Official Freewing Twin 70mm AL37 Airliner Thread

[xviper]

I put on that stupid tape. Couldn't get it on straight all the way around and ended up with creases in it. I guess when it's in the air, nobody can see it anyway. If I were to do it again, I'd leave it off, too. Maybe get some matching paint and paint the seam. I'd also do a "Harlequin" scheme. Remember the old VW Rabbit? It had a different color on every panel.

[Waconut]

I just left the seams alone. Adding graphics now. Will clear coat before assembly .

[urrl]

Rebuilding my AL-37 from a battery connector failure. Had to replace the fuselage. I tried spackle on the fuselage seam last time and it didn’t work out too well because I noticed small cracks in it. The provided tape doesn’t look too good either. Anyone have any tips to share on how they addressed the seam? I’m thinking of doing an American Airlines silver bird version. Silver is notorious for showing poor workmanship.

I use the paint I am using on the fuse and paste on a strip of gift box tissue paper as it is thinner than the tape they include. Then I paint over the tape. You can get the gift paper from Target or Walmart. But the seam must be aligned well all around before the job. I can still see the seam but it is better than the tape.

[vduniec]

Rebuilding my AL-37 from a battery connector failure. Had to replace the fuselage. I tried spackle on the fuselage seam last time and it didn’t work out too well because I noticed small cracks in it. The provided tape doesn’t look too good either. Anyone have any tips to share on how they addressed the seam? I’m thinking of doing an American Airlines silver bird version. Silver is notorious for showing poor workmanship.

[themudduck]

Urrrl, great video, love all the effects you added. Lots of fun watching!

[urrl]

[piloti modele]

[piloti modele]

Thack you!
From hand-made plastic pieces.

[Alpha]

Just as impressive as your MiG, piloti modele ! I like the pitot details and wipers. Are those 3D printed, or did you create them from small pieces of plastic?

[piloti modele]

My AL37, Boeing Tarom YR-BGM

[Aros]

Yep to each their own of course and part of what makes the hobby so enjoyable. We all have our preferences but just to throw it out there I have been flying for nearly 30 years now from everything you can imagine minus gas and turbine. Micros to giant scale composites and I have never, ever (to my recollection) not added some amount of expo to my models.

FWIW.

[themudduck]

EXPO. Is anyone using expo on this big bird? Just wondering if i need it or just a little or more. Thanks for the advice.

Just an opinion from me - expo is something that is mostly up to the pilot's preference. It can smooth out the controls so the plane is less sensitive, so you can fly smoother. This can be really helpful on planes that are very fast and sensitive (like the Lippisch or the ME163 Komet for example) but the airliner is a very smooth flyer right out of the box. Some will say its not needed in this case, but a little expo just calms things down so what's not to like? I use around 25%-30% on most of my planes as a default, for aileron and elevator. A bit more for the rudder to help with taxiing. I enjoy flying my planes "realistically" and smoothly, but that's just me. If you like to fly "at maximum volume" you might have a strong preference that the surfaces should be as sensitive as possible. I'm sure others will chime in and explain why they prefer using no expo, and use multiple rates instead. To each his own!!

[cybersarg]

EXPO. Is anyone using expo on this big bird? Just wondering if i need it or just a little or more. Thanks for the advice.

[Waconut]

Thanks for the response guys, I just pulled the trigger and ordered the AL37 and placed an order with Callie for the graphics.

[Scale Freak]

Will the AL37 takeoff from a well groomed grass runway?

Our field has pretty thick grass as it was a very wet spring, but it is mowed well. My 37 takes about 250 to 300 ft of this 400ft runway to takeoff at half flaps. That being said, on landing, the ground roll is a lot shorter as the grass grabs the wheels. No worries of overruns here this year. lol

[xviper]

Will the AL37 takeoff from a well groomed grass runway?

Yes, unless it's really plush grass, there shouldn't be an issue. The plane lifts off very well with those wings and the those engines are quite strong. 1/2 flaps will shorten the run even further but no flaps is still not a problem. Mine takes about less than 200 feet from rough grass. Just give 'er from the get go. Don't try a "scale" take just because it looks pretty. Full blast right from the start.

[Waconut]

Will the AL37 takeoff from a well groomed grass runway?

[Aros]

Welcome Speedrick the livery looks great!

[Speedrick]

Hello,

As a day 1 employee at TUI Belgium, I dreamed about building, painting and flying the 737 in the company’s livery.
This summer, this dream came reality.

After quite some struggling with the applied white paint, a nice livery was born😁, even if I say it myself.
Actually, I only need to apply some more decals, and apply a clear coat to protect the paint job and decals.


Will upload a picture when then airplane is finished completely.




Regards,

Eric

[xviper]

Hi Guys,
I am thinking about ordering the AL37, I want to do a full repaint and after dealing with lifting factory paint on a couple other planes I want to fully strip the factory paint. Has anyone attempted this and if so what is the best method ?

Thanks!!
Anthony

Since the paint seems to come off very easily when you mask it off to paint and then remove the tape, you might just get some sticky tape and use it to pull the paint off. This is assuming that Freewing hasn't addressed the peeling paint by now. If they haven't, then whatever paint the tape didn't pull off, you could do light sanding to get the rest.
I've been using the sticky Gorilla tape to remove paint off surfaces that I need to glue together or glue stuff onto. Even with other planes that have better paint adhesion, the tape trick works pretty well.