Official Freewing Twin 70mm AL37 Airliner Thread

[Aros]

Hey what are you folks finding to be the best tape to use for painting? I know there's been quite a lot of commentary on the paint peeling up easily...I am getting ready to pull the trigger and I would love to know what the best method folks have uncovered thus far when dealing with this fickle factory paint when it comes to using trim tape, etc...

[mshagg]

Hey what are you folks finding to be the best tape to use for painting? I know there's been quite a lot of commentary on the paint peeling up easily...I am getting ready to pull the trigger and I would love to know what the best method folks have uncovered thus far when dealing with this fickle factory paint when it comes to using trim tape, etc...

Ive painted a few different planes now - although the factory paint on the AL37 is particularly difficult to work with nothing really bonds great with EPO. The AL37's paint behaved similarly to base coats I've applied when the ambient temp was too high, causing the paint to dry too quickly, before it has a chance to properly bond with the foam. This presented as strips of rubbery paint that would 'tear' away with the masking, similar to my experience with the AL37.

Have always found eletrical tape to be the most gentle adhesive you can get away with that still creates sharp lines. Even then I had lifting on parts of the AL37. You'll likely get recommendations for yellow frog tape which has been de-tacked a bit by pressing it on your shirt. IMO even that is way too an aggresive adhesive for the AL37's paint. Your mileage may vary with a later batch, just have a Plan B if you need to do some touch up work.

You could try applying a few coats of WBPU (minwax in your neck of the woods) and letting it cure before masking. It wont (cant) improve the adhesion of the factory paint to the foam, but the 'shell' it forms reduces the paints stretchyness and thus willingness to follow the tape as you peel it off.

Dont be too put off, it's all part of the fun and i'm sure your plane will come out looking as amazing as everyone elses. Any imperfections wont be noticeable from more than a few feet away :)

[mshagg]

The AL37's nose gear has proven to be pretty robust, so this is probably uneccesary, but I've always liked the added security of strut braces for planes which are configured appropriately (nose wheel retracts forward). Im a grass guy so even after a greaser the retract can be exposed to some decent bumps.

Figured I'd have a go at designing one. It's a two-part print, with the backplate designed to spread any loads it receives across a larger area, rather than it being concentrated into a thin strip of foam, which is a common problem for others I have printed. It also helps locate the brace so it doesnt interfere with the landing light. The two holes will allow access to the mounting screws for the retract.

About to do a test print, which usually shows up some design flaws that need rectifying. Once the design seems OK i'll publish it to thingiverse. If you see people selling them for profit, please remind them of the creative commons licence restrictions lol.

[Aros]

Ive painted a few different planes now - although the factory paint on the AL37 is particularly difficult to work with nothing really bonds great with EPO. The AL37's paint behaved similarly to base coats I've applied when the ambient temp was too high, causing the paint to dry too quickly, before it has a chance to properly bond with the foam. This presented as strips of rubbery paint that would 'tear' away with the masking, similar to my experience with the AL37.

Have always found eletrical tape to be the most gentle adhesive you can get away with that still creates sharp lines. Even then I had lifting on parts of the AL37. You'll likely get recommendations for yellow frog tape which has been de-tacked a bit by pressing it on your shirt. IMO even that is way too an aggresive adhesive for the AL37's paint. Your mileage may vary with a later batch, just have a Plan B if you need to do some touch up work.

You could try applying a few coats of WBPU (minwax in your neck of the woods) and letting it cure before masking. It wont (cant) improve the adhesion of the factory paint to the foam, but the 'shell' it forms reduces the paints stretchyness and thus willingness to follow the tape as you peel it off.

Dont be too put off, it's all part of the fun and i'm sure your plane will come out looking as amazing as everyone elses. Any imperfections wont be noticeable from more than a few feet away :)

Fantastic response full of great information. I salute you my friend and as an aside I am praying for all of you with these incredible wild fires.

[mshagg]

Fantastic response full of great information. I salute you my friend and as an aside I am praying for all of you with these incredible wild fires.

That's very kind of you, thanks. Bushfires are synonymous with summer time here, but these are unlike anything I've seen in my lifetime.

The nose strut brace came out reasonably well. All that was needed from the initial design was a relief added to ensure clearance from the steering tiller. The files are up on thingiverse now: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4098588

Hoping for calm weather to get her out and about tomorrow AM. Should have the field to myself, which is nice, because she usually draws a lot of attention (pressure)!

[HaroldAnderson]

That's very kind of you, thanks. Bushfires are synonymous with summer time here, but these are unlike anything I've seen in my lifetime.

The nose strut brace came out reasonably well. All that was needed from the initial design was a relief added to ensure clearance from the steering tiller. The files are up on thingiverse now: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4098588

Hoping for calm weather to get her out and about tomorrow AM. Should have the field to myself, which is nice, because she usually draws a lot of attention (pressure)!

Cool, thanks. This will be my first real print job for our new 3D printer. This type of brace definitely helps on the Avanti, so should be great. I'm not sure why Freewing has not incorporated that brace into the stock Avanti.

[LowandSlow]

Cool, thanks. This will be my first real print job for our new 3D printer. This type of brace definitely helps on the Avanti, so should be great. I'm not sure why Freewing has not incorporated that brace into the stock Avanti.

Also the L39 could benefit from this. It would save the plastic servo housing. Defenitely a weak point on these planes.

[mshagg]

Field testing this morning didnt show any problems with the brace, although thankfully had a series of smooth landings and rollouts.

[LowandSlow]

Always a good drive home when you have days like those.

[LowandSlow]

Hey what are you folks finding to be the best tape to use for painting? I know there's been quite a lot of commentary on the paint peeling up easily...I am getting ready to pull the trigger and I would love to know what the best method folks have uncovered thus far when dealing with this fickle factory paint when it comes to using trim tape, etc...

I used 3M 2364 fine line 1/8" and then 1" or 2" green low tack masking tape. I stuck it to my shirt or jeans 4 or 5 times before applying and never had a problem with paint lifting. Don't leave the tape on any longer than you have to and pull it back onto itself slowly when removing it.

[walkerm45]

Reference Al-37 conversion to Kc-135:

Tell us something about the build. Did you duplicate the other 2 motors and nacelles? How did you mount the nacelles? Any info as I am now ready to build this plane. My son has been flying this plane for the past 20 years...... I'm fired up thanks for really good subject, and build......

[Aros]

I used 3M 2364 fine line 1/8" and then 1" or 2" green low tack masking tape. I stuck it to my shirt or jeans 4 or 5 times before applying and never had a problem with paint lifting. Don't leave the tape on any longer than you have to and pull it back onto itself slowly when removing it.

Roger that, thanks for the info!

[hellcat716]

Just finished up my AL 37 airliner in Westjet livery. Thank you Callie Graphics for your outstanding work.

[HaroldAnderson]

Just finished up my AL 37 airliner in Westjet livery. Thank you Callie Graphics for your outstanding work.

Another good looking airliner. Getting a lot of these together to fly or even taking pictures would be so cool.

[xviper]

Just finished up my AL 37 airliner in Westjet livery. Thank you Callie Graphics for your outstanding work.

Hey, I've got that, too. Decals are on the table getting flattened. Plane hopefully will be here by end of the month.

[highland]

Make that three ! Older WestJet livery, lower winglet removed, modified with Braincube landing light and beacons. Almost finished.

[Aros]

I think I will be removing the lower winglet on mine as well once I get it. I like that look better. Actually might customize mine to have that classic curved winglet...

[mshagg]

I think I will be removing the lower winglet on mine as well once I get it. I like that look better. Actually might customize mine to have that classic curved winglet...

I like your thinking ;)

If you were this side of the pond I'd print you out a set!

[Aros]

Nice! I might take you up on snagging the STL file at some point? See if I can find someone over here to print a set? Would greatly appreciate that!

[mshagg]

Nice! I might take you up on snagging the STL file at some point? See if I can find someone over here to print a set? Would greatly appreciate that!

Yeah of course mate, available on thingiverse for anyone to make:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4059280