Aviation Concepts 1/3-scale Schweizer 2-33 ~ Build Thread by JimD

[JimD]

I met Gunny Bumburs at the RC Propbusters New England Aerotow in 2010. It was the first time we both attended the event and ironically, we were the first two to arrive at the field on that first day of the event. Gunny brought out his 1/4-scale Schweizer 2-33 and I was immediately smitten. As the event unfolded, the Schweizer impressed a lot of the other attendees and Gunny was awarded the Best in Show award. This photo of Gunny with his award and 2-33 model has additional significance for me because of the Pilatus Porter in the background (but that is another story!).




The 2010 New England event was held in September (has since been moved to May) and my Fall Soar for Fun was coming up in two months. I persuaded Gunny to attend by buying a 1/4-scale kit and promising him a steak au poivre dinner at Fratelli's if he delivered the kit to Cumberland. Well, he did just that and can be seen (on right) with his 2-33 in this photo from that event.



So we built the 1/4-scale 2-33 and were happy...until we got to see Gunny's 1/3-scale 2-33 at the 2014 Cumberland Summer Soaring event...oh well, had to give Gunny more money! Here are a gaggle of Gunny's Schweizer 2-33 models at the 2014 Summer Soaring event along with his brand new 1/3-scale model.
Gunny's 1/4-scale is third from the left and his 1/3-scale is on the far right.




I promised Jason Haab that I would encourage his 1/4-scale build by posting my 1/3-scale build to help pull him along, so here goes!

[JimD]

The 1/3-scale model kit arrives in a 12' x 12" x 36" box that is quite heavy. When you open it up, the amount of stuff that Gunny has packed in such a small space is truly amazing!



First thing is to locate the full color manual for intricate step-by-step instructions that no other kit comes close to matching.



Unrolling the multiple sheets of full size planes is another treat...every sheet has color print and is embossed with an Aviation Concepts seal.



The many sheets of parts are beautifully precision laser cut. Even has this neat detail on one of them.



And each kit has a serial number, I got kit #003



I had purchased this scale tow release mechanism that Erich Schlitzkus makes...



...and Gunny has an addendum kit that outlines the modifications and air-frame parts needed to mount this mechaism.

[JimD]

If you want your very own Aviation Concepts 1/3-scale Schweizer SGS 2-33A, it is available direct from Gunny.

You can also get Erich's scale tow release and the addendum parts kit direct from Gunny.

Check out Gunny's complete website/store at www.AviationConcepts.com

[eajbrian]

Jim,

I just bought one. I am not quit ready to build it yet, but want to have one on hand in case Gunny stop making it. Just ordered the spruce from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. Still need to collect all the flat sheet stock.

I will be check on this thread.

Brian

[JimD]

That's great...you can help push me along in the build!

Gunny and Erich had their 1/3-scale 2-33's at the Windy Ridge Event in Hammondsport, NY in June, 2016. We did some side-by-side towing and then they did some formation flight and mild aerobatics...absolutely picture perfect visual art performance.

Jeff D took amazing pictures which can be seen here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jd-xti...54447656/page3

[MarnochS]

I broke open my box......Basswood and Balsa in hand.........but I'll have to wait till next year to start......

[JimD]

So you are starting the build in two days?

[JimD]

Okay, maybe MarnochS and eajbrian need a little push, so here goes...

Made this handy sanding block



Then we started with the fin and rudder as per the manual.

[hello82]

signed on JIm! so you switched from green to blue tape on the TE sand down and also a different lighter sandpaper on final I presume...Is the green tape different for a special purpose? .... thinner maybe for finer fit?

[JimD]

Hi Matt,

Actually, I switched to the green tape for my home painting projects. It has a better edge seal and stays together better when removing. IMHO it out performs the blue tap

In this case, I also had wider green tape that suited the job requirement the best.

[MarnochS]

Good Motivation Jim

My boxes of "scratch" and the end product I'm going for......but "Factory" new colors.....


And, of course....Dan Troxell's version

[JimD]

That's different.. I like it!

Have not settled on a scheme for mine yet.

[JimD]

More on the tail feathers...moving to the horizontal stab and elevator. The rounded ends are laminations of plywood and balsa.

[JimD]

Fuselage construction is easy because Gunny has designed the building process in a way that allows for most of the fuselage construction to be done on a flat surface.

First step is to layout the plans and make a jig to bend the base stringers around. Remember, these can't stick up above the longerons or get glued to the floor that is added to them.










Gunny provides triangles to set the correct angle of the formers.







Several of the main formers are laminated to add strength.

[JimD]

Once these formers are in place, Diagonals and top spine can be added along with the wing saddle pieces.

[Jhaab]

Jim, you are making great progress on the 2-33! Keep up the great work on it.

[JimD]

Thanks Jason...Looking forward to your build as well...trying to stay on track to get the 2-33 ready for the Horizon Hobby Aerotow in June!

[JimD]

The stab and fin mount area has some special parts that need to be aligned carefully (not hard to do, just pay attention to Gunny's instructions).

\





Dremel tool is used to countersink the holes for the tapered wood screws.



We added a piece of dowel to "pin" the tail post to the stringer. This gets cut off flush with the tail post.




Short piece of dowel is drilled out and added as a scale detail for the stab mount.

[MarnochS]

Jim,

Your setting a blistering pace.....

I'm going to make my Stab/Elev removable for transportation so installed 4-40 brass inserts into the tail brace blocks.


Also found the little belt driven mini cut-off saw I have works really well for all the angle cuts...


Got a bit of a slow start ....as I had some "Squatter" issues to deal with.......


Scott

[JimD]

That is a very fine looking "squatter" you have there!

[MarnochS]

Former production.......and Work bench extension......two seaters are longer.....Wife said I might need a bigger TV as it might be hard to see from the "other end".

[lenb]

LOL

Oh yeah, then there's that.