Following on from yesterday the kids have painted the planes. I didn’t have any proper modelling paint or dope, so it was some bargain bin matchpots of gloss paint. I doubt the airframe will last long enough to worry about fuel attacking the paint and foam.

The Cox engines I have came from EBay, and did not have the integral fuel tank, so I’ve had to fashion a motor mount of some L-bar aluminum with a slot cut for the air and fuel intakes.

Very annoyingly, I did not bother to order any 5×3 propellers or small tanks at the same time. I expected to source them locally, but I’ve been to every model shop within an hour of here and nothing.

So, ordered online, and just waiting on the postman for the props and fuel tanks.

With the elevator fitted the next job was the control mechanism.

I had to make the bellcrank from some spare plastic. The leadout wires are from some fishing tackle with little clips on the end.

The leadout guide was made from some spare plywood and epoxied into a slot in the foam wing.

Next job – painting.

Following on from yesterday the glue dried overnight.

The edges of the platter and leading edge of the fin I squashed with a knife handle and filled with glue. The paper went a bit rippled, so maybe next time I won’t bother.

Just fixed on the fin and started the elevator. Slightly different to the original plans I used a couple of small plastic hinges, cut a slot in the foam and glued them in place with wood glue and a retaining cocktail stick.

The elevator edge which joins to the body I added a 45^o chamfer top and bottom to prevent fouling.

Yes I did wipe the excess glue off

Whilst hunting around in the attic I came across some old radio control aeroplanes. None of which were air worthy, but it reminded me of building cheap control line planes with Cox 049 engines. My son was so excited about the models I thought why not.

I stumbled across these plans and instructions for building the Osbourne Platter. After a quick purchase of an engine on E-Bay I bought some foam board a bit of plywood and started.

The glue needs to dry overnight, so I’ll let you know how I get on over the next few days.