F-105 Thunderchief from Arkansas [Dynasoar Roketry]

[Crawf56]

Time to begin, again.

The Thunderchief was a limited run RC rocket glider by Dynasoar Rocketry. I have had this kit over a year.

The model is based on the F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber of the US Air Force, used during the Vietnam War.

 

[Crawf56]

Here is what you get. Typical well-packaged model from Dynasoar.

 

[Crawf56]

Here is a link to the instructions at Dynasoar Rocketry.

https://dynasoarrocketry.com/?page_id=2372

Frank was nice enough to re-load the pics.

 

[burkefj]

Not a problem, the move from godaddy to the current Host was painfull wrt copying the pictures from the godaddy remote server, so a few got lost, but I got most of them that mattered.

 

[Andrew_ASC]

Awesome build thread.

 

[Crawf56]

Bit of a delay, guys, while I finish some other projects/events. But I hope to fly this model at the Fall S.M.A.L.L. in Little Rock, AR, on Oct. 13, 2018.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/sho...l-SMALL-Oct-11-14-2018-(Thr-Sun)-Mayflower-AR

 

[Crawf56]

"Please allow me to introduce myself; I'm a man of wealth and taste.
I've been around for a long, long year; Stole many a man's soul to waste."

Finally got all the parts separated out from the packaging (delicate business). Sweet!

 

[Crawf56]

"And I was 'round when Jesus Christ; Had his moment of doubt and pain.
Made damn sure that Pilate; Washed his hands and sealed his fate."

Working on the motor mount.

 

[Crawf56]

"Pleased to meet you; Hope you guess my name.
But what's puzzling you; Is the nature of my game."

Working on the wing. Glue with CA, and unfold. Adding Blenderm tape, and graphite rod on the other side.

 

[Crawf56]

"I stuck around St. Petersburg; When I saw it was a time for a change.
Killed the czar and his ministers; Anastasia screamed in vain."

At which point, things went crazy.....

Assembling the body tubes, I decided to use Titebond wood glue, to give me time to get their fit just right. But the Titebond had the effect of softening the body tubes! So, I am wiping off glue, trying to get to a good fit. Was then able to get a decent fit, and used CA (not foam type).

Proceeded to then cut openings for wings (already marked - thanks, Frank). Got the wing in place, and glued using CA foam.

 

[Crawf56]

"I rode a tank; Held a general's rank.
When the blitzkrieg raged; And the bodies stank."

Printed out the instructions. Not sure I am following them...…

 

[Crawf56]

"Pleased to meet you; Hope you guess my name, oh yeah...
Ah, what's puzzling you; Is the nature of my game, oh yeah..."

As usual, Dynasoar includes a spare piece of foam for paint tests.

 

[burkefj]

I'd read the instructions carefully and follow them in order, sometimes it makes a difference but what do I know

 

[Crawf56]

I'd read the instructions carefully and follow them in order, sometimes it makes a difference but what do I know

Sorry, meant my comment: "Printed out the instructions. Not sure I am following them...…" as more of a joke.

One of the best reasons for purchasing a Dynasoar kit is the quality of the instructions.

At this point, the only thing I might do different from the instructions is attach the rudder before final installation of the elevons. The reason is to make painting a little easier, although I must be careful not to get paint in the tubing.

 

[burkefj]

That should be fine to put the vertical stab in before installing the elevons.

You are wanting to paint the model/elevons before installation? The only issue with that is you really want to install the servos and pushrods/pushrod standoffs before painting so that they are well glued and aligned, the way they go in, you can't get to the servo horn to remove it after the servos are installed and then it would be difficult to put the elevons on afterward....

At least do a dry fit, accurately mark where the servos and standoffs will go, leave those areas unpainted and install it all later, I didn't find it that hard to mask off the elevons after they were installed.

Frank

Sorry, meant my comment: "Printed out the instructions. Not sure I am following them...…" as more of a joke.

At this point, the only thing I might do different from the instructions is attach the rudder before final installation of the elevons. The reason is to make painting a little easier, although I must be careful not to get paint in the tubing.

 

[Crawf56]

"I watched with glee; While your kings and queens.
Fought for ten decades; For the gods they made."

Here is a view of the F-105 silver color scheme I am roughly trying to duplicate.

 

[Crawf56]

"I shouted out: Who killed the Kennedys?
When after all; It was you and me."

So, if I am making a silver model, why the orange? The 52 year-old near-sighted eyes sometimes have trouble seeing these small RC airplanes.

I have found that, if I paint the bottom of a model fluorescent orange, then I can see it and discern orientation better. If the model is sitting on the ground, then the orange is hidden, and the scale colors show fine.

More orange paint for the bottom side.

 

[burkefj]

I think I mis-spoke earlier and fixed my post, on this model I have you do install the skid and rail button after installing the motor mount. After putting the vertical tail in place.

 

[Crawf56]

I think I mis-spoke earlier and fixed my post, on this model I have you do install the skid and rail button after installing the motor mount. After putting the vertical tail in place.

Keep in mind that I do not use a launch rail; I use a launch rod. Consequently, I will not be installing the skid and rail buttons.

However, I will need to install a launch lug (tube), which will be coming up soon.

 

[Crawf56]

"Let me please introduce myself; I'm a man of wealth and taste.
And I laid traps for troubadours; Who get killed before they reached Bombay."

Gluing the launch lug using 5 minute epoxy with microballoons. I am using some left over plastic tubing from a much larger RC model. Fits over my 1/4 inch diameter launch rod.

 

[Crawf56]

"Pleased to meet you; Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah.
But what's puzzling you; Is the nature of my game, oh yeah, get down, baby."

Masking off part of the fin/rudder, because I need it to stay white. Gluing the rudder to the fuselage/tube using foam CA.

 

[Crawf56]

"Pleased to meet you; Hope you guessed my name, oh yeah
But what's confusing you; Is just the nature of my game, mm yeah."

Rolled up pieces of paper towel to keep the silver paint out of the tubing.

 

[Crawf56]

"Just as every cop is a criminal: And all the sinners saints.
As heads is tails; Just call me Lucifer.
'Cause I'm in need of some restraint."

Attached the elevons.

 

[Crawf56]

"So if you meet me; Have some courtesy
Have some sympathy, and some taste
Use all your well-learned politesse
Or I'll lay your soul to waste, mm yeah"

I have been quoting the lyrics to the Rolling Stones' song "Sympathy for the Devil" through this build. Because F-105's were the most numerous aircraft lost in the Vietnam War. About 400 F-105's were shot down.

Looking like an F-105:

 

[Crawf56]

Motor mount installed.

 

[Crawf56]

Showing the arrangement of the elevon pushrods.

 

[Crawf56]

You must follow the instructions carefully, so that the pushrod does not interfere with elevon movement.

 

[burkefj]

Nice, getting close!

 

[Crawf56]

Attaching the servos and pushrods. I have not installed the mid-length guides, yet. Man, I need to clean my workbench...….

 

[Crawf56]

Pushrod guides added.