Topic: Junkers Ju 52 restoration.

The props on it are Graupner grey 12.5 x 6.  Another thought struck me, the model may be heavier than when it flew in the early 90's since it was painted yellow, then overpainted again back to its splinter scheme and not flown since. The model is so full of character with its original motors etc that I feel it is better to only fly it on perfect days as opposed to changing motors etc for more grunt.

Ian.

I am glad i saw it at the hop ian but cor it made my cheeks twitch and i was not on the sticks mate you are right methinks flat calm days only on that one ! Mickey

The model is so full of character with its original motors etc that I feel it is better to only fly it on perfect days as opposed to changing motors etc for more grunt.

I agree entirely Ian - it would be a great shame to "fiddle" around with it (OK new props will be alright).   Just give it an airing when the conditions are perfect, both location and weather wise.

Does look and sound great though, glad I've seen it in the air

Alan B

Just watched that video clip - great!
Mike

I do not remember it being marginal when i flew it but then i have always been into Rapides, Swordfish and assorted low power ac.

Some modern wood Xore or JXF would certainly make a difference and from my tests are the currently best.

I may bring the DH2 to Osbournby on 18 of this month but wind will have to be just rite otherwise it may be the Victa Airtourer.

what more could you need ian....

[ebay]180407046454[/ebay]

Had a great day at Barkston with the Ju, it performed flawlessly in the strong crosswinds. After experimenting with props, it now has APC 12" x 7" which has transformed the performance, climbing out well and cruising at 1/3 power. I've also replaced the wing servos with Futaba and Hitec which has sorted a power drain problem it had, where the 3700 mah NiMh would be at 70% after about 3 flights. Changed the throttle set up too, separating the inner and centre throttle trims so I can cut the outers if required or land with the centre at higher revs. It was great to fly in lose with Philberts Bf109E

Ian.

I was lucky enough to see this model on mon chaps,albeit in it's transportation mode,and it is awesome,Mr Neate certainly must have been a talented guy and I can only dribble at what Stueys Moth must look like,one day,one day maybe
That video was nice Ian and sounded lovely
John

Great vid and love the pic of the Ju and escorting BF109 

Great vid and love the pic of the Ju and escorting BF109 

Cheers Winchweight, same bloke ( Philbert121) was top cover last weekend too

Ian.

More fame for the old girl

Out soon!! Autographs will be available at very little cost

Ian.

More fame for the old girl

Out soon!! Autographs will be available at very little cost

Ian.

He's probably got your name wrong anyway... 

 So....Tante Ju has learned to sign her name then ? 

So....Tante Ju has learned to sign her name then ? 

I'm just the manager!!

Hi Ian,  Lovely model!  I really enjoyed seeing that at Osbournby last year.

In the dim and distant days when I did I/C, I had that OS engine and the crank and cam bearings would gum up and wear badly after a year or so.  Have you checked inside your motors?   Just wondering whether that may be dropping the rpm a bit.  It was a fairly simple job to replace all five races as the bearings were stock items at the local bearing suppliers.

John

Hi Ian,  Lovely model!  I really enjoyed seeing that at Osbournby last year.

In the dim and distant days when I did I/C, I had that OS engine and the crank and cam bearings would gum up and wear badly after a year or so.  Have you checked inside your motors?   Just wondering whether that may be dropping the rpm a bit.  It was a fairly simple job to replace all five races as the bearings were stock items at the local bearing suppliers.

John

Thanks John, Osbournby certainly was a good day

Re. the motors, I am in the process of changing the bearings in all 5 (2 spare) motors at the moment since one does now feel a bit on the loose side. I did strip and flush the three initially and they seemed to be in good order once the goo had been removed. The engine mounts need a bit more attention too. They are folded and soldered sheet mild steel jobbies. One of them needed silver soldering before my first flight since it had fatigued and cracked. Another now has a crack in it so now is the ideal chance to either silver solder all three or make replacements to the same design.

Ian.

The old Ju was taken to an RAF Families Day at an RAF Station I now cannot remember last week, where the model suffered its first (with me) engine out situation. It was in a fairly ideal place in the sky, but had too much height and not enough forward space to simply land ahead. It had to circuit. It was the port motor that had given up but luckily the only option open to me was a right hand circuit which was fairly uneventful apart from the realisation that it wouldn't even vaguely maintain height due to the drag of the crab like attitude it had to fly at!!

The motor problem was in the timing, this is arrived at using a two piece gearwheel. These parts are keyed together and it was this key that had failed. Spare engines robbed and the motor reassembled and test run, then up to Ashbourne this evening for a test flight before the 52 is packed away for a trip back to a German club that it flew at back in 1985, stickers in Peters trailer to prove it. I even have a copy of the German rule book for scale comps where Peter has re written in English what the manouvres are. Not that it does any of them!!

Anyhoo, here is a couple of pics of the old girl back in its natural element. Cheers Mr Magoo:af

Ian

Well done on a safe landing, it's marginal on power with all motors running!  I can't think of anyone better to be the custodian of Peters creation you give it love and respect and in doing so a fine tribute to Peter

 

Pheeew..must have been bycyle clips time then .....thankfully a safe landing and engine repaired for next flight....always nice to see a fantastic old model that has been restored being looked after in memory of the original owner.

Would love to see it flying down in the south West ...(the south west extends a lot further than Bristol )

Regards  Deadwood

found these when I was looking for some other photos...

Is that a Gardan Minicab (GY21) in the background Mr Sheep?
Used to have a quarter share in a fullsize one.

'Tis indeed, it was Peters 'hack' model. It has an OS flat twin in it too. Peter's son John is going to get it flying again

Ian.

for those of you out there that remember peter and this plane, the circle was completed last week when i accompanied Ian to Germany and he took auntie back to the site where it flew in 1982, and to say it was received well was an understatement, people of all ages were fascinated, one gentleman came to tell us that hew first flew in a JU52 in 1945 at the age of 7 he then went on to be a commercial pilot in later life. video,s were taken and when edited will be posted, so watch out.

  Chris

Question for you Ian.

How did Peter replicate the corrugated finish?

I assume it's a built up wing and fus, covered with Litho. Was this pressed between formers before attaching? And the compound curves must have been interesting, The leading edge for example as you have corrugations along the chord, but curved over the rib too!

IIRC Ian said Peter made up a set of rollers to get the corrugations.

Peter described to me how he did it.

Take block of wood.
Make a grove in it of the desired dimension for the corrugation.
Make another grove next to it at the desired spacing.

Anneal some litho plate. About 50% bigger than the finished panel in width.

Work it down into the first grove.  May require re-annealing part way through.
Move the first finished grove over into the second groove in the wood block.  Keeps the exact spacing.
Make a second grove by rubbing down into the first wood grove.

Think about that for a moment; a lot simpler that i make it sound.

If the panel was intended for a wing L/E the wood block would be Cut to near the L/E curve.

A JU52 has several sizes of corrugations.

Most of the panels overlap so the closing pinch is only on the back.

 The closing pinch could be carved into the wood grove.

Pete used industrial Evo-Stic, Now i think we would use Gorilla Glue or similar as the expansion would fill the corrugations and improve the ding resistance.

Although it sounds a lot of work you are left with a surface that only needs painting.

Just been notified of this video that you might like. 
It has a vague relevance to this thread even if it's a bit slow starting (jump to ~ 1m:55s if bored) .....

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmEoVbnmWrM" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmEoVbnmWrM</a>

Alan

I remember going to Duxford when I was a tiny lad and seeing the Ju52 outside thinking why have a mock up of an aeroplane rather than a real one and why make it from corrugated iron 

Here`s another Ju 52 Youtube Vid that may be of passing interest.

Worlds Largest Ju 52 RC model plane

Fifteen Moki cylinders at work !

Landing a bit heavy....though I could have got more bounces !   

Fifteen Moki cylinders at work !

Wow!  What a sound.    It looks like the aircraft was "adequately powered"

Alan