Hello and my attempt at a Guillows Super Piper Cub 95 (602)

[BassettsAllSorts]

Hi guys

The plane is finished and ready to be balanced, however, when I put the pins in and put it on the books like the plan stated I found that it balanced itself already. I could be doing something wrong though. I have not glided it yet so it may need weight adding. I left off the stabilisers by the landing gear as I thought that they would come off on landing. If it survives a flight I might add them at the end to fully finish the model (adding the decals etc).

I have a couple of questions I hope that someone can help me with.

Did you guys cement on the plastic nose cowl or leave it so that it falls off when the power runs out?

If I do glue it on where would I put the clay if it is required?

Will I get away with glueing some spare balsa to to the prop wire to prevent the prop from rubbing on the nose? I don't have any washers to use and the prop was pre assembled.

Do you guys use the white glue to attach the stabilisers and landing gear parts as the cement I use can leave residue if spilt on assembly.

Sorry for all the questions and I hope someone can help me. I'll post some pictures shortly of the final result!

I'm really pleased with it and I cant wait to see if I can get her to fly.

Have a great weekend.

Tom

[Shug]

Hi there, nice model, noticed you were using what looks like red esaki tissue on that? I used it on my Cessna build a couple of days ago, and it looked great till I doped it, I used 50/50 cellulose dope/thinners mix. Shrank OK, but left a horrible milky residue all over my red tissue. Now the overall effect of the red tissue is ruined, and I'm probably gonna have to paint it. Will be really interested to see how your one turns out when you dope it, what kind of dope you using?

Good luck!
Shug

[cliffm]

Try to give you a few suggestions,if you have some glue stick to do a temp job on the cowl to hold it in place as the rubber does'nt last forever and will someday need replaced,you could make a washer or shim of sorts from cardboard or balsa as you should need only 1/16 or less to get the clearance needed,and remember when adding weight the further forward you place the clay the less you'll need,but if you are lucky and don't need any all the better.Hope this helps. Oh,when making your shim you might refer to some of the build threads about adding some down thrust thru the shape of your shim as it seems the cub requires some to fly nice. Good luck

[Phugoid]

I glue the nosecone on, it's important that it's nice and stable. I don't use the clay, I use Blu Tak when trimming, then weigh it and cut out the equivalent in lead (or balls of shot) roll it about in epoxy then drop it through the hole in thr nose and stand the model up on its nose until the epoxy sets. You can still replace the rubber through the hole.........

[BassettsAllSorts]

Hi there, nice model, noticed you were using what looks like red esaki tissue on that? I used it on my Cessna build a couple of days ago, and it looked great till I doped it, I used 50/50 cellulose dope/thinners mix. Shrank OK, but left a horrible milky residue all over my red tissue. Now the overall effect of the red tissue is ruined, and I'm probably gonna have to paint it. Will be really interested to see how your one turns out when you dope it, what kind of dope you using?

Good luck!
Shug

Hi Shug I have already doped it. I used banana oil 50/50 with thinners, its the first time I have used the dope after being recommended by Andrew on here (phugoid). The dope is not so thick to start with and I found that it sealed the tissue really well and it was very easy to work with. I was told in a model shop that old dope can do this but I'm afraid I cannot confirm this as I am no expert.

My first model I used shrinking dope and I got the same result as you describe (I didn't thin it though on advice from a friend which may have something to do with it). I got the banana oil and thinners from SAMS models http://www.samsmodels.com/ (Another recommendation from Phugoid). Did you shrink the tissue with water first?

In all honesty I'm not sure what the tissue is (I'm a newbie to this game). I went to a model shop (Als Hobbies) and I just picked it off the rack. The label just says tissue but it was very easy to work with and it shrank great. I'll definitely use it again.

I will post pictures soon but I need the lead for my camera which is at work. Have you put up pictures of your cessna on here as it would be great to see it?

Take it easy.

Tom

[BassettsAllSorts]

Try to give you a few suggestions,if you have some glue stick to do a temp job on the cowl to hold it in place as the rubber does'nt last forever and will someday need replaced,you could make a washer or shim of sorts from cardboard or balsa as you should need only 1/16 or less to get the clearance needed,and remember when adding weight the further forward you place the clay the less you'll need,but if you are lucky and don't need any all the better.Hope this helps. Oh,when making your shim you might refer to some of the build threads about adding some down thrust thru the shape of your shim as it seems the cub requires some to fly nice. Good luck

Hi Cliffm

Thank you very much for the suggestions I'll certainly give the balsa/cardboard washer a go.

I'm sure it will need weight (I have a feeling I balanced it wrong on the book). I need to get outside and test glide it (I'm a little nervous about this one for some reason) I can see it smashing to pieces!!

I'll do a search on the build threads on the down thrust - I'm learning all the time. I didn't realise how much you need to know to get these babies in the air!

Thanks again.

Tom

[BassettsAllSorts]

I glue the nosecone on, it's important that it's nice and stable. I don't use the clay, I use Blu Tak when trimming, then weigh it and cut out the equivalent in lead (or balls of shot) roll it about in epoxy then drop it through the hole in thr nose and stand the model up on its nose until the epoxy sets. You can still replace the rubber through the hole.........

Hi Andrew

Thanks for this, with your lead shot would fishing shot work? I do a bit of fishing in my spare time and I have plenty of it. That method of the epoxy sounds great! A really good idea.

Oh and I got a friend to pick up the Cessna for me from a shop so I'll start that next and join the build thread!

Although I just watched a programme about the Spitfire on BBC HD and it looked so majestic in the air and its making me want to build it!

Thanks again.

Tom

[BassettsAllSorts]

Found a lead for my phone so here are some pictures.

When I glued the supports on under the wing it caused a few more wrinkles in the top but I'm pretty pleased with the result.

I just gave it a test glide and it went down quite heavily nose first so I don't know what I'll need to do. I'll experiment a little more.







I hope she flies!

Tom

[ADW 123]

You will want to balance first. The plans detail this pretty well. Take a look. There
should be a section that says some thing like "flying the model" or "trimming for flight"

[BassettsAllSorts]

Hi ADW

Thanks for this yeah I had another play with it and I did the book test with the pins as per the plans and I think it needed weight added to the nose. I tried this before and thought it was pretty well balanced, however, from this second test it seems different.

I'm attaching the pictures to show you. Do you think that this is balanced with the blue tack on the nose?

Also can I glue the canopy onto the plane with balsa cement or should I use superglue or an alternative. I don't have any canopy glue at the moment.

Before weight on the nose



After



Thanks for the help.

Tom

[ADW 123]

I have used very very small amounts of CA glue (dont use the really thin kind, i use thicker stuff) . just put a few little dots here and there. stick on the canopy, then go to your LHS as soon as you can to get your canopy glue, or look online. You should balance the model when you have added everything you want. the canopy might affect the balance, so i wouldnt balance until the canopy is on. there are some better readings out there on how to trim and balance. maybe someone else can find one for you.

[BassettsAllSorts]

Sorry I made a mistake I meant nosecone (I am a plonker!)

Ha Its late here!

Tom

[ADW 123]

you can use super glue for that.

[BassettsAllSorts]

Thanks ADW. I'll give it a go!

Tom

[supercruiser]

I just gave it a test glide and it went down quite heavily nose first so I don't know what I'll need to do. I'll experiment a little more.

I hope she flies!

Tom

The first photo of the balance test definitely looks like it needs nose weight. The second photo; the balance looks correct.
If it balances statically and dives when you give a glide test, bend the elevator up or put some kind of trim tab on the elevator.

What is the total weight of the model?

By the way, the pictures of your model make me want to go out and buy the kit right now.