Prop My new f-117 prop jet project finally begins

[64impala]

just some update pics
elevons cut

Tail and elevons in lws mixed with water painted on

tail and elevons painted in killz

control surfaces lined with balsa and light and servo wire channels routed in

closer of tails in primer

man this is a lot of work to do right.

 

[zapster]

Lookin good,the size still amazes me but that thing in flight should be so smooth and fast,Great update.

 

[Rc-Help Member]

Looks good 64. What are you rounding your edges with? A sanding block or did you buy one of them fancy edge bevelers.

 

[64impala]

I used a sanding block and a multi max both depending on the amount of removal required. I got the botom primed and some lws to fill in some low spots and working on the tails still to get em all smoothed out. I will try to get some primer on the topside this week then I need to move on to the main fuse peices to make the puzzle fit together a lil tighter.

 

[Tony]

Sounds like a plan. I was going to build that plane you sent me, but I sold my plotter before I could print them off lol.

 

[64impala]

Ok so I got a chance to get a lil more done this week. Not much explanations just some pics:
First I got the lG on


and the front steering

rear mounts

what a beautiful face

 

[Tony]

That's looking really good bro. Can't wait to see this thing in the sky.

 

[64impala]

Ok so a lil more today. I took the currently fitted fuse parts and put primer and then lws on them.
Here are the front

and the inner sides

And then I fabbed up the nose with the instrument clusters.

Next came the steering servo mount and linkage, just a bent peice of piano wire bent so that it may take some landing shock I hope lol. well never mind I didnt get the linkage pic but I will put one up.


All of this is still in the rough but comeing along prety good I think. Next I plan on fabbing up the intakes and fuse top. After that then on to a balsa skin canopy w windows and maybe a mockpit lol to mount my onboard cam.

 

[Tony]

Dude, if you could put a micro cam in there and fab up a cockpit kind of thing to see though the camera, that would be awesome!

 

[Whirlybird]

John,
When does the kit come out

Looking AWESOME!!!!!!!!

 

[zapster]

I,m feeeling alot better about the maiden of this after seeing you put landing gear on this.And any way how would you hand launch this beast DUH !Whirlybird thats gonna be A1 man, dont forget to have someone vid that maiden we all want to see it.

 

[64impala]

yea i pretty much decided no hand launches after seeing an auw at or near 5 lbs, the batt i am ussing is a 4400 4s this with motor and esc alone are 1.5 lbs ouch. Oh and airframe now is at 2 lbs with out the fuse. Oh yea here is the linkage pic:

well I wont have time till sat to get any work done, if the misses lets me lol.

 

[64impala]

So I think I have made up my mind and will be adding this little peice in the arsenal of insurance for this bird. You can look it up here: http://www.readymaderc.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=61&products_id=539&zenid=u2tnf9s9njlubkqi01e8akit21
This thing in a nut shell is a 3 axis gyro setup that should make the bird as stable as possible. Lots of good reviews out there on it. Who knows in the future if I like it I may upgrade to the fy31ap which is an auto pilot of sorts!

 

[Lee]

We are all on the edge of our seats to see this fly. Don't make us wait too long

 

[64impala]

Ok so I finally got to putting some of the styroplast on. For starters I think I wont use it again bc it cures too fast and goes on too thick and leaves unsightly brush strokes even with a foam brush.



I will be sanding and filling this some but I am ready to move on so I have to begin the fitting up of the fuse. I hope to have more for you guys soon.

 

[Tony]

you need something that you can spray through an airbrush or a detail gun. I think that may get you the desired look you are after. How much weight did that add?

 

[64impala]

Yes I will use styrospray1000 in the future as it is 1 to 1 mix easier to mix and sortable with a little longer pot life. So I hear at least. Well today I'm slatted to brew a batch of ipa so not much modeling till tonight. I hope to start on the fuse tonight.

 

[64impala]

A lil more progress. Here I have added the green and red nav lights and wiring.

The next 3 are just some mock up after attaching the two center fuse sections.



This thing is really big. I dont have a weight yet. Sorry forgot to weigh it after doing the epoxy but I'll get a weight of it with just the inner fuse sides on as an idea. Next I am going to be working finalizing the front fuse sections and a semi scale canopy/access hatch made out of balsa and foam and some lexan for windows. I may do a cockpit but havent decided on that yet. It will have a cam in there for flight recording though for sure. Then I have to redo my elevons due to some warping issuses and to add some ribs as per Tony to aid in air direction on control surfaces. Then I will move on to fitting up the intake ducting. More to come later.
John

 

[Tony]

Looking good man.

 

[64impala]

Ok spent the day fitting and sanding and fitting and sanding....
Now I have a lil to show for it. I have the canopy mostly done here. Just gota finish sand it and primer and put some sort of cockpit liner in it.



and here is a poor shot from inside with the pilots eye.


Ok more later
john