G-JIMG Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Hi, Being an avid model maker, and having retired from being an Aerospace Chief Engineer, I have decided it's time to build a scale model of the last aircraft I was responsible for, a military conversion of the King Air 350. There are no kits available for the King Air, so this will be a scratch build at 1/10th scale. The main driver behind the choice of scale is the availability of stock parts such as wheels and 4-bladed prop spinners. At 1/10th scale they both equate to a convenient 2" diameter.. Also, the King Air's 4 bladed props scale down to 10.5", which is achievable by trimming down an 11" APC prop, with the added advantage that trimming allows for the correct tip profile. At this scale the model will have a 69.5" wing span, so I will build the wing in two halves and then permanently join them. Also, although I am a dyed in the wool petrol head, this will be my first excursion into the world of electric motors and LiPo batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 OK, lets begin. First, I printed out some plan and side view images and scaled them to 1/10th. I then worked out where the Ribs and Frames needed to be and their respective profiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 A couple of years ago Santa brought me a Stepcraft CNC machine, so drawing the Ribs, etc. using the supplied CAD package is the hardest part - cutting them out is a doddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 CNC machine doing its thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 First set of wing ribs ready for the build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnP25 Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 A pack of ribs like that and no sign of a blade or sandpaper? Got to be cheating going on here. G-JIMG you make it look so easy, I'm quite impressed at both your kit and skill. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Good looking choice Jim, and something different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eflightray Posted March 27, 2020 Share Posted March 27, 2020 Do you also have a robot that will build and fly the model for you How things have changed from a single sided razor blade and a piece of sandpaper. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 28, 2020 Author Share Posted March 28, 2020 I'm certain there will be a fair amount of manual cutting and sanding later in the build! However, for now I have continued to 'cheat' and have drawn up the fuselage and nacelle frames and put them through the CNC machine. (If you've conned your way onto Santa's good list, make the most of it I say!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 29, 2020 Author Share Posted March 29, 2020 Now the majority of the parts are designed and cut I can start on the build. Started with the Starboard Wing, building it directly over the plan in the traditional way. Edited By G-JIMG on 29/03/2020 11:05:32 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Given the lack of response to this build I assume there's little or no interest in it. That being the case I'll stop posting now. Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 I'm following Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 keep posting, we're watching different way of handling the pods than I have seen anywhere else Edited By Nigel R on 30/03/2020 11:36:30 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon barr Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Yup, I'm lurking and watching. Keep up the good work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 400 views in this short time is above average for Forum Posts Am lurking too, as twins interest is all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caveman Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 I'm watching with interest. I'm a knife and sandpaper type, but love to see alternative methods of doing things. I'm also jealous of your ability with CAD etc! Do keep posting. GDB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 I'm following too. My next build will be a twin so am interested how you are approaching this. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Somerville Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Yes please keep posting. Good to see the CAD CNC route in action. I flew to King George Island from Punta Arenas in a King Air 300 some years back. It’s about a 4 1/2 - 5hr flight with the point of no return 10 minutes from the island. A radio call to the Chilean base that operates the landing strip is made 20 minutes prior to eta to check conditions and if too windy to land the plane turns back to Punta Arenas. Thankfully our flight was good to land, otherwise thats nearly 10 hours flying with no toilet on board 😱. The top tip prior to our flight was ‘don’t drink anything until on terra firma’. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Hooper Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Another lurker here. Having built a twin which I am still flying (well was) I am keen to follow your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Walby Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 G-JIMG, just because people are not replying is no indication that people are not interested. As a youngster I was told if you have nothing to add then don't open your mouth (or type) and I think there is nothing worse that people chipping in off topic for pages and pages that other at a later date have to plough through. Watching with interest PS Mod feel free to delete this as IMHO its off topic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martian Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Come on Jim keep posting i have only just found this thread and what a pleasure to follow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Yep I've been viewing, you do need responses though not just views, feedback fuels your mojo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toni Reynaud Posted March 30, 2020 Share Posted March 30, 2020 Also watching with interest. Impressed with the CNC gadget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Sorry, didn't realise you were out there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G-JIMG Posted March 30, 2020 Author Share Posted March 30, 2020 Made progress with the wing today. For aileron control I am using a Futaba 3150 Servo and a homemade RDS (Rotary Drive System). The drive is via a 1/8" diameter steel rod passing through a short brass sleeve at the TE. The Aileron pocket was made using carbon fibre strips separated by 1/8" plywood. The pocket is securely glued into the aileron so it cannot flex, and the rod is a very snug fit in the pocket to ensure there is no flutter. Jim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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