GliderIreland - Ireland RC Forum - Flying Model forum in Ireland

Gliders => Scale => Topic started by: Alan_Perse on November 24, 2006, 14:56:39 PM

Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on November 24, 2006, 14:56:39 PM: I hope to start my Ka8b in the next week or 2. I ordered the wood yesterday which will take a week or 2 to arrive. Hope to model one of the Ka8b's at the Dublin Gliding Club (DGC). Here's one of the colour schemes to whet your appetite.

(http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/4101/ka8bsn4.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on November 24, 2006, 15:54:30 PM: Nice one Alan !
Do you have enough pictures to do a photopack of this glider ?
If you have lots, can you send me that and I'll share it to everybody + Retroplane (we try to create a photopack bank of gliders...)

Fred
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on December 05, 2006, 12:43:33 PM: :D :D :D :D . My wood has finally arrived so I can start work on my K8.

(http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/8324/mywoodpt9.jpg)

Still have to check if everything is there. Hope to start marking out the Formers and Wing Ribs tonight.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on December 05, 2006, 13:03:09 PM: So, ready for Retroplane then ? :D :D :D

Sound like it's going to start fast !

Fred
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on December 05, 2006, 13:54:13 PM: Hi Fred,
Ready for Retroplane? Hmm maybe, who knows :) .
Hopefully it will start fast. Once I get everything cut out it should go quick. But I have never built a model like this before, so I might take my time and get everything right.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on December 08, 2006, 01:04:59 AM: Best of luck with it Alan.From seeing your rubi I'm sure you'll do a great job.
Just about to start a Doppelraab myself.Need something for Retroplane next year!
good luck!
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on December 08, 2006, 08:48:32 AM: Thanks. Good luck with your Doppelraab as well. I'll try to keep this page up to date when I can. Maybe you could start one for your Doppelraab :) .
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on December 08, 2006, 11:28:54 AM: Thanks!
Will start a build thread later tonight :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on December 16, 2006, 19:45:11 PM: Finally got most of the Formers and all of the wing Ribs (all 60 something of them) marked up. Still have a few things to mark up but I'll do when I need them. Hope to start cutting them out soon. Here's some pictures.

(http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/5919/ka8bparts2fi2.jpg)

(http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/4564/ka8bparts1dg3.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: guillaumeg on December 17, 2006, 20:52:18 PM: Hello Alan,
I'm interested on your K8 building, because I love this glider and planed to build it after my Doppelraab. From where is your plan, what is the span of this glider? I will follow your building really carefully :D
Good luck.

Guillaume
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on December 17, 2006, 21:44:21 PM: Hi Guillaume,
It is a Cliff Charlesworth plan. It is to 1/4 scale so that gives it a wing span of 3.75 metre. You can get his plans from this website www.modelactivitypress.com/ami_framesetpl.htm
Thanks for your interest. Since I have never built a model like this before or this size I could take some time to build it. But I will try to keep everyone up to date as often as I can.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on December 18, 2006, 12:06:25 PM: Nice work Alan.This is going to be a really nice sailplane!
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on January 12, 2007, 22:48:06 PM: Finally after much laziness :P , I have cut out 90% of the K8s wing ribs. Just have to cut out the holes in the Ply ribs and clean them all up and they are done. Next is the Fuselage formers.

(http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/6004/k8ribscutout1fo6.jpg)

(http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/5821/k8ribscutout2jo7.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on January 15, 2007, 07:58:02 AM: Hey Alan,

Nice start !
The hard part is done now !
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on January 15, 2007, 08:58:51 AM: I'm afraid not. Still have the Fuselage formers to do. They will be the hardest to cut out right. But I'll get there some day (may be some year :P )
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on January 15, 2007, 14:51:35 PM: Fair play Alan.Good work.Shes getting there.Slowly but surely.It'll all be worth it in the end. :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on January 24, 2007, 14:48:13 PM: Hiya Alan
Got a call today for Gerry Buckley the glider Sec of the Shannon Model Flying Club.He has built a few Cliff Charlesworth gliders and has lots of info/experience of working with his plans.He has books relating to building of Charlesworth models and Magazine articles as well.He is more than happy to pass on this info and any personal experience he has.I have emailed you with his contact details.
I recently spent a brief afternoon Flying with Gerry(or trying to fly i should say) in what felt like gale force winds on "tountinna" overlooking lough derg.I will post about that later,including some shots of Gerry's K18.
Nice one Gerry :wink:

p.s. like the new avatar :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on January 24, 2007, 17:11:46 PM: Thanks very much Joe :D . Did not realise there were so may people who make a fly gliders in Ireland. Maybe we can try a get a few more of them to come "out of the woodwork" :lol: . The avatar is a ASK21.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on January 28, 2007, 16:46:33 PM: Finally, I've got the fuselage formers fully done. The plywood ribs are also 99% fully finished. Here's what I have so far. I know it does not look much but thats most of the parts for the fuelage and wings complete.

(http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9017/ka8bparts3no9.jpg)

(http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/111/ka8bparts4vo6.jpg)

(http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/5984/ka8bparts5nv7.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on January 29, 2007, 12:00:58 PM: Looking good Alan ! :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on February 11, 2007, 17:34:35 PM: :D :D . I have the fuselage jig fully complet now. I can finally start to build something :D . Here are some pictures.

The Fuselage Jig
(http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/1227/k8jig1lj0.jpg)

The Jig with some formers in it to see what it looks like.
(http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/5487/k8jig2qu1.jpg)

The Fuselage Keel piece that goes along the bottom of the fuselage.
(http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/7339/k8keelpartnk5.jpg)

And finally a picture of my humble workshop. Just gave it a clean out before I start to build :) .
(http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/7979/workshopsa0.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on February 12, 2007, 08:27:13 AM: Very nice workshop Alan ! You should see mine ! :wink:

So almost finish now ? :mrgreen:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on February 12, 2007, 13:15:06 PM: Oh Yes, almost finished :D . Just a few more months :mrgreen:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on February 12, 2007, 14:47:25 PM: :D :D

Good to start a new glider !
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on February 12, 2007, 17:12:52 PM: Looking good Alan!
What else ya got there? Looks like an IC plane and a couple of gliders?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on February 12, 2007, 17:43:05 PM: I have a Tutor 40 IC Trainer plane. Thers is my Ruby which you saw at Mt Lensiter. My Pilatus B4 which still has not flown yet, my Precedent Eletrofly motorgilder built as a glider (thats the orange and yellow thing you can see in one of the pictures), and an EasyPigeon motor glider. The last two will probably never fly again (not because they are broken :) , they are perfectally fine). I have another two gliders in my room, but you will see them some day.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on February 13, 2007, 08:55:53 AM: God, the Easy Pigeon !
I don't know for you, but for me, one of the worst glider I ever had !
Never flew ! :evil: :evil:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Anonymous on February 14, 2007, 22:06:14 PM: Alan did you fly your pigeon with me with no motor operable cos of a bent motor shaft about 3 years ago up at Kilakee one summers day? Trying to work out if I know you or if you're someone else! :) (The pigeon had a red or orange fuse I think...)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on February 14, 2007, 22:20:10 PM: No. It was not me. I only flew mine twice, both times from the Curagh. Mine is coloured blue and white with transparent yellow wing panels (I did that my self, I thought an all Blue wing was boring :D ).
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on February 15, 2007, 17:04:55 PM: Guess what i found hanging from the ceilling in an amsterdam toy shop!!

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/K8/web1.jpg)

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/K8/web2.jpg)

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/K8/web3.jpg)

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/K8/web4.jpg)

first really good use i've found for the camera on my phone.

p.s. bought a gyrotor while i was there :D :D my picooz is dead :cry: :cry:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on February 15, 2007, 19:56:29 PM: :D :D :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on March 03, 2007, 20:11:09 PM: OK. I have not been sleeping the last two weeks. I have been working hard, and I have this to show for it :D :D .

(http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1586/ka8bfuselage1ta1.jpg)

(http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/654/ka8bfuselage2xg9.jpg)

(http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/542/ka8bfuselage3sa8.jpg)

Still have some work to do on it. Then I'll start the wings.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on March 05, 2007, 08:59:23 AM: Good work Alan !
The building is moving pretty fast !
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on March 05, 2007, 13:08:59 PM: Yep. Its going pritty fast all right. CA helps a lot, although I use white glue for gluing the stringers to the formers because its makes a stronger bond, I think.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on March 07, 2007, 10:44:11 AM: A quick tip :wink:
When you use the white glue, let say on a strip, put some dots of CA.. And here you go ! The advantage of the cyano, and the white glue combined !

Another tip, for those who buy CA accelerator... The accelerator for the CA is.. Water !
Put some water on a spray, and you've economised 10 euros :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on March 07, 2007, 10:54:51 AM: :shock: is that all CA accelerator is, just water. The companies who sell CA accelerator must be making a lot of money, just water in a bottle. How much does it cost to buy anyway?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on March 07, 2007, 11:30:03 AM: I don't know.. I have never bought one ! :P
I think that's around 10 euros...
Do a test, and you'll see...(put the water on an old perfum spray.. very little amount of water is needed...)
Same thing, when you put dots of CA with white glue.. Because the white glue is composed mostly of water, don't touch the CA bottle nozzle with the white glue, or the CA, on the tip of the nozzle will dry almost instantly.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on March 07, 2007, 12:32:14 PM: Great tips Fred, thanks :D .
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on March 07, 2007, 12:54:08 PM: No Pb young Padawan... :lol: :P
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on May 02, 2007, 17:42:56 PM: Hi. I thought I'd give Freds new image download funtion a go. I hope it works. I did a little bit more on the Fuselage. All the stringers are in and I have some of the balsa infill done on the nose of the K8. I also have the cockpit flooring in as well.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/K8-Cockpit%201.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/K8-Rearview.jpg)

I ordered my Pilot in February but it has not arrived yet. I guess this guy will have to do :P :D

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/K8-Cockpit%202.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on May 03, 2007, 15:25:04 PM: Nice work Alan ! :clap:

You are waiting for an Axel pilot ?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on May 03, 2007, 15:38:42 PM: No its a Pilot from AH Designs. He is cheap compared to an Axel Pilot and does not look as good as an Axel. Might get an Axel Pilot some day in the future, they look so good.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on May 03, 2007, 15:55:34 PM: Ah ok, but that's still a long wait !

Talking about pilots, Wgy don't make your own ones :D

(http://www.retroplane.net/forum/images/uploads/loopingfred/moulagepiedmain_158.jpg)

(http://www.retroplane.net/forum/images/uploads/loopingfred/tetepilotes2_233.jpg)

(http://www.retroplane.net/forum/images/uploads/loopingfred/mainplie_795.jpg)

Not a lot of work, and when you have molds, well, I have free pilots for life ! :D (1/5, 1/4 and 1/3 scale)

Or, for the lucky ones (or lazy ones :P ) with a cnc... :

(http://www.retroplane.net/forum/images/uploads/andreb/figurine_pilote_005_280.jpg) (thanks André ! :D )
For the cnc pilots, the full subject (in French) can be found on the Retroplane forum ! :
http://www.retroplane.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=811

Some day, when I'll have a bit of time, I will create a page about the molding and cutting of pilots...
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on May 03, 2007, 16:20:41 PM: Thats a good idea Fred. That way you can make there the way you want them. But where can you get the clothes for the pilot from?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on May 04, 2007, 11:05:09 AM: And really easy / quick to do !

For the clothes, well, you have to make template, cut the fabric and then glue it with neoprene glue, or by using a sewing machine if you are equiped (I try to find a small one... :wink: )
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on August 16, 2007, 15:51:22 PM: The going has been slow lately. But I have some more work done. I now have the wing and fin spars complete. I can finaly start adding the ribs to the spars. Hopefully in the next week or two things will start to look like a K8. Here are some pictures of the construction of the wing spars.

Under construction
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF1042.JPG)

Test fitting
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF1045.JPG)

Adding the spar webbing
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF1061.JPG)

The finished spars and fin spar
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF1132.JPG)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on August 21, 2007, 09:53:35 AM: Looking good Alan !

Ready to fly next week end ? :wink: :P
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on September 22, 2007, 14:43:08 PM: Here are some more pics. The wings are starting to take shape now.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF1157.JPG)
Here the leading edge ribs have been glued to the spar. Have attached the wings to the fuselage to see what they look like.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF1236.JPG)
Here I am glueing the trailing edge ribs in position. Before I finish the trailing edge ribs I have to make and attach the airbrakes which is what I am working on now.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: René on October 03, 2007, 19:07:14 PM: Hi Alan, very good your work and your pictures. After Doppelraab I fly Ka8
in the sixtees. My club buyed a crashed Ka8 and in the winter of sixtysix
we refurbished the mashine under observe of the controler of gouverment.
René

remark:it´s a long time I´m learning english, please excuse me.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on October 04, 2007, 08:48:36 AM: Hallo René !
Welcome to the forum ! :D :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on October 04, 2007, 09:34:25 AM: Hello René. Welcome to the forum.
Your English its very good. Its much better than my German :D :D .
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on October 04, 2007, 22:34:42 PM: Hey René.
Willkommen. Do you have a new glider for me to fly!! :D
Joe
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: harold de schaetzen on November 01, 2007, 16:34:32 PM: Dear Alan,

I am building the Ka2 from Cliff Charleswoth drawings. (see build log on Retroplane)
I am very interested by your construction.
Can you give me some informations about the sizes or dimensions of the different parts of your wing spar.
Top and bottom and also faces.

Thanks and good building.

Harold
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on November 01, 2007, 16:55:12 PM: Hi Harold. Welcome to the forum.

I am using 1/8" spruce (about 3mm) for the top and bottom of the spars and 1/16" (about 2mm) balsa for the faces. If I were building the spars again I would probable use pine, in one peace, for the top and bottom of the spars because I think its better. But I'm new to this building thing so I'm not sure.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 11, 2008, 19:56:17 PM: Hi all. Progress on the K8 is slow at the moment. But I got some work done in the last two weeks. Got the basic structure of one wing done, the airbreaks even work. It just needs to be tided up, sheeted and ailerons built. Working on the second wing now. Don't have a camera at the moment so no pictures :cry: :cry: . Hope to post some pictures on Sunday sometime.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: cvanscho on April 11, 2008, 21:14:49 PM: Looking forward to it, Alan!
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 16, 2008, 21:51:21 PM: OK. Here are those picture. As I said the wing is a bit rough. It needs to be cleaned up and sheeted. But the airbrakes appear to work. Working on the second one now.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Right%20Wing%20Skeleton.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Right%20Wing%20Skeleton%202.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Airbrakes.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on April 17, 2008, 07:24:53 AM: Looking good Alan ! :clap: :clap:

The servos for the airbrakes are on fuselage ? :?:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 17, 2008, 11:16:00 AM: No. The servos for the airbreaks will be in the root of the wing (two ribs in, between the second and third rib). The aileron servos will be out were the ailerons are if they fit, i hope.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on May 24, 2008, 17:01:35 PM: Ok lads. I finaly got myself a proper 1/4 scale pilot. I think he's brilliant. He has a parachute and everything. I got him from a company called Premier Pilots. Very good service, came very quikly in the post. Here is their website www.premierpilots.net/ . Here are some photos.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Pilot%202.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Pilot%201.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on May 30, 2008, 22:02:53 PM: Ok, I have finally finished the main structure of the second wing. The airbreaks are not working properly on it. I think I built the airbreak arms wrong, but I will fix it later. Here are some pictures.

First heres a picture of what I have so far.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/May%2030%20%281%29.jpg)

And here are some pictures of it assembled

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/May%2030%20%282%29.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/May%2030%20%283%29.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on June 06, 2008, 19:08:01 PM: I now have the main structure of the Fin and Rudder done. Hope to start tidying up the wings on the weekend.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Fin%20and%20Rudder%201.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Fin%20and%20Rudder%202.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on June 09, 2008, 09:53:16 AM: Very nice Alan ! :clap: :clap:
Did you sorted out your airbrakes issues ?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on June 09, 2008, 11:04:17 AM: Not yet. I think its has something to do with the airbreak arms. I may have built them wrong.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on August 22, 2008, 20:12:09 PM: OK, a quick update to show you I'm not asleep. I have finally completed the sheeting of the leading edge of the wings. They still need a lot of work but I'm getting there.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/D%20Box%20Sheeting.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on August 23, 2008, 16:43:03 PM: Looking good Alan ! :clap: :clap:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on August 23, 2008, 18:48:58 PM: looks great Alan.
Fair feckin play to ya. Thanks some good work! :clap: :clap:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on August 23, 2008, 21:10:13 PM: Unfortunatly I am going to have to tear the airbreaks out of one of the wings. I'm not happy with them. But I think I know what the problem is. The airbreaks in the other wing work perfectaly though.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on January 29, 2009, 21:54:47 PM: OK. I guess it's my turn for an update. Just finished my January College exams and I have two weeks off to work on the K8 :D :D . Here are some pictures of what I've worked on.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Battery%20Tray.jpg)
Here you can see the battery tray. It will be hidden from view by the Intrument Panel which you can see in the next pic. It's not the best Instrument Panel but I think its pretty good for a first try.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Instrument%20Panel.jpg)
The next two pictures show the construction of the tailplane.

EDIT: THE TWO PICTURES BELOW ARE NOT FROM THE K8. THEY ARE FROM MY SKYLARK 2 BUILD. I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY GOT HERE.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Tailplane%201.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Tailplane%202.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: VincentB on January 30, 2009, 19:04:28 PM: Hi Alan, very nice work, I hope it will be finish for this summer
what do you will use to cover it?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on January 30, 2009, 22:09:12 PM: Thanks Vincent. I hope I have it finished before the summer too.
I am planning to cover the model with ORATEX. I don't know if you know of it. Here is a picture of the colour scheme I am planing on using. This picture is a few years old and the registration on the K8 has changed from EI-108 to EI-GLF.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/K8%20Yellow%20Colour%20scheme.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: VincentB on January 31, 2009, 05:27:41 AM: Yes I know Oratex, I used it on my last glider, good product, it's similar to cover than Solartex
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on February 02, 2009, 09:00:39 AM: Looking really good Alan ! :clap: :clap:

Thinking as well of the covering for the Ka1...
Solartex Antique might looks too old.. Diacov might look too white/new...
Never saw Oratex in real... But I like the effect on Vincent's MG9 !

Where do you source Oratex from Alan ? Might give it a go... :?:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on February 02, 2009, 14:10:23 PM: Hi Fred. I'm not sure where I'm going to get the Oratex. I will probably get it Online. But if my local model shop has it I'm might get it from them.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 05, 2009, 21:19:08 PM: Hi All. Here are some more pictures. I have assembled all the parts for the first time. They are not all finished but they are finished enough to fit them all together. I'll keep pluging away at it and hope fully I will have the first flight before Retroplane.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/First%20Full%20Assembely%202.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/First%20Full%20Assembely%201.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/First%20Full%20Assembely%203.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on April 06, 2009, 08:17:39 AM: Looking really good Alan ! :clap:

Where is the pilot come from ? :?: Looks like a Mpilot ?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 06, 2009, 09:32:51 AM: Thanks Fred. The Pilot is a Premier Pilot from www.premierpilots.net . He fits great in the cockpit.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on April 07, 2009, 09:37:13 AM: Looks really good !
Thanks for the info Alan!
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Stephan on April 10, 2009, 12:11:26 PM: Alan, looks great, hope you finish til July, Good luck
Stephan
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 10, 2009, 12:36:09 PM: Quote from: "Stephan"
Alan, looks great, hope you finish til July, Good luck
Stephan

Thanks Stephan. I hope so too. I hope to get some more work done on it this weekend.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 19, 2009, 11:06:12 AM: Hi All. Here are some more pictures of my K8 fully assembled, this time in the Irish Sun :D :D . I have done some extra work on it but you can't see it in these photos.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/2nd%20Assembely%203.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/2nd%20Assembely%202.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/2nd%20Assembely%201.jpg)

I'm really happy now :D :D . It's starting to look like a K8. I hope to have it finished by the end of June or first week of July.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on April 20, 2009, 08:36:30 AM: :clap: :clap: Good stuff Alan ! Looks good !
80 days left to Retroplane :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on April 20, 2009, 09:16:00 AM: looking really good Alan. Great work! :clap: :clap:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 20, 2009, 09:26:55 AM: Thanks Guys. Can't wait to get it into the air. Working on putting the airbreak servos into the wing at the moment. Then I'm going to build the ailerons and the put the aileron servos in. Then all I need to do to finish the wings is to finish sheeting them, e.g putting rib capping strips on etc. I need to do some more work on the Tailplane though. It twisted :!: :!: . But I should be able to sort it out.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: VincentB on June 17, 2009, 13:52:38 PM: Hello Alan,
3 weeks before Retroplane :D do you think it will be finish?

see you soon, Vincent
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on June 17, 2009, 14:00:28 PM: Hi Vincent.
Yes I hope to have it finished for retroplane even if it means It will have its first flight at retroplane [-o< . I am working hard on it at the moment. Hope to have some more pictures by the end of the week.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Happy Days on June 17, 2009, 14:14:16 PM: Jeezz Alan, I take my hat off to you, there's an awful lot of work there. :clap:

Be gentle with her, if she crashes it'll break you heart :cry:

Good Luck

Keith
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: DennisZ on June 17, 2009, 14:28:11 PM: Great work Alan!
Two and a half years - quite a long way.

Where did you buy the wood from ? I saw you got it all at once .
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on June 17, 2009, 16:24:32 PM: Thanks very much guys. Yes its been a long time coming. Hopefully everything will work out ok.

Quote from: "DennisZ"
Where did you buy the wood from ? I saw you got it all at once .

Dennis. I think I bought the wood from Inwood Models. www.inwoodmodels.co.uk . Its a good while ago now, but I'm pity certain it was them.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on June 25, 2009, 21:59:20 PM: Ok lads here's an update. The K8 is coming on well. The tailplane and fin are now fully sheeted and are almost ready to be covered. The wings are almost finished, all the servos have been installed and just need wiring up. The leading edge and wing tips have been glued on and just need sanding. I have also done some things with the fuselage. Here are some pics.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Almost%20finised%20wing%201.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Almost%20finised%20wing%202.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Almost%20finised%20wing%203.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/tailplane%20and%20fin%201.jpg)

Aerotow Release
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/aerotow%20release.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Nose%20and%20front%20planking%201.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Nose%20and%20front%20planking%202.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on June 26, 2009, 08:20:36 AM: Looking good Alan ! :clap:
Getting close now!! :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on July 08, 2009, 13:44:45 PM: Hi all. I'm still working hard on the K8. But I'm afraid it will not be ready for Retroplane . I will try to bring what I have done so far to one of the days so you can see what I have done. I will hope fully have it completed within one to two weeks after Retroplane. :( :( :(
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: rogallo on July 08, 2009, 16:15:17 PM: Alan, I am still finishing my two models, a rak and a backstrom, I am leaving tomorrow to go to Mount L so will be up all night. Keep up the good work and you can get there too :clap: :clap: :clap:

See you at the weekend

Ralph
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on July 08, 2009, 18:23:57 PM: Thanks Ralph. I'm sure I will get their. I'm dying to fly it. But it definitely wont be ready for the weekend. There is at least a week or two worth of building and covering to do. But I managed to get all the electrics going to day.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on August 23, 2009, 18:16:28 PM: Hi All.
Work on the K8 has been slow for the last few weeks. But I got a little bit of work done. I have the canopy glued to the canopy frame. I also have the nose skid and tail skid glued on to the fuselage. The wing are almost ready for covering. Just a little bit more sanding and they will be ready. After been inspired by Fred I have also built a cradle for the k8 as well.

Here are some photo's of the K8 with the canopy on.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Canopy%201.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Canopy%202.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Canopy%203.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Cradle.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Philipp Gardemin on August 28, 2009, 12:28:18 PM: @Alan: I would love to publish an article about that wonderful model in AUFWIND (German and English).

Please send me a email to editor@aufwind-magazine.net.

PHILIPP
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on August 28, 2009, 20:59:51 PM: Almost there now. The wings are now covered :D :D. It really is starting to look like a K8. I just have to do some more work on the airbreaks and they will be fully finished. I also have to do some more work on the fuselage and it will be ready for covering as well. Not looking forward to that. It looks like it could be complicated. Here are some photos,

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Wings%20Covered%201.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Wings%20Covered%202.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Tailplane%20and%20Fin%20Covered.jpg)

Here is a question for Fred or anyone else who has experience with solartex. As I was covering the wings I noticed these dark marks appearing on the solartex (see photo below). I'm not quite sure where they came from. I did use Balsaloc on the wood before I covered the wings, (For anyone who does not know, Blasaloc is a pretreatment you can put onto wood before you cover it so as the covering film sticks to it better).
It does not really mater in the end as I am going to paint them gloss white. Its just for future reference. Anyone got any ideas.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Wings%20Covered%203.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: DaveMc on August 28, 2009, 21:44:09 PM: Hi Alan,

Same thing happened to me on a Flair Fokker DV11 I built a few years back. Putting a sock on the iron helped as I initially thought it was dirt rubbing off on the solarex from the face of the iron. Reducing the heat also helped. I think it had something to do with the glue bonding under too much heat. Burning basically as it only occurs at the point where the covering touches the wooden structure... you can see that in your pics.

If you are painting over it, it should not matter anywho.

Absolutely fantastic model you have there by the way. Well done.

Dave
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: lothar4862 on August 28, 2009, 22:11:38 PM: Hi Alan,

I cannot answer Your Question, but I can tell You, that she's a real masterpiece. Everything looks very clean and well done.

Regards

Lothar
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on August 29, 2009, 11:36:17 AM: Thanks very much Lothar. Its my first scale model so it is not as clean and neat as I would like it to be. Definitely not as neat as your Horten XIV. The next time I make a model from a plan I'm going to try and get the parts laser cut.

Dave. I think you may be right about the iron been too hot. But I also think the balsaloc may have caused it as well. I did an experiment. I covered the elevator without using the balsaloc and there was hardly any dark marks at all.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Philipp Gardemin on August 30, 2009, 17:40:51 PM: @Alan: I received you email. You will get my extensive answer tomorrow (Monday).

PHILIPP
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on October 08, 2009, 16:06:36 PM: OK. Here's an update. Things are going slowly at the moment. Don't have much time to spend building. I have the fuselage covered. That means the entire glider is covered now :D . I also have the fin and rudder painted in the final color. See below,

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Covered%20Fuselage.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Painted%20Fin%20and%20Rudder.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on October 17, 2009, 20:35:57 PM: Hi All. Another update. I have the Fuselage painted now. Thats all I'm going to paint for the moment. I'll leave painting the wings until after the first few flights. Here are some pics. The paint job is not the best. You can't see it in the pic's but I was experimenting with different paints and there was some compatibility issues.
All thats left now is to finish of the canopy and attach it to the fuselage, balance the model and then get the electrics working right. I also have to have a look at one of the airbreaks. It seems to get stuck sometimes.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Fuselage%20Painted%201.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Fuselage%20Painted%202.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Fuselage%20Painted%203.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: billscottni on October 17, 2009, 21:50:07 PM: Can't see too much wrong with your paint job Alan.
Anyway once it's 500ft up or out, no one will know the difference!! :clap: :clap:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on October 18, 2009, 21:15:34 PM: Thanks Bill. Now that I look at it more closely I guess it not too bad. It's a bit messy in some small areas but thats what you get when you do a rush job.
Just a tip for anyone else who needs to do some painting, Halfords car spray paints and Dulux high gloss don't go well together.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Happy Days on October 18, 2009, 22:28:21 PM: This is obviously a big model Alan. When you come to launch it you’ll want to get it out into the lift and reasonably high as soon as possible.

I wonder if you might consider it a good idea to fit a hook to the under side and do what Lothar does. i.e. Launch off the slope using a piece of bungee. That would pretty much guarantee to get your model straight out into the lift with a high air speed, thereby giving you time to get the ‘feel’ of the plane before it might start to loose height if the trimming isn‘t right.

I think if I’d just spent umpteen hours of work on a plane of that size, that’s what I’d do. I’d hate to see it go nose in, or tip stall on first launch. :cry:

Keith
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on October 19, 2009, 10:23:04 AM: If you were to launch a plane with a bungee and the trim was not right things could go pair shaped quite quickly as well. The K8 is not as big as you think it is. Not much bigger than any of Fred's machines or Joe's ASH26. All I need is a good wind almost directly onto the slope. That should do the trick, I hope. Anyway the K8 is not a speed machine. It's supposed to fly well at low speeds, at least I hope so. If it does crash I won't be too disappointed. Building it was a great learning experience. I have learned a lot of things that will make the next model I make even better.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on November 24, 2009, 21:28:37 PM: Hi Lads. It's almost finished now. I have 99% of the lead installed in the nose. Man it took a LOT of lead to balance it. The K8's weight is approximately 5kg. Is that too heavy for a 1/4 scale glider with a 3.75m wingspan, Fred? All I have left to do is balance the wings and fix the sticking airbreaks. Here are some pics of what it looks like now.

Man it looks big
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Balance%201.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Balance%202.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Balance%203.jpg)

Here's a picture of my balancing devise
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Balance%204.jpg)
Title: new glider
Post by: JohnPearson on November 24, 2009, 22:00:26 PM: Hi Alan, now that's what I call a glider, great job she looks fantastic. I look forward to seeing this lady, take to the skies, soon I hope???

JohnP
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: haydenc on November 24, 2009, 22:10:01 PM: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Alan.
It looks fantastic.
Well done.
And the new reg as well.
It will take a lot of courage to launch that off the side of the hill.
When do you think it will fly.

Cha
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on November 25, 2009, 08:42:43 AM: Hey Alan,

Looking good ! :clap:
5kg seems ok to me. Most important is the wing loading. You certainly are between 50 and 60g/dm2, so still good ! And too light is not good too anyway ! :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on November 25, 2009, 09:54:37 AM: Thanks Lads. If everything goes according to plan I might try and fly her this Saturday at Mt Leinster. But thats weather permitting off course. I'll post a message on Friday to confirm if I will be there or not.

Fred: Thats a relief. I thought 5kg was too heavy. It feels quite heavy when I lift it. But your right, its the wing loading that counts. Thanks.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Peter on November 26, 2009, 19:46:21 PM: Great looking glider Alan - looks the business! Well done. I put a shed load of lead into the front of the B4 as well! I guess these scale gliders are designd to have a person up front!
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on November 26, 2009, 19:55:09 PM: Thanks Peter. Hmmm, maybe someone should make a scale pilot from Lead. That would save having to put most of the lead in the nose. :?: :?:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on December 01, 2009, 17:47:41 PM: Hi All. Here are some pics of my K8 at Mt Leinster. As some of you already know the first flight did not go quite according to plan and I crashed it. But the damage was minor and has already been repaired. I think I know what caused the problem, a stupid mistake by me when setting up the glider before launch.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Mt%20Leinster%2028-11-09%20%283%29.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Mt%20Leinster%2028-11-09%20%285%29.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Mt%20Leinster%2028-11-09%20%281%29.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/Mt%20Leinster%2028-11-09%20%282%29.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on December 01, 2009, 18:19:43 PM: Hey Alan,

Good to see her soon back in the air ! :D

So, what was the issue at the end ? :?: Decalage ? :?:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on December 01, 2009, 18:35:02 PM: Do you remember before launch you told me to put in some down trim, to stop a stall just in case it was tail heavy. Well I accidental put in up trim :oops: :oops: :oops: :!: :!: :!:. But I'm going to check the decalage just in case as well, and recheck the CG.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on March 03, 2010, 11:52:57 AM: Hi All,

Just an update. It flies :D :D :D :D, finally. I have a very short video. Its not the best quality but it will do. Thanks for the launch Peter.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/v/71Pfmx6Dd9M[/youtube]

I got two flights in that day. But I did a little damage to it attempting a third launch. But it will be easy to fix. It broke in exactly the same places as the last time.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on March 04, 2010, 19:54:10 PM: Great to see you getting a few flights on the K8. Looking forward to seeing it in the air. After all that work it must be very satisfying to get it in the air.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on March 04, 2010, 20:26:04 PM: Thanks Joe. Yea It was great to finally get it in the air. Very satisfying. Just need to tweak a few things such as the CG and decalage to get it flying right. When do you think you will get to finish your scale gliders?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: joe on March 04, 2010, 20:44:04 PM: Might be while Alan. If I finish any glider in the next few months I will be happy!
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on July 11, 2013, 21:33:52 PM: Sorry for bringing back this old thread from the deep bottom of the forum, but I have a question regarding the way Cliff did this junction on his model:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/K-acht1.jpg)

My guess, is that the keel, join a former, then the bottom of the skid end up at the junction :?: (hope I am clear! :?: :oops: )

I really like the way he designed the fuselage, but this area is not clear in my head, but my logic makes me think this is some kind of a "knot" at this point of the fuselage right? :?:
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: billscottni on July 11, 2013, 21:42:17 PM: I would imagine the keel finishes after passing through the former and that the skid fairs in at the same point, being almost nothing at this point.
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on July 11, 2013, 23:05:54 PM: Hi Fred and Bill. The end of the skid is free floating to allow for the movement of the skid when landing. I will try to get some pictures. Not sure if that's what you are talking about Fred. Are you thinking of building a K8 :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on July 11, 2013, 23:17:52 PM: Thanks Bill :D
That's the way it is on the Ka3, but on the Ka8, the back of the fuselage, when on straight line, is higher. Not easy to explain I have to say :!:
I have a diagram of the tube frame, but it is not very clear :!:

Hi Alan, sorry, not the skid, but where the skid is attached (the bottom of the fuselage if you see what I mean :?: ) Pretty clear in my head, but want to see the way Cliff did this part :?:
Yeah, have a few surprises coming in :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on July 12, 2013, 20:48:52 PM: Fred, here are some pictures of my K8 in the area you are interested in. Not sure if they are any help.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF0988.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF0989.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF0990.jpg)

Also, about the skid. The front of the skid is screwed to the fuselage. But the back of the skid is loose. There is a bracket to stop the loose end of the skid from moving from side to side (see photo below). The reason for the loose end is to allow the skid to move during landings. There is a piece of rubber hosing between the skid and fuselage to act as a shock absorber.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Alan_Perse/DSCF0991.jpg)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on July 13, 2013, 11:34:32 AM: Hi Alan,
That's perfect, thanks :).
That's the way i did the big KA3, all clear in my head now.
Also, in the mean time, found a photo of the full size underside :)
Time to cut some wood! ;)
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on July 13, 2013, 20:13:50 PM: And some wood was cut :mrgreen:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/K8%20Proto%20test.jpeg)

More next week :D
Thanks again Alan :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on July 13, 2013, 20:33:29 PM: Nice. Is it 1/3 scale?
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Fred on July 15, 2013, 12:39:41 PM: 1/3 scale it is indeed :D
Title: DGC Ka8b
Post by: Alan_Perse on July 15, 2013, 15:17:20 PM: Great. Can't wait to see it.