Winter project ....maybe

[zorba]

Howdy all. Well winter is comming soon and I need of a project.
Evrybody seems they are going scale so why not.

My project would be scratch build full scale fuselage.
The heli I picked would be huge.
Is the Aerospatiale EC-225 or as the army version the AS332 Super Puma.
The difference is in the head system and blades.
The EC-225 has 4 blades on the head and 5 on the tail.
The AS332 has 5 blades on the head and 4 on the tail.
They are many versions of this model so I think at the end of the project I would decide on the head/tail combo. The civilian version is less dressy than the military one.
I mean the military has more windows and a winch also has air bags for loats.
The civilian one is just plain Jane.

I got a hold of my self some schematics and section drawings from the net.

I will project them on the wall to get the size I need.
I figured out it will be 1900mm long with a 2.2m rotor.
Powered by Vario benzin mechanics with the G26 gas engine.

Should be interesting. I will keep posting from time to time as the project moves along.
Here are some shots of the drawings and a photo.

Cheers

[LAMAHORSE]

WOwy WOW Bill,
Now your talking heli's with that one project.

I just love the Canadians Helicopters color scheme on it as the photo show's.
It would make it so easy to spot while airborn. What ever color you choose later it will be super big as result goes ...

Scale is the way to go Bud,,, welcome in the club,,, he,he! :D

Best of luck on the making !!!

[Denis Cloutier]

This is a bis ass helicopter, nice project, should keep you busy for a good year.:p

[PaulG-rc]

That is way cool! Bill, you can transport my little ASTAR with that :D
Good choice of heli I love it. :D

[zorba]

Thanks guys I apprecite the enthusiasm.
I was looking at the MI-24 but this one already been done.
Also on this one I have a choice of 2 models.
I already shot the blueprints and made copies of the details.
Man is huge.
I was told the Petrol mechanics from Vario will handle the load.

Also electrik. I have to use the plattenberg motor cause the Actro will not handle the load.

Anyway next move the cutting of the foam.
I made my self a hot wire cutter and it works awesome.
I will let you know of the progress.


Cheers

[PaulG-rc]

Wow! your brave Bill to start a big project like that cutting the foam and all.
I know you can do it thats for shure.

Paul

[zorba]

Thanks Paul. Yea I know is a long process. I did some trials at work, we have plenty of blue foam there, lol
Like I said is a slow going. The wire will cut at best at about 1cm a second any faster and it will stretch.
I am using a guitar string 0.020 gauge.
I am cutting the formers now from 5mm Russian birch ply.

cheers

[Kevin Rochon]

Hi Bill,


I have some Nichrome wire which is best for foam cutting if you need let me know.

Kevin

[zorba]

YES the man to the rescue.
Yes Kev I might need some. I couldn't find it anywhere thats why I use the Guitar string.
How thick is it. What amps can it handle?
The wire I have is good for 2 amps.
I use 10amp tranformer with a dimmer switch.
See you at the funfly.

[zorba]

Hi, wel the project is under way.
I couldn't use the birch ply because it had a curve in it. (all of them)
So I used Fibrex 1/4" is like Masonite but is shinny on both sides.
After blowing the plans on the wall and copying them on graph paper I started cutting the Fibrex on the band saw.

I assembled the pieces with hot glue and it seems to hold well.

Next I cut all the styrofoam pieces. I used the cladmate blue styrofoam, some 2", 1 1/2" and 1" sizes.

I glued the pieces with hot glue also but on the low heat that way the foam would not melt.

Today I had off. So I went to work and started shaping the plug.
I used a 12" and a 8" rasp. It works excellent.

I was doing this for almost 4 and a half hours.
I should of wore a glove cause now my hands are rough from holding the rasp.LOL

Here are a few pictures of what I done so far.

I will keep on posting as progress continues.

Cheers

[finnegan]

Billy, youda man!

[PaulG-rc]

Wow! amazing Billy you work fast, its gona fly next month :D
Very impressive :)

[Burning Head]

Allmost ready for a serie production. At that speed, he will submerge the chinness market soon:D great work Bill

[zorba]

Thanks guys. Thats the easy part. During the winter all the detail work will begin. Slow process for shure.
I have to do all the rough work now cause is impossible to do it at home.
I do it at work when I'm not busy. Have all my tools there and some supplies if I need any.
The saga continues.
Here are couple more shots from today.

[zorba]

Well nort much is hapenning right now as far as projects is cincerned, except for the Puma.
I did some work these past couple of weeks.
I putsome CGC putty on the deep cracks to fill them in and did alot of sanding.
Is a slow going process but it will get there.
I started shaping the cowling and the weel legs or whatever you call them.
I try to follow the templates as much as I can but you get the odd gouch here and there which I have to fill later.
Here are some photos of the work been done so far.
She is getting heavy too.
cheers

[Tarek Hassoune]

way to go bill make sure it will be ready by next season

[turkana]

Hey Tarek
Did you build one of those autobalance units? Mine works perfect, should have seen in last time at the club.
Bill are you building it out of fiberglass or something else?Out of what are you making the molds?
By the way the TT performs soooooo good on the T rex I love it. Regards Pete

[PaulG-rc]

Wow! Bill its really taking shape and looking great :D

[Tarek Hassoune]

No not yet peter I will try on my Turbulence it might solve the problem of vibration

[turkana]

Give me the clutch and Tail and I will balance it.

[Tarek Hassoune]

r u going to field today by any chance if u i will bring with me

[zorba]

Bill are you building it out of fiberglass or something else?Out of what are you making the molds?
By the way the TT performs soooooo good on the T rex I love it. Regards Pete

The plug os made of styrofoam and CGC drywall mud. After will be covered in Polyester resin and 6oz. fiberglass.
The the mold will be of Epoxy resin and mixture of 6oz fiberglass cloth and mat.

The final product will be of 6oz fiberglass and carbon fiber in the tail and wheel pants for strengh.

I thought you would lovr the TT is awesome no vibs and no static from the belt. I'm glad you like it. Send me a pic of the autobalancer.


cheers