90mm T45 re-paint

[seaviper]

Landed my t45 in the high grass next to the runway. Needless to say I had to order some parts.

So, while she is disassembled I decided to go ahead and re-paint her. I'm starting with the cockpit and pilots first. Sawed off those mittens and they look better already. Got a couple extras for other projects. Cockpit is now stripped.

[seaviper]

forum admin can you move this thread to the airbrushing and painting forum please?

[seaviper]

Finally got the T-45 rebuilt and repainted. I chose a scheme from a US Navy Fighter Weapons School F-16 and adapted it to fit the T-45. Decals are mostly by Callie Graphics. The cockpit decals and some of the others on the fuselage are my own. We have another club member with a T-45 in stock paint. Now ours look a bit different. Got in two flight on her today before the rain. I will upload video sometime in the near future.

[RRHandy]

Nice paint job, what did you use to strip and repaint with?

[seaviper]

I used acetone and Valspar primer and spray paint. Masking was via cut wet paper towels (see this thread https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/el...orpion-repaint)

I removed all electronics and ball links from the airframe first. After paining was complete, I reassembled everything and then did decals and satin clear. The home made decals in the cockpit area did great. But they need a very smooth surface and warm water for application.
I will probably discontinue using the home made water slide decals. Just not too happy with them.

Anyway here are a few more pics from the paint job. The smaller cockpit is for the FMS 80mm Hawk which is under repaint at this time.

[seaviper]

On this project I had to replace the rudder servo, a speed brake servo, all the servo hatch screws-upgraded to servo screws, and the motor mount screws - factory ones were partially stripped and holes drilled out of line. I ended up using 4mmx10mm screws for the fan mount-same as the big wing mounting screws. I also had to re-do the wingtip lights as they were just glued in all wrong. I really wish the servos were of better quality. But the thing that really gets me is that the servos for the speed brakes are GLUED in. And yes, the speed brake servo gave up only after the aircraft was fully painted. So I had to go and dig it out, repair the foam, and touch up paint. Why do we still have glued in servos?. Also there is too much play in the speed brake mechanism. But overall I have a better ship now than stock out of the box.

[seaviper]

Last night found a bad flap servo. So the T-45 is grounded again awaiting yet another parts order.

[RRHandy]

I used acetone and Valspar primer and spray paint. Masking was via cut wet paper towels (see this thread https://www.hobbysquawk.com/forum/el...orpion-repaint)

I removed all electronics and ball links from the airframe first. After paining was complete, I reassembled everything and then did decals and satin clear. The home made decals in the cockpit area did great. But they need a very smooth surface and warm water for application.
I will probably discontinue using the home made water slide decals. Just not too happy with them.

Anyway here are a few more pics from the paint job. The smaller cockpit is for the FMS 80mm Hawk which is under repaint at this time.

I too use acetone and Mek to strip the paint from the foam in a large bin and then use a rag to filter the remaining solution back for use again. i like the way it strips all the paint like its water. I saw the write up on your water mask but haven't tried it yet. Thanks for sharing your method. Ron.

[seaviper]

Repaint and test flights completed.

The aircraft has a had the rudder servo, the left air brake servo, and both flap servos replaced. She also has a new fuselage and nose wheel retract. Power is stock out-runner.
I did solder on some extensions for the wingtip nav light LEDs so I could plug them into the two non-flashing light ports on the circuit board. Now she has steady nav lights.
Put 5 flights on her this past week for a total of 17 now on the airframe. She is signed off and back on flight status.

After I re-installed the metal foil shield on the circuit board, moved the UBEC back into the v-opening, and relocated my rx and antennas, I now get very strong rssi readings.

The desert camo is actually quite easy to see against the foliage at our field. Overall I am quite happy with the outcome.