The Official Texas Hill Country Wattheads Thread

[Capt Easy]

The wing is set aside and epoxy is curing after a great deal of trouble. I finally decided to drive 50 mi R/T to find some 30 min epoxy but despite efforts of taking my time and prepping the wing assembly, it was a huge surprise to find the Devcon 2 Ton, 30min Epoxy started setting within less than 15 minutes. If that wasn't enough, one of the wire flap joiners wouldn't line up and I had to cut it and make another. Then one of wire connectors on the new bungies I was using came apart and the whole thing let go.

I hope the epoxy for the first wing that was joined will be okay. That was one major PITA let me just say, and I was one PO'd Top Flite AT-6 ARF wing assembler.

After the wing cures the tail assembly is next. I just hope the epoxy will cure properly on that first wing okay....geez what a pain. I read on another old bottle of 30 min epoxy that if you mix "large quantities" of Epoxy it sets in "less than 10 minutes."...nice of DEVCON to overlook mentioning that.

Press On ~

[max2112]

Sorry to read about your troubles, Dick.
I know that if anybody can sort it out, you can.

I'm really looking forward to seeing some pictures of this beauty.
I hope all is going well with you.


Later friend!
John

[max2112]

Originally Posted by Angler-Hi

Hoping to be up this weekend Dick, if you're not busy.

John...I'm feeling a small trip to Oklahoma soon.

You know that'd be awesome, Mike. I'll hit you up on FB brother. I hope the transition has been going well for you.

[Capt Easy]

HAVE A GOOD VETERANS DAY YOU NUCKLEHEADS.....

Go fly something. If the winds are under 30.

[Capt Easy]

....working on the tail section while watching Band Of Brothers today on TV.

Maybe some photos later.

D

[Capt Easy]

As promised some pics of the latest build....not without a few challenges but nothing overwhelming. Overall a real beauty, if not LARGE.

[max2112]

Thanks for the pictures Dick. I love 'em!!

The cross section of the rudder really emphasizes just how big this bird is.

[Capt Easy]

Since the last post I got to fly my F4U Corsair, HK Spitfire and Cub with the Highland Lakes Club up in Kinglsand a couple times a week and a half ago. Good bunch of guys and nice club strip. Sure was nice landing on a smoooooth surface for a change.

Finally got the TACAN BIG FOOT 60 motor mounted. Made some mistakes during the intial layout of the motor mount and had to plug several holes but it'll be fine.

The elevator and rudder servos are mounted however the rudder isn't permently attached yet while trying to figure out a way to intall a scale tailwheel.

Lots of work to do yet.....

Dick

[Capt Easy]

No determination on the tailwheel yet but I've researched some good ref photos and have an idea on how to go about it.
Meantime the battery hatch is cut out and some reinforncemant has been glued aroung the fuse where it'll fit back on. I've decided to build more scale instrument panels since the one's included are not close despite the impressive quality. Also, the turnover mast has been rebuilt to more scale.
This is going to a long build I think.
Dick

[Angler-Hi]

Originally Posted by max2112

You know that'd be awesome, Mike. I'll hit you up on FB brother. I hope the transition has been going well for you.

Sounds good John. I'm officially out of the Army...minus going reserves, lol.

Originally Posted by Capt Easy

No determination on the tailwheel yet but I've researched some good ref photos and have an idea on how to go about it.
Meantime the battery hatch is cut out and some reinforncemant has been glued aroung the fuse where it'll fit back on. I've decided to build more scale instrument panels since the one's included are not close despite the impressive quality. Also, the turnover mast has been rebuilt to more scale.
This is going to a long build I think.
Dick

Dick, looks good man. No doubt you'll make this bird a living replica. Can't wait to see the finished product...hopefully in person, lol.

[Capt Easy]

I'm making progress but it'll be slow for a while. I'll be leaving for Rockport for a week or so - maybe longer to spend some time with a friend.

Take care guys,
Dick

[Capt Easy]

These photos are the current progression of mods as of today. The instrument panels were fun to do as well as the seats. The turnover mast and rear instrument panel hood took me some time but I was very pleased with they way it turned out. Lots of website references helped but I'm surprised I couldn't find as much useable detail reference as I thought I would for an SNJ/AT-6.

The fwd battery hatch internal frame was finished using a design left over from a Hobby Lobbby Gee Bee but my battery tray had to be lowered to allow more clearance for the battery. Magnets are planned to secure it.

The only problem I have at this point is the control rods interfering with the seats so I may have to accept the seats setting much higher than scale.

Next modification will involve relocating the stock tail wheel or making the sliding canopy.

Ho-Ho-Ho......

Dick

[Angler-Hi]

Dick, that looks absolutely AWESOME man!! I hope to aquire those scratch building skills like you. Hands down...awesome!

[Capt Easy]

Thanks Mike!
I've been going at it fairly slowly but making progress and it's helps keep me sane.
I just finished ripping off the front instrument panel hood off and makking one that looks more corrct. Also cut the canopy up to get ready to install the slide rails. That's going to be tricky getting it all lined up.

[max2112]

I always love watching your planes develop, Dick. You are a true scale artist.

Just kind of an off the wall question for everybody: What's your everyday plane right now?

I haven't been flying much here in OK, but bothtimes I went I had the E-Flite Habu and the PZ Trojan. The Trojan has the electric retracts installed and they're a hoot. They have become my current favorites.

[Capt Easy]

Not much activity here anymore - let's try to keep it going guys.
I'll be posting some progress on the SNJ Texan maybe later today. The sliding canopy is about done. The rear most portion is all that remains. It was more comlicated since it slides from both ends, but it's working and looking pretty good.
Also the dummy P&W R-1340 has been detailed out a bit more too. After the fuse is done then the wing will be next.
Later ~
Dick

[Capt Easy]

This is what the canopy has evolved into. It functions as planned and I'm fairly pleased. The rear portion hasn't been secured yet as I'm not yet certain I trust myself to cut it. I've been not feeling that well (allergy crap) and don't want to take a chance on screwing it up. When I feel more clear headed I hope to get it done.

This is my fourth attempt as doing a canopy mod and the the most complicated but as usual it's been a good learning experience so far and I'm looking forward to adding more scale detail before it's ready to fly.

[Fig]

Hey guys. I am probably not too far from a couple of you. Out here in the middle of nowhere (Briggs). I don't usually go to club fields as I have plenty of space on my own to wring out the planes. Just saw the thread and figured I might add a little to it at some point.

[Capt Easy]

Originally Posted by Fig

Hey guys. I am probably not too far from a couple of you. Out here in the middle of nowhere (Briggs). I don't usually go to club fields as I have plenty of space on my own to wring out the planes. Just saw the thread and figured I might add a little to it at some point.

Welcome Fig, Where is Briggs exactly...I've heard of it but have no idea where it's at. We don't have a club either. Maybe we can get together sometime.
Good to have you join us.
Dick

[Fig]

Hey Captain, glad to be here. I am about 20 miles south on 183 past Lampassas. Getting together might be fun.

I got in about 10 mins of flying yesterday and actually had my Parkzone Corsair in the sky when the cold front came through last night. I wasn't expecting it to get that gusty that fast but the wind literally went from about 5mph to maybe 15 to 20 mph gusts in a matter of seconds. After watching the plane literally flat spin in a gust I poured the coal to it and got some altitude back and assessed the wind. I then quickly got it back on the ground. That was pretty hairy and the first time I have ever had a plane in the air with a sudden wind change like that. I don't think there will be any flying today. It's blowing pretty good up here.

[Capt Easy]

That's great great airplane. I had lots of fun with mine but need to asess some aerodynamic problems after flying the last few times. It's suffered a few crashes since first aquiring it andhave moved on to other stuff including a larger foam FMS Corsair that I've been flying inbetween landing gear problems.
Right now I've been modifying a Top Flite AT-6 ARF (USN SNJ) and adding scale details to it which I''l be posting the latest pics of here shortly.

Dick

[Capt Easy]

It's been a time consuming but worth the effort I think....

[Fig]

Capt,
I went back in the thread and was reading and admiring some of your builds. They truly are spectacular. My PZ Corsair has one major repair on it. The original battery gave up the ghost, unfortunately the plane was on a final approach. Once I lost control it then did a kind of a spin/loop into some trees that were parallel to my road. 5 min epoxy did wonders and it flies like new only the wing isn't removable for travel. No big deal. as for history I have been flying around here for years. Back in the early '90's I flew up at the Lago Vista airport. My gas models have a zillion hours flying around there. Moved out to California for about 10 years and only flew a couple electrics as I left my gas models here. Moved back and picked up some more electric planes and bought some property where I can walk out the front or back door and fly. Kind of fun when you are out picking out where to mow the new runway.

Keep the pictures coming and one day I will check them out in person. I will get some pictures up when I get my cell camera fixed.

[Capt Easy]

I miss flying my PZN Corsair since it was my go-to plane anytime practically. I still have a second one I modified to look like the XF4U prototype that flies beautifully without LG. It's looking a pretty ragged though and probably needs a bit of an overhaul.
My FMS Corsair is great plane and fun to fly too but the retracts have given me fits.
I'm hoping to get together with a flying buddy driving from Copperas Cove this weekend.
The forecast looks promising so I'm looking forward to it. If your interested and can join that would be great. We fly off the local Gillespie County Fairgrounds which is featured at the very beginning of the initial thread, posted by one of the other guys if you haven't seen it.
Thanks for the kind comments on my planes. I hope we can get together sometime.
Cheers,
Dick

[Capt Easy]

NOTE:
Normally during events we can't fly depending on what the event involves and if there's Contract Security hired. The Security Officers have always exceptionally pleasent but unfortuately they are told even though we don't overfly anywhere near the even buildings they have to ask us to come back some other time.