!/3 Scale Pup rebuild

Bookmaker · 31 October 2009, 07:51 PM

Many of you who were at DPR, or have seen in some other threads know that my 1/3 scale BUSA Pup (painted black and white checkerboard) had an unfortunate meeting with the ground. It didn't like another radio being turned on.

It has a fair bit of damage, but I am in the process of rebuilding it.

On this particular plane, the fuselage comes apart just behind the cockpit. In the crash, it came apart there, but some of the front stayed with the rear and some of the rear stayed with the front. Everything aft of that split has been repaired and just needs the tail feathers put back on and cables hooked up.

The front half of the fuselage had a good part of the bottom torn out. I have most of it either back on, or new parts cut and ready to glue on when I finish a few items inside. Two of the cabane struts broke loose inside the cockpit, those fortunately popped loose pretty clean and I should have them reattached tomorrow.

The wings mostly have a few attachment points pulled out and a busted part here and there. The most time consuming is that at least two of the dowels that hold the upper wing panels to the center section have broken off. That will require opening up that part of the wing, hogging out the dowel stubs and inserting new ones. Oh, and the entire center section of the upper wing popped off the cabane struts.

It's coming along slow, but I think I will have it back in the air by Southern Dawn Patrol in early December.

Dale

Fokker Ace · 31 October 2009, 08:58 PM

Awesome.

bristol scout · 4 November 2009, 03:03 AM

Good stuff--over the years I built three Sopwiths to 1/3rd. scale---First (one of--if not the first) PUP kits by Practical Scale--at marginally under 1/3. Then the PUP--then the Camel from Mick Reeves---and I know that stomach turning moment when they arrive unceremoniously---too well

Lot's of luck with your rebuild.

Dave.

Bookmaker · 4 November 2009, 04:04 AM

Thanks Dave. It is coming along. I have a thread going over on RCScalebuilder.com documenting the repairs.

I am probably about 50% done with the reconstruction. Then recovering the nose of the fuselage, and several patches on the wings. And of course, all these checkers have to be painted.

Here are a few before photos of the fuselage.

Bookmaker · 4 November 2009, 04:08 AM

Here are a few AFTER photos of the fuselage repairs.

Oh, in case you are wondering, the fuselage comes apart just behind the cockpit.

bristol scout · 4 November 2009, 04:37 AM

Hi Bookmaker,

Ah! what a perfect moment to do a quick (but very worthwhile) little 'cosmetic' upgrade to the nose----run some 'verticals down those longitudinal stringers (aft of the aluminium nose panels---you know the ones) to give the SO characteristic quilted effect seen on Pups Tripes and Strutters.

Go on --you know you oughta!!!

Like the 'stitching'--- is it by a company that sells it 'on the roll' (can't remember name) or 'home brewed?

Cheers,

Dave---By the way---did you introduce some undercamber or does the kit come with it???

Bookmaker · 4 November 2009, 05:34 AM

Thanks for the reminder about that. I had not even considered adding them. Very little work, but as you say, very noticable.

The starboard side of the fuse is stitched already aft of the split. You can see it in the first BEFORE photo. Fortunately, it was not damaged.

Dale

bristol scout · 4 November 2009, 06:16 AM

Hi Dale--I meant rib tapes and stitching--I seem to see it on the centre section ----- Mind you might be my tired old eyes

Cheers,
Dave.

Bookmaker · 4 November 2009, 06:49 AM

Yes all the ribs are "stitched and taped". Any place repaired will be done the same.

Here is another photo of the bottom of a wing that you can see the tape and stitching. The lighter color area is from a previous repair

Notice there is only one strut attachment tab. The other must be reinstalled as it pulled out in the crash.

bristol scout · 4 November 2009, 07:23 AM

Nice work Dale--keep us guy's posted

Dave.