Re: Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :(

ticomareado Sun Dec 02, 2018 4:35 pm

I have some ideas for getting the wing right:

First, get the dihedral steamed in and dope about a two to three inch wide strip of Polyspan on top side of center section only. Heat shrink and use high shrink fuel proof clear dope on this center section area. Be precise. This is to secure the dihedral warp.

Second, steam in matching under camber on both sides of wings and give undersides only several coats of high shrink fuel proof clear dope.

Third, seal top side of wing (do not overcoat the two inch center section) with low shrink nitrate dope.

Fourth, decide what type of graphics to use if any and proceed accordingly.

Last, topcoat the nitrate dope under camber areas with some coats coats of low shrink fuel proof dope. (add castor oil to high shrink fuel proof dope)

You may also want to experiments with dyes and tints mixed in the dope or stained directly into the bare balsa.

This will make a world of difference in appearance of the model. Remember this model will never be able to do any more than inside loops, wingovers and brief inverted flight.

GallopingGhostler Sun Dec 02, 2018 4:41 pm

rsv1cox wrote:
GWILLIEFOX wrote:Nice restoration! [....]

Thanks Bill, Wow less than ten bucks for an engine equipped bipe.

$9.95 in 1952 is $93.04 in today's money. The inexpensive ARF's from China cost far less than what a product would cost in the US to produce. We have been spoiled by them price wise.

(And apologies for the bad humor, in reality I don't hate the earlier engines. Some don't realize that people made do with less powerful engines and still enjoyed the hobby with what was available back then.)

GWILLIEFOX Sun Dec 02, 2018 4:42 pm

ticomareado wrote:Regarding Royal Spitfire .065 on Firebaby. The .065 is beam mount only and the ones you see in the ad art by AJ are most surely mounted by some kind of adapter supplied with that particular edition of the package deal kit. Also be advised that .065 is rather heavy. On the other hand, a Royal Spitfire .049 uses a clone of Atwood's two bolt back plate mounting system and is much lighter than the .065.

Now, as a peace offering to Cox Nazis, a good running Pee Wee .020 will work quite nicely on a Firebaby. Of course we could go with a full mod Tee Dee .049 on a bladder like that Texas R/C speed demon guy uses and fly it 'til the wing buckles in two.

Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :( - Page 2 Img_2910

ticomareado Sun Dec 02, 2018 5:06 pm

Flicking my switch again Gwilloe!

GWILLIEFOX Sun Dec 02, 2018 5:32 pm

ticomareado wrote:Flicking my switch again Gwilloe!

Click,click,click

rsv1cox Mon Dec 03, 2018 1:22 pm

rsv1cox wrote:I'm gathering materials for a balsa Firebaby. I probably have enough on hand to do 3 or 4. Looking at a triangle mount Wen Mac .049 or a Royal Spitfire and a remote tank that would fit nicely in the void behind the firewall. A landing gear from a PT-19 and I'm in business.

Why not everybody here build one over the winter and we have a fly-off in the spring???????????

Chancey has the PDF, and I know you guys have got scads of balsa gathering dust!!!! If not five bucks at Hobby Lobby and your in business.

Boy that idea hit the Cox Engine Forums floor with a thud. Smile

I like the tether car idea better.

Oh well............I did get to HL and bought some plastic sheet, balsa, and foam project board which might work better than balsa for the fuselage. But I think I will still use balsa substituting 3/16 for the 1/4 originally planned. This way I can rib the perimeters with balsa stock replicating the original. A project in the wings, got to get to those three rusty engines first. I picked up some Evapo-Rust today too.

Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :( - Page 2 Fireba27

I think roddie used some of that project board or something similar for an airplane.

Bob

**Cribbs74** Mon Dec 03, 2018 4:42 pm

It’s not a bad idea Bob, just post a new thread with that title. That way everyone can see it.

Ron

roddie Mon Dec 03, 2018 8:24 pm

rsv1cox wrote:

I think roddie used some of that project board or something similar for an airplane.

Bob

Hey Robert! Such an iconic model! I like your plans to reproduce it!! Regarding the fuse; you could opt for 3/16" balsa-sheet and laminate both sides to provide a super-strong structure. Built-in doublers; nose to tail. I've used 1/64" plywood (foam wing-skin stock). for a myriad of strengthening purposes. Sig Manufacturing sold me one each; 1/64" and 1/32" plywood, 12" x 24" sheets circa 1994. They've been well-worth the $$$ spent.. You could build some stronger, yet lightweight fuse-assemblies.. that wouldn't warp. I'd like to see that.. in a kit. Smile

rsv1cox Tue Dec 04, 2018 6:44 am

Resurrecting that old bent and beat Firebaby fuselage has been one of my most entertaining model airplane projects. Very little initial expenditure for the plane and virtually nothing for the parts necessary to flesh it out as I had everything on-hand. And....it was simple, by not challenging my diminished 81 YO brain. I liked that!

It would be nice if someone here built one too, cheap and easy just requiring time which I have in abundance, but others here maybe not so much. Sorta like when Jim built his Mosquito and we compared notes.

Roddie, you mean Al la TD Bandits, Bipe? That was a fun project too and quite a few here got involved in it.

Bob

getback Tue Dec 04, 2018 8:29 am

The FireBaby looks really GOOD ,Bob you have done it again !! I still have a kit that was sent to my son that he hasn't built and may be interested in making a copy so he can still built it when he wants . Start the thread !!!! I have some Jim Walker engines left but not ran one yet if i could get one dependable i would love to go that way >>> Very Happy

<<<

rsv1cox Tue Dec 04, 2018 9:21 am

ticomareado wrote:I have some ideas for getting the wing right:

First, get the dihedral steamed in and dope about a two to three inch wide strip of Polyspan on top side of center section only. Heat shrink and use high shrink fuel proof clear dope on this center section area. Be precise. This is to secure the dihedral warp.

Second, steam in matching under camber on both sides of wings and give undersides only several coats of high shrink fuel proof clear dope.

Third, seal top side of wing (do not overcoat the two inch center section) with low shrink nitrate dope.

Fourth, decide what type of graphics to use if any and proceed accordingly.

Last, topcoat the nitrate dope under camber areas with some coats coats of low shrink fuel proof dope. (add castor oil to high shrink fuel proof dope)

You may also want to experiments with dyes and tints mixed in the dope or stained directly into the bare balsa.

This will make a world of difference in appearance of the model. Remember this model will never be able to do any more than inside loops, wingovers and brief inverted flight.

Sounds great, now put it into motion. I would like to see something, say by next Tuesday. Smile

Bob

roddie Tue Dec 04, 2018 6:29 pm

rsv1cox wrote:

Roddie, you mean Al la TD Bandits, Bipe? That was a fun project too and quite a few here got involved in it.

Bob

I remember CEF member Roger Harris was offering laser-cut kits of the Sterling "Beginners" Ringmaster Bipe a few years ago. I think that "Eric" built one. There were a few others who bought the kits.. but I can't remember who.. Huh...

Roger had two versions available. One had two-piece wings for shipping internationally.

Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :( - Page 2 Ring_b10

Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :( - Page 2 Ring_b11

I've always loved biplanes and triplanes.

Check out this drawing.. any one of these would be simple and fun to build!

Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :( - Page 2 Bipes-11

NEW222 Tue Dec 04, 2018 7:34 pm

Would my previously built FireBaby II count? If so, I'm done! Shocked

Picture just for those who may have not seen it before.

Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :( - Page 2 Fire_b14

rsv1cox Wed Dec 05, 2018 7:19 am

roddie, isn't Roger Harris and TD Bandit one in the same?

Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :( - Page 2 511-p_11

And, Chancey, most definitely. Beautiful model and I love the shape of the wing.

Bob

getback Wed Dec 05, 2018 9:02 am

Yea thats the one thats been on the finish for O say 2 yrs. now DAMMIT!

That is redickulas lol!

I guess we ran Poor old Roger off with all the laser cutting and his generousness, I still got the Micro that came in the mail busted up and need to reproduce some parts for !! Mad

NEW222 Wed Dec 05, 2018 9:07 am

That is one nice little bipe there. I always wanted to try one, but don't think I would have the patience to finish two wings, let alone one!

GallopingGhostler Wed Dec 05, 2018 10:22 am

rsv1cox wrote:roddie, isn't Roger Harris and TD Bandit one in the same?

And, Chancey, most definitely. Beautiful model and I love the shape of the wing.

Agreed, and there is something about that colour of yellow for a bipe.

Firebaby, memory loss and decals. :( - Page 2 Goldbe10

fredvon4 Wed Dec 05, 2018 12:00 pm

Roger Harris and TDbandit are two diff CEF members

RH did the ringmaster biplanes and half A cool handles...never did the very cool COX flight boxes as he got super busy in life

rsv1cox Wed Dec 05, 2018 1:16 pm

fredvon4 wrote:Roger Harris and TDbandit are two diff CEF members

RH did the ringmaster biplanes and half A cool handles...never did the very cool COX flight boxes as he got super busy in life

Thanks Fred for un-confusing me. Smile

Bob

Oldenginerod Wed Dec 05, 2018 8:37 pm

I bought two of the BRM bipe kits off Roger. The 2-piece wing version for cheaper shipping to AUS.
Well, like a lot of us, I started one and then the build stalled. Only got the wings joined so far. I recall the one that Roger built and test flew went pretty good. He tried out the "international" version and the wings worked well. Must get back onto that Huh...

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