs alot of work and is HEAVY as a ton of bricks, it'll hang for now until i get some time to look into it. I have always liked spacewalkers, they are just different, plus I find it very interesting how the full scale was actually built after a model. There is a 50%'er down in the houston area that I like alot and think it could win a scale competition its so nicely finished.

[gapple12]

[gapple12]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MikeC3D
	...I just acquired a 1/3rd scale Spacewalker last night myself

[MikeC3D]

	Quote: Originally Posted by gapple12

Hey, dont you have a plane to be working on....lol

[Fixed Wing]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sensei
	Yah Mike, you sure have some good ideas.

Hey Mike - yes, good idea for a thread. I haven't met you yet but intend to get over your way someday and fly with you & Bob. Sounds like a fun group to hang with. What all kits have you built and how many to come up with your various ideas?

Dean

[WangoTango]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MikeC3D
	WT, thats funny....I just acquired a 1/3rd scale Spacewalker last night myself. Needs alot of work and is HEAVY as a ton of bricks, it'll hang for now until i get some time to look into it. I have always liked spacewalkers, they are just different, plus I find it very interesting how the full scale was actually built after a model. There is a 50%'er down in the houston area that I like alot and think it could win a scale competition its so nicely finished.

Mike,
You didn't pick up that blue/cream one that was at the Georgetown swap meet did ya? Kyle had a really small electric Radical R/C Stik that he put a "Peashooter" scheme on. It has yellow wings and roundels with a green fuse. Also the red/white stripes with a blue leading edge on the rudder. While the Spacewalker wouldn't exactly be scale in that paint scheme, it'd be colorful. This one was built a bit heavy and I'm doing the lightening-up to make it a weekend flyer. Looking to get up to SA soon. Hope to see you there. Jim Rice was at our Big Bird this weekend down here at Barnstormers. He and his dog are always great company!
WT

[MikeC3D]

Hey Dean, I have never built a kit myself, I've only been flying for 5 yrs all arf's. Moved here from Galveston 4 yrs ago, met George, then met Bob and the rest of the gang. Bob and I hit it off right from the start, and he's been teaching me ever since. I learned alot from helping build the 80% fuse, sheeting ,bagging, foam cutting/coaring...etc. Then I wanted the big yak and asked Bob if he would help me get it really light, so we did and I retained just about everything, then he did the 35% 260 and I helped with it as much as I could, again foam cutting, sheeting etc...watched and learned as he built the laser,40% 260, so on and so on. There is always a plane being built, modified or repaired at one of our garages, now I am helping Drew lighten his new 260, "Pilot on a Diet" and if I get stumped at all I go straight to the master himself to guide me in the right direction. Now I'm sure that there are alot of older BUILDERS that have probably forgotten more than I know, but we all have to start somewhere, and besides, I like helping others just as others have helped me. If it werent for being around Bob and a few others, I would'nt be were I am today with these models, I would still be flying .60 size planes and adding lead to balance them....lol

[MikeC3D]

WT..yep thats the one, its blue and yellow though. It was a friend of mine that was trying to off load it, cause he would've never done anything with it and it was just in his way. He was about to toss it and said just come get it.....It was built by an older gentleman here locally many years ago, very knowledgable, friendly man always at the field or hobby shop and goes out of his way to be nice and/or help someone, so it actually has a little bit of history behind it right here. I could'nt bare to see it tossed away...
Also there is an old 1/3 scale laser that has some history behind it as well in a buddies attic that I will be getting this summer, it needs some work on the firewall from a deadstick many years ago. I will fix it and fly that one one day.

[wylieruneyjr]

Mike pat yourself on the back and take a bow. You are the master at getting the info to the public. Thank you for all your support, post, and replies to questions. This is a killer thread. Thread starters are leaders! <RUTNBUC>

[MikeC3D]

	Quote: Originally Posted by BoneDoc
	Here's my Sub 20 lbs Electrified 35% Dalton Extra 260

Thanks Josh, and I apologize for not mentioning it, I was looking in the wrong spot for your info, total brain fade on being electric.

[Fixed Wing]

Mike,

I haven't met Bob either but ALWAYS subscribe to his threads to watch, look, & learn as you do. You're very lucky to be there and see his stuff in person. Soaking it up as you have been doing is invaluable and takes years off a self taught learning curve. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with others as you have been doing.

Dean

[BoneDoc]

All credit goes to Sensei also for that project . You guys rock.

When I get my 126" Slick, I'll have to bring it over to Bob's since I've never assembled a 150cc size or larger .