40% Ka-3 part scratch part kit

[Gene C]

For the past few days I've been working on the Ka-3 storage box. The outside is not finished yet and the interior for wings and fuselage needs to be fitted and finished, but at least it's a box. Once finished covering can start.

[ARUP]

That box is really nice! Can you 'pack' (as we say in Kentucky which means 'carry' lol) it by yourself?

[Gene C]

When I was younger it would have been a simple matter to rest it on one shoulder and haul it off. Atlas it has come to just sliding off the end of the PU truck tailgate and lowering the other end to the ground. There seems to be someone handy to lift it if needed, just to have a look inside.

[Gene C]

Now that the transport box is finished the Ka-3 fuselage is first to be fitted. Seeing that there are very few hard points on a Ka-3 fuselage, a page was taken from the Cherokee box, with the fuselage being supported by the wing mount. Captured side to side and bottom to top (with the lid closed) the front of the fuselage is securely held. The tail will rest in a foam cradle to be finished with thin ply sides for strength.

[ARUP]

Well... if I happen to be nearby and see you pull up.... I'm gonna run... lol FWIW, put some felt on the foam that touches the model. 3M spray mount adhesive works well. Make sure the felt anchors to the sides of the foam, too, to get more grip with the adhesive!

[Gene C]

Finished up fitting the Ka-3 into the transport box. The fuselage bar required some aileron clearance, but otherwise it all worked out well. The wings rear mount rests over a pin to keep the wing from sliding in the cradles. A slide keeper holds the tail in its cradle while in transport. At least the Ka-3 will now stay at mostly free of hanger rash until painting weather arrives. Now that the airframe is protected one can turn to thoughts of covering.

[ARUP]

The box is nice! I love peeking in the box and seeing the happy sailplane all safe and sound! I've got five so far, lol.

[Gene C]

Started the covering process on the Ka-3 with Solartex Neutral. Stabs first as thy are the smallest and easiest to handle. 98% pleased with the application, 100% thrilled with the effect. When you haven't covered in awhile you forget just how much time it takes , ailerons tomorrow.

[Swiss1]

Looks Good!

[Gene C]

Well, for better or worse the left wing is now covered. The right wing is getting prepped now for covering tomorrow.

[Gene C]

Time to consider the balance point for the Ka-3 as the Ka-1 manual spec of 170mm back from the leading edge has had issues on the maiden flights of the Ka-1 base airframe. At this point my plan is to set permanent weight for a 33% C/G location with removable weight to achieve 25% for the maiden. Definitely do not want to be tail heavy at this point and have tail heavy issues on the maiden flight.
Waiting on the Pilot (Otto Kurz [no reference to any living or deceased of that name]) to be finished before the fuselage is covered. All the pilot restraints need to be in place before covering the last framework.

[ARUP]

Where's Otto! lol

[Gene C]

He is being decked out in duds, parachute & harness by my lovely wife at present. I have also learned in the pass 49 years to let her work at her own pace. Otto will show up soon I hope, but there is a glimpse of him on #177

[Gene C]

Now that Otto has some cloths (hat still in progress), parachute and is harnessed in the Ka-3, attention can be directed to covering the fuselage.

[Dave Smith]

Kudos to Ada!

[Gene C]

Close but I won't tell Ida.

[Dave Smith]

Oooops! My bad! A brain cramp is a terrible thing!

[Gene C]

Busy day, but the outcome is promising.

[ARUP]

The fabric really teases you! I really love working with it.

[Gene C]

The day started by making a crutch to support the fuselage while outside the box before wings are mounted. A check of fits lead from one thing to another and before long an assembled Ka-3 was on the work bench. A little sanding of the right stab was required to provide clearance due to slight pressure on the fuselage fabric. The left, right balance also seems to be right on as is. A little work on aileron alignment and it's back in the box until painting.

[ARUP]

Ahahaha! Shipwright's Disease is awful contagious!

[Gene C]

Painting weather is fast approaching (at last), this Tuesday, Wednesday for sure so it was time to assemble the paint booth from 10ft x 100ft 4ml clear plastic sheeting. Also needed will be the fuselage frame, so the fuselage can be carefully turned during the painting process. Starting with the stabs an ailerons moving then to the wings and fuselage, at least that's the plan.

[ARUP]

Very nice! You won't be long before flying it!

[Gene C]

There is always hope!

[Gene C]

Time will spent in the paint booth the past two days. Even the servo hatches still rotate as thy should after removing the masking from the wing. The fuselage is next for a gloss clear application on the covering, However masking the fuselage will far exceed the time it will take to apply the clear coat, just saying.

[lenb]

the old 80/20 rule.....

Getting close to the finish line Gene. Been here for it all.

[Gene C]

Thanks Len, but this final part is the least favorite of a build for me. Painting is not my finest element.

[Gene C]

Today's effort in the paint booth should provide enough translucency to show off the airframe structure. A white nose, wing and stab leading edge sheeting will finish up the color scheme less the number.