PAU 27% Bulldog

[airborneSGT]

For now I will fly it with the DA 50. I am thinking the 3W 55 will be awesome!

[airborneSGT]

So work has kept me a little busy but I have been plugging away at the bipe. I mounted the wheel pants and used a bit more accurate method for alignment than the servo method in the manual. I used my builders triangle and established an angle that is scale with the original. This ensured both wheel pants would be mounted at the correct angle.

I will keep the marks I made to make a rudimentary guide for anyone else building either this or the Challenger bipe.

I mounted the bottom wing and using measurements from wing tip to stab I got the stab glued in. I double checked the squareness of everything by pulling measurements from stab tip to fuse sides, and also from the back of the wing to the back of the stab.

I used my builders triangle to make sure the vertical stab (rudder) was glued in square also.

My method for gluing the wings together worked perfectly; there is no gunk on the wings from the glue. I also glued in the wing bolt plate and the cover for the bottom wing. I found it easier to use gorilla glue for this piece.

Tomorrow I will hinge the tail surfaces and mount the scale landing gear fairings. Hopefully get the motor mounted and top wing mounted before the weekend is out.

[airborneSGT]

One thing I noticed is that every measure possible has been taken to make this light. I have built several bipes in this size. A few Pitts, Christen Eagles, and Ultimates. Typically in the tail the control surfaces are just balsa slab.

In this case they are framed up to save weight. While the tail does not require it I am contemplating flying wires to add to the scale appearance.

A fiberglass spinner will be ordered and painted to match the cowl.

[Wild Thang]

Looks good Manny!

I got my 300 basicly done, just gotta figure out how to get the smartfly working...

[airborneSGT]

Hinging done I will post pics tonight. I hope to also mount the top wing and glue in the cabanes.

[airborneSGT]

So my crazy hinging method. I wanted to make sure I would get 45 deg. of throw. If you notice also it resulted in no gunk getting on my plane.

Hinge gaps a bit larger than normal to allow full throws; the control surfaces themselves are double beveled but not the tail surface. The gaps will be sealed up with matching covering.

You know I was just at my storage unit today and should have grabbed my midwest plane stand. I will grab it tomorrow; it helps position the plane perfectly so I can sit and work on it. With the front cabanes in and the tail surfaces on it will be easier to work on it with that stand.

[astrohog]

Lookin' good, Manny!

I just missed out on two GREAT flying weather days to work on my new trailer.

Got all my planes in there and ready to travel now and go the electrical all sorted out. Now I just have to add some bling!

Can't wait to hear your flight report!!

Regards,

Astrohog

[airborneSGT]

We had a power outage here for a few hours so it messed up my schedule. I should resume on it sometime tonight.

[airborneSGT]

Moving right along. The stand made it a lot easier to work on the plane. By having the fuse on its side I could easily slide in the front cabanes. I placed a few drops of lock tite on the bolts and used a small allen key to tighten down the bolts. Once the bolts were through I used my pliers to clip off the excess portion of the bolts. Its not needed but I am picky. This was only on the bolts that fastened the cabanes together outside of the fuse.

Before mounting the top wing check to make sure your bolts still get through. Glue may have blocked the holes from joining the top wing halves. I like having my soldering iron handy to burn through covering to make clean holes.

I dry fit all the wing strut mounts and the struts themselves. I checked everything for proper fit but will glue tomorrow. Remember the bottom wing has the dihedral so the top should remain level and not droop from either tip.

I used an incidence meter to check out everything and all is well.

Tomorrow I will glue the strut mounts into place, mount the decorative landing gear covers, and begin mounting the motor. I will also order the few small items I need to get it in the air.

I am being as detailed as possible. I have built several biplanes so any help I can offer that make it easier I hope to do so.

[JohnVH]

Ive never seen so much tape used putting in hinges in my life. lol!

Here is some motivation for ya:

[astrohog]

Just got my complete Bulldog graphics package from Aero Graphix and it is an AMAZING set!

Top quality and easy to apply! It definately added that "finishing" touch to my Bulldog!


BTW, I got about 5 flights on her on Saturday, and I am loving this plane! It drew lots of nice comments from the field. I can't wait to get back out and fly again and get some more flying pics!

John???? hehe

Manny, how's your build coming? You've been awfully quiet lately!

[JohnVH]

Im always down Jeff! That bird looks awesome!

[CSpaced]

The graphics set looks awesome!

[reyn3545]

I had an AW Pitts a few years ago, and with the DA50 it was a little sluggish (19 pounds with smoke system). I installed a 3W 55CS.. .completely different airplane! I had to build a baffle inside the cowl to keep the cylinder cool, but after that it was hands-off. The motor did idle very rough until I got 4 gallons or so through it.

I have to admit, I'm not really a 3W fan, mostly because of the break-in time required, but they do make an impressive motor.

[JohnVH]

how did this become a 3w ad? This bird has a DA50 in it and has alot of power, always run, always run right. I have not flown the bulldog, but the oracle was not underpowered at all and they are about the same size.