Jim Walker Firebaby

Bob, or anyone, Please feel free to post your Firebaby stuff here  

I was thinking the same thing Robert, I did not want to start a redundant thread as I finished mine this morning also.  These are so similar but with different engines and attachments.  The mount drove me nuts putting it back together.  Tiny nuts and bolts and shakey hands do not go together.  But I prevailed even if the nuts were not magnetic, but the machine screws were.  Phillips heads an advantage for me but I need those nuts to be magnetic!




I started out like Robert, taking as much of it apart as possible and cleaning it up.  I used Howards Feed-N-Wax, cleans and adds a bit of shine.  



The Baby Spitfire was held on by two loose screws, PO probably struggled as I did.  I used all new 2/56's when putting it back together.  Holding the plane, the engine, the mount, the landing gear and little nuts and bolts was a nightmare.  Many fell on the floor before I figured out the code.  The neoprene fuel tube fell apart so I replaced it with silicone.  I have some neoprene around somewhere but I think that Matt or Bernie sells it.  




It came with a "Series 25" Prop.  New one on me.

Nice Bob, You already have it shinin’ like a new dime!!…..I like the wood prop, Best guess from the photo is mahogany?….Yep, Those 2-56 nuts and bolts are fiddly, You can magnetize them by rubbing on a strong magnet if you have one….I’ve got one of Dad’s old 3/16 ignition wrenches (remember those?)  to back up 2-56 nuts…The neoprene tubing would but most appropriate for restore…. I’m just going part way and will keep the silicone tube….  

A little inspiration for flying a Firebaby in this thread…. Probably my favorite CL video…

https://www.coxengineforum.com/t9989-flying-the-jim-walker-firebaby-at-bennett-airfield?highlight=Firebaby

rdw777 wrote:Nice Bob, You already have it shinin’ like a new dime!!…..I like the wood prop, Best guess from the photo is mahogany?….Yep, Those 2-56 nuts and bolts are fiddly, You can magnetize them by rubbing on a strong magnet if you have one….I’ve got one of Dad’s old 3/16 ignition wrenches (remember those?)  to back up 2-56 nuts…The neoprene tubing would but most appropriate for restore…. I’m just going part way and will keep the silicone tube….  

A little inspiration for flying a Firebaby in this thread…. Probably my favorite CL video…

https://www.coxengineforum.com/t9989-flying-the-jim-walker-firebaby-at-bennett-airfield?highlight=Firebaby

I'm not sure about the prop, some kind of ogamy I imagine.  

I had a heck of a time removing all the castor locked nuts, I had to use the pencil soldering iron.  The one between the landing gear especially.  That, and getting a blockage in there to hold the nut.  I finally just used the soldering iron and my finger (ouch) to get it out.  I did not have the courage to replace it and just left it out.  The four bolt Baby Spit holds it well.



I think these two screws were there to hold the metal wing guide in position.  I did not replace them.



Left-over original parts that I did not reuse.



and........just to prove that you can't cure stupid...........



Edit.......Oh yes, forgot. I enjoyed that video. South-paw flying the JW very well. Proves you don't need a pretty airplane, a canopy, or a small intergrated fuel tank to fly well.

Thinking.

If I ever flew the second edition Firebaby, first I would move the canopy all the way forward under the motor mount and push a common pin, one without a plastic head through the back of the canopy to the other side and snip off the bitter end.  This should hold it in place.  The balloon fuel tank and the crimped aluminum cross piece may hold it, but I would not trust them alone.  

I wonder how many canopies went flying on the first go-around.  



I'm trying to figure a way to do the graphics on the clone.  Perhaps take a photo, or scan the wing and transfer 1 to 1 onto vinyl backed decal paper or DigitA Label paper or even water slide.  It would take two scans one on each side of the wing to do the job and seam under the fuselage.  I did something similar in a smaller scale on the first edition Firebaby clone.

You guys got it going on over here , looking Good Robert and Bob . Is that the canopy you made Bob i lost track somewhere .

getback wrote:You guys got it going on over here , looking Good Robert and Bob . Is that the canopy you made Bob i lost track somewhere .

That one is for the FireBee -- Firebee, Firebaby......it's all so confusing.. But, I will need one for the Firebaby clone. It should be a little easier to do.

BTW, I think someone asked what size is the prop nut for the Jim Walker engine......its a 8/32.

Thanks Eric, Nice little nostalgia trip messing with the old plane and engines from that era!

rsv1cox wrote: I'm trying to figure a way to do the graphics on the clone.

If I did a clone I would want to try the graphics as well, The red and blue scalloped parts wouldn’t be too tuff to do with India ink , The lettering and “Firebaby” a little more challenging …. Patterns could be made with poster board and traced with a ball point pen….. The India ink can come up right to the line and not bleed over …. The ball point ink works kind of as a barrier…. Only problem is that while dope doesn’t hurt the India ink it attacks the ball point ink…. I think a varnish coating may OK but I would prefer dope….Still Messin’ with it….a sample in the photo…

Trying to see if a canopy could be made from a soap bottle…. Close enough for a clone I think…

That's pretty dog-goned look Robert, especially for a complex shape like that. A clone would be proud to have it. Eager to see what you come up with.

Thanks Bob, Little piece at a time for clone , Been pretty busy lately…. I did make time to play with the Wasp a little more though… I made up a test stand to try the single line balloon tank…. Actually works really well…..Mr. Walker knew what he was doing….8cc’s gives about three minutes…. The balloon never goes under pressure but I made a cover for over it just in case….

Beautiful work dear Roberto.....!...Roberto and Roberto, both really good FIREBABYS
Well, a few days ago I was also on tighter schedules due to my daily work and now maintenance of my house was added..., so after the work day instead of going to the workshop to move forward with my Citabria I stay watching videos on recreational programs on YouTube, there are two programs that I really like, both on the History Channel, one is called: "The Price of History" and the other: "Treasure Matchers"....I was watching the latter and suddenly A pile of airplanes appear......and suddenly a FIREBABY model airplane...I couldn't believe the coincidence, I automatically remembered you...I invite you to see it, minute: 11:08 onwards!

I couldn't view it Mauricio, but I found this one.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=firebaby+airplane+youtube&mid=85A04C48D5B0D709882485A04C48D5B0D7098824&FORM=VIRE

Gracias Mauricio!, Yes, we are having fun restoring and copying the old models…. A little experience from the 1950’s….I look forward to when you are working on your Citabria again…. I’ve been busy too and progress has been slow lately.,,,

Thanks for that video Bob, I had not seen it before