2019 CEF Run What Ya Brung Unlimited Speed Contest Build Log

Hi y'all!!  Well, as some of you might guess .... I wanted to be a part of this event but I figured, as I understood the rules, I needed to build something else to qualify.  So I decided to build ANOTHER 1/2A  ( as if I don't have enough already, 14 at last count).  Let's get started!!  I remembered seeing some You Tube videos showing some of the European F2C Team Racing and man, I thought that was kool.  While I'll never be good enough to actually compete, I decided to see if I could build one.  After finding a plan for one that was designated as an F2C trainer called Da' Blob, I built one with a Rossi 15 for power.  Gentlemen, to date I've only run it twice and I had a buddy of mine volunteer to put it in the air.  He has never volunteered since !!  With this in mind, I decided to see if I could copy the design but make it to accomodate a Tee Dee 049 or 051.  The way I composed the actual log, contained the construction photos in with the verbiage.  Unfortunately, the photos (about 20 of them) will have to be posted some other way.  I hope that's okay.  Here's the first part of the build log:

MINI BLOB Build Log

Saturday, April 27, 2019
I pondered whether to try building another plane for the Cox 1/2A Speed Event because I really want to win.  Plus, I could use that $100 first prize money.  Back in 2017, I downloaded a copy of a plan for an F2C/N trainer called “da Blob” by a fellow named Don Burke from one of the forums on RC Groups.  I built one and I liked it so for the heck of it I figured I’d take a chance and printed off a 60% plan thinking it might be good for just such a project but I have to admit, I’m not sure just what size I should make it, so I set the idea aside for a few days.
 
Tuesday, April 30, 2019
After giving more thought and research into what size a 1/2A plane should be for a nice stable speed racer, I downloaded a photo of a really kool looking, twin boom, 1/2A model that I thought I might build for the upcoming Cox Speed Event.  I knew I would need to do a build log of the plane to accompany the video, if I want to win.  In addition, there was an additional award if to had a Jetex or Estes engine boost.  Around noon or so, I began working on the design for the new 1/2A speed model.  One of the most difficult parts is figuring out just how big to make the various components without compromising or inhibiting the optimum performance.  As a side thought, I decided to make the templates for the 60% F2C/N Racing Trainer called the CHALLENGER that I downloaded from the RC Groups forum.  I’m thinking that at least the wing may be somewhat usable even if I can’t use the fuselage.  But at the same time, I haven’t given up on the twin boom style either.  I started cutting out the templates for the CHALLENGER.  I think I’ll call it a MINI BLOB.  That’s a cute name, I think I’ll keep it even if I have to make another one slightly larger.  I guess I’d call it artistic freedom because other than the outline I didn’t use any of the materials called for per ‘se.  I used a piece of Sig airfoil shaped balsa for the wing with a piece of 1/8” balsa sheet glued to it to make up the 60% wing template.  The wing and horizontal stab were outlined with a piece of 1/8” square bass.  I used a piece of 3/16” balsa for the fuselage thinking I could come up with a successful way to mount a Black Widow to the front end of the balsa fuselage.  Then it was time to begin cutting, sanding and shaping.  It took the better part of the afternoon to get to this point. I may have to come up with an alternative for the horizontal stab because after sanding the wing to a reasonable airfoil, the wing trailing edge came out to be a little less than 3/32” thick.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019
I started the day around 0730 or so and by 0930, I was in the workshop.  I resumed work on the MINI BLOB and decided to cut an additional fuselage from a piece of ¼” bass.  My thinking was to build another one that would be fitted for a side mounted Tee Dee 051.  I haven’t decided what to use for the wing but I’ll probably use a piece of ¼” balsa.  Next, I spent a couple of hours fabricating and fitting an elevator assembly and when I had one that seemed usable, I sealed it in place using the iron-on hinges.  By 1850, I was pretty tired but I had basically completed the assembly of one of the MINI BLOBS, specifically I used the ¼” bass fuselage.  This fuselage gave me the ability of mounting the TEE DEE 051 without the need of using maple motor mounts.  It took a bit of fitting but I did get it done and it looks good.  All I need now, is to figure out the control system that I’m going to use.

Thursday, May 2, 2019
I came into the workshop then resumed work on the MINI BLOB.  I piddled at trying to rig the controls but I didn’t really accomplish anything.  I managed to spend all of about 30 minutes on the MINI BLOB controls.  Needless to say, I didn’t make much headway.

Friday, May 3, 2019
I decided to come into the workshop and resume work on the MINI BLOB.  I feel so fortunate because the Lord gave me a good idea for completing the controls and it gives me a nice degree of variability for the amount of elevator movement. I took a couple of pictures to document the progress.  It’s getting closer to the time for finishing!  I decided to see if I could make another wing for the balsa fuselage.  I decided to use a 3” wide Sig pre-shaped balsa wing glued together with a piece of 1/8” balsa sheet.  With that fitted, I was able to trim the wing to shape followed by a rough fitting sanding to be able to insert it into the fuselage slot.  Next, I used some scrap 1/64” ply to laminate the bottom of the wing.  While the contact cement set, I cut a couple of 1/16” brass tubes that I can superglue in place and use as leadout guides on the first of the MINI BLOBS.  With that done, I decided to take a few minutes to update the log before shutting down for the day.

Saturday, May 4, 2019
I spent a bit of time straightening up then put a few minutes of work into sanding the wing for the second MINI BLOB.  It’s now 1627 and I need to stop for the day or at least until it stops thundering and lightning.

Monday, May 6, 2019
I started the day around 0700 or so and spent a few minutes working on the final shaping of the wing for the MINI BLOB with the balsa fuselage and when I was satisfied with the fit, I glued it and the horizontal stab in place.  I received a call from Larry and he asked me to build a MINI BLOB for him so he could mount an OK Cub and try his hand at the Cox Speed Contest.  I said I would.  

Tuesday, May 7, 2019
I spent the better part of the afternoon on the final setup for the MINI BLOB with the Tee Dee .051 After rigging the bellcrank, elevator pushrod and leadout wires, I cut a 1-3/8” square x 3/16” plywood motor mount for mounting the Black Widow engine and then cut the front of the fuselage, leaving about 1/2” ahead of the wing leading edge.  After that, I spent the remainder of the time working on the balsa MINI BLOB for the Black Widow. I finished out the session by adding a bead of thin CA to outline the wing and the horizontal stab and elevator to add a bit of strength, then proceeded to centering and gluing the motor mount to the fuselage.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019
I managed to glue some 1/2" triangle braces between the firewall and the wing of the balsa MINI BLOB.  The mount and braces were saturated with thin CA and when cured, I spent time shaping the front end and over the course of the morning and afternoon I was able to complete the balsa MINI BLOB and mounted the Black Widow engine.  It is seriously nose heavy and will need some tail weight, but none the less, both of them are basically ready for finishing.
Finally, I completed the leadouts for the wing then added a music wire landing skid.  I decided that I would not use a landing gear for this one.  Out of curiosity, I need to see who much difference there is in the weights of the Black Widow and the OK Cub .049 engines.  Well, now I know!  My Tee Dee .049 weighs 2.0 ounces whereas my OK Cub .049 weighs 1.6 ounces. In addition, it is much shorter, 1-5/8” versus 2-3/8”.  I need to check with Larry and see which way his engine mounts so I can get his mount right.  I need to check with Larry and see which way his engine mounts so I can get his mount right.  Larry responded and the photo he sent looks like his OK Cub has a mount like the Black Widow.
 
Thursday, May 9, 2019
I started the session by putting in the time and effort to complete the balsa MINI BLOB.  To this end, I used thick CA to seal the fuselage and wing joint, used thin CA to saturate and harden the motor mount and added a segment of music wire to create a nose skid because I opted to not fabricate a landing gear.  I’ve decided to turn it over to Larry and see what he can do with it.

Friday, May 10, 2019
Later in the afternoon, I decided to coat the MINI BLOB with a coat of Balsarite.  I didn’t do Larry’s with the balsa fuselage.  While that dried, I spent a few minutes watering the garden and when that was done, I brought the planes back in the workshop and opted to shut down for the evening.

Saturday, May 11, 2019
I turned the balsa MINI BLOB over to Larry.

Monday, May 13, 2019
I decided to spray a coat of Rustoleum Blue on the MINI BLOB.  I probably should have monokoted it but Larry sent a picture of his and it was painted and ready to fly, so I decided to paint mine.  The worse thing is that it began sprinkling rain so I had to bring it indoors to dry.  Oh well, once it does, I should be able to give it a nice smooth second coat after about an hour otherwise I may have to wait 48 hours for a second coat, that would be Wednesday morning.  One thing is for sure, I need to get some test runs on the various Cox engines to find a couple of them that should perform best.  Around 1500, I applied a second coat for the heck of it then hung it on the rack to dry overnight.

Tuesday, May 14, 2019
I checked the general look of the paint and while it looked okay, it definitely could have used a coat of fine filler beforehand. I just hung it back up for the rest of the day. I’ll check it out tomorrow.

Wednesday, 15, 2019
I started the session by beginning the finishing processes for assembling the MINI BLOB. I mounted the bellcrank and controls along with the landing gear then I decided to cut a hole in the wing into which I could fit the Perfect 1/2 oz Wedge Fuel Tank and sealed it in place.