LFG Roland C.II progress

[zoomzoom]

Vern, it all looks magnificent, as usual with your work. This is also an awesome technique. It always amazes me how different folks can come up
with different ways of doing stuff. I tried the same thing in metal earlier, recreating the vent louvres on a Alabtros Dv, but didn't come up with an effective way to do it. Your way is so simple...but very effective. Another one of those, "why didn't I think of that"! moments. I ended up making a foam plug, then a silicon mold from the plug from which I can cast finished versions in either JB-Weld or epoxy. It works.....but I like yours too! Very crafty!!

ZZ.

[Hannover]

Wow that's nice. I've thought about modelling that that plane for a long time.

Jim

[VNulk]

Hi Jim,

If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know. I wish I had a set of construction drawings to offer, but the best I can do is provide the set posted earlier, and fill anyone interested on details of how I fabricated mine. Simply put, I designed as I built and several times built myself into a corner but managed to produce a usable product. We'll know soon how it behaves in the air.

Again, if you're serious about building, I'd be glad to help any way I can.

Vern

[VNulk]

Quite a few of the fittings I needed for the Roland could not be purchased and I had to fabricate them from scratch. I'm including photos of some of them.

The strut plates are made by placing a brass plate on a steel plate that has a very shallow 9/32" hole drilled into it. The edges of the hole was ground smooth so as not to cut the brass as it was driven into the hole with a 1/4" (rounded end) brass rod. The rod was rotated a bit before each hit to distribute any distortions in the shape of the rod to ensure that the bubble created in the brass plate was even. It only took about a dozen firm blows to create the bubble. Afterward, the plate was cut to size and holes to accomodate the turnbuckle ends were drilled and shaped to size. The brass pin in the plate has an enlarged lower end to prevent from being pulled out - then the pin was silver soldered to the plate. A hole is drilled through the pin to match that of the hole in the interplane struts ball-type mount. The ball mounts are turned from brass rod and a threaded rod fit to the inside end to anchor inside the strut before covering.

Drag wire anchors at the nose were made in much the same way as the strut plates except that the shape allows screwing into the nose former woodwork.

Aluminum thimbles were used on all wires and made from 1/16" aluminum tubing. The tubing is filed down to half the diameter and then cut lengths of the half-round were formed around a suitably sized rod (drill in the photo). A copper tube was used as swage fittings and after all pieces are assembled, the copper tubing is crimped. Although I've parted a few rigging wires, even though 80# test plastic-coated leader, I've never had a swaged fitting pull out.

[VNulk]

I needed odd-sized diameter pulleys that were commercially unavailable and they had swing in two planes for self-alignment - so I fabricated them from aluminum sheet and rod with a 2-56 bushed pin to roll on. Installed, they lead the kevlar line feeding to the elevator in the inside set (servo shown in the photo) and the rudder in the outside pair. A photo of the rudder horn made from laminations of fiberglass pc board measures 4 in. in width.

The roll bar is soft copper soldered to brass base plates. Wing tube is located at the aft wing spar (upper and lower wings) and hardwood dowels prevent rotation. Tail skid is 12 laminiations of birch veneer.

[SCMc]

Vern,

I am glad you came back to share your progress. It looks like you are getting very close to the end. When do you hope to have it in the air?

Steve

[VNulk]

Steve,

Great to hear from you. It has been a long haul. During the last year, I've been lucky to get one night a week to work on the project but it is getting close now. I was scrambling to get it test flown in time to get it flying at Rhinebeck, NY in a few weeks but rather than rush it and mess something up, or forget it entirely, I've decided to back off and finish as much of the details as I can for static display. The real hold up right now is the construction of the scale, functional muffler. I'm working on the latest brainstorm and should have it ready for testing real soon. I now plan to shoot for a test flight this fall and I have enough of an interest locally that I should be able to have someone get some video. I'll be sure to post it somehow. That's my story, drawn out as it is, but I'm sticking to it!!

Shoot off an email if you have time and let me know what you're up to.

Best Regards.

As for the rest of you who are following this thread, thank you very much for your interest and support. I'll be sure to answer any questions and provide add'l information if there are any questions.

Vern

[Hannover]

This model is amazing! I admire your skills and perseverence with the details! I was hoping to see it at Rhinebeck this year.

Jim

[VNulk]

Hi Jim,

Thank you for the reply. I will be at Rhinebeck with the plane. It just won't be flying this year.

Vern

[womenfly2]

Originally Posted by VNulk

Hi Jim,

Thank you for the reply. I will be at Rhinebeck with the plane. It just won't be flying this year.

Vern

... I will see you there. Love to see this machine. Fantastic work!

BTW, what scale is it?

WF2