Stearman build

Very pleased with my wing jig - A days work to make and set up but worth the effort. The brackets hold the main spar at the correct height while it takes just a few seconds to spin out the vertical guide clamping screw, slide the T nuts in the extrusion groove and re fit.

First panel progressing well

Guess thats a Balsa USA kit and very impressive but i have to question why spend all that time building a scale model but ruin the autheticity with a power plant who's dimensions look nothing like the real thing. These pics show the massive difference in distance - firewall to cylinders and cylinders to prop.

Thats why i'm building a Super Stearman with a cowl so i can hide all that.

This one looks much better.

www.modelairplanenews.com/super-stearman/


Also BUSA Stearman + Moki = LMA certification.

Never realised that a bathroom radiator could be so workshop friendly.

Heavily steamed the Leading edge then used a half section of waste pipe to shape around the radiator. 3 hrs later it was ready to glue on

Made me smile too, all that time and effort to create a nice looking scale aeroplane, then spoil the illusion by using the throttle like a sixteen year old with their first moped. I know, I'm being "picky", but if you build it "Scale", then why not take a bit of time to fly it in the same way. Much nicer to watch too. Might be my imagination, but I'm sure using the rudder would have improved the "sit" of the Stearman in turns. On the good side, he did puff at his fag like a pro.

Domestics have just interrupted work but now progressed the aileron.

L/E is wrapped in 1/64" ply so this was glued to the lower spar, steamed and then rolled in this half tube.

Due to my clumsiness - damage to the T/E needed to be trimmed and capped with 3/32" spruce

The T/E of the aileron fairing also proved weak so this is wrapped in ultra thin carbon tape.

Ive modified the hinging design with my preferred pin in tube design which are more scale.

The kit design for aileron operation was this pasolini plate and quick link which had too much backlash and a very short moment arm. Also I am mechanically slaving the upper wing ailerons so a more substantial design was required.

Created this light ply box to hold this heavy duty ball link which is secured by a cross screw. -( and no backlash )