Marty_d Posted January 18, 2017 Author Share Posted January 18, 2017 Hey Marty, just catching up on your log, I noticed one deficiency in your ergonomics.While building a plane you often need the assistance of an extra set of hands. Why not wear Harry's harness in front? Why didn't I think of that?!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyG Posted January 18, 2017 Share Posted January 18, 2017 Hi Marty,Well, the bare metal cost a bit over $5,000 freighted down from Sydney. I've probably spent another $2,000 or so on bits and pieces - picked up some Savannah fuel tanks, wheels, doors etc, and some stuff from Zenith in the US (gear/strut welded assemblies etc). I don't know what the kit price is, but if you don't want to spend years producing what's in the kit, it's probably worth it! Of course this doesn't include engine, FWF, instruments etc, but you don't get that in most kits either. Personally if I was going to get something a bit cheaper than a kit or completed aircraft, I'd do what Mark (Kyle Communications) is currently doing - buy a damaged aircraft and do it up - http://www.recreationalflying.com/threads/my-savannah-s-model-rebuild-blog.156180/unread. Most of the kit prices I,ve seen are between $40000-$60000 airframe only so quite a saving but the time factor difference is big. cheers 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 Done some work on the rear fuselage bottom - drilled & clecoed longerons, L-angles, Z-channels, main front channel. Have to unpeg it from the bench now to do the front longeron doublers. That big hole is the rear access hatch, used either for checking/adjusting the flaperon mixer, or transporting a stowaway. W&B may be an issue for the latter. I swear - I only buy them because they're the cheapest in the paint shop.... Z supports around the hole Front channel with doubler for torque tube 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadpete Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Marty, stop it! You are getting ahead of me again. I promised myself that I'd get my Lightwing in the air before you finish the 701 ! Every time I see you post another step forward, I seem to discover another unforeseen setback. Feels like I'll never get it done! At this rate you're going to beat me, and I started with a complete aircraft! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted February 16, 2017 Author Share Posted February 16, 2017 Have no fears on that score Pete. Whenever I think about everything that needs to be done to get this bird in the air I almost have a heart attack. I plan to retire in 15 years, wouldn't be surprised if I get the plane finished on the same day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M61A1 Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Marty, stop it!You are getting ahead of me again. I promised myself that I'd get my Lightwing in the air before you finish the 701 ! Every time I see you post another step forward, I seem to discover another unforeseen setback. Feels like I'll never get it done! At this rate you're going to beat me, and I started with a complete aircraft! Ah, but Marty lives in Tassie where he can only fly on good days (twice a year), you live in SEQ where there are only two crappy days a year. It might take a bit longer to build, but you'll have more flying once it's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadpete Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Gee thanks, I feel so much better now. I'll just go right out into the 50 degree heat and sweat some more. Marty, it's easier to see what you have to do because you are starting with nothing and building everything with new materials. In my case I started with an aircraft that looked like it didn't need much work, until you pull any item off to inspect and then discover that it is either stuffed from the inside out, or has been mentioned in a Service Bulletin and Must be replaced. eg, the Rotax oil tank turned out to be alloy which, unbeknown to me, should have been replaced ten years ago with a Stainless Steel one ($1100 thanks), then I discover that Lightwing had modified the alloy one in a way that I couldn't copy. So then I had to cut a hole in the cowling to get access to the dipstick, and make a hinged hatch for it. And on it goes. King Midas in reverse (everything I touch turns to shyte) but now I am getting used to it and have grown ever more determined to finish. Problem is, once I do get it finished (if I ever pluck up the courage to test fly it), I'd like to take it home to Tasweigia. BUT the Home Control Manager has forbidden me to fly it over water. I keep telling her that water is so much softer to crash into than mountains, but does She listen? Anyway, by then Marty should have noticed that his driveway is a bit short for even a CH701, and moved to a flat place with room for a little Lightwing to keep his plane company. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted February 17, 2017 Author Share Posted February 17, 2017 So take the wings off and trailer it on the Spirit Pete. Everyone's happy and you get to spend the evening in a comfortable bar! If you find a nice flat field I'll happily have my 701 cohabit with your Lightwing. Mind you, where you'll be living you have a custom made lovely flat runway right in front of you - all you need are floats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadpete Posted February 17, 2017 Share Posted February 17, 2017 Thanks Marty. Actually I haven't put the wings back on yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted February 24, 2017 Author Share Posted February 24, 2017 Over the last week I've prepped and riveted the bottom skin structure (except for the longerons, which apparently shouldn't be riveted until the side holes are done). Also cut out the two side sheets. This is getting exciting... can't wait to have a fuselage sitting on the bench! Received my nutplates today, tested one on a piece of scrap. I need to get some #40 pop rivets - I thought I'd use solids but they're too hard to press on the back bit where the nutplate gets in the way. Then I can make the bottom hatch and put it on, not to mention a couple of inspection plates (at least) in each wing. Oh, and the elevator trim servo. Bugger - I hope 50 is enough! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightyknots Posted March 2, 2017 Share Posted March 2, 2017 Have no fears on that score Pete. Whenever I think about everything that needs to be done to get this bird in the air I almost have a heart attack. I plan to retire in 15 years, wouldn't be surprised if I get the plane finished on the same day... That is the most negative comment I have ever seen you make Marty. Because this is so out of character, my assumption is that you are planning to finish it ten years before your retirement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted March 20, 2017 Author Share Posted March 20, 2017 I've been spending a few hours mating up the bottom of the rear fuselage with the rear sides. I pre-drilled the sides together and I'm incorporating diagonal L-angles as well to minimise oil-canning. Also fitted the nutplates around the bottom hatch and screwed the hatch cover on, but not entirely happy with the fit - the diamond bends in the hatch curve the edges and leave a few gaps around the perimeter when it's screwed on. How's the fit with other 701's? I'm thinking of replacing it with a flat hatch cover with internal L-angle stiffeners. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted April 19, 2017 Author Share Posted April 19, 2017 Haven't posted for a while (about this, anyway!) but have been doing a bit between jobs around the house. I've completed the top and internal L angles. Weighed the extra diagonal bracing, the aluminium is only 212 grams so I think it's worth doing. Also have been deburring and drilling out to final rivet size as I go, so should make it easier to get to riveting stage. After that I really need to work on a new workspace which allows me to get in and out of the fuse!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted May 31, 2017 Author Share Posted May 31, 2017 Pulled a few hundred rivets recently and got most of the rear fuselage done. I was taking some snaps of it this evening and wondered what it'd look like with the tailfeathers in position... 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexrbetter Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 ... and another milestone reached ... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightyknots Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 Nice Marty! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nomadpete Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 You're running out of room to walk (work) around your project. It's outgrown it's space! Looking more like an aircraft every time we see it. Well done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightyknots Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 ... and another milestone reached ... I like the way that Marty's ceiling has been sponsored by Bunnings Corporation (BC). Perhaps BC will sponsor an extension too? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted June 1, 2017 Author Share Posted June 1, 2017 I like the way that Marty's ceiling has been sponsored by Bunnings Corporation (BC).Perhaps BC will sponsor an extension too? Now you're thinking 80kts. Wesfarmers (owners of Bunnings) made about $10 billion over the last 5 years - surely they can throw a few thousand my way for advertising services! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetboy Posted June 1, 2017 Share Posted June 1, 2017 Bunnings have a whole section devoted to homebuilt supplies the pouchel-an ultralight airplane you build from ladders - robbmoffett 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted August 11, 2017 Author Share Posted August 11, 2017 Rear fuselage - finished! Another big riveting session on Wednesday and the structure of the rear fuselage is complete. There are some bits left to rivet, but these are best left until after the control hardware, like the flaperon mixer, are installed behind the seat back. Complete rear fuselage. The large flat section clecoed to the front is the seat back. Just like the picture in the instruction book! Looking back along the top. Baggage compartment and seat back. The slots at the side are for the flaperon pushrods. Looking at the interweb, many people put a shroud around that after controls are installed, which would keep baggage from fouling the rods - perhaps a good idea! Underneath the baggage compartment, looking backwards. Rear wing mount - this bolts to the rear spar. Top seat belt mount (sash part for lap/sash). 5 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eightyknots Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Rear fuselage - finished!Another big riveting session on Wednesday and the structure of the rear fuselage is complete. There are some bits left to rivet, but these are best left until after the control hardware, like the flaperon mixer, are installed behind the seat back. [ATTACH=full]51543[/ATTACH] Complete rear fuselage. The large flat section clecoed to the front is the seat back. [ATTACH=full]51544[/ATTACH] Just like the picture in the instruction book! [ATTACH=full]51545[/ATTACH] Looking back along the top. [ATTACH=full]51546[/ATTACH] Baggage compartment and seat back. The slots at the side are for the flaperon pushrods. Looking at the interweb, many people put a shroud around that after controls are installed, which would keep baggage from fouling the rods - perhaps a good idea! [ATTACH=full]51547[/ATTACH] Underneath the baggage compartment, looking backwards. [ATTACH=full]51548[/ATTACH] Rear wing mount - this bolts to the rear spar. [ATTACH=full]51549[/ATTACH] Top seat belt mount (sash part for lap/sash). When I view your picture ("Underneath the baggage compartment, looking backwards"), I seem to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I hope you can too! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Head in the clouds Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Looks fabulous Marty, well done! For a scratch built it's even more of an achievement, the parts look just as good as any kit parts. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty_d Posted August 12, 2017 Author Share Posted August 12, 2017 Thanks guys! What amazed me was how light and rigid it is. I easily carried it from the work bench through to the store room (its current resting place is on two bed bases). As soon as that rear baggage wall went in, all the flex was taken out of the structure. Now I'm getting concerned about the amount of A4 (1/8") rivets left... I've gone from a 4L ice cream container full down to about a cup left. Got plenty of A5's though (5/32"), and I think most of the front fuselage uses those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bexrbetter Posted August 12, 2017 Share Posted August 12, 2017 Thanks guys!What amazed me was how light and rigid it is. I easily carried it from the work bench through to the store room (its current resting place is on two bed bases). I can see you carrying it into the office Monday morning; "Hey guys, look what I did on the weekend!" 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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