In the Works
There's been a lot going on in the shop in recent weeks. With the completion of the Stinson Reliant design, construction is well underway. And while the Stinson build was in progress, the Še$$n@ 180 design was going down "on paper". Meanwhile, I also started building the Pacer Conversion using the Tri-Pacer Short Kit just to see how it might work out. And now that the Pacer build is well underway, it was time to start framing the C-180. Look below for all the details.......
Stinson Reliant.....
The Stinson SR-10 is being built in 1:9 scale with a wingspan of about 57". Power will be provided by a Super Tigre .10 on 2 cells, and the model guided by 5 Ch. R/C. Six servos will drive the ailerons, elevator, rudder and flaps, with a 30A ESC taking care of the throttle. For all the details about the build, visit the Build Thread using the link above.
Though it's really a very complex design, the Flaps are no doubt the most
complex part of the Gull Wing Stinson. Because of the wing shape, the flap is
thick in the middle and tapers toward both ends. The tricky part is hinging,
because of the changing chord and thickness,. But, it's all been worked out and
the system woks great, so when it comes time to build the Stinson it'll just be
a simple matter of a couple extra component assemblies.
Again,
because of the complex flap shape, the Leading Edge of the flap assembly tapers
forward from both ends toward the fat spot. Because of the flap shape, the gap
at the top and bottom doesn't change through the 45 degrees of deflection.
The
Super Tigre .10 on 2 cells will provide power for the Stinson, and a beautiful
Vac-Formed cowl from Park Flyer Plastics will cover it all up, and will be
provided in the Short Kit along with the large plastic Wheel Pants.
As designed, the structure looks complex, but because of the "Egg
Crate" style wing design assembly of the most complex component will go quickly.
The rest is the typical "Stick Frame" design incorporated in all the other Short
Kit designs. So, if the Reliant is not your first PCM build, there won't be any
surprises here.
Piper Pacer....
After selling the 50" Tri-Pacer P-type in Tucson a couple weeks ago I needed another to fly, so this time decided to go with the early PA-20 Pacer version. The basic mod is shown on the plans, so figured I'd give it a try and see how it worked out. As with the Tri-Pacer, the Pacer will incorporate both Flaps and Ailerons to round out the 5 ch. set-up. Power is provided by the economical Suppo 2217/9 Outrunner and 30 Amp ESC from RC Hotdeals, using a 2S 2500 mah battery. For all the details about the build, visit the Build Thread using the link above.
The Wings are done up with scale rib spacing and LE sheeting on the top surface. After the cover is in place the scale gas tank covers and root fairings will be added using .010" thick styrene sheet.
Scale
details like the boot cowl and door skins are added using file folder paper
because it's light, adequately strong, cheap and easy to work with.
The Suppo
2217/9 Outrunner will be safely tucked away in the Vac-Formed plastic cowl. The
motor mounts in the same holes as did the original E-Flight Park 400 that the
model was designed around, with the only mod needed being to trim 3/16" from the
prop shaft to move the prop back to its original location -- sure beats
modifying the motor mount box!.
With the last dry run completed,
the Pacer is all finished up and ready for cover. The plastic cowl is provided
in the Short Kit, with the 3 5/8" Wheel Pants available separately on the
page.
Še$$n@ 180
And last but not least, framing has begun on the Še$$n@ 180. This one is also designed with flaps so that the most can be taken from this venerable old bush plane. Power will be provided by an E-Flight 450 Outrunner on 2 cells, incorporating 6 (2, S-75 E-Flight & 4, S-60 E-Flight) servos to operate the ailerons, elevator, rudder and flaps. A 30 amp ESC will take care of the throttle. For all the details about the build, visit the Build Thread using the link above.
The fuselage frame for the C-180 is really pretty simple; stick framed sides with upper and lower formers and stringers. And to simplify the upper cabin assembly, laser cut stringers will insure the contour of the upper cabin remains nice and true to form.
Meanwhile, stay tuned for more as the project progresses..... PAT