307 piper cherokee

[r wheatley]

Ive had this kit lying around for a while and decided to build strictly for a display model. I ve seen how some of you have used the fill in method filling in between the formers and stringers, and was just wondering if it would work to cover the frame with 1/16 sheets or 1/32 if it is even available seems it wood save lots of time and give a smoother finish, your thoughts ?

thanks ,Ronnie

[davidchoate]

On displays, I infill with 1/32" balsa cause it is more flexible. I never sheet the Plane because then you might have to sand it down as the sheeting will add thickness to the thing. I know that Guys do sheet the whole plane, but thats not how I learned. There was a guy who was on here alot,and I follow his methods. Unfortunately He had some falling out and erased all his posts. I'm sure you will get alot of advice,but I infill, spacle, apply dope, and paint with acrylics on a display. If you look at Widdogs FW190 thread you will see sheeting.

[Bill Gaylord]

I just sheeted a larger Comet Cherokee recently using 1/32" sheet with good results. Just finished their Albatros DV a few weeks ago which flew well. I couldn't have imagined inset planking that one although they did have some plastic panels that reduced the total area. Once you get onto sheeting, it's much faster and easier than inset planking. Like anything else, it takes some practice. I spend almost as much time now thinking about how I'm going to sheet a model, than actually sheeting it.

[r wheatley]

thanks to both replys, I guess it can be done either way, the photos look great, was there any trouble with the nose cone, since the sheeting made the frame a little bigger / thanks again

Ronnie

[Bill Gaylord]

thanks to both replys, I guess it can be done either way, the photos look great, was there any trouble with the nose cone, since the sheeting made the frame a little bigger / thanks again

Ronnie

There usually is some tightness, but they stretch a bit, along with sanding the sheeting a hair thinner in that area to allow for the fit. I often inset plank the first inch behind the cowl, before sheeting, to allow for added sanding latitude. On the Cherokee there was a lot of trouble fitting the cowl well, but that's because the cowl molding was trash. The Guillow's parts usually fit pretty well to perfect. The second cowl mounting method is to cut a thin ply or balsa former to place inside the cowl, so that it fits directly against the fuse with dowel pin locators. The former is then hogged out to reduce weight and/or clear the motor. That works really well, since you can sand the fuse down to perfectly blend with the cowl, with the cowl mounted in place.