Building the Stinson SR-9 (21)
Yes!!! It’s finally time to put some covering on the Stinson SR-9. When we’re dealing with a traditional “built-up” structure like this one (as opposed to a box structure made of sheet balsa or perhaps molded composite) you might say that all the work I’ve done so far has been leading up to this moment....Continue reading→
Building the Stinson SR-9 (20)
The Stinson SR-9 project is getting very close to the time for me to begin covering and finishing, but there are a few installation details to be completed before I will actually be ready for “closing up” the structure. In the case of this airplane that means putting on a fabric covering. For me this...Continue reading→
Building the Stinson SR-9 (19)
The Stinson SR-9, like most high-wing single-engine monoplanes of the 1930’s, relies on external strut bracing to stay together in flight. The SR-9 uses a single, large strut under each wing rather than the multi-strut assemblies like the ones you’re familiar with on Pipers, Aeroncas, Taylorcrafts, and so on, and it uses a pair of...Continue reading→
Building the Stinson SR-9 (18)
After working on the windshield, with all those curves and bulges, you couldn’t help seeing what’s coming next. The main landing gear assembly on all the big gull-wing Stinsons is almost baroque with its imposing presence and all those complex interacting fairings. You’ve gotta’ love compound curved surfaces to love this airplane…but…that’s why you’re building one of...Continue reading→
Building the Stinson SR-9 (17)
On a lot of models the windshield is actually a blown “bubble” canopy that gets stuck to the top of the fuselage, or a piece of clear plastic that’s molded to fit on the nose ahead of the wing. In either case a couple of screws or some canopy glue takes care of the job...Continue reading→
Building the Sig DO 217 Kit – Adding Retract Gear (2)
“A scale WWII twin-engined fighter is supposed to have wheels…landing gear!” That was pretty much my first response when FLY RC asked me to consider doing a kit review of Sig’s DO 217. As presented, the kit doesn’t include any at all, although the instructions do mention an optional fixed landing gear. “No way…it deserves...Continue reading→
Building the Sig DO 217 kit (1)
This time I’m working on something different. You may have seen ads for Sig’s little twin electric Dornier DO 217 (German WWII night fighter) kit…I’d noticed them but hadn’t paid much attention. Part of my problem with their product offering was that the kit is advertised as a hand-launch/belly-land model, and to me a setup...Continue reading→