Micro Sinbad

[Konrad]

Something I learned when building the C/L planes of old. Many of these designs would have you add a balsa block and sand away what doesn't look like an airplane. So far so good but this often ended up with real heavy models (remember the old Scientific 1/2A control line models). I then learned from George Aldrich of Nobler fame, saying to hollow out the blocks (duh). And that if you didn't break through 3 times the walls were still too thick.

Here I've got the basic nose shape. But as a result of the layers some area are a lot thicker than others. To remove this unnecessary weight I'm shaping the inside of the canopy blocks. To aid me is seeing the thickness of the wood I shine a light through the wood. You can see the thicker areas as being darker. This is a guide as to where to remove more wood.

 

[Konrad]

Starting the critical part of any plane and a glider even more so, that is the wings.

While I love fibers I rarely like unidirectional fibers. Knowing how I build and fly I'm a bit scared of the wing tips as supplied. These are a single piece 1/16 sheet. I just know I'll snap these along the wood grain (fiber).

So I'm going to make a laminated set of tips. In this thread I show how the lamination look in the vertical (90° to the building board). Here I'm going to use two 1/32 sheets making horizontal layers with the grain cross supporting each other. The grain will run 45° to each other.

The key is to use a very thin coat of Titebond glue. This time I'll use my covering iron to heat activate the glue after it has air dried 80% more or less. This helps keep the thin 1/32 sheets from warping. After the two layers are glued the tip is much stronger stiffer/rigid than the single piece 1/16 sheet tips.

Now I haven't been grade selecting my wood, but because of the stiffness of the new tip I should be able to thin the width of the tip to be about 2/3 maybe 1/2 the width of the as cut tips.

 

[Hawaii Sloper]

@Konrad what is the best method you have found when laminating to get a nice smooth blend between the layers so that it doesn't show up so much when covering?
You were discussing bumps etc. that will show up when covering. I just finished some laminated wing tips on An Angel Wings SOAS that have a less then smooth transition between layers and would like to avoid that in the future. do I need to be concerned about density of the balsa layers?

 

[Konrad]

Not seeing the bumps I can't say. But the usual cause is the glue. This is why I hate CA glues for balsa joints. Also all sanding should be done with a hard sanding block, so as to not under cut the soft balsa.

Most balsa is about the same stiff/hardness as Titebond. So Titebond sands well.

P.S.
I don't know what an Angel Wings SOAS is.

 

[Hawaii Sloper]

Not seeing the bumps I can't say. But the usual cause is the glue. This is why I hate CA glues for balsa joints. Also all sanding should be done with a hard sanding block, so as to not under cut the soft balsa.

Most balsa is about as stiff/hardness Titebond. So it sand well.

P.S.
I don't know what an Angel Wings SOAS is.

Thanks! definitely the glue I was using then. I'll move over to Titebond next time around. I was using CA to laminate and it is certainly harder to sand out evenly with the balsa. The SOAS is a UK micro model. Actually I believe they are the UK rep for Alien Tech. They even sell the micro Sinbad on their site.

 

[Konrad]

If it is Alien Tech, the question might best be put to the designer directly?

FYI;
I know micros look to be great entry level models. But the truth is they are the least likely to stand up to building errors. My sub 24" RC aircraft are some of the most challanging models I build. Well, other than some poorly engineered ones. But that can be said of just about anything. This is general statement and not aimed at anyone here.

 

[Hawaii Sloper]

If it is Alien Tech, the question might best be but to the designer directly?

FYI;
I know micros look to be great entry level models. but the truth is they are the least likely to stand up to building errors. My sub 24" Rc aircraft are some of the most challanging models I build. Well, other than some poorly engineered ones. But that can be said of just about any thing.

Thanks for the input. I would consider myself a decent pilot but I haven't built a balsa model in many years (20 to be exact) I have always flown powered aircraft and for years FPV but they were EPP foam based or designed and made myself with EPP or other foam variants. I think the last balsa model I built was a Carl Goldberg Gentle Lady that I bungee launched. Great Plane! @thenated0g got into sloping and finally convinced me to turn to the dark side, so I've been really getting into it.
I have an interest in micros because my flying location is a narrow hill that has very consistent light winds and they are easy to transport but you are undoubtedly correct about them.

 

[Konrad]

Please don't get me wrong. Micros are a blast and it is that challenge that makes them so fun. If one is willing to put in the time they are often a real joy!

This is why I'm building the micro Sinbad. It looked to be one of the more advanced micro from Alien Tech Aloft sold. OK, it was what I got from the classifieds!

 

[Hawaii Sloper]

Please don't get me wrong. Micro are a blast and it is that challenge that that make them so fun. If one is willing to but in the time they are often a real joy!

This is why I'm building the micro Sinbad. It looked to be one of the more advanced micro from Alien Tech Aloft sold. OK, it was what I got from the classifieds!

Your sinbad build made me want to get one, so I'm waiting to see how it finishes and then probably order one from Aloft. I just really like that side profile. It's like some of the larger versions of a few planes that are awesome.

 

[Konrad]

No need to wait. As cut it is fine. I hope to give a few hints to aid in the building. But they aren't needed.

I need to make it clear that what I'm doing is not adding value to the kit. In fact my mods might actually make the kit more expencive. I'm NOT focused on cost of manufacture. This frees me from a lot of the constraints that most kit manufacture/designers face.

So while the mods are aimed at my needs they most likely aren’t suitable for the targeted market.

Again I strongly recommend buying the model on your next Aloft order!

P.S.
I say this as it is real rare that the start date and the finish date of my models is less the 3 years apart. That is just how I build!

 

[Wayne]

I'll share a secret, A new Wanderer kit is in progress, it is slightly larger than MICRO and think it might be a really nice model for Hawaii.

We have had a lot of people reach out to us about the Micro kits, they are really enjoying them. They build super fast, some folks race through them in a couple of nights. We have seen a few come into the shop for show and tell. We love to hear from the builders. Some of these folks have not built a plane in a very long time, and a couple have never built a wood plane.

 

[Konrad]

Working the wings! As stated earlier there was a failed production run on plans (not the Aloft run). This makes the parts alignment a bit of a pain. But it does emphasize that the as cut parts are to be use to plan the layout of the parts. I nice feature I'd like to see added is a scale bar to the plan.

Another head scratcher for me is which is rib R-1 and R2. What feature defines each rib?

On the subject of craftsmanship, try not to drive any pins into the parts. (They don't need the lightening holes)!

Also use the smallest T-pins pins (craft's shop).

 

[thenated0g]

guess i need to get going on my alien_tech micro build. Cant wait to see how many we have at sunset this year

 

[Konrad]

Which one?

This build is coming along so nicely that I don’t think this one will be there at Sunset. It just is turning out to be too good a build to waste as fodder at Sunset! Unless something changes at Sunset it just isn’t a venue for nice, high emotional valued models. Foam confetti yes but models where you actually try to apply some craftsmanship nope.

Without an air boss and a flight pattern Sunset is a no show for nice models.

 

[thenated0g]

(me who wrecked like 4 planes last year) I agree BUT

in the mornings when it is really dead its actually really nice. Just a few of us out in the light breeze flying small stuff around.

 

[Konrad]

Yep, only a few planes to dodge would be nice!

I’m still trying to dig myself out of the hole that was Sunset! True, half where self inflicted but the other half…. I’m a slow learner but for the last 4 gathering each follow on one was an order of magnitude worse than the preceding gathering. As it is now the Sunset Beach Fly In sucks, if you value your own craft! It is only suitable for disposal foam!

This micro Sinbad is not that!!!

 

[Konrad]

Normally if the plans call out a washout value I try to build it into the the structure. This tends to aid in making the washout a bit more stable (permanent).
With the micro Sinbad I did not do this. Here I build the wing traditionally in that I'm allowing it to air dry overnight. After it dries I then put it in the microwave oven to heat both the cellulose wood fibers and the glue. While still warm I twist the wings (a lot like 40°) and hold the twist until the wing cools. I hope that I have more than enough washout. I step away for 1/2 an hour and check again. If need be I heat the wing again and twist as needed. With the micro Sinbad I use a linear 1/8" twist. At this stage both the glue joints and wood fiber are holding the washout. During the covering of the wing the covering will also be used to lock in, this much needed twist.

Here I've sanded down the top of bulkhead F4 to allow the wing the break away over the rear of the fuselage.

 

[Wayne]

Sunset - Really don't see the problem, you have to be selective of where you fly. You will notice I fly up over the landing area a lot when I fly a plane I am attached to. I think Sunset is more enjoyable when you fly planes you don't care too much about. Then it is a blast, ands I think this is what makes Sunset special, we don't get to fly like that very often. But yes, I do not bring my favorites to Sunset.

 

[Konrad]

That's the key don't fly the good stuff there. It's more about telling lies and eating the food away from the lip. It really isn't about flying. So it is a bit of a misnomer calling it a Fly In.
This micro Sinbad will be wholly unsuitable for the Sunset Fly In. Well, at least I hope so. By the fly in date it might be beat up enough to fly there, I hope not!

 

[Wayne]

I disagree. Red has flown the Micros there. Every year people fly very valuable and much loved planes there. A TON of flying goes on there, it is VERY much a fly in. In fact I have never attended an event that has more flying than Sunset. That is the issue you actually have with Sunset, too many people are flying at it.

The event for you is going to be Los Banos. TONS of airspace there. TONS and TONS!! Want to fly a Micro, sure! Want to fly a 5 meter? Sure! Los Banos is the perfect venue to fly anything you want. But it will be spread out over a mile or so of slope. So not a tight gathering like Sunset.

Anyhow, back tot he build!

p.s. Got some cute little wheels for you to come pick up. They turned out great.