#26 Model airplane build clinic... Astro Hog

[Dimeflyer]

Gramps
Your not alone with that covering being a tuff bugger !
Slow J.
You need to take it easy with those ribs guy , they can cause more problems
than just pain !
Be well and stay sefe Sir !!
George

[stuart]

the orange covering is looking really tight and bright. should be easy to see from afar.

as for me,covering is a LOVE/HATE relationship....if it goes well i love it.

[pd1]

Hi Stuart, the covering is a love hate thing with me too. I love to hate the stuff.
I had 4 rolls of this orange covering, that's why I'm using it. If I have to use plastic film I prefer Ultra cote, I think it goes on a lot easier than this stuff.

The only real advice I can say is don't try to rush the covering, cover all the edge pieces first then the large pieces. I covered the bottom half of the wing ( one side) with one sheet. The top wing tip will be a little harder so I'll cover the tip separately.

This should show up even better with the white sunburst pattern on the wing and tail.

Paul

[pd1]

I finished covering the wing today. All the orange is on the wing, all that's left for the wing is the white trim.

Pictures in post 5.

I also borrowed another Astro Hog and checked the wing incidence. Actually the decalage would probably be a better term.

Pictures and an explanation in post 9.

[gramps2161]

Covering job looks great, and tight as a drum.

Paul thanks for the tutorial, and pic's on how to check the incidence. Like I mentioned before I just trust the kits I have made in the past so far they have flown well.

[Dimeflyer]

It looks like an aircraft has grown there !!
George

[pd1]

Stab and fin has been permanently attached.


The fuselage was first checked and shimmed so the sides were vertical, I used the large plastic square to check that. The steel blocks were used for weight on the stab while the glue dried.
I had to hinge the elevators before adding the fin, that meant I had to cover the elevators first and pin the hinges.

The plans called for a wooden dowel to join the two elevator halves, I lost the dowel.
I used a steel wire to join the two halves.
One trick I learned , when using epoxy, drill a small hole at the end of the hole that was drilled in the elevator for the joiner. When the wire joiner is pushed into the hole, epoxy should squirt out of the elevator through the extra hole.
If it doesn't, remove the wire and add more epoxy, there wasn't enough there.

Then I used the steel blocks to hold the fin vertical while it dried.
I used a long aluminum straight edge to make sure the fin ran straight down the fuselage centerline while the glue was drying.

Added the filler blocks and fit the rudder to size.


More pictures are posted in post number 4

[Stevephoon]

Originally Posted by pd1

....
The only real advice I can say is don't try to rush the covering, cover all the edge pieces first then the large pieces. ...

Paul

Hi Paul....

This is new to me, but a great idea... I always have issues with the curved wing tips and rudder / elevator tips... This woulld solve that issue. Glad you shared!

Thanks Steve

[pd1]

Hi Steve, I'm not good at stretching hot plastic wrap around a wing tip.

I tack the wingtip with the iron set at a low temperature. Just hot enough to activate the adhesive and not shrink the film.
You can move the sheet quite a bit to get most of the wrinkles out before you seal the edges with a hotter iron.

Once the sheet is positioned you can use a straight edge as a guide to cut the edges where there will be a seam. Try to overlap on a straight line ,like a rib,this will help hide the seam when the covering is done.
You can precut the edge of the large sheet with a straight edge to help hide the seam. A nice straight line on the edge of a rib looks like it belongs there.

[Dimeflyer]

Great tips guy ,we all can use that info for better looking modles !!
George

[pd1]

Started covering the fuselage. Before I could cover it I had to put a strip of covering at all the junctures between the control surfaces and the fuselage.

I glued the headrest on and painted the cockpit and nose section. I got some matching paint at Home Depot. Three bucks for an eight ounce "sample", better than a hobby shop.

The left side has been covered but not trimmed yet. maybe this weekend, if not next week.

Pictures at post number3
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...15&postcount=3

[Dimeflyer]

You have made a lot of progress lately guy , it looks like you will be done with it in a short time !
George

[pd1]

Almost finished with the orange covering.
Easier to say what needs to be done.. one half of the vertical fin and the battery cover.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to put some trim on this weekend.

Pictures in post number 3
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...15&postcount=3

[stuart]

you did a great job on the covering,and i didn't know the plastic pc behind the cockpit could be covered. it's why i always left that off the hogs i built. paint is so tought to match with covering. have you decide on a pattern to add? shes like a clean canvas ready for decorating.

[pd1]

Hi Stuart, I'm planning on the original paint scheme that my dad had on our first Hog. All orange with white sunburst on wing and stab and a white lightning bolt on the side of the fuselage.

Stuart, take a look at the inside of the motor compartment, that's paint from Home Depot. They took a picture of the film covering and mixed the paint for me.
The eight ounce sample only cost three dollars and it matches very well.

[pd1]

Added some of the white trim.

[gramps2161]

Paul that looks sharp love the trim job I really like the detail you did around the cockpit area. Did you iron on the trim, or did you use acetone to activate the adhesive on the trim?
I would be interested in learning how you did the trim as I will be heading that way on my build in time.

[Slowjohn]

Originally Posted by gramps2161

Paul that looks sharp love the trim job I really like the detail you did around the cockpit area. Did you iron on the trim, or did you use acetone to activate the adhesive on the trim?
I would be interested in learning how you did the trim as I will be heading that way on my build in time.

Acetone? I must've missed that bit of info. Could you please post a link to that process?

Standing By,
SJ

[pd1]

Hi John, I cut a pattern of the cockpit cutout on paper. I then made it 1/2 wider all around and cut it out of covering.

I then tacked the covering in position and ironed the edges down.

Once the edges and and surface were ironed down, I added pressure to the center of the cockpit with my fingers and heated the inside edge.
The inside edge then stretched and wrapped itself around the edge of the balsa.

I then cut the covering and ironed the edge under the cockpit edges.

Hope this makes sense.

[pd1]

Hi SJ, TopFlite has a product called Monocote adhesive. It's a liquid that softens the adhesive on the coverings back and allows it to stick as trim pieces.

I didn't know that acetone would do the same thing either.

I have a bottle, and I've never tried it. Got to try it soon.

Paul

[Slowjohn]

Thanks Paul,
I hadn't heard of that method either. I wonder if Sig Stix-It would do the same thing?
Learning lots today so there's no chance of it being a wasted day even with my 60 mi. rd. trip this morning being a bust
Oh well, not the first time & I'm sure it won't be the last time either .

Did way to much walking yesterday but the weather was absolutely perfect for flying, even for the lightest of my planes so we stayed at the field till I couldn't walk anymore. Legs are so sore today and wouldn't you know it the winds are still calm so I'm going back out for more punishment

Standing By,
SJ

[gramps2161]

Acetone will activate the adhesive on the covering. One other member here mentioned in a post he used it to add trim pieces on a wing. I was going to try it on some scrap and see how it works.

[pd1]

Originally Posted by gramps2161

Acetone will activate the adhesive on the covering. One other member here mentioned in a post he used it to add trim pieces on a wing. I was going to try it on some scrap and see how it works.

Did I mis- read your first question? I took it to mean the trim around the cockpit, or did you mean the trim in general?

The trick to adding trim is to use the lowest heat setting that will activate the adhesive without causing the film to shrink.

I just cut the trim design out, lay it in position and tack the trim in position with a real low setting. Once the trim piece is down I iron it from the center out or from one end, sort of pushing the air along so none gets trapped under the trim.

Once all the trim has been attached I increase the heat a little at a time and go over the piece to make sure it is really stuck to the base color.

On some coverings, the film will darken when it is just about to shrink. Lower the temperature if the film darkens. You can get a good bond if you just leave the iron in one spot for a few seconds. The iron doesn't have to be real hot.

[gramps2161]

Paul you answered my question this time I was referring to the trim in general on how you applied it. Thanks for the reply I have learned a lot on covering from your posting the pic's and replies.
Your skills as a builder and covering will help me out with what I am building.
Thanks!

[pd1]

I added checkers on the bottom of the wing.
I used a piece of paper as a straight edge and it was marked out for spacing.


The checkers don't go all the way to the front of the wing because I ran out of white.


I also added some black pin stripes between the colors.

I guess now I have to add the black anti glare panel too.