builders tips
Builders' tips
These are some of my comments and others sent in from builders around the globe!
If you have something to add, please send your email to me at lkane@interlog.com
- Master Building list: gives titles and sub-catagories for any plane project, Click Here for the checklist page(best viewed in 800x600 resolution)
- Building Log: gives places to put details of needed steps to complete sub-assemblies. Use the headings from the Master list for reference.
Click here for page(again 800x600)
- This is a list of all the drawings and what's on them. I found this to be really helpfull as bits and pieces are scattered all over.
1-Fuselage
2-Fuselage
3-Station 66
4/5-Rudder, horizontal stabs and wing tips
6-Vertical fin
7/20-Fuselage formers, canopy and tracks
8-Outer box spars
9-Fuselage side stringers and fuel tank
10-Centre main spar
11-wing details, rear wing spar
12-Fixed gear, ailerons, wing walk
13-Rib cutouts
14-Ribs 1 & 12 detail, rear wing spar detail
15-Full size wing ribs
16-?
17-?
18-Horizontal stabs and elevators
19-?
20/7-see 7/20
21-Outer spar-retracts only
22-Guide system
23-Tail wheel, fixed gear, spinner, throttle, fuel line.
24, 24A-retracts only
25-Seatbelt, Fabric, rear spar, weight and balance
PK
- The outer wing spars-uprights on inside of W17 are 1/4x3/4", not 1/8x3/4".
There are no gussets in Station 11 at the tip, and the geodetic cross pieces go underneath of the W1's on top only. Paul Kane
- Control stick mount is not clear for the P-40, as the seat is farther forward. I mounted my G15 behind the front edge of the seat and thru a slot in the floor. Paul Kane
- The rear wing spars are simple to build, but impossible to understand from the plans. The big picture is-two spars are made, one right and one left. The two 1/8" ply webs are cut to length with a but joint in middle(or so, just cut one and make the joint away from the aileron). The cut-offs are used as gussets on top of the joint. Then glue on the caps noting the orientation(make model with scrap bits). Paul Kane
- 1. Don't hesitate to call Carl Loele. He's not long winded, but he is
quick to understand what you are asking about and will provide specific
answers to questions.
- 2. If you have a part that isn't identified in the shipping lists or on
the drawings, there is a good chance you shouldn't have it. It probably
belongs to another aircraft model - usually the P5151.
- 3. If you have two parts and the plans call for only one, usually you
are going to install that piece wrong the first time and Loehle has
already provided a second part for when you figure out how it should
have been installed.
- 4. The kits are incomplete -especially when addressing composite
materials. Plans call for foam material and composite coverings for P40
vertical fin. Loehle has not included the necessary parts on their
shipping list and therefore, you don't get the material. It's an
oversight that is taking a long time for them to correct.
- 5. The loehle provided T-88 glue is apparently "old." Mine solidified
in two months time with less than half of it used. Get a new shipment
of glue early from another source and have it on hand.
- 6. When installing geodetics be careful and realize the distance
between the geodetics is a "CL" (centerline) distance and not an edge to
edge distance.
- 7. Place, measure, cut and position a number of geodetics before gluing
any of them. By putting a number of them in place, they will help you
see where you may have misunderstood a placement instruction.
- 8. Try it, some of the most frightening steps turn out pretty
satisfying after you start into them.
Hope this helps.
Robert
- One idea I can share now is to get and use an
electric stapler for temporary holding of pieces in place while the glue
is drying. Sears sells them for less than $20.00. I have found the
5/16 staples the most useful. The electric stapler is like an extra set
of hands. A friend loaned me his to start with and after using it for a
few days I knew I had to have one of my own. I got one and have used it
almost every day. There is one essential maintenance task in using the
stapler. Efter every use, you need to use a paint thinner to clean the
glue (the excess from the pieces being glued together) off the working
parts of the stapler or the stapler will be glued solid and non-working.
Hope this helps.
Robert Swanson
- One sure fire thing I could have done
was to leave one of the plywood sides of the fuselage off
for easier access to things!