Fairey Gannet AEW3

When I introduced myself to the forum last week I said I was about to build a 1/6th scale Fairey Gannet AEW3 from an own design. Wing span is 108.6"

I was reluctant to publish the build log but after the encouragement from you all here goes. Don't hold your breath, this is going to take a while.








This is the first model of a planned 3 off. Model 1 is to develop the design and prove out flying qualities. Model 2 is to develop folding wings and incorporate improvements from Model 1. Model 3 will be the all singing, dancing scale model perhaps even for club competitions, if I have the courage.

The philosophy is to build light, but strong hence the open frame structure and planking. Use CAD for design and design control. Laser cut parts 'cause I don't have the patience to cut out the bits!!

Today I went to my club mate who has a laser cutter and collected the parts. He has taken my design and made it into a design suitable for laser cutting. The pictures below show half the parts, mainly fuselage. The copy of RCME is to give an idea of the size.

smashing i shall look forward to this build.

Thanks Tony. There's loads of design issues to be sorted out so I will be calling on you guys for ideas, solutions and the occasional kick up the backside in those dark hours when its not going right. For instance the front nose leg reduces in length during retraction. Have'nt worked out how to do that and keep some suspension in the oleo. The Fairey Youngman flaps are going to be a real to sort out.

Just had a quick play with the radome parts to see how it goes together.




Here's the motor, contra rotating Axi. Ready to go in.

build a slope into the wheel well that compresses the leg as it retracts maybe.

going to be a brute sir, love it.

Good idea, hadn't thought of that.

Brute! How about ugly brute! Anyway my partner says size matters and who am I to disagree. She's always right!

stood under the full size at newark museum, it dwarfs the folland gnat next to it.

well i hope all goes well with your build,
i suppose i best dig out the shackleton and try to finish that at some point then.

Now that would be a sight to behold, the Shackleton and Gannet in formation. You have plenty of time to get it ready, the Gannet is going to take a while.

what more than two weeks

Ralpharr2001 wrote: Thanks Tony. There's loads of design issues to be sorted out so I will be calling on you guys for ideas, solutions and the occasional kick up the backside in those dark hours when its not going right. For instance the front nose leg reduces in length during retraction. Have'nt worked out how to do that and keep some suspension in the oleo. The Fairey Youngman flaps are going to be a real to sort out........

Join us in "Live Chat" Ralph, a lot of the issues we have with models get sorted there in brain storming sessions.

There's normally someone there in the morning from about 6.30 to 8.30, over lunch and in the evenings after about 6.00pm

Ok Andy, I'll do just that.

Todays 'dry' build, no glue just to see how it goes together. This is the cockpit area and a few formers behind it which we have designed to be removable to access the motor, batteries and electronics. Still got to add the longerons but will do that when its clamped to the main fuselage box.




Well worth the time spent on the computer modelling, its going together like a Swiss watch. No more building today, off flying.

looks good
looks very good.
cad drawn and laser cut goes together so well.

still learning cad and have no idea how to turn my drawings into models yet.

Update for today.

The centre box structure has been set up and glued. I have dry fitted the fuselage formers onto the central box. As Tony says CAD and laser cut parts fit so well they stay in place without glue.

I am not happy with the shape of the fuse formers aft of the wing TE. On the full size the section is triangular in shape. Phil, who CAD'ed (?) it for me has continued with the 'egg' shape of the front formers. I will review these tomorrow and modify them.

Here is a picture of the rear fuselage on a fullsize Gannet. You can see the more triangular fuselage section that I need to achieve.

Hmmm I do like the look of the cad and laser building, looks so light, make my built like a tank models look prehistoric
Nice subject to

Smashing progress sir.
looks a lovely build so far.