Reactor biplane project

by **JRgraham** » Thu May 09, 2013 8:09 am

Finished relocating the tail servo's. Very difficult to work inside that slim tail area.
I was going to go with a rudder servo up front with a pull-pull cable for better weight distribution, but decided it was more trouble than it would be worth in the end. Im fairly sure it will balance out just fine.

My main reasoning for relocating them inside is to keep them protected from the glow motor's goo, besides the reduction in drag.

by **JRgraham** » Wed May 15, 2013 4:51 pm

Some more work;

Got the center fuse tray relocated. Ripped some triangle balsa stock and re-enforced most bulkheads, and tray's that were installed.
Some carbon tissue is glued in a few areas to add strength. I use thin CA for that.

The larger triangle stock in this image closest to the landing gear support, will have a plywood tray glued on to it shortly that the fuel tank will strap to.

by **JRgraham** » Wed May 15, 2013 4:58 pm

Next I need a receiver tray.

I start by cutting some triangle stock for the receiver tray to mount to, and glue it in place.

Once I get the 1/16th ply tray cutout to shape, I get it ready to laminate to some carbon cloth.

Carbon cloth laminated, and trimmed back to shape.

I take standard Velcro and cut it down the middle with scissors.

Fit looks good, ready to glue the tray in place and move on.

by **JRgraham** » Fri May 17, 2013 3:15 pm

Some tedious re-enforcing stuff...
Threw some carbon cloth in the inside corners of the firewall, laminated some carbon cloth and tissue to the new fuel tank plate. Glued in the velcro straps to the tank plate, and finally installed the plate.

Carbon cloth inside firewall

carbon cloth laminated to tank plate

Velcro installed and tank fitted to plate

Plate glued in place

by **JRgraham** » Fri May 17, 2013 3:19 pm

Just a quick assembly to get idea of how accessible things really will be threw the canopy.
I guess most of you guys would ask why the heck would I do all this stuff.. well, I just like too :confusion-shrug:

by **JRgraham** » Wed May 22, 2013 10:45 am

The original setup used 2-56 rods for aileron push rods. A couple of them over time had slight bends in them, so I decided to replace them with some carbon rods.
I use carbon rod that has inner diameter same as a 2-56 rod, and glued the 2-56 threaded rod inside the carbon rod. Then cover the glued end with heat shrink.

I also am replacing the nylon control horns with some nicer/stronger aluminum horns.

by **JRgraham** » Wed May 22, 2013 10:54 am

The last couple days I focused on just hinging the remaining control surfaces. I normally would cover (monokote) the surfaces prior to final hinging them, but I just went forward with hinging this time uncovered, so I can finish the pushrods on the elevator/rudder while still open. Never know. I just dont want to repeat any steps.
The ailerons still have the original covering.
So, with this done, I am really getting down to final fit and installation.. and can prepare to cover this thing up. Getting closer! :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **JRgraham** » Wed Jun 19, 2013 2:58 pm

Here I prep and mount the pylon for the top wing. I have already glassed the cradle inside the fuselage.
I drill a few holes in the base of the fiberglass pylon piece, to let the glue make sort of foot holds. I added a cardboard sleeve for the aileron ext. wires as well. Might not been necessary, but helps keep the wires from getting cut from a lone strand of glass anyways.

Finally I monokote the area around the pylon of the fuselage enough to cover the raw wood under the base of the pylon. Then, using regular Gorilla Glue, I install it.