New Hawk T1 70mm (gray) is here (with questions)

[CVA59]

She's finally here. Got everything unboxed and inspected last night. No damage and i have to say that I am very impressed with the quality and overall appearance. I also got the upgraded landing gear and an additional pilot.

I do have some questions:

1. What is the best way to remove the servos without damaging the foam (for painting)?
2. Is there an easy way to install the second pilot figure without damaging the canopy?
3. There are some tiny clear plastic hinges, are these to be installed or do you guys use the control surfaces they way they are right out of the box?

[xviper]

I don't have this plane but the questions you ask can be asked of any of today's planes.
1. Removing servos can be tricky. If they glued them in really well at the factory, you'll do some damage. Is one dead? Why remove them if you don't have to? When one of mine dies, I use a sharp, thin Xacto knife and score along all the sides. Here's where the damage can happen ........................ You need something to firmly grab the servo and yank it out (needle nose pliers?). This will cause a mark on each side. Or you can voluntarily cut a piece of foam out where the plier points will go and glue them back in after. Next is when you yank that servo out. The bottom may be so well glued, you'll take out some foam. If that happens, you can slice off the foam from the servo and glue it back in the hole.
2. Again take a fresh, thin, sharp Xacto knife and slide it under the lip of the canopy and go all the way around till the thing is off. Don't try to clean the remnants from the canopy. When you glue it back on, those remnants will fit in the same spaces. Another option I've done in the past is to go from underneath the pilot seat in question and slice out a hole where the little guy sits. Take it out, glue the guy on and glue the whole thing back in.
3. Those hinges are likely spares for when you break a hinge. When one of my control surfaces breaks, I just use FoamTac to make a new hinge line.

[CVA59]

I don't have this plane but the questions you ask can be asked of any of today's planes.
1. Removing servos can be tricky. If they glued them in really well at the factory, you'll do some damage. Is one dead? Why remove them if you don't have to? When one of mine dies, I use a sharp, thin Xacto knife and score along all the sides. Here's where the damage can happen ........................ You need something to firmly grab the servo and yank it out (needle nose pliers?). This will cause a mark on each side. Or you can voluntarily cut a piece of foam out where the plier points will go and glue them back in after. Next is when you yank that servo out. The bottom may be so well glued, you'll take out some foam. If that happens, you can slice off the foam from the servo and glue it back in the hole.
2. Again take a fresh, thin, sharp Xacto knife and slide it under the lip of the canopy and go all the way around till the thing is off. Don't try to clean the remnants from the canopy. When you glue it back on, those remnants will fit in the same spaces. Another option I've done in the past is to go from underneath the pilot seat in question and slice out a hole where the little guy sits. Take it out, glue the guy on and glue the whole thing back in.
3. Those hinges are likely spares for when you break a hinge. When one of my control surfaces breaks, I just use FoamTac to make a new hinge line.

Thank you for all the info. I don't have any servo issues just wanted to remove them for painting. I am also thinking like you said, cut the seat bottom out, install the pilot and glue it all back in place.

[xviper]

Thank you for all the info. I don't have any servo issues just wanted to remove them for painting. I am also thinking like you said, cut the seat bottom out, install the pilot and glue it all back in place.

For painting, I'd just mask them off.

[CVA59]

For painting, I'd just mask them off.

Based on your info and what I am seeing I believe that will be the best way. Can you recommend a particular brand of spray paint for these planes?

[xviper]

Everyone has their favorites. You can get the foam safe dedicated hobby spray paint from a hobby shop but those are expensive. I get water based spray cans from Home Depot and the like. The propellant can melt the foam if you spray too close or too thick. Multiple light coats from at least >15" away is best. Some people even use Rustoleum rust paint. If you have an airbrush, then there are options for that.

[CVA59]

Spent a little time today painting and working on the additional pilot.

[CVA59]

Here it is all painted up with decals. Callie did another outstanding job. Still have a couple minor things to paint and finish but this is pretty much it.

[Ron1950]

how many coats of white did u have to use to get the gray covered? I think I had to use 4 and vowed to never to paint again lol.. too bad I didn't know u were painting a t1 id have sold u this one which I never flew..hardest thing I had to do to make a t45 out of a t1 was to make a duel nose wheel

[CVA59]

how many coats of white did u have to use to get the gray covered? I think I had to use 4 and vowed to never to paint again lol.. too bad I didn't know u were painting a t1 id have sold u this one which I never flew..hardest thing I had to do to make a t45 out of a t1 was to make a duel nose wheel

Hey Ron. I started with one coat of Rustoleum white paint and finished with 2 coats of Rustoleum white paint/primer combo. It still could have used another coat but after 3 I said enough is enough, LOL.

[Ron1950]

I used a thin coat of polycrilic to give it a little shine and to hold the decals on

[CVA59]

I used a thin coat of polycrilic to give it a little shine and to hold the decals on

I am thinking seriously about doing that was well ,especially on my Rebel. The Krylon white paint+primer combo I used on it doesn't seem to adhere to the foam very well.