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Gliders => PSS => Topic started by: joe on May 23, 2006, 01:23:27 AM

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on May 23, 2006, 01:23:27 AM

U2r PSS from a Paul Janssens plan http://www.pjmodelclassics.be/
Span 210 cm
Lenght 121 cm
Weight 1.3 KG

i have fancied the idea of building some PSS planes for a while now and have been collecting a few plans with a view to building them over the coming year.the U2 was one of the first i got my hands on.i've always liked the look of the U2,especially in NASA colours and it seams well suited to PSS.with those long, high aspect wings it's almost glider like.which means it should fly well even in light lift conditions.so here goes

FUSELAGE:

the fuselage is made using the lost foam method:

a foam plug is made by using side and top view templates to cut a two dimensional fuselage.
the third dimension is added by sanding and using cross section templates to get the shape right.next the fuselage is covered in packing tape and treated to a coat of wax.
then three layers of glassfibre are applied using finishing epoxy.when that starts to cure the whole fusealge is covered in a thick coat of epoxy microbollons mix.when cured the epoxy microballoon coat is sanded to leave you with a smooth hard finish.

thats about as far as i gotten.
the next step is to cut an access hatch in the fuselage and use acetone to melt the foam (hence the name "lost foam method") out and remove the tape,leaving me with a nice glassfibre fuse for my U2.i want to to fill a few little bits and get a better shape in places before i melt out my foam plug.

this is what we're aiming for
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/nasa.jpg)


2D fuse:
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/profile.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/profile2.jpg)


3D fuse after lots of sanding
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/shaped.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/shaped2.jpg)


fuse covered in tape ready for glassing
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/taped.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/taped2.jpg)


sanded glass fuse given a light coat of primer to see what the surface finish is like.this will need a little more work.
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/glassed1.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/glassed2.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/glassed3.jpg)



thats all for now.
next: finishing the fuse and cutting the foam wings and tail group

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on May 23, 2006, 09:23:33 AM

Very very nice !!

You've used a filler on top of the brown tape ? Is that correct ?

Very good looking fuselage !! I like that !

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on May 23, 2006, 10:38:22 AM

thanks Fred.
it's getting there.not bad for first attempt.need to go around the fuse and fill all the humps and bumps,and sand again.that should give me a nice smooth finish.the photos make it look a lot better it actually is.
i've learned a lot about this method and will totally use it again.would recommend starting with a much smaller fuselage though.the U2 took a good bit of time.lots of glass cloth and lots of epoxy!

no?,no filler on brown tape.here what i've done again:
shaped foam plug is covered in brown tape.give the whole thing a good coat of wax (i used floor wax).cover with two layers of 160 grams / sq.metre glass cloth then a layer of 80 gram s/ sq.metre cloth.leave that to cure for a bit.then cover the whole thing in epoxy/microballoon.when thats dry sand most of it off to get a smooth finish.you may have to add some more epoxy/microballoons in certain spots and sand again to get a good finish.
Paul Janssens explanes the method on his site http://www.pjmodelclassics.be/

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on May 24, 2006, 23:54:46 PM

Ok.so foam blocks cut for the wings and tail.hopefully cut the wings tomorrow.

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/wingblocks1.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/wingblocks2.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on May 25, 2006, 07:37:39 AM

Looking Very good Joe !!

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on May 26, 2006, 16:56:16 PM

wings,elevator and vertical stab cut.spar,wing tube and obechi covering next  :D

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/cutwings1.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/cutwings2.jpg)

a little bit rough at the root.the cutter was just big enough(1 metre).should be fine
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/cutwings3.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on May 26, 2006, 17:03:24 PM

Nice work !

It's looking really good now !  Looks like a U2 now !   :D

(http://army.tom.com/images/weapon/air/scout/21.jpg)

 :)

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on May 26, 2006, 17:27:41 PM

hummm, i'm tempted by the back scheme aswell  :?

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on May 26, 2006, 17:46:30 PM

Yep, that's a nice one too
Or go for the full options : Black scheme, External tanks, and radar on the back ! :

(http://www.fatcityrecords.com/doughamblin/irph/u2profile.jpg)

Or silver (proto) :

(http://air.top81.cn/others/gfx/u2/u2_2.jpg)

Or for training :

(http://air.top81.cn/others/gfx/u2/u2ct_1.jpg)

(http://air.top81.cn/others/gfx/u2/u2_3.jpg)

Hope you are confused now !!   :D

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Alan_Perse on May 26, 2006, 20:28:43 PM

Looks sweet Joe. I always liked the U2 too. Might build one myself one day. Although I prefer the black paint scheme (I think its a militry scheme, right?).

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on June 15, 2006, 00:03:32 AM

ok so i haven't done much work on the U2 lately due to nice sunny weather,lots of other work that needed doin and the feckin world cup thats been distracting me.

spars top and bottom,wing joiner tube and incidence pin tube done.nearly ready for covering.

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/spars3.jpg)

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/spars2.jpg)

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/wingsspars.jpg)

cut some servo bays aswell!

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/servobay.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on June 15, 2006, 07:58:27 AM

Very nice Joe !

Almost finish !  :D   And stop watching the World Cup ! That's not good for you ! :D

By the way, did you start to put the sheeting on the wings ?

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on June 15, 2006, 12:58:30 PM

hey Fred.no haven't started the sheeting yet.need to cut the front off the leading edges for the balsa.cut the roots of the wings to fit the fuselage and fit the servo cable first.
hope to get started with the sheeting tonight.

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Alan_Perse on July 06, 2006, 09:04:57 AM

Hi Joe. Any progress on the U2. It should make a great PSS plane.

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on July 07, 2006, 22:02:24 PM

hiya Alan.haven't had a chance to do much on the U2 for a while.i plan on putting a full day in on it tomorrow.i shall post some pictures of my progress tomorrow evening.i hope!

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on July 27, 2006, 11:19:32 AM

Hey Joe,

Any progress on the U2 ?

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on July 29, 2006, 13:42:16 PM

managed to get a bit of work done Fred.will do a little more today and post pics later on
 :D

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on July 29, 2006, 20:18:55 PM

OK! here we go.starting to get somewhere now.still a good bit of work to do though.
elevator/stab are pretty much ready to cover,just a quick once over with filler to fill any joins and the like and a final sand.
rudder/fin nearly there too.will probably glass poly-c the fin and rudder and finish the same as the fuselage.
wings need a bit of work where they meet the fuse.balsa sanding and some filler required here.leading edges need to be sanded and wing tips added.
fuse needs a good going over with filler and then sanded and then probably filled again and sanded.......... fuse needs work! will test fly first!
one big mistake so far.due to a f**k up installing the wing joining rod.the wings aren't as sweeped back as they should be.apart from a more forward c of g i'm hoping this won't effect flight too much :?

some pics then.probably looks better in the pics than in the flesh.
fairly happy for first build.looks like a U2r anyway! :D

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/front_view.jpg)

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/angled_view.jpg)

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/profile_view.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on July 31, 2006, 09:11:05 AM

Wow !
Looking very good Joe ! We can recognized a U2 here !  :D

Almost finish !
So for what paint sheme are you going to ?

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on August 03, 2006, 18:25:49 PM

thanks Fred :D
reasonable happy.yeah it's looking like a u2 thankfully!.
i'll probably go for the NASA scheme

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/nasa.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on August 03, 2006, 21:31:59 PM

Hey Joe, nice choice !
That will change from the over see black paint scheme !

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on September 04, 2006, 23:04:46 PM

Haven't had much time to work on the U2r.This is a far as i've gotten.The fuse has a coat of primer and a light sanding.Just needs a few coats of gloss white and some varnish and i'll have a ARTF PSS U2r :D

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/side_primed.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/front_primed.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/nose_primed.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on September 05, 2006, 08:43:09 AM

Wow,

Looking really good Joe from here !..

Hummm  what about a mold of the fuselage ?   :mrgreen:    Ok ok, next one !

But I think the U2 have is place to the scale section... I will be affraid to do some combat with it as it really looks beautifull !...

But if you really want to do some combat... BANZAAIIIIII !

Really beautifull !

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on September 05, 2006, 16:15:53 PM

Thanks Fred.It's getting there! This one might flying a bit too high for combat  :D

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Anonymous on September 06, 2006, 21:25:57 PM

hi guys

Joe, i have to say i  very impressed. Good job, can t wait to see it flying.

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: david_herbaut on September 06, 2006, 21:28:58 PM

That was David buy the way  :lol:

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on September 07, 2006, 07:23:13 AM

Hey David,

Have you find a gear set for your servos ?

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on September 18, 2006, 09:56:37 AM

So, Yesterday, The U2 has made is maiden flight in Kilakee...
Joe can tell you more about the flight as he was on the sticks, but something is sure, this PSS looks great in flight !

Very beautiful machine ! And you don't need a storm to fly it, as the wind was light for the day and the U2 was able to stay well in the air without problems.

So, to be short, one word for the U2 : WOW ! Nice one Joe !

(http://gliderireland.modelisme.com/images/Planeur/U2/u22.jpg)

More pictures can be found on the GliderIreland website.

Video tomorrow !

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on September 19, 2006, 07:47:25 AM

Hop, Here is the video :

(http://www.retroplane.net/forum/images/icone-wmv.gif) (http://acmangouleme.free.fr/U2Joe.wmv)

Right Click and save as...5.5Mo - 3.40 mins...

Enjoy !

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: david_herbaut on September 19, 2006, 14:54:24 PM

well done joe that was a nice flight. Hope to see it during the next rebel flying session.
bye

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on September 21, 2006, 20:44:00 PM

Thanks David.I'm sure you'll see it at the next outting.Thanks to you too Fred.For the launchs and and the help with the CoG.
Pretty happy with the U2.It's and first plane i've built from a plan,the first fiberglass work i've done,the first foam wings i've cut.Lots of firsts really! It doesn't fly too badly and it looks ok too.So all in all a good introduction to building and to PSS.
Initially the U2 was way too tail heavy making the first two flights very interesting.the first being an immediate loop ending in a nose straight down dart like landing.This early test proving the fuselage to be quite strong and resilient.With way more weight added to the nose she was launched again,this time unfortuneatly the battery and the weight moved on launch causeing her to stall straight away.With the everything fixed securely in place it was time for launch number three.This time thankfully she sailed gently away from the slope.
After two flights i can say she flys pretty well.As Fred said earlier she doesn't need a gale to get going and can glide around gently in fairly light lift.As expected I'm using a lot of aileron differential and rudder mixed with aileron to get smooth turns at the moment.Will take a few flight to get her dialed in.Will have a little thinker with the incidences and probably lose a bit of the lead from the nose as it is a bit nose heavy still i think.
Just need to finish the paint job and add some trim lines and a NASA here and there and shes done.
There is a huge amount of satisfaction to be gained form starting with a basic plan and ending up with a model that flys pretty well.I've got the building bug it seems.Can't wait to start the next one!
 :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Alan_Perse on October 10, 2006, 09:53:06 AM

Looks great Joe. Just watched the video. It looks like it flies very well. Great job. :D  :D

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on October 16, 2006, 16:32:10 PM

Nearly There! Just a few more details.The NASA and the registration numbers and yes Fred a pilot!! :lol:  :lol:

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/nearlythere1.jpg)
(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/nearlythere2.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on October 16, 2006, 17:01:27 PM

Very nice Joe !
Start to really look the part !

And yes, you need a pilot... Otherwise, this thing can't fly !  :lol:

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on October 19, 2006, 15:38:32 PM

That's pretty much it then!  :D  :D
Just need some decent weather to fly the thing now! :roll:

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/almostfinished_profile.jpg)

(http://homepage.mac.com/josephdoyle/rc/_img/U2/almostfinished_angle.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on October 20, 2006, 07:48:09 AM

Nice one Joe !  :D

That's is a very good looking plane / glider !

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on November 06, 2006, 08:47:22 AM

Hey Joe,
Look what I've found :

(http://www.corante.com/mooreslore/archives/images/nasa%20logo.png)

 :D

Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on November 06, 2006, 11:41:58 AM

Yep! thats the one alright!.I'll have to do a bit of measuring today and get you to print me one.Well two actually! and maybe a couple of numbers aswell.Cool  8)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on November 06, 2006, 11:49:49 AM

No problemo Joe !


Fred

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on January 27, 2010, 17:09:12 PM

So three and bit years after it was finished I've decided to return to the U2. It was my first scratch build and it left a lot to be desired. The fuse is not too bad but the wings and stab aren't very good. I messed up on the wing joiner big time which changed the planform and gave it a slight anhedral as well. It flew OK but that's all. Needed constant flying as it wanted to tighten into turns. That'll be the anhedral I'd imagine.

So it now has two new wing cores with joiner fitted. Correctly this time, I think. I went for a RG14 second time for a faster low drag wing. It has plenty of wing area so should still go well in medium lift. I hope?

New stabs cut and and skinned. Used my vacuum pump for the skinning. Makes a big difference and with some fibreglass you can get a nice strong, straight and thin trailing edge.

Anyway, here's some photos.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1060365.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1060366.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1060368.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1060373.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1060374.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1060375.jpg)
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1060376.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: billscottni on January 27, 2010, 17:15:49 PM

Nice Joe,
Can't beat the vac bag for getting skins on securely :D

Title: U2
Post by: JohnPearson on January 27, 2010, 23:46:11 PM

Hi Joe

I love the U2 spy plane, those wings are sweeeet, well done, another PSS for the slope in 2010, it's going to be an interesting year guys, keep the scale planes coming!!

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on May 13, 2010, 18:09:03 PM

Got a bit more work done on the U2 replacement wings. Could of done a few things better. Will know next time. We live and learn. Not bad though for first vacuumed wings.

Servo bays cut and wire in place. I did it the lazy way.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070619.jpg)

Skins cut to size.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070622.jpg)

The the wing sandwich.  
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070624.jpg)

Glass cut and ready.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070616.jpg)

All wetted out.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070625.jpg)

Out of the vac bag.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070679.jpg)

After a bit sanding.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070678_2.jpg)

Leading edges glued and sanded. Ailerons and flaps cut free. Live hinges using peel ply. We see how they last.
(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070934.jpg)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/joe/P1070933.jpg)

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: billscottni on May 13, 2010, 18:21:11 PM

Nice Joe :clap:  :clap:

Ready for next weekend? :?:

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on May 13, 2010, 18:31:44 PM

Unfortunately will miss next meeting Bill. Got to do some work. If it wasn't for that of course it would be ready!! :wink:  :wink:

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: billscottni on May 13, 2010, 18:35:43 PM

ye ye, excuses excuses  :wink:  :wink:

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: Fred on May 13, 2010, 19:32:58 PM

Nice Joe  :clap:

Vinyl covering ? :?:

Title: Lockheed U2r PSS
Post by: joe on May 14, 2010, 07:06:44 AM

Oh maybe not quite ready Bill!

Will be oracover Fred. Bought a big 10 metre roll of it a while back.