Pete H Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Prompted by the Kit Builders What Would You Like? thread I purchased a Lavochkin La7 from Richard at Warbird Replicas. Service was first class and the kit arrived the on my doorstep next day. This kit will be the first scale kit I have built, first warbird and it will also be my first IC plane. I plan to power it by a Laser 70 that I purchased from Jon at Laser where the service was also superb and very helpful. The kit arrive in an undamaged box and the contents looked good with a detailed instruction manual. I pinned some inspiration on the wall and started to digest the instructions and plan. This is my first build on here so hopefully I won't make too many mistakes along the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 24, 2017 Share Posted January 24, 2017 Good looking Airplane Pete, That your intended colour scheme ? John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 That is the colour scheme I'm going to use. It's the one with the most photos on the net plus it look pretty simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 I love my bigger YT La7. Its a very imposing shape once you get it in the air and im sure you will love it. Also being Russian front it will get more scale with age as it wont matter if its bashed up, filthy and looking like a patchwork. My model is looking quite abused at this point. One thing i would recommend is adding something to your paint job even if its non scale. That grey camo is very effective and at times all i can see of my 80'' model is a red cowling. Perhaps add some stripes to the upper wing surfaces like this example just to help with visibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Sunday Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Good morning Pete. That Lav looks like a pretty big box. Whats the details for this kit? Have fun and ill be watching from timevto time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Looks nice, don't see enough of Russian warbirds. Looking forward to seeing the end result. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Jackson Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Got me going now as I have a half finished one in the workshop. There are some good reference books on the 5,7 and 9 available with good colour illustrations and the kit was covered in RCM and E in July 2003. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 Shane, the plane is not too big at 57" span with a target weight of 5.5lb, more details are on the warbird replica site. Jon, I will stick with the scheme unless I find it difficult to see when flying. I know what you mean by looking a bit bashed up and abused. Initially, I was a bit worried about the painting as all my models are film covered but after looking at pictures of the real thing I think I could get it about right with a 4" brush. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 if you brown paper cover it as Richard suggests any worn down paint will wear back to brown...which was the colour of the full size as it was all wooden! As for the paint job, that's good as it means I can still use it. I might give my big one a makeover with a new paint job as I always disliked the one that is on it Edited By Jon Harper - Laser Engines on 25/01/2017 22:01:52 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 Got to be a good'un! I'm looking forward to seeing it finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 On with the build. The first job was to glue the ply doublers to the fuselage sides remembering to keep the slotted doubler on the right hand side for the cooling vent. I didn't cut through to the balsa to create the flap as I plan to do this later when I mount the engine. To fit the Laser 70 required modifying the firewall location by moving it back 28mm to accomodate the extra engine length. This was done by cutting 28mm from the fuel tank opening in the central crutch and reattaching the front thereby preserving the locating tabs on the firewall. I also laminated a piece 4mm plywood to the 3mm firewall to increase its strength and rigidity. Probably unnecessary but this was the only time to do it and I thought it would be better. The next stage was to glue the central crutch, firewall and formers to the sides to make the fuselage. The sides have been left full length and over sail the firewall. They will be trimmed back later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 25, 2017 Share Posted January 25, 2017 That was quick...oh wait, that's the whole point Beefing up the firewall was a good idea as the 70 is more than the model was designed for and the added weight is forward of c/g so there is no point in not doing it. You have made me want to start my Yak now... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted January 25, 2017 Author Share Posted January 25, 2017 It's not a bad start as I only ordered it over the Christmas break. The top decking was glued on followed by the tail sheet mount which is rebated to fit around the stern post. A spacer is then temporarily fitted to allow the rudder fairings to be sanded before mounting the tailplane. This is the fuselage almost together. That's as far as I have got so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucksboy Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 This is great, I also ordered the same plane and received the plane very quickly too. However mine is still in the box as I work abroad and can't take it with me nor build anything out here. I will be watching very closely to help me when I do start. I even ordered one of the 110's too so they'll be two planes waiting for me soon. Good luck with the build and keep posting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted January 31, 2017 Author Share Posted January 31, 2017 I’m planning to install retracts to all three wheels. So in an effort to offset the additional tailwheel weight I decided to build up the tailplane rather than use to solid sheet provided in the kit. I managed to save 20g which will help a little. I will probably build up the rudder too to maximise potential weight savings. The retracts have arrived so I’ll be able to start on the wings soon. The new Laser 70 destined for this plane has been fitted to a Mk1 Panic. I have had the Panic sitting around since the eighties yet it has never taken to the air. I plan to use the airframe to run the engine in and get used to IC starting and responsiveness etc... before flying the La7. I started the engine at the weekend and was pleasantly surprised when it fired up first time. Hopefully it's always this easy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 31, 2017 Share Posted January 31, 2017 the new tail looks ace and will save weight for sure. Will yo put a thin 1/16 sheet over it now or will it stay open? either way it looks really good and will do the job just fine. for a retracting tail wheel see if you can find either the plastic robart one or the very similar and much cheaper version from horizon. This link is the cheaper one but they work fine and only need a servo up front to operate **LINK** As for the engine I am pleased to hear it is behaving itself, but it should be pretty good as I already test ran it and it fired up first flick then as well giving it a thrash in the panic is a good idea but the tank might be a bit low so don't be surprised if its not 100% happy. I cant tell from your photo how the tank is positioned relative to the carb so its difficult to say if it will give trouble or not. Let me know if there are any issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted February 1, 2017 Author Share Posted February 1, 2017 I'll probably leave the tail open. The rudder will be built up the same.The tank in the Panic is as high as it can be mounted but it is still a bit lower than I would like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 Posted by Pete H on 01/02/2017 12:22:41: I'll probably leave the tail open. The rudder will be built up the same. The tank in the Panic is as high as it can be mounted but it is still a bit lower than I would like. Im sure it will be fine for testing. A low tank is better than a high one anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Fentiman Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 looks great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Davis Posted February 1, 2017 Share Posted February 1, 2017 In my experience a Laser will suck up fuel from a well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 I've made a little more progress and completed the rudder. I also managed to squeeze the retractable tail wheel into the fuselage. I still need to add some balsa to provide additional support for the mount and replace the longerons that were removed in the process. I have been pondering about how to open and close the tailwheel doors and think a couple of links connected to the retract and the door should work if I get the geometry correct.Does anyone have any better solutions to open and close the tailwheel doors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 looks good pete but watch the weight down the back end. I bet that tail wheel will need a solid pound of lead up front to balance it out. while you have the power to handle that your wing loading could go through the roof if you are not careful. I also wouldn't bother with the doors both for weight reasons and faff reasons. my big la7 and seafury have retracting tailwheels but no doors. they are simply too much hassle and add very little to the look of the model in flight. they are cool though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete H Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 The tail modifications combined have increased the weight behind the cog by about 30-40g about halfway up the fuselage. So hopefully it won't be too bad.I'm still undecided if I should add flaps or not. What are your thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 that retract unit must be lighter than it looks. from the photo I expect it to weight a good 50g on its own. as for the flaps, its hard as my hurricane really needs them as its pretty heavy, but if I left the flaps off it would have been at least half a pound lighter and then might not have needed them. What I would do is get further along in the build, get the fuselage finished, engine in and once the servos and retracts are in the wing have a little weigh in session with ballast in for good c/g and see how you are doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 I built this one a few years back now, fitted with an SC 70 FS, it flew like a dream. It now has a 10cc petrol E.I. as a bit of an experiment, it has yet to fly in this configuration. Richard is the coolest Guy and was always ready to give advice on the phone, I'm glad to see he's still selling his amazing kits. Ditto advice re keep it light. Looking good tho... D.D. Edited By Dwain Dibley. on 07/02/2017 00:07:17 Edited By Dwain Dibley. on 07/02/2017 00:09:54 Edited By Dwain Dibley. on 07/02/2017 00:13:15 Edited By Dwain Dibley. on 07/02/2017 00:22:44 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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