A different kind of woodworking

[Sam I am]

Here is my latest "woodworking" project. It's an R/C plane kit called the Uproar from Tower Hobbies. It's a very aerobatic fun plane designed for a .40 cu. in. glow engine, but I am converting it to electric power. Here is the nearly complete airframe. Wingspan is 48". I have to make the ailerons for the wing yet.
It's mostly balsa wood with birch ply for bulkheads and basswood spars.
Here's a closeup of the tail feathers - stick construction for light weight..
Wing tip. There's actually a similarity to teardrops here - airfoil shaped ribs connected by spars with curved sheeting. The sheeting stiffens it up just like it does on a tear!
Here is the motor - a brushless outrunner capable of 750 watts (about one horsepower)! Outrunners have a fixed armature, and the motor case rotates along with the propeller, which makes lots of torque without a gearbox.

I'll cover the plane with Monokote, an iron-on plastic film. Finished weight should be about 3 1/2 lbs. The flight battery is a 3600mah lithium polymer type. Current draw will be around 35 amps! I love R/C! I've been flying them since 1972! I thought some of you might be interested in seeing a very different kind of woodworking!
Sam

[steve wolverton]

I salute your patience. If that was mine, it would be a wadded up mess of balsa sitting in the corner somewhere.

[Bobgorilla]

I made the mistake of trying to build a very complicated F4U Corsair for my first R/C (at the age of 16) I never got past the wings and have regretted never finishing it. You may inspire me to try again (something much simpler)

[tonyj]

I built a balsa airplane when I was thirteen. Used control wires--no R/C. Took it to a local abandoned airport for its first flight. Started it up. Took off. Made two spins around. Then I adjusted too much. It went into a climb, then a nose dive. Disintegrated into a thousand pieces when it slammed into the pavement. Two months of work and forty dollars down the tubes in 10 seconds. I never saw my dad laugh so hard. I couldn't stop laughing for an hour. Never got around to building another--wouldn't be able to top that experience!

Your plane is a beauty even unfinished, and I am sure it will last longer than mine did.

[halfdome, Danny]

Very nice Danny

[Miriam C.]

Wow! Sure wish I had that kind of patience... Lovely

[asianflava]

I built an Electrostreak that looks just like that. I mean after 3 or 4 years in the garage, I never got around to installing the control surfaces and covering it. It came with a brushed 550 but now that brushless motors have come down, I'd probably put one of those in.

They have the Electrostreak on my sim program and I have a lot of fun flying it on there. Maybe someday I'll finish it. I have an electric heli that I'm playing with now. Still can't afford the batteries since my money is used for other things lately. Got everything else though, DX7, charger, balancer, motor and controller I just need to get the Li-Pos.

[gassman]

Sam;
That's a great hobbie; did a lot of them many years ago. Seems the kit designs have changed a bit. Back when I started you got a blueprint and a list of materials and you were on your own. Can't wait to see the finished product. Excellent craftsmanship!!!

Rick

[NightCap]

The new electric motors are fantastic. I saw an electric jet that went over 100 miles per hour. Made me want one right away. Good work on your plane. I've never seen better.

[Joanne]

Sam,

That's a nice build. A guy I used to hang around with flew electric airplanes. He let me fly one of his trainers and it was a lot of fun...even if I did "land" it in a bush.

There's a guy up the street that flies right in front of his house. He doesn't have to drive out way out of town to find a flying field. I think that electric is a great way to get into the sport.

Joanne

[toypusher]

Very nice! I used to build and fly them. I always enjoyed the build alot more than the flying, though!! I built a J3 Piper Cub that was by far my favorite to build.

[Classic Finn]

Sam I am

That indeed is a fun hobby. Ive done a few of the RC Planes myself.. gas engines that have the name Magnum or Magnum Pro. I still have my old Sig Kadet.. which is a stable plane to fly..

There is still a plane that I have that is unbuilt due to the fact that I cant for the life of me which company it came from but its a fairly good size Trainer - Double Wing - Barnstormer.. Im missing a few parts and its Yellow and Blue with plastic that has channels inside of it.. almost as if its double like to the same if you looked at the inside of a cardboard box..

Here is the photo of what I still have in the box...Stearman its called.



It could be a Goldberg but Im not sure .. maybe you could possibly lead me to a place that has it.. Its still in the box and the Engine has never been used..and I know I ordered it from the States in the early 90.s

Could it be Tower Hobby or somthing like it.. but I cant find the plane listed anywhere ...

Also I fly on the 2004 Flight Simulator - Come winter I,ll get the latest X sim. since the winter is so dark and cold here.

Great Plane youve got there..

Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

Very nice! I used to build and fly them. I always enjoyed the build alot more than the flying, though!! I built a J3 Piper Cub that was by far my favorite to build.

Kerry that Piper Cub is a fun plane to fly.. Its been one of my favorite as well.

Ive had the opportunity to get a flight in the Barnstormer as well.. What a great time... So that is why I have the Barnstormer now if I can just find a few pieces that got lost...

Classic Finn

[Classic Finn]

I built a balsa airplane when I was thirteen. Used control wires--no R/C. Took it to a local abandoned airport for its first flight. Started it up. Took off. Made two spins around. Then I adjusted too much. It went into a climb, then a nose dive. Disintegrated into a thousand pieces when it slammed into the pavement. Two months of work and forty dollars down the tubes in 10 seconds. I never saw my dad laugh so hard. I couldn't stop laughing for an hour. Never got around to building another--wouldn't be able to top that experience!

Your plane is a beauty even unfinished, and I am sure it will last longer than mine did.

TonyJ

I have had that happen to me as well.. Lots of time spent building and Bang.. In pisses ... I lost one flying on a slightly windier day and it went out of reach of the radio signal because of the wind and Bye Bye she went. Small cessna it was...I didnt laugh that day .. even though we searched for it for hours but couldnt find it...

These kind of things are to be expected I guess... especially them nose dives..

Classic Finn

[Sam I am]

Thanks for all the nice compliments and stories, folks! I'm glad so many others share my interest in R/C planes.
Finn, I remember the Stearman kit you have. The material is called Coroplast, and is used often for making signs. It's light weight and very durable. I think the company that made the Stearman was called U.S. Air Core. I'm not sure.
Kerry, I love the Piper Cub too. It is a great flying plane in full size or model form. Strangely, I've never built a Cub model in spite of living just 30 miles from Lock Haven, PA where they were built, and I even worked there in 1972 & 1973 when they were still building Super Cubs there! I could walk from the turboprop Navajo assembly line to the Cub line and it was like stepping back in time! I saw workers attaching fabric covering and applying the dope finish. I'll never forget the smell of that dope!