Comet "Sparky" 1.1

[pd1]

I've been quite busy and it seems like forever since I built anything.

I'm building a Comet Sparky from plans I enlarged to 10% larger.
The Sparky was one of the first stick built planes that I finished myself, and it still flew well.
I started yesterday, this should go fast.

I tried something new on this one.
I printed the ribs on paper with a laser printer.
Laid the sheet face down on balsa then rubbed the back of the paper with lacquer thinner.
The print transferred to the wood. Looks like an original kit.

[Rabbitcreekok]

Gosh, Paul, I thought you were talking about retirement a while back. Does not sound like retirement to me.

I am going to follow your build.

[gfdengine204]

Wow.....Paul, you are a true craftsman and artisan!

Can't wait to watch this unfold.

[Sky Sharkster]

Hi Paul,
Great to see this build thread, the Sparky is a timeless design. Are you going to use rubber power? (just kidding!)
There are two twice-sized Sparkies flying here, both powered by AXI motors. They are very stately in flight with a slow glide and good thermalling ability.
I'll try to get photos next time we have decent flying weather.
Looking forward to this build!
Ron

[pd1]

Originally Posted by Sky Sharkster

Hi Paul,
Great to see this build thread, the Sparky is a timeless design. Are you going to use rubber power? (just kidding!)
There are two twice-sized Sparkies flying here, both powered by AXI motors. They are very stately in flight with a slow glide and good thermalling ability.
I'll try to get photos next time we have decent flying weather.
Looking forward to this build!
Ron

Don't laugh, it has come up in conversation.
I ran into an old friend at an auction, hadn't seen him in thirty plus years.
He thought he had the plans for the Sparky so I went to his house.
He still had every airplane he ever built still hanging in the basement.
Along with a few hundred kits.
I'm trying to convert him from free flight to RC and to electric.

So radio assist free flight came up. A rubber powered Sparky is not that far out of it.

If anyone else wants to build a Sparky, here's a link for the plans and print-wood.
http://www.airplanesandrockets.com/airplanes/sparky.htm
The author of this site was kind enough to e mail me the print-wood sheets. Saved a lot of work.

Now to go start the fuselage.

Paul

[jofrost]

Cool idea of rubbing the thinner to back of plans !

[pd1]

Went down stairs and built the fuselage, mostly.
Here's some shots.
Front formers are not glued yet, just sitting there for the picture.

[pburt1975]

Hello Paul, that is coming together nicely. How strong is that stick built fuselage going to be?

[pd1]

Hi Paul,
The fuselage is stronger than it looks. The original rubber motor put more strain on the fuse than a small electric will.

I'll do some more work on it tonight.
Paul

[pburt1975]

Thanks, the HL Super Cub has a similar frame build, but uses 1/8th square, and didnt seem all that sturdy on paper.

[pd1]

Originally Posted by pburt1975

Thanks, the HL Super Cub has a similar frame build, but uses 1/8th square, and didnt seem all that sturdy on paper.

The trick is not to see how strong you can make the plane.
It is to see if you can make it just strong enough.

Paul

[windy city]

Hi Paul,
Boy this one is coming together fast! (we need to set up a web cam in your workshop, it would be fantastic to see how you build these SO FAST) (grin)

By the way, how did your Hawk P6E turn out? Or did it get sidelined by the Holidays.

Fred

[pd1]

Originally Posted by windy city

Hi Paul,
Boy this one is coming together fast! (we need to set up a web cam in your workshop, it would be fantastic to see how you build these SO FAST) (grin)

By the way, how did your Hawk P6E turn out? Or did it get sidelined by the Holidays.

Fred

Hi Fred, The Hawk did get sidelined. I got very busy working and when not working I was sent on missions so I could go to SEFF.

My next plane will have to be the Aeromaster, so I can have a new plane for SEFF.
Also have to finish my WACO for SEFF, new old plane.

Hopefully I can get back to the Hawk before next fall.

Paul

[pburt1975]

Originally Posted by pd1

The trick is not to see how strong you can make the plane.
It is to see if you can make it just strong enough.

Paul

Mind if I use that one in my signature?

[CHELLIE]

Thats looking great Paul, my last stick build was like 22 years ago I put together a SIG Wonder 2 meter glider, I thought i was never going to finish that Plane with all those little pieces of balsa, it flew great, I used a SIG power pod with a 049 cox motor and a 6x4 prop to get it in the air, I used a 2 channel radio, from a foamy cox rc plane, that did not live very long the glider is what taught me to fly RC, Take care and have fun, Chellie

[CHELLIE]

Hey, That Cheating with the transfer onto the balsa great Idea Paul

printed the printwood and rubbed with thinner

[windy city]

Paul,
Well SEFF is a great goal! An Aeromaster and a Waco, Boy your killing me!
I love those bipes,,, Please keep us posted on those.

fred

Originally Posted by pd1

Hi Fred, The Hawk did get sidelined. I got very busy working and when not working I was sent on missions so I could go to SEFF.

My next plane will have to be the Aeromaster, so I can have a new plane for SEFF.
Also have to finish my WACO for SEFF, new old plane.

Hopefully I can get back to the Hawk before next fall.

Paul

[pd1]

Hi Chellie. Going from a slow soaring type to those little super fast foamy's you fly is quite a change of pace.
I don't think I could keep up with the planes you fly.

The transfer of print only works with a laser printer.
The inkjet doesn't seem to transfer the ink.
I used photoshop to enlarge the print wood and to reverse the image.
When the outlines are transferred to the wood they are now correct.

Paul

[pd1]

Originally Posted by windy city

Paul,
Well SEFF is a great goal! An Aeromaster and a Waco, Boy your killing me!
I love those bipes,,, Please keep us posted on those.

fred

Fred, The Waco is already built. I just have to modify it for electric power, enlarge the ailerons and recover the plane.

The Aeromaster hasn't left the box yet.
Funny thing is I boxed this one up over 30 years ago. Made the die cut sheets too.

Paul

[windy city]

Paul,
So you were able to find a Aeromaster kit. WOW!
Not to many guys can say they got paid to make their own kit! lol

Isn't America Great!
fred

[pd1]

I didn't get much building done yesterday. A friend of mine owns a few warehouses and some are empty, I have the keys.
Went indoor flying, had a ball.

I did do some work.
Mounted the motor and esc plate, landing gear and made the horizontal stab.
Here's some more pictures. I'm going to finish mounting the servos and the vertical fin today. Should be ready for cover tonight.

[Kansascloud]

That brings back so many memories. That was the first stick built airplane I ever built that would actually fly. I'm anxious to follow your progress.

Mike

[pd1]

Thanks Mike, I was less than 10 when I built my first Sparky.
Despite my best efforts, it still flew well.

Paul

[Grasshopper]

That looks great Paul. You might consider modifying it and adding a vertical stab and rudder. An orange prop would be a nice finishing touch too.

Hope all is well with you.

[pd1]

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

That looks great Paul. You might consider modifying it and adding a vertical stab and rudder. An orange prop would be a nice finishing touch too.

Hope all is well with you.

Hi Tom,
I built the vertical stab last night.
Of course it's going to have an orange prop.

Paul
This is what I was doing yesterday instead of working on this as I should have been.