Here is a bucketful of my latest scale
venture. It is the Great Planes Stinson Reliant SR9. at 1/5th scale, it spans
8ft 4ins, It will be powered by a new Zenoah 26cc petrol engine. Projected
weight is around 20lbs. I started building on 18th Nov. 2003, and to date 4th
March, 2004, the model is now ready for covering. Radio gear is installed,
cockpit interior is complete, with leather upholstered seats, carpeting and
material lined doors and cabin sides. Instrument panel is polished walnut (all
my own work) and referring to my work log, it has taken 192 hours over
52 building days. Not bad going. Model should be ready for test flying
April/May. The colour scheme planned is red and white. I have included several
pictures of the building process. I have replaced the fixed u/c with a working
u/c using 4 adjustable coil springs, and the whole unit is removable if repairs
are need.
Pic.1. Airframe. A lorra lorra balsa.
A builders delight.
Pic2. The Stinson ready for covering,
showing addition of cowl and u/c spats and fairings. Notice the retractable
landing light under the wing.
Pic3. Showing the
cabin and baggage doors.
Pic4. Undercarriage suspension system.
Pic5. The polished walnut instrument
panel. The control steering wheels are from rubber 0 rings dipped in resin.
Pic6. Leather
upholstered seats.
Pic7 The Power Plant
Pic 8 Stinson is now
complete, except for two step ladders for cabin access. Actual building time
of 237hours over 78 actual building days between Nov.18, 2003 and April 18th
2004. Total weight 21lb 10oz. Here is picture of fuz, (not enough room for
wings). Now awaiting test flights.