Flown my ARTF.

Passed my 'A' test.

Thought I should build a 'proper' model plane.

I've shopped around a bit, and gone and bought a Cirrus Moth from 'DB Sport and Scale'.

I'm hoping that by the time I've built it; I'll be good enough to fly it !

The kit looked surprisingly well made, good quality wood, very nicely laser cut.

Lots of bits in there, that I can't imagine what they're for yet.

Can't wait to get started.

Started on the tail, because it looked easiest.

I know I don't have much experience of modern day kits; but I must say that the quality of the wood and the fit of the bits is far better than I expected.

Tail bits went together quickly,

Fin and rudder tonight.

Haven't given much thought yet to covering materials,

Don't want it too shiny, but must be easy to fit,  and tough!

- or even engine.

thinking of a Saito 62(ish) - don't know what the biggest 4-stroke is that it will take.

I don't want it to fly fast - I just prefer a big engine ticking over to a small engine screaming its nuts off.

Any suggestions anybody?

Hi Martyn

DB do make great kits, I'm 2/3 the way through their big spitfre.

I'd be temped to cover in Solartex, I find it easier to use than films and is vey forgiving, and takes paint too if required.

The Saito 62 is a lovely motor I think this is the 60 in a 50 shell so wouldn't look out of place up front.

Keep postnig the pics of your progress.

Andy

Hi Martyn

What a change from the ARTF / FARTf  nonsense...Are you going to add a lot of detail? It's crying out for lots of little special bits...It has to be solartex  what about rib tapes, and stitching underneath? And all these marvelous instruments to make.

bon courage ernie                                                                                                oh yes and lots of pix please

Ernie,

What are rib-tapes?

I said earlier that the quality of the wood was better than I expected. I now have to qualify that and say that the balsa is super, but the plywood bits are a bit cheap and nasty. Several of them are completely delaminated. Might have to rebuild a few (using the supplied ones as a pattern). But I'll try thin CA and clamping them tight first and see what happens. 

Note to ADmins - if your watching - I posted a couple more messages last week, including pictures, and they're not here.

Having lots of problems uploading pictures, seems to hang more often than not. 

Hi Martyn,

Rib tapes cover the stitching that fixes the fabric to the wing ribs. On the full size, they are around 100mm wide, and are doped on. For your model, they can be made from solartex, which tears nicely to give a frayed edge. They really do enhance the quality of the wing...A real anorac, would simulate the stitching below, so that there are little bumps showing through....Mon dieu, sometimes, I  think we are all daft..

I'll try to dig out a photo.....ernie

Hi Martyn This is the bristol fighter at the Shuttleworth collection. You can see rib tapes over each rib. These ones seem to be about 50mm wide

ernie

Ernie,

I wanted to build the Bristol fighter kit from Flair. Looks beautiful.

I chose the DH plane because I used to work in the factory where they were built. Making BAe 146s though; just a bit different.

Hi Martyn

Built three Moth 40s from the D B kit, just remember to keep the back end light

Hi Martyn.

Forgot to tell you two of them were powered by 54 four strokes, plenty of power.

Hi Martyn

just about to start the DB Pup, keepposting pics so I cen crib from you!!!! This is a first for me too.

Good luck,  Spanner 

Spanner,

Trying to post pics, but finding this site frustrating.

Doesn't seem to want me to upload pics this week. Gets to 99% then freezes.

Any Admins reading this???

Note to all new builders:

Soaking delaminated ply in thin CA, and then clamping it in a vice might seem a good idea, but it doesn't seem so clever when you try to open the vice later, and find it all stuck solid !!

Noticed that the real moths had the surfaces fairly sharply tapered at back and front.

Some model builders seem to leave them quick thick and blunt.

Any recommendations?

Now putting the fuselage together.

More involved than the tail (obviously) and this highlights that the instructions aren't overly detailed !

A good guide as to what to do, but you are assumed to be quite competant.

(which makes it fun).

I took a full-size copy of the plan before I started and am using that. I'm finding it easier to cut it up and use just part of the plan at a time.

I also took a mirror-image of the plan, 'cos it seemed easier to build the second-half of the fuselage that way.

Hi Martyn

Not sure what the instructions say about the cabane fixing. I glued mine to the fusalage after the body had been covered, makes it far easier

Gordon