Precedent T180 Restoration

Challenge accepted!

It'll be a learning experience if nothing else.

To be honest, I had it in mind that this might be something I couldn't complete. But I'd rather learn and make mistakes on this, than try to build a new kit and mess that up.

It was the same when I started making foamies, the first ones were rubbish, and the my build technique improved with every one.

squareflux
Restoring a poorly built plane is about the most challenging exercise you can do as for each issue discovered you have to work out a method of how to restore it and then to actually do it to a standard better than the original. Each problem is likely to require a variation of a range of possible methods.
At least building a kit, providing you do it in the right order, each assembly operation should be fairly straight forward.

On the plus side when it is complete you will have gained skills that will prove invaluable for crash repairs!

Keep posting. Will follow with interest.

Did a bit more work today.

I started cleaning the wing, that cellulose thinners really does the job.



I also cut away the control arm plates, and I'll need to template up the new servo mounts. I need to get some thin ply though, the model shop didn't have any. I think I've got some in storage that I used as firewalls for my electric foamies.

I then started tackling the tail. The 2 supports were epoxied on top of the covering, so came away fairly easily. But then revealed a worrying hole.



Which then was more worrying once I'd got the empanage off.





I think it looks repairable.

To strengthen the tail, I think I'll add a couple of extensions down from the rudder, and cut slots in the fuselage for it to slot into.

Nice work...think I'd be tempted to make a new tail.

I've sent off for the wing and tail plans. So I'll leave it for now and think about it.

I'm going to do the wing first.

Yeah, I get the feeling if I'd just tried flying it without checking it out first, it would have landed in a pile of firewood

I bought a load of ply and balsa today, and I was going to start making a template for the aileron servos.

But I think I'd like to use smaller ones that the standard size ones, as I think they'll be too heavy to have out in the wings.

So would the micro ones be enough, or would mini be better? The only other ones I've used are the 9g ones in foamies, but I think they'll be too small.

I was meaning this type

www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/radio-equi...s-micro-servo-359574

The translucent blue ones are the ones I used in my foam builds, so I wouldn't use them in this.

But the standard ones in the T180 are L40mm x W20mm x H35mm and quite heavy.

paul d wrote: Nice work...think I'd be tempted to make a new tail.

The more I look at the tail, the more I'm agreeing with you. Once the plans arrive, I think I will do a new tail. Between the rudder strengthening needed, and the broker ribs, I think it's too much to try and patch it up.

Hi folks. I've started mocking up the aileron servo plates.

I've got some 3mm Ply. But I'm just wondering if it would be better to use 1.5mm instead?

I've not worked with it before, so I'm not sure if it would be too flimsy, and I should just stick with the 3mm.

Any advice?

squareflux
As Eric points out it is not the strength of the ply itself that is the issue. 1.5 mm ply would be plenty strong enough but it is how the servo is fixed onto it that is the limiting factor. Screws create a high stress point so the wood need to be thick enough to hold and distribute the forces into the rest of the ply.

Now if you glue a servo into a close fitting all round recess there are no stress points so just foam by itself will be adequate but it is a bit of a problem if you need to get the servo out again!