Topic: J Ranson Beaufighter Build...IC conversion.

Fantastic Dennis, well done, can't wait to see it in the flesh.
Cheers
Danny

Congratulations Dennis - it's brilliant 

She is sooooooooo nice, can I ask, does she have a sister?

Thanks chaps.

A sister Stuey..?..Yes ,
 Whitney ( A W )   ....................with  Laser 80 genes........will they ever be seen out together though ?

Thanks chaps.

A sister Stuey..?..Yes ,
 Whitney ( A W )   ....................with  Laser 80 genes........will they ever be seen out together though ?

Ah yes, the ugly sister!   

Yep, it's half done now.... So will be good to have all those engines up there in formation...

Well done Dennis, super job!  Just keep both fans going and it will be fine. 

John

Great job D.

All worth it in the end. Your face looks a bit stern, must been a week of work, or the day before, never quite know.


Take it you are ready for the next project 

Phil

Stunning job Dennis, the Beaufighter is a great subject and yours is very well done. It'll look even better in the flesh

Ian.

Looks very good Den, (we might make a modeller of you yet  )

Joking aside, it looks from the pictures to be your best yet....just got to see if it flies ok now. Whens the test flight?

Thanks for the comments chaps.

Should fly Ok...which reminds me I didn`t check the C of G on Sunday when I had it together.
There is an excellent vid on you-tube of Johns original electric model, complete with sound system, cannons and all. His performs very well at 18lb, I think.
So, as he said...as long as the fans keep keep turning it should be fine.
I might ask someone who`s hands shake less than mine to test fly it...not sure when but before the spring Warbirds meets if possible. Circuits, figure eights and low passes are about the limits of my ambition for it....preferably with a landing to follow !
It does seem big for two 80FS`s to haul around but there are a couple of similar sized Beaus about using Laser 70`s or 75`s...so we will see.
I understand the risks and consequences of twin engined ic models so I might put the motors in a HP Heyford next !
Looking grumpy on a Sunday afternoon.. .......doesn`t everyone ? ( who isnt retired )


TTFN, D.

 

Another stunning model from you Dennis. Can't wait to see it. Hopefully it will be at the Barkston Warbirds event. Good look with the maiden. If you want to use a runway, let me know .
Cheers Richard.

Hi Dennis,

Look forward to capturing an excellent display from you with the Beaufighter - I thought your flying at BH at Christmas was the best I've seen from you - the old Fiat certainly had a great airing I got some great shots of it - super angles




TTFN,
Neil

Thanks for the photographs and observations Neil....great shots... The sun on the Mediterranean colour scheme seems appropriate and brings the shots to life.
.  I still get very stressed / frightened flying my better models though especially at these events where lots of folk are watching.
I also have to confess that I knew where you were sitting and was flying for the excellent photos that I knew you`d be taking !   Result !
If I get the chance to do the same with the Beau I will fish for more.
It may be vanity but its a great pleasure to see such good shots of ones creations in their natural environment.

Richard....Test flying on an airfield with lots of space would indeed be a better option than my home Club " patch "    . I`ll PM you.

Regards, Dennis.

 Hi Dennis
  stunning / superb work yet again  if  my model building was only 5% as good as your id be happy ,
look foreward to seeing her

  Andy

Hi Andy,
You`r doing youself a disservice there ...you can do it too.

Now ....get some French paint onto that Dewotine...three colour scheme...no red and yellow stripes ....and you`ll have an eyecatching and unusual model.   
Shame you couldn`t make  the Barkers Christmas day bash.
It was a very good event.
See you at the next one.
Regards, Dennis.

Very nice Dennis
Wouldn't mind coming and watching the test flight, let me know.
Richard
P.S. spinners should be made this week.

If you'll going, so am I

Phil

Hi all, my first post here so hope I don't duff it up
Dennis my congratulations on a superb build log- your Beau is absolutely smashing!  I actually have the plan secreted away for a rainy day- after this I may actually get on with it   Building and planking those nacelles seem like the hardest part of the build process...

As an aside, does anybody know whether the model has been designed with a scale airfoil section (RAF 38)?

Regards
Marius

 Hi Marius,
Your post worked well !  Thanks for your kind comments.

In the article John wrote for Flying Scale models, he notes that the flying characteristics are pleasant due to the "close to scale" section he draughted.  So I guess...close to RAF 38.
He may be along in a while to further and more accurately enlighten us / you.
I still haven`t found any reasonably priced  small Offset hinges for the undercarriage doors , so might buy some medium versions from Als.
Also pondering how to mount the switch without intrusion. I should have designed in a hatch I guess.

Regards, Dennis

Hi Dennis

Congratulations on a superb build 

I have been watching this build with interest as I am building a 70in Tony Nijhuis Beaufighter but I did consider this one until the price of the power train put me off.

Have you looked on Giant Cod for your gear door hinges ? I got mine from there

http://www.giantcod.co.uk/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=hatch+hinge&x=0&y=0

 Many thanks M.
Good find...and cheap too....Order sent.

I too have been watching your "Whispering Death" build...nice work...much admired ...with two motors that stop (or don`t ) at the same time...for longevity and insurance !
Keep it up...looking forward to seeing it in paint.
Regards, D.

Hello There:

 Re: Airfoil , My info. form the incomplete airfoil web site lists the
airfoil as a RAF-28 18% at the root and RAF-28 10% at the tip.
 This the section I will be using on the MK-2 currently on the bench

Larry

Denis, who's retracts and wheels did you use,??
I am going your way ... with I.C ,..saitos any tips??
thanks
Barry

Hi Barry,
The Retracts are Century Jet that I ordered via Phil Clark at " Fighteraces ". They retract 110 degrees.
I had them in a previous model and then had them re-engineered  by a chum to be wider in order to fit the 5" wheels needed for the Beau.
I have never run Saitos but you need to be 100% confident in your motors ( If that were possible ! )
My Lasers are the closest I have come to that  ( Excepting the Electric route of course )
Ps.  Still not ventured in the air yet...been tinkering with U/C doors and Radio gear and C of G issues.
I was surprised to find that I needed some extra weight up front.
TTFN, Dennis.

I finally found the time to run up the Laser 80`s  and mechanically balance them. ( They are "Y" leaded to one receiver output , so I adjust the linkages to get them to run at approximately the same rpm.)
Did this by ear tonight but I have or had ordered a Tacho from Als.

After I packed it all away the next door neighbour handed me a small package that he`d signed for in the morning. .!
 I` ll need to make more adjustments later anyway when the cowls and forward facing filler pipework is connected to give slight tank pressure.

Sounded nice but I don`t have a video camera to share the harmonies with you.

Test flight quite close now I think.

TTFN, D

Will you be bringing it to Barkston?   

Yes...if it all works out OK.....

Let me know, I want to be there. 

Just picked up a nice feature mag on the Beau......... from WH Smiths 

Beautiful job Dennis, look forward to seeing it at Barkston
Might bring the Ju52 for a multi slot then!!

Ian.

Nice one Dennis.......roll on 2 1/2 weeks

Phil

Looks brilliant Dennis, really looking forward to seeing it in the air 

Cheers
Danny

Looking good there Den. 

I have forgotten when I last did any building or painting on my models.  Back in the frame soon 

Nigel

Thanks chaps.

Ian....there is a photo in my Chaz Bowyer Beaufighter book of a Beau in the Med attacking a Ju 52 on Floats.
There`s a challenge for you .    ( after the Corsair flaps !.)
 Might not be suitable for Barkers though , Colwick Park perhaps.
TTFN, D.

Toojk the Beaufighter up to Buxton today as the weather was unexpectedly nice.
I intended to run the motors with the cowls on and check them with my Tach with a bit of taxying too perhaps.
However as the wind was in the best possible direction on our patch to give the longest and clearest take off and landing...................... (and it needed testing before Barkston )......................off we went !

Everything went quite well but I`m disappointed and slightly embarassed to say...it needed a whole trim extent of right aerilon.
Looks like I built in some warp or difference of incidence.
In my defence each outboard panel was wing tip jigged onto the centre section still with its building tabs flat on the board, so I don`t know where that came from.  Not the first time either !   I know..I know..buy an incidence meter for the next job.
Still it sat well and behaved well. I was cruising around on half throttle eventually and full flap made no change in trim for landing. Landed on just under half throttle too but the wind was fresh.. Might need a more powerful servo for the tail wheel retract though.
Only sumoned up the courage for one flight today...still in one piece for the next time !
Thanks to Phil for the photos....must buy a camera like Neillys !

TTFN, D.

Nice one Dennis, congrats  looks great in the air.... wonky building board?
Cheers
Danny

looks great in the air....

 ...... and fantastic on the ground.  Another lovely model Dennis.

Alan

Dennis, I am gobsmacked..... That's a beautiful model and am so pleased it flies well. Bet the twin lasers sounded awesome?

Absolutely gorgeous Dennis,..and what a stunning back drop to boot!! Well done Den