Swappable FW-190

44" Swappable FW-190

I origenally wanted to hold off on this article untill the test model was completed. However my boy's have given me two new grandaughter's this year, and I'm about to go visit them. My oldest son is in the Navy assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln in Norfolk Va. and My youngest son has become a rancher in Camp Verde Az. I'm extremely proud of both of them, and this takes priority in my bucket list. So.... Unfortunately, I'm going to have to put this one on hold for another two weeks.

I've recently created a Facebook page for Beyond the Wheel RC, and I've already started a construction moduel on the FW-190. I will be able to share more updated info on what I'm up to there. Feel free to drop by! The weather here is not cooperating with me at all, so I've been focusing on design, and development of new aircraft. It appeares as though I've created two standard size aircraft, and hope to be able to give you a balance of Axis, and Alied aircraft in both sizes. About 1:10th scale, and 1:12th scale. I should however be able to branch off on aircraft other than warbirds also, because I love to be creative. Speaking of which, if your wife owns a Swiffer Wet Jet. You may want to save that next empty bottle of cleaner. Hint Hint!

The FW-190 was created in answer to the Perfect Storm. These aircraft are all done in about 1:10th scale.Not precisely, but close. It's becoming quite a challenging and gratuitive project, because I've focused on making it more scale like as you can see from the drawing I've posted below. I've added bulkheads that are covered with poster board to give it the more rounded look of the actual aircraft.

I've also used the advice of Pintokitkat to creat see through canopies using lamanate pouches. $19.00 for the laminator at Wal Mart, and  100 pouches from Lamination Depot.com for $15.95. Allot better than Wall Marts $12.95 for ten. I'm also experimenting with a more curved camber in the leading edge by removing the paper from the inside of the upper surface, and rolling it under a section of PVC pipe or similar object for a smother look from the main spar to the leading edge. I'm also adding a landing gear option to all of my designs. I've completed all except the Excelsior so far. As you can see from the images above and below. I'm now able to offer my plans in tiled, and full size PDF also.

I'm trying to keep construction as simple as possable yet create aircraft that look as much like the real ones as possable. Here is the standard Fw-190 box frame,and the tail wheel unit being installed.

The bulkheads are added to support the poster board skin.

I've added a dash for those who want to take advantage of the clear canopy.

Wrapping the skin is fully explained in the instructions, but it's as simple as I could make it. Using a BBQ Scure and the front wing hold down hole in the box frame to line up the cowling. After the skin is applied the scure is then pushed all the way through to align the two holes in the skin

The same process is used to add the section from te cowling to the aft portion of the cocpit using the the pod mounting hole, but the rudder, and stabalizer servos must be mounted first.

Using a steel ruler to press the skin against F-3 to create the exhaust port exit aft of the cowling

Starting to look pretty decent at this point! Ready to add the tail, and turtle deck

The fin, stabilizer, and F-7 are assembled as a unit, and then mounted to the fuselage.

The nose ring is carved from 1" Owens Corning Pink Foamular. I will be using it more extensively in future designs.It's very easy to work with.

The canopy was very easy to design. I've been designing card stock models and canopies in flat pattern for some years now, and this canopy was by far, the easiest! Here's an example:

The BF-109Z "Zwilling"

Card stock model

This canopy was just to large to fit on one piece of 8.5" X 11" so I desined it in two pieces.

Super Gluing works quite well on the Lamanate material

I'm extremely happy with the results!

Wing construction will begin as soon as I retun from my trip, but feel free to visit my Facebook page and view the entire construction module there. I should return on the 21st of March so start looking for more progress on the design after that.

Untill then, here's a sentimental thought for the day!