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My 105 had some RF issues, that I think (never could confirm) were related to an ignition issue, ended up crashing it at the 2017 IMAC nats. A.J. |
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Thanks!! Should be a nice rig soon!
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Good luck with the 115". I think I will find my way into one of those air frames in the future. |
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Added some more structure to the exhaust tunnel. I put an extra plywood band across the front of the tunnel. This extra strap will give me some piece of mind up front. It should also help with any vibration/torsion. I'm hoping it aids in the support of the lower cowling mounts as well. 30 min epoxy mixed with micro balloons.
Put a couple caps at the ends of the landing gear mount channel. This section was open leaving 1/16" balsa exposed and fragile. Capping this off make it strong. Used Titebond 1 on all balsa structural pieces and CA on small fillers. I have some K&S 3086's in the mail. Did you folks have to cut the DA flex header to fit them? I'm hoping i don't have to. I read on the big 105 forum that I might have to. |
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Panel Hard Points
Installed some hard points in the two panels I'll be installing on the underside of the airplane. I like to use sharpened copper tubing glued to a dowel. A small section of the dowel is turned on a lathe to the ID so the tube can slide over it. Then we turn another piece to a perfect OD fit. Chuck this in a drill and slowly make a tidy hole. Cut off a piece of your turned down (1/4") and use hot CA to bond it solid.
I will drill through the plate and hard point for a 6-32 button head screw with a rubber bonded washer. Drill first with a tap drill, remove plate, tap and then drill the plate for a 6-32 clearance. I'll start with the corners first but if the middle of the plates vibrate too much I have installed smaller hard points in the middle for later if needed. On to making 1/8" ply plates with a louvre pattern. Break out the jigsaw! I filled in the front hole with solid 1/8" balsa. I will be opening up a large section of the cowling so I decided I don't need this part open and can seal it off. I have determined that when I buy another one of these air frames I will open up (I know, yikes right!!!) the bottom and do all this work before I do anything else. It's piece of mind for me. Covering should show up tonight in the mail. |
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I did want to point out that none of this work is at all NEEDED. This is how I like to enjoy my hobby and I like to tinker, a lot. Because the bottom of this aircraft was already needing to be opened up gave me the opportunity to do what I do it is indeed overkill.
AJ aircraft provide a fabulous air frame right out of the box that will give years of enjoyment at the highest levels of competition which has been proven. This work "WILL" add some weight to intended air frame and adds hours of extra time I could be using flying, but I live in Maine so that isn't an option all the time lol! I just don't want people to think this is needed. I'm weird "this way". That's all |
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Canister tunnel cooling plates are cut. Used the old plate for a template. 1/2" forstner bit was used to make the round ends and then I used a table mounted jig saw for the rest. Almost done here!
Finished the repair on the stab. |
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I do the same when I am building. I have learned when I need to take a break and come back to it later. Works wonders for me and seems to keep me motivated to finish. I remember years ago a fellow flyer damaged an Aeroworks extra pretty bad. He tossed it and I asked if he had any problem with me taking it and he was cool with it since he was trashing it. I rebuilt that plane and flew it for about two years after that until I moved on to larger planes. |
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My grandfather and I started building planes together when I was about 10 years old. I think that was around 1991. It was really a great time to be in the hobby. I would crack them up and we would fix them together. It was part of the hobby back then. You accepted you would have to fix what you built because the ARF didn't exist yet. I would lawn dart an Ultra Sport 40 and we would build the entire nose back on the plane. It always flew better after catastrophe....
I miss those days of summer flip and fly with smaller kit built airplanes and everybody having a tool kit packed full of extra parts for each other. We used to buy and bring extra everything just in case somebody else would need something. How I loved my Chuck Cunningham Lazy Ace biplane with an O.S. 90 on the front. Wow! Pretty sure I pulled that Ultra Sport 40 out of a trash can at the field lol! |
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Some Covering
Installed the Midnight Blue Ultracote on the bottom of the fuse. I forgot how forgiving Ultracote is compared to Monokote. It felt like a vacation lol!!! I do like how much easier it is to use. Unfortunately this section and the small part on the stab is all I get to play with.
I will probably be covering the motor box in white but I have a feeling I will use Monokote because it's tough as nails and withstands heat better. I like my motor boxes all done up and clean in white. Started installing the Monokote Sky Blue on the fuse. I use a woodpecker tool with a single sharpened wheel when I put Monokote over any other covering. I make sure to make a million holes for the gas to escape. I put it on with a lower heat (for Monokote, cookin' for Ultracote) and then nail it down with more after it's settled. I have to be very careful not to get into the Ultracote with this much heat. Look's sweet and I have "My Colors" now!! On to the other side soon and then some details on the wings, fin/rudder and stabs. This Laser is shaping up! I have to take a break tomorrow for a Carden Pro 120 maiden. I'm starting to get really nervous and I'm pretty sure I won't sleep tonight. Calls for calm/cloudy and 55 degrees. Prrrrrrrfect! |
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United States, VA, Smithfield
Joined Jan 2006
2,305 Posts
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While you have the covering iron out, take a look at these pics. A small change to the stab undersides, but very visible in the air.
Tony |
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Yep. That's a good idea. I am planning on coming up with something to cut up the bottom of the wings and stabs a bit more. Probably some vertical lines ect.
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Installed some more covering and a rudder detail. Nothing too crazy. I cut a 1/4" piece of monokote and nailed it down using high heat. You have to move fast or you will distort the seams and ultracote.
Finished the repair and covering on the bottom of the starboard stab. I haven't decided what to do for lines here yet but I would like them to match the wings. I guess I have some time to think on it. Took the new cowling out of the box and unwrapped it. Looks very nice and clean! I am going to attempt installing some sky blue monkote trim vinyl. I have no clue if this will work. If it doesn't I'm only out $5 and I will just paint it. Napa will match me something close in a single stage gloss that will get the job done. First thing to do is sand the yellow with 600 grit and get the shine off. Is it crazy to think a lazer would look ok with custom wheel "Spats" instead of full wheel pants. I'm thinking about it. New headers showed up yesterday but I think the canisters took the horse and buggy from Arizona lol Looking forward to installing them and the engine. |
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