J3 Kitten

[MAXX-n around]

I have decided to take on a new challange by building a kit plane. I am building the J3 Kitten, Thanks to the Click Trips I printed the Full Size Plans.

I started Last night building the frist section of the Fuselage which i used elemers wood glue to put togather. I decided to start building the ribs and I suck at cuting out ribs. I went through a half a sheet of balsa :mad: .

wondering if i could get some advise on how to cut ribs or something to help me out along the way. Do you guys use scroll saw or do it by hand. Right now by hand because i Have really have no idea on how to build a rib.
Please Help so I can give a Flight Report. Thanks

[aeropal]

How to Make a Set of Constant Chord Ribs (http://airfieldmodels.com/information_source/how_to_articles_for_model_builders/construction/constant_chord_ribs/index.htm)

[MAXX-n around]

WOW!! This will help me out a bunch. Thanks A LOT! Any other tips are Welcome!

[flyinhigh]

Maxx ,The best of luck to you! Not many like to build "kits" these days,and here you are Building from plans!!! Its not that hard.The hardest part is getting all the peices to the correct size and shape..Then a big grin comes about when they all fit together nicely :D
I use a scroll saw for just about everything,especially ply parts. Do you have one? after your first build ( I take it this is your first?) things get much easier..
If you can please post some pics of your build progress for us..

Mike,

[flyinhigh]

Ohhh Yeah I suggest cutting around a template,Like the article says.Takes a little longer ,but I often find it dificult to stack the blanks and get them to not slide around .I often use a glue stick for this but it will leave a residue you will have to rub off..I never had a problem with the bade bending though,cut them a lil oversize and move to a vise for sanding down to size.
You may run into not having your knife straight up and down too ,make sure it is straight up and down when cutting around a template !! I had a link to Sig for cutting tips I will have to hunt for it and post up ..

[MAXX-n around]

I will need to pick up a vise because sanding by hand makes it a challange. Sorru guys but i dont have a digi cam but i will pick up a disposiabl one then have them put the pics on a disk. As for the scroll saw, no i dont have one i have been looking at them but they can get spendy.

The project is going along alright i just started on the ribs, so far i have i set of ribs for the right side wing. Now i am using a slightly larger size of balsa because i want it to be some what tough. I am NOT using that same size of balsa all the way around. Should i be using a combanation of CA gule and Elemers wood. Yes this is my frist build and it wont be the last. I do think by building the plane is better because you get a set of plans, so when you crash you can rebuild for almost half the price of the kit because balsa is so cheap. I do find it amazing how far $3.00s of balsa can go. Also can anyone recomend a good 4-channel radio. Thanks everybody. Tips are Welcome

[aeropal]

Hitec Laser 4 (http://www.servocity.com/html/4-ch_laser_4_fm_systems.html) - Scroll Saw (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=41889) - Scrollsander (http://www.scrollsander.com/Scroll-Planes.htm#Templates)

[MAXX-n around]

I didnt know you could do that with a scroll saw. sweet! Thanks Aeropal

[flyinhigh]

Hey I had to dig deep into my archives for this link lol
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/sssrcsoaring/Articles-tips/Balsa.htm
Also look into getting a Master airscrew balsa stripper .Its cheap and will save you lots on sticks.

Yeah you can find a scroll saw for cheap (well kinda) I got my Delta at Lows for 99$ If you plan on doing alot of Scratch build its worth it in the time you will save.

No prob on the Digi :) I hope the kitting of the plane is coming along nicely.

Mike,

[MAXX-n around]

Thanks for all of the info guys i have come along way with this project because of you guys helped me. Frist the bad news.

The bad news is that my mom knocked over my wing and steped on it so the project has been delayed til tomorrow.
GOOD NEWS

Good news Christmas Break Starts Tomorrow so I will have 3 week to work and test fly the plane. What kinda of motor , prop, etc, should i use. When I see 8x11 prop i have no clue what that means could somebody explain. Thanks Everybody! Tips always Welcome!

[flyinhigh]

whoa!! sorry to hear about that :( Im scared to look at it,I may end up building one myself..You say its in click trip? I take it the plans are free? ok Ill go check it out.

8 would be the size,and 11 would be the pitch of the prop.

[MAXX-n around]

Yes it is in Click Trip in the Backyard Flyer Mag area. You will need adobe for the plans. When you print the plans make sure you save the plans just in case. When you print out the Full Size plans it will come out of your printer tiled with 8 pages, from there glue them togather and you will end up with a two sheet plan, FOR FREE. :)

I am using a slightly bigger balsa on the fuse because i am still some what a noob. Would you use tissu paper or the covering when it comes time. If you Do start to build the Kitten let me know how its going.

[flyinhigh]

I built that AT-6 a couple years back.I still havnt flown it due to a CG problem.

I have a couple other projects to get done,I do like the plane and will download the plans.

I hope someone will chime in on the power setup,The motor they speak of is not on Todds Models site and the servo's are on the pricey side.Im not too familiar with the micro stuff.Just try to keep things light,you want to have the lightest wingloading possible for this one.

[flyinhigh]

well I have some litespan covering laying around waiting for a plane so I would use it :D

[miraclesailor]

MAXX-n around:

I applaud you for making your own plane!

First rule is keep it light.

Regarding making the ribs: I have made them a lot of ways but my favorite for cutting them out takes a bit of work. I use an old hacksaw blade and make a template from that using a grinder. After polishing the edges with some fine sandpaper an Xacto blade will slide nicely while cutting the wood. Just put the template down on the wood in the direction of the grain and cut. If you want to use something more supple, Formica is a good way to go.

I would then line all the ribs up and use pushpins to go all the way through all of them sideways. Using a sanding block you can assure that all of them are exactly the same. It will not take much time.

If you would like to cut grooves for spars it is a good time to make them while the ribs are all pinned. This will keep them all exactly even. Take an Xacto sawblade and cut the grooves in the ribs to the size of the wood you will be inserting in them.

You could cover the model with UltraCote Lite. I really like this coating as it is easy to apply for being so thin.

For Servos and Reciver: If you are considering spending some money on this I would look at using the Cirrus Micro Joule Receiver and ESC with Falcon Servos. Servos are about $60 each, though at 1.7 gms, so light.

Power plant for the plane: Stay with 2-135 mAh LiPolys for batteries. Motor-wise I would look at using GWS

Later,
Dan

[miraclesailor]

I tried to attach a graphic file of the motors to the last post. I will try it again here.

Well it is not letting me do it so I will tell you that the motor is a:
GWS LPS/B2C-A with an EP 5043 prop or
GWS LPS/B2C-B with an EP 6050 prop

[Dave Robelen]

Hi Maxx,
A useful source for small motors and drive components is Cloud 9 R/C. You can find the listing in the advertisers index at www.rcmicroflight.com There are several choices in very small standard servos at www. balsapr.com Take a look at the Bluebird line, and the HES choices. The prices are pretty reasonable, and they work really well. As for a receiver, I get a lot of good use from the GWS R4P, (balsapr again) and the price is pretty reasonable. The same with the smallest GWS ESC, it is one of the least expensive, and very light, but still does a fine job. You will need to pay attention to when the battery starts fading and shutoff the motor, those Li-Poly cells will self destruct with too low of a discharge. Finally, check Bob Selmans site www.bsdmicrorc.com/ for a lot of choices in micro gear. A great guy with very good service.
Regards, Dave

[MAXX-n around]

Sorry Guys,
The project has been delayed because of a thing i call "WORK".

More bad news

I runied my set of plans with CA glue, so i had to put onther set togather.

Good News is my lhs is going to help me with a good deal on a radio and all that good stuff. Thanks for all of the info Guys.

BTW, Dave R. I admire your work!

[flyinhigh]

Ok Maxx were you at ? Post up :) I know you have this week off lol have you been working on the Kitten?

[MAXX-n around]

No, my parents surprised me with a glow J3 cub with a wing span of 76.5 inches. I am almost done with that. Back to the kitten, i have finished the ribs for the wing and the tail section. I will do some work on it tonight because the epoxy can take some time to cure. Sorry but building the kit has given me some ideas on how i should mount the wing, landing gear,etc.

Plus the kitten electroncs are spendy might be a while before it flys but i might be able to convince my dad to loan me a few bucks. :) See you next year

[MAXX-n around]

Well, I have'nt posted in a while i thought i might get everybody back up to date. I have Finished the plane. The plane turned out great. Except for one little thing. I gave the plane away to my dads friends boy. He really likes airplanes and loved the Kitten. So I Hooked up a rubber band in the back of the fuse and put the prop on.
Covering: I covered the kitten with all white tissu. Then put some candy red and metallic purple. I looked Great.

When I drove to there place to give him the plane I had to get some wheels. I went to the boys house and told him i had a surprise for him Then I pulled the Kitten out of a box and showed him the kitten. I knew for a fact that he wanted to fly in right away. The problem that it was dark out, then i remembered that I had some flood lights in the back of the truck. I set up the lights and showed him how to twist the prop and then gently throw the plane. I could tell the plane was ment to fly slow. The plane also seemed vary stable in the air. after the prop stoped spinning the kitten just glided, I was so amaized on how well the plane performed.
This plane was easliy flown in a ball feild. Which the plane always made it to the fence line or past.

I did this because I would like to see him get started in this hobby. When hes over at my families house he always wants to see the planes and trucks. I kept the plans so i Could start over and make a few mods. I would still recomend this plane to anyone who wants a good, small, flyer.

[468/f]

MAXX-n around,

I would just love to see what you are doing!! I do a little building from plans and need to see the plans of the J3 Kitten. Sonds neat. You are getting some good advice and that will help. Sorry about the parts being crushed. It will happen again sometime, so just get back to it and fix or rebuild the parts.

The best advice I could give you is to have lots of blades to fit your Xacto.

Good Luck,

Roger

PS Is there a link to the plans? RC

[MAXX-n around]

468/f
Thanks for the kind words. For the plans for the kitten you need to go to the Back Yard Flyer Home page and click on CLICK TRIPS. There is an article on the kitten and a free set of plans. the cool part is that if you ruin one set you can print another. BTW Elmers Wood Glue works the best to me and yes a lot of blades. Happy days! :)

[468/f]

Maxx,

Thanks for the tip on the site location. I did some looking around but didn't find this location. Thanks for posting it.

Anything new being built?

Thanks,

Roger

[MAXX-n around]

I have been building a Glow .40 Great planes SUper Cub Which is my favrite airplane. But the funds are low right now. Have to get a thrid job. JK

Are you sure you cant find it. Remember its in CLick Trips in the Back Yard Flyer mag Homepage. Happy Days :)

[miraclesailor]

here http://www.rcmicroflight.com/mar03/j3kitten.asp