RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
[quote]ORIGINAL: gabriel voisin Don, really good work and I'm happy, now is the color of the muffler ok. [/quote] The muffler just looks darker in this photo. I haven't repainted it. In some light it looks lighter, in other light it's darker. I thought long and hard about this, and while I felt that it probably would be dark (almost black), I wanted it to have a metal look. Oh, how I wish some of these WWI photos were in color!
Posted on: 9/18/2012 4:02 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11232783

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
Here's the dummy in situ.
Posted on: 9/18/2012 12:38 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11232020

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
[quote]ORIGINAL: Harvey S Any chance someone could pause and tell me where I can buy one of these beauties??? Thanks, Harvey [/quote] CDScaleDesigns has closed shop and unless some sort of future license agreement is struck, I doubt we'll ever see any of these kits again. As for the CI, to my knowledge only two (possibly three) CI kits were ever produced. Mine was to be the "prototype" and there was a lot of early design back and forth between Chris and me and then more feedback during the early stages of the construction. The other kit was built (as electric) by a German builder ("FliegerTom") and maidened more than a year ago, so in all fairness Tom's model is the prototype...and he says it's a good flier! Here's his build-thread on a German forum: http://www.rc-network.de/forum/showthread.php/168193-Albatros-C1-von-CD-Scaledesigns-Baubericht-im-Ma%C3%9Fstab-1-6
Posted on: 9/17/2012 11:36 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11231844

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
Thanks, guys! It's been a lot of work, but also very satisfying learning about the rarely modeled Benz, for example, that the cylinders were actually offset from the engine center-line and that these 6-cylinder engines had 12 spar plugs. And thanks Matz for the detailed explanation. So it is, indeed, a hot water overflow pipe.
Posted on: 9/17/2012 3:26 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11231542

RE: Inspiration Point
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUGeX7ZD9BQ&feature=related[/youtube] I'm not sure if this is inspirational or just plain insane.
Posted on: 9/16/2012 11:13 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11230675

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
[quote]ORIGINAL: gabriel voisin Don, is it possible to explain you in German? greetings Matz [/quote] Matz I assume you mean about the function of the pipe. Go ahead. German is fine.
Posted on: 9/16/2012 4:03 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11230332

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
At this point what I need to do is temporarily mount the real engine (RCV-91cd) then figure out a removable mounting for the dummy. Once the dummy in in place, I can go back to completing the (aluminum) nose cowlings.
Posted on: 9/15/2012 6:18 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11229165

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
Oh, there's already lots of "looking right" on this dummy. I feel confident in saying that it's probably the best Benz dummy out there, but it's still just a partial dummy and there are numerous factual errors and construction flaws. I'll leave it to the "next guy" to do better. [:D]
Posted on: 9/15/2012 6:14 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11229164

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
Yes, that's the one. What does it do and where is it connected?
Posted on: 9/15/2012 5:38 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11229139

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
Here to can see the small tube connected to the water fill cap. I can't see if it connected to anything or not. Maybe this is just an escape tube for it the water boils over. The other question is how to do the plumbing that connects the overhead water pipe with the Hazet radiators. From the photos it appears that there were many ad hoc ways of doing this.
Posted on: 9/15/2012 3:06 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11229076

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
With the exhaust painted and the overhead water pipe at least partially finished, it's starting to look like a real engine. There are still a couple details that I can't figure out. I know that there is some plumbing on the rear that connects the water system to the Hazet radiators. But I don't know where the small pipe on the "filling cap" went. It looks like it goes up to the top wing.
Posted on: 9/14/2012 7:50 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228889

RE: Aviatik DI build
Well, I have to admit I REALLY like that second shot with the prop spinning...and that's the very one I was complaining about! [:D] I guess it was worth the brief wait.
Posted on: 9/14/2012 8:19 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228324

RE: Aviatik DI build
Martin, while I'd love to see some well-done stills of the finished model, what I was trying to say is once the engine is running it's time for the photographers to get out of the way...or rather to "take their positions" so that they can take the best possible shots without in any way interfering with the flying. BTW, more and more I like the idea of having someone else do the maiden flights of my special scale models. I'm just too much of a nervous wreck to do a decent job as a pilot.
Posted on: 9/14/2012 7:54 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228296

RE: Aviatik DI build
Beautiful take-off and landing! Very well done. But "the team" at the field there needs some education on maiden-flight protocols. [:D] First, the "photo ops" need to be separated from the actual maiden. I was shocked to see that one guy out there taking photos while the pilots waits with the engine running for him to finish! Second rule, for videographers, keep the camera on the dang model! Don't the dogs or the pits or the windsock. And don't stand way back in the cheap seats. [;)] But again Congrats on a amazing model...successfully maidened!
Posted on: 9/14/2012 5:38 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11228170

RE: US Scale Masters Results 2012
But that's just it. From what participants have said here, they DIDN'T FLY in front of the same judges so normalizing scores might make sense. But norming the static scores, where there was apparently only one group of judges, seemed to have only been a superficial attempt to make the numbers from each judging area look the same.
Posted on: 9/13/2012 3:43 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11227646

RE: US Scale Masters Results 2012
Sounds to me like they just adjusting the ends of the continuum. The guy who gets the highest score in either static or flying established the benchmark for 1000. Then (from the explanation above) the next guy doesn't just get an automatic 2% reduction. Rather if the second guys score was (for example) 10% less in raw points than the first place guy (which seems to never happen at scale contests) then the second place guy would get a 10% reduction on that 1000 score, i.e. 900. What I can't understand is why organizers would want to "level the playing field" at a contest. It's a CONTEST.
Posted on: 9/13/2012 7:02 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11227162

RE: CD ScaleDesigns Albatros CI build
I'm back from my holiday in the US (and from a trip to hospital for a broken jaw from a bike accident) and back to working on the Benz dummy, and then the rest of the CI. After a lot of testing and buying a new (cheap) airbrush I've finally got a color I like on the rhino exhaust. I ended up using the metalizer stainless steel and only selectively buffing it. Later I spray the tip o the exhaust with a light dusting of the alclad "exhaust" for a slightly burnt look. Maybe afterwards, I'll do some selective dry-brushing on the manifolds. The only parts remaining is the plumbing along the top and the valves on the cylinders. The all-up weight at this point is 260g...which is a lot for a dummy but I expect it will be needed anyway. Next up is to cover the wings with the SIG Koverall I brought back with me. Then I'll test application of the "CDL" silk. I'm thinking about applying this with Polycrylic directly onto the Koverall. *** And, yes, that's a teddy bear. My model will have one too!
Posted on: 9/13/2012 5:52 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11227097

RE: US Scale Masters Results 2012
Thanks for the clarification. Congratulations on your winning model and winning flying skills!!!
Posted on: 9/12/2012 6:10 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11226691

RE: US Scale Masters Results 2012
How rare is it for someone to get a perfect 1000 on static score? Also, are there any photos of this perfect scale model? Or even just an indication of which aircraft it was?
Posted on: 9/12/2012 5:23 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11226646

RE: Alclad metalizer laquers
John, it's hard to argue with those results. The brass looks great. And it seems like the trick to applying any of these lacquers over other paint is to apply is very light mists so that there's never much thinner at any given time on the piece. Yesterday I bought what I assumed (from what I could read on the can) was gloss black acrylic spray. But I see that it also says "color lacquer" and the Alclad certainly ate into it just like the other paints. Here's a little color comparison of a couple of buffing metalizers vs. two of the Alclad paints on a piece of white paper. In the light you can clearly see the reflective properties of the "metal" paints, while the Alclad paints on the bottom are pretty much just paint colors, similar to the "steel red" on the top right. By the way, I can't see any color difference whatsoever between the Mr. Hobby Metal Stainless and the Mr. Hobby Steel Red. I certainly don't see any "red" in it. The reddish color of the Alclad Exhaust Manifold looks suitable for my rhino-horn exhaust. After all, I suppose they didn't have much sheer to them after the first couple of flights (since the steel would have then been "burnt"). I even read somewhere that steel was purposely "burnt" back in WWI times for some effect I can't know remember.
Posted on: 9/7/2012 4:28 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11221142

RE: scale turnbuckles - is there a need?
That brings up the question: What color were WWI turnbuckles on a NEW aircraft? Where they really as bright as polished brass? I've got a bottle of "gun black" ready to take the edge of any brass fittings I use on my models.
Posted on: 9/7/2012 8:00 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220657

RE: Alclad metalizer laquers
From my limited tests so far, I have to say, that I prefer the look of the metalizer paints over the Alclad paints.
Posted on: 9/7/2012 7:49 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220647

RE: Alclad metalizer laquers
Hmm...apparently the Alclad paints are NOT intended to be buffed. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AKxXZXTcY4&feature=related[/youtube]
Posted on: 9/7/2012 5:13 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220508

RE: Alclad metalizer laquers
[quote]ORIGINAL: Old Fart Why do you want to buff it? [/quote] I thought the whole point of this stuff was a "metalizer" finish similar to other buffing metalizers. Am I wrong? Metalizer paints have a buffing compound in the mixture so that when it's dry it can be polished with a soft cloth to look EXACTLY like actual metal. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygo9X5cjyQU[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCNNLwdFjn0&feature=relmfu[/youtube]
Posted on: 9/7/2012 4:40 AM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220481

RE: Where is the French CAPs
Edge. Hardcore. I've always gotten the impression that the guys who fly RC Extras, CAPs, and Edges couldn't really care less whether they were "scale aircraft" or not. Most just seem to want a high-adrenalin model to throw around the sky. It would be nice to see an RC version being flown "Red Bull style" though. [:D]
Posted on: 9/6/2012 10:14 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220320

RE: Alclad metalizer laquers
Can anyone who has used these (John?) tell me how long they waited to buff the paint and how delicate it is during the buffing? I found I could lightly buff the metalizer type paints almost as soon as it lost its wet-paint sheen. Almost also wondering whether the Alclad paints are really more resistant than the metalizer paints. Not sure how I'd test that.
Posted on: 9/6/2012 10:09 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220345

RE: scale turnbuckles - is there a need?
[quote]ORIGINAL: TFF Good idea on the aluminum. How much weaker do you think they are? I would bet they are pretty strong still. [/quote] Particularly with the safety wire.
Posted on: 9/6/2012 9:21 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220321

Alclad metalizer laquers
I'm back from my holiday in the US and I brought back three little bottles of Alclad II (metalizer) laquers: Steel, Exhaust Manifold, and Airframe Aluminum. At $8.65 per iodine-size bottle, they certainly aren't cheap but used judiciously with a airbrush, one bottle should be enough for quite a few small parts. I've never used the Alclad laquers before so it's testing time. First here's what it says on the label: Contains: Normal Butanol Methyl Ethyl Ketone Methyl isobutyl Ketone, Toluene Shake thoroughly before use DO NOT THIN SPRAY LIGHT COATS @ 12-15PSI Prime surfaces with ALCLAD GLOSS BLACK BASE Back ALCLAD POLISHED ALUMINUM WITH WATER BASED BLACK or SILVER paint. www.alcald2.com ***** My initial test shows that it eats right through both the black rustoleum type paint (which was fuel-proof) as well as the grey auto primer I've been using. This is what led to the disaster with my first attempt at painting my Benz rhino-horn exhaust with regular metalizer (buffing) paints. So it looks like the second test will be to try to Alclad over (water-based) gloss acrylic.
Posted on: 9/6/2012 9:02 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11220304

RE: Where is the French CAPs
You mean there's a difference? [;)][:D]
Posted on: 9/6/2012 2:54 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11219949

RE: Seidel 7-70 radial: Help me decide!
[quote]ORIGINAL: Mein Duff A recent conversation about them was that they run just great on 95% alcohol and only 5 % oil. [/quote] It's not that they "run great" on 5% oil, it's that since they operate at lower RPMs and the the fuel has to be 99% methonol with no nitro, the engine operates at a much lower temperature so not much oil is needed.
Posted on: 8/30/2012 1:27 PM by Author "abufletcher" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11211821