Lockheed Altair

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Tim H
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Lockheed Altair

Postby Tim H » Sat Sep 24, 2016 6:08 pm

This is a little embarrassing as I started this model years ago while the old SFA was still going, and I am hardly any further on now. However I hope this will spur me on to the finish line.
A brief reminder of what I am doing. This is a 1/20th scale model of the Lockheed Altair which I plan to finish in the scheme of the plane which Sir Charles Kingsford Smith flew; the "Lady Southern Cross". It is my own design and is for electric power with a Zombie controller.

This is the scheme and a pic of "Smithy" posing on the wing.
Attachments
vhusb40.jpg
vhusb40.jpg (90.24 KiB) Viewed 13987 times
Altair 3-view2.jpg
Altair 3-view2.jpg (112.64 KiB) Viewed 13987 times

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Tim H
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Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby Tim H » Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:49 pm

Here are a few pics of the build. I posted all these previously so this is just a few as a reminder rather than a re-run.
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IMG_0068a.jpg
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IMG_0516a.jpg
IMG_0516a.jpg (102 KiB) Viewed 13984 times
IMG_0701a.jpg
IMG_0701a.jpg (99.29 KiB) Viewed 13984 times

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Tim H
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Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby Tim H » Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:56 pm

Some more.
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IMG_0707.JPG
IMG_0707.JPG (241.09 KiB) Viewed 13984 times
IMG_0711a.jpg
IMG_0711a.jpg (98.31 KiB) Viewed 13984 times
IMG_0881a.jpg
IMG_0881a.jpg (111.11 KiB) Viewed 13984 times

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Tim H
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Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby Tim H » Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:11 pm

The last pic I put on SFA was (I think) nearly eighteen months ago and not much has changed. The main progress has been that the Altair now has a canopy and two pilots. In another area I have gone backwards. A few weeks back I was at a point where I was ready for some flight trimming so I put the model in my van and headed out to my flying field. It was a pleasant evening, if a bit too breezy but i hoped the wind would die down as the sun went down. When I picked up the model. the tailplane now looked more like a propellor! In spite of pre shrinking and having been flat for months.

So no flight tests yet; instead tail end surgery. I cut out the tailplane and have rebuilt it with a carbon rod across the span and have given it a symmetrical section with balsa laminations top and bottom to hopefully stiffen it. I am not too bothered about the extra weight as I had to mount the Lipo battery at the CG to balance it so I can move that forwards a smidge if I need to.
Attachments
IMG_1435.JPG
IMG_1435.JPG (212.74 KiB) Viewed 13984 times
IMG_1434a.jpg
IMG_1434a.jpg (143.8 KiB) Viewed 13984 times

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Tim H
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Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby Tim H » Sat Sep 24, 2016 8:14 pm

Repairs.
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IMG_1438.JPG
IMG_1438.JPG (254.24 KiB) Viewed 13984 times
IMG_1436a.jpg
IMG_1436a.jpg (108.78 KiB) Viewed 13984 times
IMG_1437.JPG
IMG_1437.JPG (229.09 KiB) Viewed 13984 times

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Pete Fardell
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Location: Hull UK

Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby Pete Fardell » Sat Sep 24, 2016 10:29 pm

It's looking great, Tim!
(I like the pilots too- are they those vac-formed ones, or have you just got very good at carving?)
Pete

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Tim H
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Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2016 12:08 am

Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby Tim H » Sat Sep 24, 2016 10:38 pm

Thanks Pete, they are Dave Banks pilots but with nothing left but the heads. You must be having a laugh if you think I carved them!

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Site Admin (Dave)
Site Admin
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Joined: Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:20 am

Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby Site Admin (Dave) » Sat Sep 24, 2016 11:31 pm

What a nice build Tim. Really clean. :)

mescall1
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Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2016 5:53 pm

Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby mescall1 » Sun Sep 25, 2016 3:29 am

Really nice. I love the color scheme.
Mike

GRB
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Joined: Thu Aug 18, 2016 12:41 pm

Re: Lockheed Altair

Postby GRB » Mon Sep 26, 2016 12:38 am

Nice work. This plane sure has some beautiful lines!


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