Hey guys, i started work on a Top Flite SchoolMaster. I decided to use only Japonica aka Japanese Cedar because of its low cost on ready availability in here.
Japonica is around 1.5 - 2 times heavier than balsa and slightly brittle.
It can be cut using a 'Box Cutter' or a fine tooth 'Hack Saw'.( Hobby Knife NOT recommended)
I spent around INR 500 on the wood for the entire model.
I made a few modifications to the actual plans:
1. D - Tube Construction instead of a Fully Sheeted wing
2. Addition of two Spars to the ribs to impart a bit more strength.
3. Conversion to electric
4. Using solid Japonica for the Horizontal Stabilizer instead of a sheeted construction.
Fuselage:
Started of by sticking additional strips of japonica to the main sheets to get the correct width of the fuselage.
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Rough cut the fuselage sides using a hacksaw for sanding into shape
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Added a template cut from plans to the pinned together sides for final sanding of the Fuse sides
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Final result after sanding.
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Sorry no pictures of the actual fuselage build. Was too engrossed in building the fuselage and forgot about pictures.
Applying top and bottom sheeting (Had to apply Elastic Bands to hold the sheets in place due to the low flexibility of Japonica
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Final pics of the fuselage (Currently fit with an E Max 2215/09 Motor with 10 x 4.7 Prop)
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Wing:-
The Wing was where the most number of changes were made because it was fully sheeted,which I converted to a D Tube style construction and added spars.
Basic Assembly (Sorry for poor quality of pics)
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
After Application of the Sheeting and Cap Strips
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
Top Flite School Master Scratch Build Log on RCU by me
I shall be using 4mm Carbon Fiber tubes Epoxied into place as the wing joiners
Covering of the model shall be done using BOPP Film that is adhered onto the wood using contact adhesive and shrunk using a normal household iron.Will paint over it using Enamel Paints to a Nice Colour Scheme after the first test flight.
Horizontal and Vertical Stabilizers and wing joining an covering shall be posted by the end of the day, only clicking of pictures os left
Pls. feel free to comment on the Model, and how the build is coming along. I am open to suggestion, criticism etc.