Lynx Defense

RC Plane build thread.

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  • Younggun

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    Ordered a couple of balsa kits to build. One is pretty straightforward. The other is a Great Planes PT-20. It's a die cut kit and runs about $80-$90. Compared to the laser cut kit I started first, this one is a pain. Figured I'd start a thread to follow the process.

    First step is building the fuselage sides. Comes in 3 pieces

    8550c5cdf65671526b380a4ed0dc0ea7.jpg


    Pinned down and tacked with thin CA, then the seams gone over with medium CA. Flip and repeat. The repeat again for the other side.

    d0b9268f1cd026078ff1a68a70d81340.jpg


    Next up was adding plywood doublers to strengthen the fuse. Two pieces for each side at the front and one at the rear. These kinda sucked. The instructions aren't real clear about alignment and they really don't line up well on their own. Had to do some sanding, position one end and clamp, then force the other end in to positions and clamp again. Took 3 clamps on each piece to hold in position till they glue set.

    f40489dc32628c9e51111e02fabe2e7b.jpg



    Next step is building the firewall and wing bolt plate.


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    Younggun

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    Firewall and and wing bolt plate clamped together and drying

    93d3f95949f59abd0d534cb42d49987c.jpg



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    Younggun

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    Drilled holes on the formers for push rod tubes, drilled the firewall for engine mount bolts, fuel lines, and push rod for throttle

    Two formers glued in and fuse halves connected. Finding more pieces not notched right, or tabs too big on formers. Not sure which, had to guess which way to go with it.

    2dc41373ac4f36e9b3c0c64b9514ed9a.jpg


    Firewall and fuel tank floor installed. More carving needed to get things to fit in place correctly. Nose clamped together until the epoxy dries

    bd681e697a79c9139afbcd162dc17a56.jpg


    Front balsa cover glued in while waiting for the firewall to set. This piece actually fit correctly.

    1b1022375119346c974a9c1b1540d4e2.jpg



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    Younggun

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    Gap at the front is due to the firewall not being correctly cut. If I had be out it down to match the balsa the fuel tank floor wouldn't have fit. Probably glue in a piece of scrap balsa to cover the gap.


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    Younggun

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    Got the rest of the skin in the back end of the fuse. Went on pretty painlessly. Just the base for the stabilizer remaining.


    Bolt block for the wing installed, needed a little trimming to fit in the notch it was made to fit in. It's like they converted from metric to inches and just rounded up or something. But it wasn't too bad compared to some of the others.
    ae56601e0297d8dfd2bfdf8cf5641fa5.jpg


    Windshield is on also. Glue is dry now, clamps gone and sanded flush. Needs the fuel tank hatch and a small piece of balsa on the bottom and the front half will about done with sheeting. Still waiting on epoxy to cure on the firewall so I can get the clamps out of the way.

    5e2def43d54e9ca5aa8be551510eddfe.jpg


    Started going over the whole thing and filling in any gaps or noticeable seems with wood filler. Will let it sit over night and sand it down with some 220 grit in the morning. Probably go over it a couple more times before it's finished to make sure I don't miss anything then finish it off with some 600 grit.

    4df0bf9478784cd0287716f8e6827dd8.jpg




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    Younggun

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    Saw a couple of them while visiting another member. One was a single seat tail dragger, silver with invasion stripes.

    If it wasn't for the missing scoop under the fuse I woulda mistook it for a Mustang. Drooled a little bit.


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    Younggun

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    Sanded the wood filler I put on yesterday. Firewall is set so the clamps are removed. Started to install the fuel tank hatch but I'm short a 1/16" drill bit so it's on hold.

    Stabilizer base checked for fit, a little sanding needed. Small wedge block is missing from the kit that's supposed to close up the tail, or I lost it.

    70c0d5b2ddb1f46a122b2cd588b2c77e.jpg


    Glued a couple pieces of scrap balsa together then cut and sanded to fit.

    494eb4e54e8678fe620f715e7ddba340.jpg

    57af39a398fd1527d1095d3f89951c6a.jpg


    Everything glued in and rough sanded

    43b1ee09caf53f3971ad7514917089fd.jpg


    Landing gear structure is next.

    Not many parts and they actually fit. Main block needed a little sanding on the length but made for a good snug fit.
    c09f73ab0ab9b8d258e62cf949e32582.jpg


    Installed, small pieces of scrap balsa cut to hold everything tight while the epoxy sets.

    74d2b105b8e286a582b1082b62fd20c4.jpg





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    Younggun

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    I wish I had your level of patience.

    Ha! I have no patience.


    If it weren't for much of it going together with super glue I probably couldn't do it. No way I could sit and wait for carpenters glue to dry after each step and most people wouldn't be working on one section while another is covered in clamps, lol.


    I find it to be therapeutic. Running in to problems that make you think but solutions easy enough to not be frustrating. And something to show for it at the end of the day. I could probably do this all the time and never care if I got them in the air, if I could afford the kits.


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    Younggun

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    Found a 1/16" bit to predrill the holes and mount the fuel tank hatch.

    fbf46d79e95d4ddf6132d7785c18d56f.jpg


    Pretty much it for this fuse until I get an engine for it


    Time to clear the table and start building a wing.


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    TexasBrandon

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    I haven't got into planes yet for RC. Still with quads, I may venture into planes at some point and go this route after I get a cheap starter plane.
     

    Younggun

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    Had to work in Dallas today and got home late. Wasn't gonna work on it but needed the stress relief.

    Pile of stick

    e2add1fc28068ae1bcffcebbb333654e.jpg


    Half the wing

    6eb59562820d7ca690913bcb659914eb.jpg


    I went ahead and cut the ends off hanging over as well. There are two dihedral options for this plane, how much of a "V" shape the wings have. More dihedral makes the plane level itself more quickly and generally more stable. The guides that come with the kit offer 7" of dihedral (if one side is held flat to the table the opposite tip will be 7" off the table) for a very stable trainer that can be controlled by rudder only, or 4 3/8" of dihedral which needs ailerons and will be more menu era le but less stable.

    I modified the gauge so that I should only have 2 or 2 1/2" of dihedral. I didn't do the math, just doubled the difference between the gauges approximately. I'll have to modify the wing plates as well when I get to that point. Shouldn't be too difficult.


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    jrbfishn

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    Looks very cool so far.
    If you like woodwork that much, look at Harbour Freight. A scrollsaw and band saw are fairly cheap. Get bulk balsa and cut out your own from scratch.
    You seem to be good at it.

    from an idgit coffeeholic
     

    Younggun

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    Looks very cool so far.
    If you like woodwork that much, look at Harbour Freight. A scrollsaw and band saw are fairly cheap. Get bulk balsa and cut out your own from scratch.
    You seem to be good at it.

    from an idgit coffeeholic


    Might have to look in to that, not quite ready to scratch build yet.


    Getting ballsy ginger! You should have just gotten a low wing kit.


    I've though about it, next kit will probably be a mid or low wing. Wa t more time on the heavier planes before I make the jump.



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    TexasBrandon

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    From someone who is an IT guy that gets stuff done around the house without much experience on making stuff from plans, how hard would this be? I'd like to try to build something like this at some point since I'll be buying a cheap plane in the future. Quads are nice, but I've built one now and want something less techy and more hands on with wood.
     
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