Cessna 170 Laser Cut Kit Build ( # 302 LC )

[SpiceMan]

Good idea with the spar splice. I sometimes tie the trailing edges together, too. By adding a piece of balsa similar to T.E. stock. Slide it under the tail end of the F1's and on top of the T.E.

Glad you posted the weight. I was going to ask.

Greetings Wildpig,
Thanks for the idea about tying the T.E.'s together too. Looks like I'll need to keep that in mind for my next build though, since I've already trimmed them to proper length on these wings. I'll just be counting on the strength of the glue joints ( epoxy ... I'm thinking ) this time, while adding some additional support between the cabin walls. That should do the trick.

[shawn32671]

Nice job with the 170, I'm currently finishing up on my build of the Cessna 150 kit. I posted a video on youtube if anyone is interested in looking at that and other builds.

build progress part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsszitU6Ra4

[SpiceMan]

Nice job with the 170, I'm currently finishing up on my build of the Cessna 150 kit. I posted a video on youtube if anyone is interested in looking at that and other builds.

build progress part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsszitU6Ra4

Pretty nice video Shawn. I think that some day, I'll need to learn how to do the "YouTube" thing too.

[shawn32671]

thanks, and youtube is easy

[SpiceMan]

Wings, rudder, vertical stab. & struts covered. Used COVERITE Microlite, which has a specified weight of 0.6 oz per square yard. A bit tricky to work with, but should keep this birds weight to a minimum. So far ... shrinking the covering HAS NOT resulted in any warpage. We'll wait and see how the fuselage survives.

IMG_0750.JPG

[SpiceMan]

Landing gear installed ...

IMG_0751.JPG

IMG_0752.JPG

[shawn32671]

Well your plane sure looks better than mine, maybe I should stick to ship building lol but I like planes and cars too much too

[SpiceMan]

Well your plane sure looks better than mine, maybe I should stick to ship building lol but I like planes and cars too much too

So many kits, so little time!

[SpiceMan]

QUESTION TIME ...

As I mentioned in my opening statement, this is my first rubber powered airplane attempt, and I actually intend to fly it.

So here's a good question for all of you experienced "rubber banders" out there. How many prop winds should I do on this little bird? This being a 300 series kit, the fuselage seems to be fairly strong ... now that it's together, but is there a way to know when to stop winding before something snaps? Any thoughts or recommendations?

I picked up one of these handy-dandy prop winders from my local Hobby Lobby, and I'm thinking that since its got the revolution counter, it will possibly keep me out of trouble. All I need to know is the magic number to stop at.

IMG_0753.JPG

[WIDDOG]

I found a video on "Stretch Winding" It shows the Stooge holding the airplane. Well any way what you want to do is stretch the rubber out about 5 times its resting length and wind it using a "Winder" In the video the modeler uses a "Blast Tube" to protect the model in case the motor breaks, the shock will be absorbed by the blast tube and not the model.

http://youtu.be/-oKnb1z6z8E

[Wildpig]

How much you can wind it, depends on the size and length of the rubber motor. I have seen charts for this on the internet. Don Ross' books on Flying Rubber Powered Models or something like that is a very good reference. Kittyfritters just posted a comment about this on the recent Beaver build.

[SpiceMan]

I found a video on "Stretch Winding" It shows the Stooge holding the airplane. Well any way what you want to do is stretch the rubber out about 5 times its resting length and wind it using a "Winder" In the video the modeler uses a "Blast Tube" to protect the model in case the motor breaks, the shock will be absorbed by the blast tube and not the model.

http://youtu.be/-oKnb1z6z8E

Hi Widdog ... thanks so much for your input here. I watched the video that you attached. I never new that these rubber powered planes were such a serious sport / hobby. I probably won't be going so far as using a "Blast Tube" in mine, but will just be conservative with my winding. Never intended for this baby to fly as far as the next state anyway.
A successful flight across the park will make me happy.

[SpiceMan]

How much you can wind it, depends on the size and length of the rubber motor. I have seen charts for this on the internet. Don Ross' books on Flying Rubber Powered Models or something like that is a very good reference. Kittyfritters just posted a comment about this on the recent Beaver build.

Hi Wildpig ... thanks so much for your input here also. I may pick up a copy of the "Flying Rubber Powered Models" that you mentioned. I'm thinking that I also might venture over to one of our public libraries here in town to see what I can find. Did a quick look on the internet, and found a couple of things. Will look some more, as time permits.

[SpiceMan]

Pretty much finished covering the fuselage. Looks somewhat "crude" at this stage, but all-in-all, came out pretty well. There are plenty of imperfections, but the airframe TOTALLY SURVIVED the shrinkage process without any crushed parts or any warpage.
I envision that the addition of the striping decals sometime soon, will help a lot.
Used Transparent Red along the bottom, for rubber band "wind" visibility.

IMG_0756.JPG

IMG_0757.JPG

IMG_0758.JPG

[shawn32671]

looking very nice