Progress in Prosser - #103

[KevinC]

Ok, time to start covering.  The bondo is behind me...  I've tested all the systems (no leaks, binds, rubs) so now it is time to venture into the great unknown of covering...

k

PS - Dave, I rotated the tires round to get the obligatory label shot.

[scubarider]

Hey Kevin,  Covering is not so bad.  Just remember lots and lots of glue coats.  Thin it with MEK and then make it green  :lol:
Any help I can give just let me know.  I have covered everything but the wings.  
Dennis

[KevinC]

Fuselage is covered - time to tape.  Stewart System glue is great.  Advice:  don't say anything about ironing being women's work....

k

[scubarider]

Looks GREAT!  Taping takes the most time.  Be sure and draw off with a pencil, really helps the glueing process.  I am jumping into the painting soon.  Still need to cover the wings.
Dennis

[Johnny C!]

Looks great Kevin!

I am too far behind...


Johnny C!

[Dave Krall CFII SEL SES]

Yours is looking smoothe Kevin.

Tail feathers are ready for Ecofill here.
Taking them all the way to finish paint for a change of pace.
Waiting for warped fuel tanks to be replaced, on back order...

[Gerald V9]

Hey Kevin,
    The bird is looking good.  With the fuselage done, I think you have the hard part behind you.  Getting the fabric looking good in the swoop at the vertical stabalizer I thought was the hardest.  Out here I have all the fabric on and am applying tapes.        Take Care,  Gerald V9

[Johnny C!]

I was thinking ahead to the dorsal swoop & was
really stressing over it, UNTIL!  I saw Troy knock
it out in about one minute!  I have covered enough
model airplanes to think it would be a problem.

There was a guy from Atlanta covering his at the
factory one day. Kevin & I were just watching. He
had the cloth covering one side & the bottom corner
on the frame attached, full lenght. Troy came over
with little pair of scissors. He started at swoop!  It
was all over pretty quick!  I had nightmares of painting
myself into a huge, ugly, incurable, wrinkle there.

Go to the factory any chance you get. If you watch
someone working, you will learn a lot!  That was a
real nugget for me!

Looks great Kevin!

Johnny C!

[KevinC]

Ditto what John said - the curve at the tail was really a non event.  Per Troy's instruction, I started at the front of the fuselage, around the doors and then parallel down the fuselage.  Next I did across the bottom of the tail, back of the tail, then front of the tail until all I had left was the curve.  A few careful cuts and "viola".  Amazing what shrinking the fabric does for you.

I thought the toughest part of the fuselage cover was around the 'handle' at the tail.

fwiw

K

[Stan Bearup]

Looks great Kevin!
I know you had it in ya  :D
Keep up the great work buddy!
Stan

[KevinC]

Yikes! What a chore.  1.5 weeks of fuselage tapes - getting pretty tedious.  I still like the Stewart System, but am starting to hate tapes.

What are others doing for the rudder cable/trim cable exit reinforcements?  I am thinking of using the little 'leather' teardrop patches a la 'Cub'.

Kevin
"live long in Prosser"

[scubarider]

Kevin,  I used the hard plastic and just glued and taped them.  They work great and get painted just like the rest.  I got them at Aircraft Spruce.  I also used one for the trim cable instead of coming out of the hole for the stabilizers.
Dennis

[DaveU]

Kevin,

I went high tech on the rudder cable exits.  I cut a small slot and pushed the cable out during final assembly.  You can see them unless you lay on the ground under the tail.

I looked at the picture.  The tape job looks great.  I don't see enough of a mess on the floor though.  Maybe you spent too much time cleaning and not enough taping?

looks good, keep it moving.

Dave

[KevinC]

Da box arrived from Lockwood today.  Talk about throwing some gas on the fire.  I gotta get painting....

K

[scubarider]

OHHHH  :shock:   "The Box"
Congrats.  What did you end up getting?  What prop are you going to use?  Did you order the "package" FF from Wahalla?
D