The Fairchild 24, kit 701

[Mitch]

Hey Guys,

Howard made the announcement on the yahoo group for 2014... I am not waiting 11 months to get started. I just received a package and have my entry for this year:

I get the feeling this is going to be a flyer. I am already thinking about moving the rear peg forward 4 inches to have the center of mass of the rubber over the cg of the plane. Also I will start with an 8 inch prop. Guillow's gives you a HUGE 9 inch prop... I don't what to see this plane fly away...

I have never built this kit before, and am looking forward to have MORE contestants this year! I just realized the box says "Contest Type Airplane"

Up, up and away... Mitch

[davidchoate]

im not gonna wait til the last min ute either. I signed up on yahoo last night. I already did a Javelin, but I think i'd like to do something different for the contest. By the time the deadline is near, I will have probably built every plane in the series!

[Mitch]

Hey Guys... Here is my progress report:


After a week I have the skeleton done.

I had 2 problems (I may have created them myself). The top "A" pieces did not reach the crossmember... so I added some balsa to make it work out:


I also added some extra balsa to the nose section:


and altogether we had a good trip to Alaska and a beautiful day to come home:

This picture was taken today from the Bridge of my ship as we passed Seattle... (It rained in the previous 7 days, and today was clear!)

Mitch

[Wildpig]

The Fairchild is a nice flyer and a good looking airplane.

I recommend tying the trailing edge of the wings together. A strap of balsa will do. The wings are long and fairly heavy with not much support through the cabin. On a nose first landing, the wings tend to tear away from the fuselage.

Moving the motor peg is a good idea for the reason you stated. Also, in the plans location it's really cramped in the tail trying to load a rubber motor.


P.S. Stunning picture you took of the sea and Seattle.

[Wildpig]

One other thing, you might consider scalloping the top formers.
That's the way they are done on the full size aircraft. Really enhances the appearance of the model.

[Mitch]

I was thinking about moving the rear peg, but the structure would need to be changed and reinforced. I was planing on placing the peg in the plan location, but have an extension hook to catch the rubber about 1 or 2 inches forward.

The model is in my shop at home, and I will finish when I am on home after Christmas.

What do you mean by scalloping the top formers?

The model seems pretty light so far and I think it will be a good flyer.. By the way, I bought 2 kits because most of the pictures I see of this plane has a radial engine, so I plan to build another and kit-bash the front end. That will also make it easier for stretch winding. This model is as per plans for the Guillow's contest!

Mitch

UPDATE: I just sent in an order to Guillow's... among other things I ordered some parts for another 400 Spit... Remember I have the plans for a 1940's Guillow's Spitfire... That model will be built up very much like the Fairchild. It has a 24 in ws, but I can blow that up to 27-3/4 to be 1/16th scale and use the canopy of the 400 series...Next FAC event will include.... The Battle of Britain!!! I plan to keep bringing Guillow models to FAC EVENTS!!!

Mitch

[kittyfritters]

...I plan to keep bringing Guillow models to FAC EVENTS!!!

Mitch

Good for you. There are several people who have done that and won with them.

Howard