Topic: Morane Saulnier A1 build 1/4 scale

Wing becoming one piece as the glue sets...

We have a wing, and no space left to store it...

 NOW....that's what I call dedicated, sharing the bedroom with your plane . Lookin good though.

                                                                                                               Pat

That's the spare room - don't think wifey is too impressed that I have encroached into it- I may end up sleeping in there if don't get the model finished and moved out pretty quick!

 Believe me ...........been there done that,, even had to sleep in it.
 Knocked a door from the basement into the garage, now thats the shop. Its only 10 X 12 but it sure is better than the alternative. LOL

                                                                 Pat

The undercarriage finally returned from the brazier - Thought I would check that it fits -it does. Sorry about the mess!

 BOY....put a wing on it and you've got a plane. Did a really nice job on the LG, and the metal work looks great.

This little lot took me all day - Made up the centre metal wing mounting brackets, central struts and a jig to align it all. The glue is setting now. When they are shaped and attached to the wing I will be able to true everything up and then make the additional bracing struts and brackets.

That stuff looks good. And looks accurate. Always a great idea to JIG up.

Struts trial fitted, now I find that the spacing for the wing attachment bolts is wider on the 'plane than on the wing by 10 mm each side  Since both spacings are fixed I will have to make up some sort of stepped brackets. The plans are full of little details like this to catch the unwary!

 Well, I gotta tell ya, you do seem to have an eye for catching this stuff. That looks good! This is exactly why I'm building smaller stuff right now. Have got to learn to watch for this stuff. Keep it coming this is really getting interesting.


                                                                                                 Pat

After sleeping on it I came up with an answer - I have splayed the struts out a little, then made up fishplates to bring the wing mounting bolts/holes back into alignment. This method will allow a bit of wiggle room to align the wing easily before everything is fixed in position. The wing can at last, sit where it is supposed to...

 EXCELLENT ! Really taking shape, not long for paint now.

                                                                                         Pat

Bottom strut mountings made up and fitted...

Top fittings er, fit...

U/c all brazed up, axle fitted to u/c, u/c fitted to model....

Hi

 I had my laptop on the kitchen table while I was looking at your pics,  my wife was looking over my shoulder. Even she thinks it looks great.  One thing I've learned in 36 yrs. IF SHE SAYS ITS SO..............ITS SO.!.. LOL.
                         WELL DONE!!

                                                                                             Pat

Done a bit more work, no flying today as the weather is lousy.

More struts made, they still need shaping...

Cowl cut to fit engine...

Bellypan cut to fit rear u/c legs...

Interesting clevis/fork pins. Where do you obtain those?

The clevises are made by Protech, my supplier is Modellers World
http://www.modellers-world.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1417

Thanks for the link.

The owner came round to have a look today, we put the guns on and had a blast of the engine. He seems well pleased...

Hi fellas I'm Mike the owner i thought it was about time i made an appearance, i think by the look on my mug you can see that I'm pleased with progress, i will say though the photo's don't do this project justice it does look fantastic and the size itself hits you when the wing is on. both Mick and I are looking forward to maidening it, apart from supplying the wheels, guns engine and a few electrics i haven't really got the skills to add much more to the build so all credit to Mick for putting so much effort and time into it, it's also good to see he has captured the interest from others it makes it all the more worth while having your efforts appreciated by fellow enthusiasts

HI Mike

 Mick has done an absolutely outstanding job, as you know. I would be proud to own anything he had built. He has also done a great build thread that will be so helpful to anyone building a MS A1 in any scale. Can't wait to see the paint job. Thanks to both of you .

                                                                       Pat

Struts, struts and even more struts. Main struts completed. All I have to do now structurally is to make up the six more interconnecting struts and brackets! How I love struts 

what a stunning model really enjoyed the build thread ...must see photos when painted

The wing attachment is getting noticeably stronger now...

  INCREDIBLE !

Engine run 2

Morane Saulnier A1.wmv

Looks and sounds great. Even unpainted it looks good. Can't wait to see in flight video.

                                                           Thanks Pat

The last two struts are under way...

All struts fitted now, thank goodness,. I think the wire struts will have to become wooden ones though for the right look. This thing is built like a bridge! Next job will be shaping the struts into an aerodynamic sort of section. Then the C of G and some detailing whilst it snows...

Looks as strong as a bridge as well. Gonna look great once the struts are shaped. I like how you slotted the struts to take the brackets. Should be REAL strong!

                                                                                                 Pat

Just four nuts and 10 clips to undo and the wing slides off easily...

 THAT'S cool, well thought out. What are you going to attach the rigging lines with?

I haven't given the rigging lines a lot of thought yet - I will probably install them after the maiden and the paint job.
I made up alloy plates on the tail, but it was a lot of work and looks a bit too hefty. I might just make up some wire hooks and glue them into small holes. The rigging wire is purely for decoration on this model so the attachments doesn't have to be that strong.
I will be using braided Kevlar fishing line as on the tail and pull/pulls.
Tiposx

 Hi

 I cut the loop end off of fish hooks, leaving a good amount of shaft for glue. You can get just about any size for any scale with them. Super strong as well.

                                                                     Pat

Hi Pat that is a really good idea - simple, strong and effective, thanks. I am using fishing swivels, clips and line already so that seems appropriate somehow!

Regards
Tiposx

Happy I could help

                        Pat

Cut the cowl a bit more with scale cooling holes...

Made a platform for the noseweight - I reckon about 1 3/4 lbs will be needed..

And have started looking for a nicely shaped section on the struts. I don't think the plan looks that accurate compared to photos of the real Saulniers. In the end I will go with what the owner wants...

This photo shows the secftion better...