Cmelak Z-37-2 (Smellyak) ~ Airplane by Peter Goldsmith Designs (Build Thread by JimD)

[JimD]

Well, we didn't make our deadline with the Smellyak, but we did fly both the Skylank and the Sapphire at the Fall Soar for Fun.

Back to the wing build now!

Started by doing the spar joiner laminations and blind nut installations for the center sections. Then we test fit the wing mounted Robart Robostruts.

[JimD]

Next step is to build the outer wing panels. We started by firmly gluing the bottom main spar and rear short spar to the spar joiners.





Our building board has a centerline with a perpendicular line to use as a reference to keep the wing panels aligned.



The outboard rib of the center section aligns with the cross line and the lower spar with the centerline. Now to start adding ribs and shear webs keeping the flat section of the ribs (from spar to trailing edge) flat on the bench. Note that the spar needs to be shimmed up with 1/8" thick pieces of scrap balsa to account for the sheeting that will be added later.



The wing root needs to be supported, again keeping the flat section of the root rib parallel to the top of the workbench..




Continue out the spar adding a shear web, then a rib, then another shear web, and then another rib, and so on out to the tip.





Keep the ribs at a 90 degree angle to the spar line.





The inspector stopped by!



Top sheeting, rear trailing edge sub spar, trailing edge sheeting, and cap strips are added to the top and then the wing is flipped over and the bottom sheeting and cap strips are added.

[BobM]

Looks fantastic Jim.....the new landing gear placement and struts look great !

[JimD]

Hi Bob, have you been able to start your build yet?

[BobM]

I've got the tail feathers and wing panels completed on Cmelak 1.....still have to build the fuselage. Cmelak 2 is in the box carefully tucked away for now. I'm hoping to take advantage of the time off in December/January from school to get things finished up on Cmelak 1........hopefully I'll have it finished by the end of January and then can start on some of the other builds I have waiting.....my Skylark and Cmelak 2.

[pete914]

Great shots with excellent detail. This should be a lot of help to others planning on this build!

[kjkavaney]

Super cool...will the landing gears be easy to remove for transport or is it a "leave together" situation ?? the cool shocks would probably be good for a pilot like me !!!
on the home stretch on mine now, too late to re do my wings for this mod...

[stevekremer]

Jim,
Looks like you are using the Dubro wheels. I would strongly suggest the the Sullivan wheels. The Dubro wheels have a square profile. On porter #5 with the dubro wheels, I kept bending the axle when sliding sideways. Porter #3 never did this with the Sullivan wheels. Sullivan wheels have have a radius profile. I changed Porter #5 to Sullivan wheels and no more bent axles.

Steve K

[lenb]

Interesting point Steve.

[stevekremer]

Here are photos of both. Sullivan on top, Dubro on bottom. Both are 7" wheels. BTW if someone wants 7" dubro wheels, let me know. I have two.

[Mosquito]

Sullivan make an 8" tire?

[stevekremer]

Not that I can find

[gunny11]

Steve, call me, I'll purchase them. Need them for my 185

[Mosquito]

Jim,

Been a while since an update on your Chmelak build (also Bob M's and Kevin K's). How is your build going? Is it true you are scaling up the flaps and making them wider and 4 piece?

Tim

[JimD]

Tim,

The build has been progressing albeit slowly. Wing leading edges have been added and sanded to contour, so wings are ready to cover. I decided to split the ailerons to make an additional section of flap. Unbeknownst to me, Peter had made this same modification to his undated Cmelak kit. Anyway, I had Gunny make G10 control horns for the new flap sections and they are ready to hinge and cover.

Meantime, I've built Peter's new TG-3, and his Foxbat RES model, built three of the four sections of wings for Gunny's 1/3-scale 2-33 plus finished out the fuselage for it, went for jury duty, put on the Cumberland Spring Soar for Fun, suffered with a herniated disc in my neck, done physical therapy, and did excavation and contruction of a new hangar at my HighPoint Aviation property.

So I'm a slacker...🙄

[kjkavaney]

Beyond Amazing JIm….you are an inspiration to all of us !!!
kevin

[JimD]

Okay Tim, I've picked up the pace on the Cmelak build...😎

[JimD]

Got my graphics from Callie Graphics. Really enjoyed installing the door hinges...all 32 button head screws and nuts. 😜



Have used the Sullivan removable ball links on the Bidule 170 with total success. Makes mounting/removing the stab much easier.



Mr. Bates checked things out and approved!

[horsefeetky]

jim it looks great such nice covering job..

i am in about the same stage on the bidule.. hope to have it flying for july and looks like yours will make that time line also..........

[Steve P]

My guess is that Jim’s will be flying at the Horizon tow in a couple weeks...