The F-82 Project
Our weekly pizza & beer construction crew decided we needed another project, something that was unusual, big and will attract a lot of attention. Kenny thought it should be a multi-engine airplane with big engines. We kicked around several ideas, most WWII bombers have been done and civilian airplanes just didn't peak our interest. A few beers later, Charlie Howard said "I have two Great Planes giant Mustangs ARC's that I got on the scratch & dent from Tower". We all looked at him and said damn, that's it! So the F-82 project was born. Other commitments and keeping our airplanes flyable slowed the progress in the beginning, but we are now on track. I will up date this page as we progress with the construction. Sammy & Maggie are just happy that there will be pizza!
The regular crew are Charlie Howard, Kenny Howerton, Jerry Mahl, & me, Rich Richardson, we meet at my house. I am the one who takes the picture so you won't see much of me. I have two longhaired Dachshunds Sammy & Meggie, who are happiest when the guys come over, they love the pizza. Also from time to time other members of the club will drop by for a beer and see what we have accomplished. As with the C-130 project, this one will just as enjoyable. By the way we have new dog "Dutch", another Longhaired Dachshund, as of October. He was seriously abused and needed a loving home. You will see him from time to time.
This is a work in progress page, it will be up dated often
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This is what laid out from the box |
Deciding the distance between the fuselages. |
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What to do with the landing gear placement |
Break Time |
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Charlie joined the wings |
Well it is big! |
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The landing gear will fold into the center wing section |
The horz. stab cut from hard foam, to be sheeted & glassed |
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The top of the stab is sheeted |
Using hard balsa the tail group plugs are shaped |
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Holes are drilled for the rods that hold horz. stab |
More shaping for a good tight fit |
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Checking the fit and the distance |
Trial fit again, looking good |
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Measuring the cut outs & distance |
Sammy wants to know where is the Pizza |
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Cut the slots for the tubes |
I clean out the channels for the tubes that will tie in the tail |
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The tubes are epoxyed and then filled liquid foam |
Incidence meter ensure the wing & stab are correct |
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The gear has been machined a is ready |
1/4" ply is being cut & sanded for the strengthen the ribs |
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Trail fit and more sanding |
The ply ribs are all cut and fitted in place |
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Checking for the placement of the mounting rails |
Kenny found that the gear needs be as far forward |
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Looks good ( I never get in the pictures!) |
Slots cut and rail being fitted |
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This should work. Every thing will be expoyed in place |
Dallas say Oh Sh-t, looks too tall to me |
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It takes a few guys to move this thing |
Too tall, this won't work! |
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Sammy inspects the progress |
Kenny begin working on the tail wheel retracts |
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. Jerry trying to determine the best way to shorten the struts |
Tail retract work great |
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We shortened the struts about 2" |
Fitting them in the wing |
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This looks about right, time to mount them in the wing |
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Rails $ additional plywood to add strength |
Time for the epoxy |
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Now this should work. |
Dallas has a senior moment |
