Winter build project: Wolfgang Matt’s ATLAS

+1 regarding the jig. It will make it easy to build loads of straight fuselages now and in the future.

Regarding Alans' comment on CA...yes, be careful. My most fun moment was spending an afternoon removing a complete fuselage from my hand. I had been holding it firmly as the thin CA set and not realised that it had run down the stringers to my hand! However, with a jig, you do not need to use CA. My Altas build so far has been done entirely with PVA, aliphatic and polyeurethane glue.

+ another re the jig.

Chris, where do you get the red anodised insert strips and captive screws?

Never had a jig before. Maybe now is the time.

Yes I have looked at the plan, and I have noted the absence of dihedral bracing on the built-up wing and tail. Strangely, all three sheets are the same. Ordering the wood later today.

I have decided to get the Bleriot to a stage of "airframe complete", then start on the Atlas. The rest of the B*** airframe is straightforward.

Jig nearing compilation now, just waiting on some mini G clamps instead of the sprung clamps and some knobs.

This is what the centre track is for:



Whether or not it'll get used in this build I don't know, but when discussing making the jig with Mike, he suggested I looked at a jig made by Christopher Williams: www.retroplane.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2918 So I've basically made my jig so that it can work like Mike's, or like Mr. Williams' or a combination of both.

The centre track is off set so I do have a centre line to work to, or lay a plan over.





Phil, the Orange track is from Axminster Tools and 'T-Track' bolts are expensive, so you'll need a file and a packet of Cross Dowel Bolts. (I can't make a jig without them) Simply put a slight flat on both sides until it slips into the t-track.

Blimey Chris! Good work. What a magic work surface and amazing amount of space to work in. :lol:

So, when you have finished industrialising the build project when are you expecting to get on with the build itself? Spring comes in about April next year :lol: :evil:

Yes , I know I cheated with the Curare but I haven't the time, space or tools for this stuff.

Retirement must be very busy Phil I figure I can give a home to three planes and my Mythos 50E being the biggest... How many planes do you have? One is so big you can't actually get it out of the house I guess it's all to do with perspective Phil. I hope to continue with the build shortly.

Chris001 wrote: Retirement must be very busy Phil I figure I can give a home to three planes and my Mythos 50E being the biggest... How many planes do you have? One is so big you can't actually get it out of the house

According to my TX I supposedly have 26 out of possible 30 plus some in boxes salted away in the roof.

Blimey Phil, You're going to need a bigger radio It's going to be really interesting to see how your electric Curare flies compares to Jon's glow and how it compares to our Atlas's, as it will have the same motor and prop as us, but I suspect it will be a lighter plane and of course a different design.

I've just had an enjoyable and interesting evening, I visited Mike to cut my foam wings, but instead drank coffee and watched the wings cut themselves Mike has improved his foam cutting so that it is now gravity fed, I'm assuming he wanted to make it idiot proof as I was going to be involved. It worked like a dream, I've got two wings and a tail that are, dare I say it, better than the ones he's cut for himself.

A big thank you to Mike, and I just hope I can match the quality of the foam cutting with the rest of my work on the wings.

To cut one wing from foam it makes sense to just hold the bow and pull the wire through by hand. Since I was going to be cutting a few wings, I decided that a gravity feed machine would be worthwhile building. Here it is in action.