Building/Flying kit 902 Bird Dog

[WIDDOG]

For some reason I don't really remember the 900 Series kits as a kid, I'm in my 50's now. I think that I may have had the Skyraider kit as a teenager. I kind of remember it having really bad wood, too light and crumbly. I think I kind of avoided them as a kid. Anyway when I got back into the hobby, a couple of years ago, I got a kit 902 Bird Dog. Once again I noticed that the wood was crap. The tissue would warp the wings and ect. Anyway I guess that's why I was so hooked on 500 Series kits. I learned, by reading this forum, to use Contest Balsa Wood. Wow powerful medicine that's for sure. Anyway I saved the plans sheet from the Bird Dog kit. I will order the kit from Guillow's just for the heck of it. I will hopefully do a better job posting this build. I will try to add more photo's ect.
BTW 1970 Catalog



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[Wildpig]

That vintage brochure is a gem.

[cutter]

My attempt at the Bird Dog. This one has a carved nose block. Please post many pictures of your build.

[WIDDOG]

Great pic. I really like the color scheme. Thanks for posting Cutter!

You may be getting tired of hearing me talk about cutting out the parts from CBW (Contest Balsa Wood) Basically the way I do it is by
1. Print out the parts I want to cut out.
2. Cut the parts out of the paper print out
3. Paste to the CBW with a Glue Stick. This is only temporarily glued to the CBW and is removed after part is cut out. So I would make sure I get
The "Washable" paste kind of glue stick and not the permeate kind.
4. Cut the part out with a sharp hobby knife. The cutting matt is a very important part of the cutting process. So don't cheap out on the cutting matt.
5. I like to keep my hobby knife sharp by sharping with a Samurai Shark.

A quick thought is that there really is not that many parts that need to be cut out on one of these kits. Also with a sharp knife it is kind of easy. So there really is no excuse not to get into the habit of cutting out the parts from CBW.



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We Who Are About To Fly Salute You.

[SpiceMan]

I had one of these kits in my hand while at the hobby shop about a week ago. Almost bought it, but for some reason, changed my mind.

Cutter ... great looking little Bird Dog Does it fly How well

Widdog ... I'll be watching your build process. Maybe it'll change my mind about getting one.

[WIDDOG]

Thanks gentlemen for your participation and as always posts are welcome here.

I have always built "Flying" models. By which I mean I don't really care how they looked. However, the kit 904 Skyraider changed my mind about this. It has never crashed so far. These 900 Series kits are great. IMHO you should get that Bird Dog SpiceMan as the Guillow's mail order is now "Temporarily Out Of Stock" of the Bird Dog, Trojan, Skyraider and Mustang. I had to order my Bird Dog by spare parts. I'm really happy that these kits are selling so well. IMHO if Guillow's made some new models they hopefully will make a 900 Series enemy plane. i.e. a Storch.

Anyway wow I am using one of David Duckett pictures as a reference for my model. Now it goes without saying I will not get my model to look that good. I'm just working on getting my models to look better. IMHO it's kind of like Chess you have to play against people that are better in order to get better.



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[cutter]

If you look near the rear peg there is a hole in the covering. I had a rubber band break on a very cold morning while winding it. Inspired by Widdog's post I am fixing it now. It had a couple of test glides and some low wind flights (around 100 turns) and it looked like it wanted to fly.

[WIDDOG]

All right Cutter good work, Keep us posted.
BTW Hobby King sells a real nice Key Chain Video Cam.


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http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... RD16NM.jpg

[WIDDOG]

1959 Guillow's catalog with pic of the Bird Dog.

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[Wildpig]

That reads 59cent kits??

I spy a Corsair.

[David Lewis]

WIDDOG wrote:
"1. Print out the parts I want to cut out.
2. Cut the parts out of the paper print out"

I don't cut the templates out of the paper print out because the paper shapes may bend, curve or distort. I always keep the templates surrounded by a wide border of paper. I use a single edge razor blade as much as possible, guided by a steel rule on the straight cuts. The X-Acto knife is usually reserved for small radius curves and notches.

[WIDDOG]

@ David Lewis. sorry I don't know. I don't actually have the Catalogs. The only Super Cub kit I know of is the 24 inch wing span that's been called kit 303 since at least the 1950's.

One thing about this build I wanted to point out was covering the rudder and elevator. 1/20 inch is kind of thin and if the covering tissue touches it stick and makes that "Droop" look on the rudder and elevator. Hopefully someone will post a better solution to this than my solution. Anyway I cover one side and seal/finish the tissue and than do the other side. As far as warping goes the CBW (Contest Balsa Wood) stays straight as an arrow. However, If the rudder or elevator does warp I put it under a bunch of books. I build and cover the rudder and elevator first so I have plenty of time to straighten out warps.



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[WIDDOG]

One quick thing. I think that these three parts should be painted before glued into place. They are clearly seen through the windshield so IMHO it's important part of the appearance of the finished model.



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[WIDDOG]

I'm a White Glue and Wood Glue user. I never had much luck with the Super Glues. However this Super Glue Loctite Gel Control is GREAT STUFF! I got mine at Wal Mart and can not say enough good about it. It never has glued my fingers together. The gel stays where you put it. The dispenser has never clogged up. Dries fast and holds great. Finally they came out with a Super Glue that works!



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[Mitch]

That looks like pretty good stuff. I usually use 2 part epoxy for landing gear. Or anytime I need to glue wire to wood. I think I will try some of that next time.

Mitch