KK Ajax

I had intended to start this one on Christmas Day and declare it as my 2017 Christmas build......however, waking up with a dose of 'flu on the day put paid to that idea!!!

SAM 35 are holding a competition for the KK Ajax and Achilles during their 'Vintage and Retro Sports Nationals' at Buckminster during the long weekend, 6th - 8th July. I already have an Achilles, so I need to get the Ajax built, finished and trimmed before the beginning of July!

Construction started this morning with steaming of the longerons:



....and continued with the construction of one fuselage side. I use twice thickness blocks to jig the fuselage and cut pieces for both sides as I am building one of them so that I can build the second side over the first and hold both to the plan with further jig pieces pinned over the blocks.

I built one a very long time ago and I think I still have the original plans although I bet they will be pretty yellow by now!.
It always seemed to me the fuselage was unduly 'portly' particularly when compared to something like the KK Ace, which my Dad built at the same time.

I can never remember if it was the Ajax or the Achilles that I built, but I do remember it seemed 'dated' compared to the Playboy and the Ace, both of which I also built. I think the chronology was Playboy, Ajax/Achilles, Ace - but it was a long time ago
Mike

I agree with Q on the look of the Ajax, the fuselage is far to portly. I suspect it has something to do with the Wakefield rules current at the time of the design, when fuselage cross-section area was mandated as a function of the fuselage length. I much prefer the looks of the KK Eaglet, Competitor, and Contester series of rubber duration models:

www.aeromodellers.co.uk/forum/free-fligh...glet?start=105#63005

I wouldn't normally be building either the Ajax or Achilles, but the SAM 35 initiative to celebrate the 70 odd years that these designs have been around is too good to miss!

Good for you . I can hardly believe they are that old though. I recall building one of them when I was about 8 yrs old but can't say which one now

I built the Eaglet in '55 and a glider about the same size.Would that be a Cub perhaps? Viscous timers. I've never come across them how did they work? I used "AIRDRAULIC" timers which were pneumatic.Worked on the controlled leakage of air out of a cylinder which had a spring loaded plunger with a rubber seal on it. They were set by pulling the plunger and engaging it with what it is you needed controlled. It was governed by an air bleed screw. A bit like a carburettor air bleed. You may have used them in which case I apologise for teaching granny.I still have two .One not attached and the other is on a ply plate which carries a cut out system. I can't call it a switch really. It was to cut the ignition on a sparkie engine by shorting it out.Neither of them work properly now but I may be able to fix them. If not. Souvenirs.
BTW is it possible to retighten nylon covering which has gone a bit slack. It is doped and fuel proofed and apart from going slack it is in good nick.Or if I need to strip it what is best way to unstick it. I'm asking you 'cause I regard you as the resident expert/guru on covering Amongst other things. Our thoughts may coincide but if so so much the better. Additionally your answers may help others. Thanks for reading Andy.

Put this in the wrong place!
Yes, I thought so - the Ajax and Achilles were both advertised in the February 1941 Aeromodeller at 4/- and 2'6d respectively, and may, for all I know, have been around even earlier. The 1946 date must have been when they were updated
Mike

Covering - it can often be re-taughtened by applying gentle heat, or another coat of dope. Stripping of nylon is relatively easy as it will tear off in strips. Or if you used dope to stick it on, thinners...unless you used balsa cement to construct the model. In which case, you'll end up with a kit of parts.

I have an airdraulic engine timer somewhere...I'll post a pic when I can find it. The viscous damper timers are excellent in that they are light and small. Amongst other things, they are used commercially to damp the closure of lids on stereo systems.

Progress on the Ajax is slow, but I have one side done:



the second laid down on top of the first:



..and the two removed from the board and the edge tidied:

Thanks for that. Much as I thought regarding stripping the nylon. Even if I hadn't doped it on the dope it's finished with would stick it anyway. When it was built there was only balsa or PVA Most likely balsa cement as it dried quicker
and I can't recall which I used In 1958. I still don't understand those timers. Are they like a mini shock absorber/damper. A cylinder with oil in it and a slow release valve? Incidentally I'm waiting for a copy of Harrier Boys but it's a bit late. I was told to let the supplier know if it hasn't arrived by Thursday and he will refund my cash.I hope it does come as I'm looking forward to reading it. Other copies are available but at a high price.

I've been away from aero-stuff for a month or two now: my stable loft is far too cold to work in. I packed everything away and have been lagging and draught-proofing it, so I can use it all year round. Nearly done bar some sorting some annoyingly mysterious leaks - photos of the Aircraft Factory to follow when it's done.
However, I am thrilled to see this new thread. Only a few weeks ago a conversation with my brothers turned to a list of the planes we'd built back in the day. It was only then that I remembered my Ajax. Having failed to make anything that flew in any direction other than earthwards, I bought the Ajax because of its famous flying reputation and longevity. Surely, even I couldn't screw up this one... Imagine my distress when I finally let it out of my hands only to watch it crash. I couldn't make the best flying model in the world fly. (Not the plane's fault, more likely my speedy and inaccurate building skills.) At that point I turned to boats!
Anyway, having recalled the Ajax and seen that it is now available again, I have put it on my list to build:

Hawker Hurricane - all but finished.
Sopwith Pup - nearly ready to cover: update coming.
Lockheed Vega - formers made: new thread to be started soon.
Ajax - in the pipeline.

Finally, I will get to discover if the Ajax deserves its awesome reputation...

Holy cow! I was just going through some old photos and found this: my Ajax (I think?).

Crashrr wrote: Holy cow! I was just going through some old photos and found this: my Ajax (I think?).

Looks like one.

I've just looked at the plans for an Ajax and an Achilles and I don't think this is either one or the other: the tail on mine looks too pointed and the wings also look different. I'm thinking this is a Competitor?? It's possible I made this after my Ajax (or Achilles - I'm doubting everything now...!).

Looks like I'll be making a Competitor before I make an Ajax, just to compare it with this photo...

You may be right

It's a Competitor Crashrr. You'll find picture of mine on my Eaglet thread, here:

www.aeromodellers.co.uk/forum/free-fligh...glet?start=105#63005

The Competitor is the one with Orange wings and a black fuselage. The smaller model is the Eaglet, the larger the Contester.