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WH 35% RV-4 Build Page
Posted By Brent Shank on July 28, 2014
The Wendell Hostetler 35% RV-4 test build is underway and the build page has been posted under current projects in the left sidebar.
RV-4-001
Layout view of all of the laser cut parts for the RV-4.
RV-4-002
Close up shot of the 3/32" aircraft ply control horns that will be included with the short kit.
RV-4-003
Close up shot of a few wing ribs. Tip ribs have laser etched guide lines for parts placement.
Revamping the GWS A-10
Posted By Brent Shank on April 24, 2014
Last year I put together a GWS A-10 as it comes stock knowing that it is notoriously under powered. Basically I was looking for something to do over the winter and didn’t want to invest any money into it. It had one flight on it which struggled to get more than 20 feet in the air and has been hanging in the shop ever since. Until last weekend…when I was putting away a few motors and speed controls that I had lying about the work area and thought I could put some of this stuff to use. So I drug the A-10 down and started hacking away at it to fit a motor/prop on the front end.
GWS A-10-001
Front end chopped off revealing the 2oz of lead required to balance the stock A-10.
GWS A-10-010
The finished product...should be interesting.
30% Super Decathlon Ready For Sale
Posted By Brent Shank on March 2, 2014
The framing on the Decathlon has been completed and it is now ready for display at the RC flea market next weekend.
WHDecathlon2-183
Only the wingtips need installed yet. For size comparison, the workbench is a 32"x80" door slab.
WHDecathlon2-182
Everything together for the first time.
WHDecathlon2-186
Completed fuselage ready to go to sale.
30% Super Decathlon Update
Posted By Brent Shank on February 5, 2014
At this point I have 34 hours of total build time in this project and should have no problem having it framed up for display at a local RC flea market coming up in 4 weeks. After building hand cut and/or die crunched kits for the better part of 32 years, I can’t say enough about the speed and ease with which a laser cut kit goes together. Combined with CAD drawn parts and plans, the laser cut parts fit together perfectly…the first time…with no sanding required. The charring on the wood edges can mostly be removed with a few light strokes of 120 grit sandpaper (the thicker plywoods require a bit more elbow grease) if you so choose but it has no effect on the ability of glues to soak into the wood for a good bond.
WHDecathlon2-118
Works good for now but I will do a final sanding/fitting later.
WHDecathlon2-127
Between the spars is filled solid with basswood at the strut mount locations.
WHDecathlon2-140
Top leading edge sheeting glued in place.
WHDecathlon2-147
3/4" paper tube for routing servo wiring. I wrapped the paper tightly around a 1/2" dowel and slid the dowel into the wing. When i released the paper it uncoiled tight to the 3/4" hole in the ribs. I then wrapped a piece of packing tape around the tube between each rib and spot glued it in place with some thin CA.
30% Super Decathlon Test Build
Posted By Brent Shank on February 3, 2014
Big update tonight….most of the fuselage framing is complete and wing construction has begun. Visit the link to the left for many more pictures.
WHDecathlon2-043
The main cabin supports have to be routed out to accept the 1/8" steel wire. This is easily accomplished with a rotary tool.
WHDecathlon2-055
Test fitting the rear cabin support and checking alignment again with F13, F14, and F15s in place.
WHDecathlon2-062
All of the 1/8"x1/2" balsa stringers in place.
WHDecathlon2-068
U-bolts in place capturing the cabin wires.
WHDecathlon2-073
All bottom stringers glued in place.
WHDecathlon2-078
The outer 2 top rear stringers are a little tricky in this area. Wet the balsa to prevent it from cracking as you curve it in place.
WHDecathlon2-085
Left side window cutouts. I decided to run this sheeting to the top of F15 instead of trying to fit it to the shape of the wing. The reasoning will be clearer once the wing center section is built.
30% Super Decathlon Test Build
Posted By Brent Shank on January 30, 2014
Tonights installment of the Decathlon build takes us through the tailfeathers. Pictures have been added to the page linked at the left.
WHDecathlon2-029
Use a straightedge to ensure the sub leading and trailing edges remain straight.
WHDecathlon2-031
Sheet one side of the stab before removing it from the plan.
WHDecathlon2-038
Framework completed and ready for sheeting.
WHDecathlon2-041
Sheeting completed, basswood trailing edge added, and balsa leading edge added.
30% Super Decathlon Test Build Continues
Posted By Brent Shank on January 30, 2014
Continuing on with the Super Decathlon build…the main structure of the fuselage is completed. Click the link to the left under current projects to view additional pictures.
WHDecathlon2-009
Cutting matched pairs of former cross pieces ahead of time will save time later and ensure a square fuselage.
WHDecathlon2-014
Squaring things up with the former cross pieces in place.
WHDecathlon2-015
The design does not require the diagonal bracing but I add some as a personal preference, These will ensure that the fuse maintains its shape until formers and sheeting are added later. Some of the bracing is temporary and will be removed after sheeting.
WHDecathlon2-017
Front end pulled together and held in place by the interlocking firewall. The landing gear mounting plate is also epoxied in place at this time,
30% Super Decathlon Test Build
Posted By Brent Shank on January 29, 2014
The Decathlon build has commenced! This build will move along rapidly as the intent is to have it ready to showcase the laser cutting service at a local swap meet the first week of March.
WHDecathlon2-001
A box of laser cut parts for the Decathlon...many, many parts.
WHDecathlon2-002
Some of the larger laser cut parts including the 3/8" aircraft ply firewall and the 1/4" balsa fuse doublers.
WHDecathlon2-003
The main fuselage sides cut from 1/8" lite ply and the 3/8" aircraft ply wing joiners.
Request a Quote not working
Posted By Brent Shank on August 13, 2013
It has been brought to my attention that the Request-a-Quote form is no longer working and at this point I have no idea when it went down. If you are in need of a quote, or if you filled out the form in the past and I failed to respond to you, please send an email with a description of what you are looking for and I will be sure to get back with you. I will have the form back up and working as soon as the problem is diagnosed.
Thank you.