Gilbert SkyFlash - Maybe not trash after all

Oldenginerod wrote:We've had this discussion before.  
https://www.coxengineforum.com/t6486-gilbert-gadget

It's good going back to that thread Rod, a little before my time here.  

This picture has the control line leads going in the wrong direction.



The Gilbert ad has them right.



Mark has it correct, you can remove the limit screw and get full control.  At least Gilbert put some thought in it, didn't just throw a half-moon in there with three holes.  



The only hard point other than the pivot is the screw on the left.  

cstatman wrote:that twin stack sure cleans up pretty...

speaking of ODD control line bellcrank/configurations - anyone here mess with Stanzel single line???

I had read about it years ago.  Looked it up.  One on ebay right now for $29.95



Trying to put the Gilbert back together.

 Main mount screw to join the two halves.  Machine screw with a nut, no self tappers that can hog out.   For want of a 4/40 X 1 1/4" missing in the original.  Got 5's but slightly too large for the access hole.  Might have one out in the remote garage, cold - 4 this morning, it can stay there until it warms up.




Also missing were the two 2/56's that retain the engine.  I always thought the two holes in the Gilbert engines were insufficient.  But the holes are tapped and the engines sit in a cradle which Gilbert offset to the outside for C/L flying.






I pity the people that had to assemble these plastic model planes.  I would think mostly women, tiny nimble fingers and patience.  Men have neither, at least I don't.

Model locomotives, much worse.  Tiny 00 and 000 screws and parts.  I have watched videos of Chinese women assembling locomotives, rows of them each with a job to do.  Amazing eyes and coordination.

I saw that Rod.  Also saw the price.  I would offer $14.99 for the engine and $20 for the package.  

I never did find a longer 4/40 machine screw, amazing that the longest 4/40 that McMaster-carr offers is 1 1/2".  Good thing that I didn't.  I have a bunch of #5's (Those pesky go-missing Cox engine prop screws) that I bought in 2" lengths that fit fine.  I just didn't have all three sections perfectly aligned - top and bottom fuselages and the landing gear.  When I did, the #5 slipped right in.  You can always cut a screw off to shorten it, but you can't add length.  Which reminds me of the old carpenter's joke.  "I've cut this board off three times and it's still too short."  





Found a couple of pilot guys and friction fitted them in.  Flyable once I replace the burned-out glow head.  

The bell-crank is still a mystery.  With the limiting peg in place there is no "up" just a whole lot of down.  That expansion spring is not a weakling, takes a lot of pull to expand it.  I have tried it many ways and it seems to have little effect on the BC.  

I polished the landing gear with a scrunge pad and aluminum cleaner but that's it.  Parts cleaner reduced the castor stain but I'm leaving it.  When I'm finished with it, it just gets a coat of Howards wax which really brings out the red.  




I made a replacement for one of the missing lead-outs.




Gave me a chance to observe the elevator. this is full up with the limit peg in place:



This is full down:






Anyone know where I can find black spinners for these, let me know.

Ken Cook wrote:The controls seem incorrect. They would  need to be the other way around, that's far too much down.

Strange isn't it. But I have it back to as I received it, and the bell crank is the same as all the others that I have seen. I have another one coming next week in better condition so I will compare the two. May be part of their "Auto Co-pilot" "Preventing over-control" system. You just can't get into trouble with little to no up. We shall see.

Oldenginerod wrote:While we're looking at Gilbert stuff, how about this?
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/265357942640?hash=item3dc890df70:g:Bz0AAOSwyo1hPi6J
My first Gilbert(s) was purchased from Virginia Hobbysports (Henry Werner) probably 8-10 years ago.  Came with the hanging card (opened and engine removed for clean-up), fuel tank, fuel line, screws, control line, wrench, mufflers, the lot apart from a prop & spinner.  Cost me $25.00.  Wish I had of packed it all away as an investment if they reckon they can bring this much these days.  

By the way, the wrong prop for this engine is included, being one off of an .07.  The 11 had a 7" prop.

How about this Rod: Two new engines covered with cosomoline, four props, two tools, four heads plus mounting hardware for $45.00.





Just got them today. They have the different smaller starter.

He must have a bunch as he's still offering them.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165296042230?hash=item267c6970f6:g:Ak0AAOSwaT1h7E9H

Oldenginerod wrote:
That's just a prop driver Bob. No starter spring in these.

That crossed my mind Rod, I should have checked first before saying that.  Just wishing I think.    The first batch I got out had the starter, so I dug deeper and found these:



Good thing I did, one has a prop with the black spinner that I have been looking for.  Yes, the new ones do have plier marks, these don't.  I should get off my duff and run one.  Never have that I can recall.

Ha on me!!! 7 spinner is smaller than the 11, a no fit!!!!!!!

Ken Cook wrote:The controls seem incorrect. They would  need to be the other way around, that's far too much down.

Yeah Ken, I had the whole apparatus upside down. Just didn't look right so I took the whole thing apart again.




Works fine now.

cstatman wrote:love love love seeing your resto jobs.   the care and craftsmanship is brilliant.

Thanks Charles, but perhaps brilliantly stupid. If you need a part installed upside down and backwards, I'm your guy.