Precedent T180 Restoration

Almost done with the tailplane. Just the ends and sheeting to do. I'll post a photo when I've done it.

One thing I'm finding difficult, but enjoyable, is working out the order to build in. I suppose with a kit, there'd be a list of instructions on the order to follow. I find myself stopping to go off and think about it, before doing the next step.

Just now I'm thinking about whether to do the top sheeting or the ends first.

I've got the bug for scratch building though

Done the tail, apart from profiling and the tailfin fitment.

Looking good Sir

Yeah, I've still got this to do. I need to clean up the elevator, and I still need to check if the old rudder can be used. It was a bit short against the plan, so I might need to remake it as well.

looks good to me, nice work.

I started work on the end of the fuselage. The plate where the tail was attached was too covered in old epoxy to use, so I removed it and made a new one from light ply. I also removed the end balsa block where the rudder was attached, as it was in a mess as well, so need to make a new one of those. I'm going to put a couple of support strips under the plate to give it more to attach to.





I have some snake exits to use, but there was no guide on how to attach them. Has anyone used these? I take it they go on the outside surface, but what's the best way to attach them?

That's actually what the ones I took off were like. I just thought these exits might have been cleaner. They ran through holes in one former then were glued to one closer to the exit.

It seems easier to do it the way you have rather than try and attach the exits I bought.

I'm going to do them like this.

They're going through a former halfway along the fuselage. Then I'll glue the snake outer inside the exit cover, and glue the exit onto the skin.





There's a bit of a gap to the furthest rear former to glue them to, and don't want to bend them to reach it.

I am not quite sure I agree with the need to secure the snake outer other than at each end.
Geometry suggests it does not matter what the snake does between its fixed end points as the inner has to do exactly the same so there is no differential movement between them.

The biggest issue is the length of the inner free ends. No problem when pulling but when pushing the inner (it is quite flexible by design) can bow so limiting the force generated at the control horn.
A test. If you hold the control surface rigid can the snake withstand the servo stall torque. I bet it can when pulling but less likely when the servo is pushing.

Like Indiana Jones I am not keen on snakes.