Author Topic: rcfanuk's Willis Warbird's Typhoon Build (ex Stueysheep's) (Read 34402 times)

steamysheep · « **on:** May 09, 2011, 19:31:05 PM »

Was kind of taken with the WillisWarird's Tiffy when I saw two in action at Barkston Warbirds in April.

Just the right size, looks fantastic in the air and looked a peach on the approach and landing.... There was a display kit on hand which impressed me with quality, completeness and practicality to build. Chris exuded confidence in his kit and displayed all the parts and assembly techniques with great enthusiasm.

I also had a 62cc Greenley hanging around which had all the engine and radio that would suit the Tiffy very well

Decision made I needed a big warbird so much so I went out and sold 3 vintage planes, my YT P38, my 1/4 scale Camel, the bare Greenley airframe and my cherished Chilton DW1a. This freed up too much fundage so I bought a Chester Jeep too (that's another story!) but I needed to clear out the garage and my "mind" to make room spacially and emotionally for the build...

After a brief foray into other options (Ziroli T'Bolt, Dave Anderson Ta152, Don Smth bf110, Brewster Buffalo, etc) and listening to some sound advice from good fellows (you know who you are....) I plumped for the Typhoon...

So, a trip to Essex yesterday bore these fruits......

I was gobsmacked to see a personalised Instruction Manual.... And extensive wing and fuselage instructions and an infomation pack with rivet/panel detail and colour scheme too

More pictures of what I got to follow....

steamysheep · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2011, 19:34:43 PM »

Here are the top quality cowl spinner and "car door" canopy moulding, and 12 cast exhaust stacks....

Mudders · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:04:04 PM »

YAY

Pass the popcorn.....

Mud

NSS · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:05:12 PM »

Subscribed.

And so the "Floh" bites the dust...

steamysheep · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:19:14 PM »

Foam stab, elevators and fin...

steamysheep · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:20:42 PM »

Quote from: NSS on May 09, 2011, 20:05:12 PM

Subscribed.

And so the "Floh" bites the dust...

For the time being.... I will do it one day, have all he wood ready, and the plans, and the ribs...

steamysheep · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:23:41 PM »

The kit includes all thewood too. And very neatly cut and labelled.. I like that

So many pieces here I had to take two pictures to get them all in!

steamysheep · « **Reply #7 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:25:57 PM »

Same again here, two pictures.. Showing wing tips, wing fairings and tail post/rudder post

steamysheep · « **Reply #8 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:27:26 PM »

Enter the fuselage formers....

steamysheep · « **Reply #9 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:28:55 PM »

Fuselage doubler and wing ribs

steamysheep · « **Reply #10 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:31:20 PM »

All the sheeting and sheet parts too in these copious bundles

steamysheep · « **Reply #11 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:38:49 PM »

And finally the foam wings. These come in four parts to cater for the anhedral centre section and the dihedral outer sections. Once spar'ed and glued together will form an inverted gulwing shape. Note the thick section that made the full size so successful and low level and a stable weaopns platorm. And no doubt helps produce those wonderfull landings that Bonzey and Chris Willis manage topull off....

The leading edges of the centre section effectively sandwich the main centre spar into postion

Well marked too to show the cutouts and where to saw through to position the wing ribs

Mudders · « **Reply #12 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:42:21 PM »

It looks very comprehensive Stu, Chris has certainly gone the extra mile to ensure a quick easy build. I look forward to the first drops of glue being placed.

What bit will you start with?

Muds

Charlie C · « **Reply #13 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:45:40 PM »

Is it finished yet

CC

steamysheep · « **Reply #14 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:47:55 PM »

Yes, i am stunned at the lengths Chris has gone to, it really is comprehensive and a credit to the industry.

Will start on the fuselage by gluing up the sides to get the length and for doublers too, then once the firewall and F3 are added they can be boxed up and the tailpost added.No plans required for the whole build....

Once I have the Chester Jeep's Zenoah 45 running I will start on this....

Vease · « **Reply #15 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:49:26 PM »

I think a full build thread on one of these is something a LOT of people have been waiting for.

The kit looks superb Chris. Get the latest logo on those instruction sheets though

alanh · « **Reply #16 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:57:15 PM »

I'm wondering if a set of Robart AT6 retracts I have kicking around would fit in one of these .I fancy a Tiffy , but am put off by the cost of the U/C (tight northern git) Could you please post pics of your U/C installation when you get round to it
PS Was the pilot in the Camel modeled on old man Steptow (dirty old man)

Alan

steamysheep · « **Reply #17 on:** May 09, 2011, 20:59:15 PM »

Quote from: alanh on May 09, 2011, 20:57:15 PM

I'm wondering if a set of Robart AT6 retracts I have kicking around would fit in one of these .I fancy a Tiffy , but am put off by the cost of the U/C (tight northern git) Could you please post pics of your U/C installation when you get round to it
PS Was the pilot in the Camel modeled on old man Steptow (dirty old man)

Alan

Steptoe, brilliant!

The u/c was another reason forthe choice as the complete installation is very reasonable...Details to follow, reminds me I have toorder that...

Patriot · « **Reply #18 on:** May 09, 2011, 21:46:18 PM »

Not finished it yet oh sheepish one, you got it at the weekend

Greg_S · « **Reply #19 on:** May 09, 2011, 22:07:45 PM »

Subscribed!!

Looking forward to seeing her going together Stuey. Spotted your new Jeep at Rougham parked by Mudders trailer(I recognised it from his build thread!!), VERY nice, you're a lucky boy!!

Greg.

Kit Willis · « **Reply #20 on:** May 09, 2011, 22:14:25 PM »

Enjoy your build Stu i will be watching in the wings

Kit Willis · « **Reply #21 on:** May 09, 2011, 22:47:28 PM »

Quote from: Vease on May 09, 2011, 20:49:26 PM

The kit looks superb Chris. Get the latest logo on those instruction sheets though

Thanks Gregg will send that logo to my Secretary

Steve Mitchell · « **Reply #22 on:** May 09, 2011, 22:52:59 PM »

Excellent choice Mr Sheep......Must admit having seen Chris and Ken fly theirs I have been tempted too!!

S

Vease · « **Reply #23 on:** May 09, 2011, 23:01:51 PM »

tempted....TEMPTED!!! If I didn't have 2 others on the board I'd be building one now!

Bonzey · « **Reply #24 on:** May 09, 2011, 23:35:55 PM »

Enjoy Stu.

Paul, why not tell him to get his finger out!

Bonzey

Patriot · « **Reply #25 on:** May 10, 2011, 07:04:57 AM »

Quote

Paul, why not tell him to get his finger out!

Thanks Ken lol

steamysheep · « **Reply #26 on:** May 10, 2011, 20:35:21 PM »

Forgot to show this in yesterday's pictures, this is the wing centre section spar that gets sandwiched in the foam cores...

whilst waiting for my dinner I wondered out to the garage to have another look and noticed this, well as the command "start here" was so clear I could not resist and go along!

Peeling back the "start here" revealed the laser cut parts for the fus sides... Ignore the pieces top right as they are parts of the tail

steamysheep · « **Reply #27 on:** May 10, 2011, 20:45:47 PM »

And then out comes the glue. This shows the three parts that make up each side, just butt up, pin and glue.Basically this is the side from the wing c of g (approx) back to the sternpost

And the balsa parts that make up the forward fuselage to the firewall, the top has the parts butt joined and the lower the thre parts.

And two more pieces glue together tomake another section of the fuselage, it will become clear later how these join together

steamysheep · « **Reply #28 on:** May 10, 2011, 20:50:46 PM »

The front sections made up earlier are faced with ply epoxied on. The ply is just shorter than the balsa to leave a ledge to stick to a former later (I think!)

Both (handed) sides have been glued and left to dry, I will cary on tomorow....

NSS · « **Reply #29 on:** May 11, 2011, 07:49:12 AM »

I see the "Binham Boat" is making an appearance. Will it be passed on at Winterton this year?

Mudders · « **Reply #30 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:08:29 AM »

Quote from: NSS on May 11, 2011, 07:49:12 AM

I see the "Binham Boat" is making an appearance. Will it be passed on at Winterton this year?

He'll sling it out the window on the way past

Wiz · « **Reply #31 on:** May 11, 2011, 11:12:19 AM »

You mean the "Winterton Whaler"?

Stuey you git! I was hoping to have mine by now but a rather unexpected bill from HMRC has put paid to that for a couple of months. Anyway, I'll wait for you to make the mistakes first Stuey

Subscribed.

steamysheep · « **Reply #32 on:** May 11, 2011, 12:42:12 PM »

Quote from: Wiz on May 11, 2011, 11:12:19 AM

You mean the "Winterton Whaler"?

Stuey you git! I was hoping to have mine by now but a rather unexpected bill from HMRC has put paid to that for a couple of months. Anyway, I'll wait for you to make the mistakes first Stuey Subscribed.

Guily as charged.

PS, this is not the Winterton Whaler, that's another boat...

Unitract are quoting there's probably a 3 month wait for retracts so I advise you order your retracts now..

Walts · « **Reply #33 on:** May 11, 2011, 18:55:36 PM »

This is going to be good

I love the Typhoon, and would love to build a bigger one one day. This kit looks really well presented too. Keep it coming Stuey,....I'm already waiting for the next bit to get glued

Wiz · « **Reply #34 on:** May 11, 2011, 19:10:21 PM »

Have you chosen the subject yet Stuey?

pylon² · « **Reply #35 on:** May 11, 2011, 19:26:36 PM »

What a fantastic and comprehensive kit!! I am very impressed Mr Willis.

Well done Stuey, we may see it at the osbournby fly-in

Richard.

steamysheep · « **Reply #36 on:** May 11, 2011, 19:32:45 PM »

Quote from: Wiz on May 11, 2011, 19:10:21 PM

Have you chosen the subject yet Stuey?

This is a difficult one as most of them look the same. It will be a car door as (like the P47) the bubble top doesn't look as mean and nasty.

I had lined up the captured one in German markings but feel that I am letting down the allies here. It should be British...

I quite like the Exercise Spartan with the port wing underneath blacked over and the stripe on each side of the cowl.

Also the interim recognition scheme with the white nose.....

And also the night fighter version which did see combat.....

Any suggestions Wiz? I guess there is one you don't want me to do

steamysheep · « **Reply #37 on:** May 11, 2011, 19:33:40 PM »

Quote from: Walts on May 11, 2011, 18:55:36 PM

This is going to be good I love the Typhoon, and would love to build a bigger one one day. This kit looks really well presented too. Keep it coming Stuey,....I'm already waiting for the next bit to get glued

Am on my way right now.....

steamysheep · « **Reply #38 on:** May 11, 2011, 19:35:33 PM »

Quote from: pylon on May 11, 2011, 19:26:36 PM

What a fantastic and comprehensive kit!! I am very impressed Mr Willis.
Well done Stuey, we may see it at the osbournby fly-in
Richard.

er yes... In 2012 .

This is your fault anyway Richard, if you weren't so friendly and accommodating I wouldn't have come to Barkston Heath in April and wouldn't have bumped Mr. Willis

Pup Cam · « **Reply #39 on:** May 11, 2011, 19:39:19 PM »

Quote from: stueysheep on May 11, 2011, 19:35:33 PM

er yes... In 2012 .

That will be alongside my Triplane then!

Alan

Author Topic: rcfanuk's Willis Warbird's Typhoon Build (ex Stueysheep's) (Read 34402 times)

RCMF Team