06.24.08:
Just wanted to check in with a flight report on the Avenger. After adding
a lot of nose weight, and about 1/8" shim of down thrust, I've got the TBM flying for about 30-35 sec on two loops of 3/16"
rubber - about 16" long. My next step will be to increase the loop to 1/4" @ 60" long, then double it up to 2 loops @ 30"
or so, and braid the motor. It looks so majestic in the air. Now, to get rid of the hugh lump of clay on the nose...
6.01.08:
Well, this model is as 'finished' as I'm going to take it. As always, there
are a few things I wish had come out better, and a spot here and there that I wish I had done differently. One thing
I did try with this plane is to use sheet foam for the machine guns and antenna. From 24 in or so, you can't tell that the
parts are 1/16" square and not round, but I think the flexibility for the guns and antenna to 'spring back' is more important
than 'scale' representation. The antenna wire is also flexible elastic thread for maximum 'give'.
I'm happy with the way this plane turned out, and would recommend it
to anyone who has built a few stick and tissue kits.
If you'd like to see the complete line-up of Dave Diels kits, follow this
link:
5.26.08:
Covering is almost complete. The canopy glazing is finished. The round framework
on the gun turret was done with an 'Olfa' circle cutter. The first bay at the wing root was left uncovered so I could
fit my fingers in the wing and 'squeeze' the root ribs against the fuselage for assembly.
5.18.08:
Began covering. I'm trying an 'Avery' glue stick instead of my usual 'Uhu'.
It doesn't seem to have the same wet strength stickiness when applying wet tissue. I hope I don't regret the decision.
5.11.08:
Added photos of turret fairings and the beginnings of the headrest bulkhead
in the cockpit.
5.10.08:
The framework is complete and sanded. You can see that the RH wing panel
has a bit more dihedral than the LH panel. I plan to add a 1/32 strip along the root rib upper outline to help 'kick' the
panel down a bit.
I did finally settle on a color scheme. I'll be doing an early TBM with Midway
colors - red/white striped rudder.
5.02.08:
The majority of the framework is complete. The magnet attachment for the
wing mounts need to be installed and cap strips on the stabilizer added. Then sanding can begin. I'm still not sure about
a color scheme...yet.
2.24.08:
The main fuselage frame is complete. Next I'll be adding 1/16" sheet infill
around the nose area.
2.22.08:
The image above is of the fuselage on it's side, with the top
of the formers to the right side of the image. Hopefully, you can see how the left and right formers 'interlock' with each
other, helping to align the the pair once the first side has been built nice and true on the building board.
If you
look closely, you can also see the wing spar behind the solid wing root. At each former, the spar incorporates built in 'gussets'
to absorb the stress of the adjacent wing mount.
2.17.08:
The main framework for the stab is finished, but cap strips need to be added.
The left side of the fuselage has been framed up.
2.10.08:
Began with this project today. The tail feathers are always the first to
get built.
