|
|
BALSA USA 1/3 SCALE ERCOUPE
PHOTOS...
The test fit - one of my favorites..... This angle shows the Hitec 5945 Digital Servos mounted in the wing panel roots, and the modified windows that I cut to resemble a factory Ercoupe. The model comes with a bubble canopy and enlarged rear windows and cargo compartment. I decided to go with the stock look.
The fuselage and cowling will be covered with Flite Metal. You can see here where I experimented with the Flite Metal. Although it's recommended that you start from the rear of the aircraft, I chose to do my testing on the compound curves of the cowling, since it's my first time using the product. I really like what I'm seeing so far... the photo doesn't do it justice - it just plain looks like real metal skin! The wings will be covered with Solartex, and rivet, pinked tape and details will be added.
Here's what I'm shooting for it to resemble..... spent some good time in this 'Coupe, N3390H when it was owned by my friend Steve back in the late 80's - early 90's.
Brand spankin' new Zenoah G62 w/ Zinger 22x10 Prop, B&B mount, and Tru-Turn spinner..... Mmmmmmmmerry Christmas to me!!!!
The landing gear, which are one of the great features of this kit - require some careful assembly, and some soldering, or in my case, a good friend with a tig welder and some skill! Instructions call for soldering these parts together, but I think it's mainly because most people don't have access to a welder.... So after many fruitless attempts at soldering, I had my friend Tony do the welding. He replaced the washers that retain the springs with stainless washers..... nice! They work great.....
Same thing here on the nose gear strut... Some soldering required, and again Tony came to the rescue....Sure looks pretty when it's finished, doesn't it? 1/3/05
Wing center section is joined to the fuselage. Everything lined up nicely, and was CA'd together - that's right CA!
Test-fitting the windows - everything worked as planned - they'll slide up and down in tracks located inside the fuselage. This photo also shows the rear windows have been re-shaped to a more scale appearance. They were a little too sharp on the corners... and I added the rear deck that is angled down, as in a stock 'coupe, and much higher than the expanded cargo area the model is shown with on the plans. Again, I want my coupe to look like it came from the factory. I'll also be using a flat windshield, instead of the bubble canopy that was supplied. To me, putting these things on an Ercoupe is like putting a baja kit on a VW - it's just not right! :-) You just as well put rudder pedals in it, too!
Another view of the fuse fitted to the wing center section....
And another..... as of 1/12/05 6/20/05 UPDATE!!! Back to it! (finally!) Sanding has begun! Wings are being covered! 6/21/05 UPDATE!!!!
Wings are sanded and covered with Solartex iron on fabric. Nicest stuff I ever worked with!!! Went on perfectly smooth, and shrunk down nicely. Has a LOT of shrink! I'm incredibly impressed with the stuff!
Both wings have been primed with Balsa USA's Magic Primer. A light coat was brushed on, and allowed to dry, then "screw heads" made from canopy glue were applied using 3-view drawings. After the glue had cured, I added the pinked tape over the "screws". Another coat of Magic Primer was added over the pinked tape. One more coat of primer will be used before priming and painting the wing panels. They look pretty funny in these photos, but they should look pretty convincing once they're primed! I like the Magic Primer so far - although it's extremely fragrant stuff! Make sure to work in a well ventilated area. I was in my shop all day working with the stuff, and had to knock off early..... fumes got to me. I'll open the big shop door next time!
|
