Don Smith B-17 Plans
Hjk40
inch span. Does anyone have any experience with Don Smith plans? How are they
for scale fidelity? What general construction techniques does he use? Any
insights would be appreciated before i invest in a set of plans. Many thanks.
Howard Kahn
Fairfax Station, VA
Zpainter
Don Smith plans are very scale. They are not for a builder that has completed a
few aircraft, but rather an experienced builder. His biggest drawback is the
lack of manufactured gear available for his work.
The fusalage is built split in 1/2 and is a clamshell design and is very
nice.In fact, that is what I happen to like the best. There is plenty of room
to install all your pushrods and servos, etc before you complere the other side
of the fuse. You will have to plank it as well which I like to do.
The wing is built on jig supports. My only beef is in the LG (if you use
something other than robart, or whatever's listed).
I know he has quite a few glass parts available and they are nice quality.
His plans are used by quite a bit at scale competitions because he produces his
own 3 view that are of his own drawings, thus insuring a scale outline for any
judging.
good plans... ZP
John Thompson
be prepared to sell close family members for them. Last time I checked,
the retracts for his 1/12 B-29 were $520.00 from century. I think robart
has the gear for the B-17...I think...it may be Classic Glass or Eagle
that they have the gear for.
Donnie Vazquez
> Hi
> Don Smith plans are very scale. They are not for a builder that has completed a
> few aircraft, but rather an experienced builder. His biggest drawback is the
> lack of manufactured gear available for his work.
I've seen Howard's work (B-25, P-38 etc.) That won't be an issue :-)
--
Donnie Vazquez
vaz...@pxinet.com
Lyman Slack
He uses conventional construction techniques. Fiberglass parts as
well as canopies are usually available; as are retracts. Don also includes
scale three-views for use in your documentation. FYI, Don is an architect,
so you know his plans are exemplary. All parts are shown for "cutting your
kit."
Cheers -- \_________Lyman Slack__________/
\_______AMA6430 IMAA1564___/
\_____Flying Gators R/C_____/
\___Gainesville FL________/
"Hjk40" <hj...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20000919104629...@ng-ci1.aol.com...
> I'm considering taking on a B-17 project. Don Smith Plans has one with a
138
> inch span. Does anyone have any experience with Don Smith plans? How are
they
> for scale fidelity? What general construction techniques does he use?
DUBOLIN
fourth month on this project for me with 138 hours into this so far. I enjoy
the hell out of this project. Instead of building the fuselage in halves, I
elected to build it in one piece as the old ships used to be built. I made a
line drawing on the plans that represented the table surface, used front and
rear jigs from this, and began erecting the fuselage starting with the lower
keel laid down on the table and jigs. Building the fuse this way also set the
body at 0 incidence which now makes it easy to set the incidence on the stab at
+1 degree and the wing at +3 degrees. I sent out for the wood parts to be cut
by All American Kit Cutters which ran $525.00 for two boxes worth of wood. This
could easily be a $4000.00 project. I do have photos of this B-17 in
construction if you would like some copies, I would be happy to send them. If
you need any more information on this, let me know. Steven R Bolin
Hjk40
thanks for the compliment!
>I've seen Howard's work (B-25, P-38 etc.) That won't be an issue :-)
>
Hjk40
Steve,
I'd love to see any pictures you can send of your project. I have just
sent an order for the plans. No doubt, when I get the I'll have quite a few
questions regarding your experience with building the '17
Kevin Kline
I'd be curious as to where in your area you plan on flying such a beast?
K. Kline
Yuchol Kim
An architect, uh? We won't hold that against him.
Lyman Slack <lys...@gnv.fdt.net> wrote in message
news:hzPx5.239$mC....@monger.newsread.com...
Hjk40
is a bit small for the twin engine birds, although I do occaisionaly fly the
Corsair and the Mustang there.
payne...@gmail.com
> I happen to be building this thing as we speak. Yesterday, the 18th, marked the
> fourth month on this project for me with 138 hours into this so far. I enjoy
> the hell out of this project. Instead of building the fuselage in halves, I
> elected to build it in one piece as the old ships used to be built. I made a
> line drawing on the plans that represented the table surface, used front and
> rear jigs from this, and began erecting the fuselage starting with the lower
> keel laid down on the table and jigs. Building the fuse this way also set the
> body at 0 incidence which now makes it easy to set the incidence on the stab at
> +1 degree and the wing at +3 degrees. I sent out for the wood parts to be cut
> by All American Kit Cutters which ran $525.00 for two boxes worth of wood. This
> could easily be a $4000.00 project. I do have photos of this B-17 in
> construction if you would like some copies, I would be happy to send them. If
> you need any more information on this, let me know. Steven R Bolin
payne...@gmail.com
Bob Bufalini
> I'm considering taking on a B-17 project. Don Smith Plans has one with a 138
> inch span. Does anyone have any experience with Don Smith plans? How are they
> for scale fidelity? What general construction techniques does he use? Any
> insights would be appreciated before i invest in a set of plans. Many thanks.
> Fairfax Station, VA