Having completed my first Reed transmitter [viewtopic.php?f=26&t=276], that created a very real need for a suitable aeroplane to put it in! While I do have one or two models that I could have converted, they are in storage 250km away. What to do?
I routinely check out the 'bargain bin' and clearance items in the HK Australian warehouse. One of my past purchases was a replacement fuselage for the HK Club Trainer 1265mm. This is what the "real" Club Trainer looks like: The fuselage is a moulded foam bottom 1/2 that forms the structural backbone - it includes the firewall, wing saddle & servo mounts, battery bay & mount for the tail feathers. The top is a moulded plastic cover that glues into a rebate on the bottom piece, then has the wing dowels pass through both to tie it all together. For only a few dollars, I got the fuse, push-rods, motor mount, cowling, etc., but no undercarriage. Looking at it, I couldn't see any reason why it couldn't be the genesis of my reeds (re)trainer, especially since I have 'in stock' all the other items I will need to complete it.
I've now started on it, and this is the progress so far:
I was surprised to discover a lump of steel embedded in the fuse behind the firewall - obviously to correct an inherent tail heavy condition with the original design. Since I was using a larger (& stronger) motor, I removed the steel slug:
I've made up new tail feathers approximating the outline of the original, based on pictures on the HK website. After sanding, they'll be covered & decorated with plastic film and/or coloured trim tape.
The original design utilised a plastic motor mount with down thrust moulded into it, sitting against a plastic firewall with side thrust moulded into that, which then sandwiches the foam fuse between another plastic fitting as an anchor plate, the whole lot is then clamped together with 6 long screws.
Unfortunately, this setup is subject to deformation, particularly of the anchor plate. I'm also suspicious of its ability to withstand a heavy landing.
I intend to replace all the plastic bits with a stronger purpose designed timber arrangement that will distribute the load to the fuse sides as well as the nose.
More as construction progresses............
RRT - the Reeds (Re)Trainer
- Wayne_H
- Posts: 811
- Joined: 17 Feb 2018, 05:26
- Location: Temora, NSW. Australia
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RRT - the Reeds (Re)Trainer
Cheers,
Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............
Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............
- Wayne_H
- Posts: 811
- Joined: 17 Feb 2018, 05:26
- Location: Temora, NSW. Australia
- Contact:
Re: RRT - the Reeds (Re)Trainer
A little more progress - Tail feathers sanded & finished with coloured & clear tape.
Before you comment, yes there is a bit of 'circus tent' about the colour scheme . Hey what can I say, I'm a happy guy . The intention is to be able to see it & I think I've achieved that Cheers,
Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............
Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............
- Wayne_H
- Posts: 811
- Joined: 17 Feb 2018, 05:26
- Location: Temora, NSW. Australia
- Contact:
Re: RRT - the Reeds (Re)Trainer
Still making progress slowly:
+ Top of plastic fuselage painted to match cowl
+ rudder & elevator hinged to tail feathers. All now ready for mounting to fuse.
+ wing designed & rib templates made
+ plastic undercarriage mount replaced with ply version
+ new timber firewall made up & epoxied in including locating spacers for the timber motor mount, & internal ply reinforcement added for cowl mounting screws. Looks a bit 'agricultural' (using left-overs from the ply scrap box) but it all fits together very nicely + additional ply reinforcement added behind the firewall (over where the steel slug nose ballast was mounted) to distribute the load + radio install cleaned up We are now packing for our move next week, so not much likely to happen for a few weeks
+ Top of plastic fuselage painted to match cowl
+ rudder & elevator hinged to tail feathers. All now ready for mounting to fuse.
+ wing designed & rib templates made
+ plastic undercarriage mount replaced with ply version
+ new timber firewall made up & epoxied in including locating spacers for the timber motor mount, & internal ply reinforcement added for cowl mounting screws. Looks a bit 'agricultural' (using left-overs from the ply scrap box) but it all fits together very nicely + additional ply reinforcement added behind the firewall (over where the steel slug nose ballast was mounted) to distribute the load + radio install cleaned up We are now packing for our move next week, so not much likely to happen for a few weeks
Cheers,
Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............
Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............
- iflylilplanes
- Posts: 183
- Joined: 13 Mar 2018, 03:26
- Location: Sydney Australia
- Contact: