1/4 Franklin Eaglet

[Dion Dunn]

Hey Michael, the only thing that helps that big bird fly are struts and linkages. Worry about the paint later, and bring it to Huntsville!

[Swiss1]

Hey Michael, the only thing that helps that big bird fly are struts and linkages. Worry about the paint later, and bring it to Huntsville!

I know Michael pretty well, and that plane will not leave the hangar until it's just right

Jeremy and Ben
SCCAAA TT TN

[ingrahal]

I was thinking the same thing.

[ARUP]

Dion, Jeremy does know me well! I think I have OCD when it comes to my model airplanes! A few good oatmeal stout beers or a couple of stiff drinks would cure that problem for a spell but I wouldn't be able to drive and bring it. It's a 'Catch 22'!

[Dion Dunn]

Now that I've seen your collection in person, I completely understand. But it doesn't mean I'm letting you go easily.

[ARUP]

I'll try to get the build pics back up. Seems I can load pics one day but not next. Happy New Year!

[Mosquito]

It's just the operator.......

[ARUP]

You know me too well! I'm going to post some build pics. Seems the 'activity wheel' upper left corner of web page isn't spinning!
Here's the 3- view used to draw plans.





Basic box built then everything attached to it. Simple... right?

[ARUP]

The nose bows reinforced with CF tow. Keel put in place. Not scale but a carriage built to mount wheel. It pivots at front and is spring loaded at rear. Hopefully this will help preserve airframe upon landings. I'm the best pilot in the world it's just my landings are suspect! The basic fuse is complete. Just gotta add things to it now.

[ARUP]

Form used to shape balsa laminates. Hot water works perfectly. Do not use ammonia to do this. The wood will become brittle. People argue this in other forums but not here, right? If you don't agree then do the research like I did before arguing then PM me, okay? After laminates dried they were glued together and clamped with clothes pins over the plans. This insures all the laminates are properly glued. Ambroid cement used because it sands better than any other adhesives as far as I'm concerned. Your mileage may vary! Add the interior bits and gussets. Hardwood dowel let into structure for 'hard points' to mount bracing cables. The rudder and stab have similar outlines as can be seen in pic of them lying on top each other. One is just truncated a bit. For storage and transport the fin-rudder and stab-elevators are removable. Just pull a piano-like hinge pin. Brass tubes let into elevators to receive elevator horn. Elevator horn angled to clear fin-fuse tail post.

[ARUP]

Assembly line to produce built-up ribs. The tapered ones were a little more laborious. Lots of rib lofting going on! CAD?... CAD?... I don't need no stinkin' CAD!

[ARUP]

Looks like the ISP is going on strike thus the odd sized pic. Hopefully, more to come.

[Mosquito]

Looks great Michael!

PS I miss you

[Dion Dunn]

Looks Great. Im a sucker for built up ribs!

[ARUP]

Looks great Michael!

PS I miss you

Tim... you crazy! Your wife is gonna get jealous and there's nothin' worse than a woman's wrath... or is it bat! Oh... Len says he misses YOU!
Dion, no more built up ribs for you. Your gonna have to stick to the pork versions!

[ARUP]

Wing sections built inverted on a jig. Nice l-o-n-g scarf joints used to join spars of central portion of wing to outer tapered portion. Compression struts with drag and anti-drag cables added.In lieu of turn buckles the cables were twisted one way or another for proper tension. They all 'sing' like a piano string when plucked. I made sure they had similar tone. Close up of this rigging shown. This is called 'trammeling' a wing. Lithoplate discs were fabricated and pierced for the cables at the proper crossing angle. They keep the cables from chafing. Tapes were added to the ribs so the ribs won't move laterally. Full scale practice stuff.