newbie scale questions

[joep]

hello all,
Is the 900 series Birddog a good candidate for a smallish cox engine?, do any of you folks recreate cockpits? and lastly to get that metal body panel effect,is it best to have the entire frame covered in balsa panels.This will be my first attempt at doing a detailed scale aircraft. I've just recently retired and now have the time to do the best job I'm capable of.Any tips or warnings would be greatly appreciated

[Steve Blanchard]

I'm going to assume this is your first scale aircraft? Not just your first detailed scaled aircraft? If I am right then the first warning I have is not to try for too much. It can become very frustrating to build your first scale aircraft without adding the task of complete scale realism to the order. It is of course achievable but if your building skills are not finely honed yet then it will be more difficult and time consuming to get the desired effect you may be looking for. If this is the case, I'd say enjoy the build, do what you can do to the best of your ability and don't get hung up on any one detail that would end with you disappointed and shelving the project.
If you are already a proficient builder and won't need to learn those techniques then go for it and post lots of pics!

Steve

[Wildpig]

Retired. Cool. Maybe I'll get to do that someday.

I think; a long time ago, there was optional instructions on that model for a Cox .010 gas engine.

Sheeting the model with balsa will certainly aid in giving it that metal panel look. Take a look at David Duckett's models on this forum. He sheets all his models (static display only).

I never detail flying model cockpits. Some folks do. Nothing wrong with doing it, other than it adds weight and hurts flying performance. With a gas engine, thats probably not a concern.
IF you can , post photos of you model.