Switchblade XP from Arkansas [J&H Aerospace]

Wildman Rocketry
Onebadhawk
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Alright, the Switchblade-XL comes with really good instructions. There is a parts list, and everything is well packaged. The balsa is of very good quality.

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Be aware that there are some LITTLE parts, which can be a challenge:

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I decided to keep them on a sheet of paper, so I can SEE them!
 
Starting with the wings. There is an insert to help the alignment of the reinforcing layers.

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Adding the hook, bushing, and guide.

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More views. Man, putting all this together was challenging. Used CA glue, per the instructions.

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By the way, one of the loops went 'ping' out of my mini-needle nose pliers. VANISHED. Had to fashion another one.
 
Ever forward! (and quickly, when you use CA glue)

Got the engine pod on:

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And here is the nose cone. That piece of wire is very special, and is secured with kevlar string.

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OK, time to rig the wing swing mechanism. Start by attaching kevlar string to loop, and running UNDER the hinge arm. (See where the pencil is pointing.)

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Note that I used a rubber band to hold the wings in "launch" or "folded" position. This is a very big, very loose hold on the wings.

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Running the kevlar string.

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Alright, got the rubberband in place......

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...and pop the nose cone. It works! :surprised:

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Looking at the top of the wing.

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I would rate this engineering design as: NIFTY. :headbang:

The ejection of the nose cone allows the string to go SLACK. This allows the wing to rotate into position, with the rubber band pulling (and holding) the wing.

Pretty neat. :w:
 
So, being me, it is time for something to go Wrong. I am supposed to crimp and epoxy the aluminum tubes on the hinge arms to keep the wings in place.

Kind of over-crimped. This is why God made 5-minute epoxy.

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Time to work on the tailfeathers (elevator and rudder). Rather than use the iron on covering supplied in the kit, I am going to use Blenderm tape (made by 3M) for my hinges.

m_IMG_2922.jpg
 
Put down about a 2 inch strip of Blenderm on each side, on the non-beveled surface. Had about a 1/2 millimeter gap between the elevator and the horizontal stabilizer.

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Now attaching Blenderm to the beveled side.

m_IMG_2927.jpg
 
And using my fingernail to stick the Blenderm into the hinge gap.

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Blenderm is very sticky. If you don't like your hinge, then cut it with an xacto knife. Leave the old tape in place, and re-apply. Blenderm is also sold as "Hinge Tape" by Dubro.

m_IMG_2929.jpg
 
Got my control horn location messed up. :bang:

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Well, that won't work. So, I snipped off the elevator control horn.

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Over the years, I have learned that a single color model is difficult to see in the sky. So, I painted the bottom orange.

m_IMG_2941.jpg

And the top is white.

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