Skyshark 1/9th Scale TBM Avenger Build

[Grossman56]

I love it Mike! Looks fantastic!!

Keep up the good work!!

Grossman56

[MikeT]

Fill and sand and repeat on the wing. maybe ready for glass by the end of the week. So the gaping hole in the cowl was driving me crazy. I picked up a few plastic radials used on foamy ARF's and they all looked like crap. I own a FMS P-47 1500mm and noticed the radial looked close. Ordered one that started hacking on it to fit. Not bad at all. While not correct it will fool most. The photo makes the canopy look off but that just the angle of the fuse in the cradle. Over the weekend I got the final piece of the puzzle for the next project a 1/4 Scale BUS SE 5A a new DLE 30.

Mike

[Hardway]

Nice!!! Looks good! Also the DLE is a good engine!!! It will fly the SE-5 just fine. G-26 was the standard, but I think the DLE-30 is lighter and has more power.... Win-win!!
:Cool::Cool::Cool:

[Alpha]

DLE-30 is a reliable engine, can't say anything bad about mine. Great size and power for its consumption.

[MikeT]

Nice!!! Looks good! Also the DLE is a good engine!!! It will fly the SE-5 just fine. G-26 was the standard, but I think the DLE-30 is lighter and has more power.... Win-win!!
:Cool::Cool::Cool:

Have the 26 in my 1/4 BUSA N-28. Flew it fine. Chose the DLE 30 for the reliability and ignition ease of starting) . A bit lighter then the Zenoah's so I'll have to keep the tail weight down during the build. Here's the planned scheme. Something different but the same Squadron as my Newport the 27th Aero. The SE5's were stationed in Texas.

Mike

[MikeT]

Spent the last week preparing the wing for glass. I wanted to try something different ( rather than epoxy) so I picked up some Water Based Polyurethane. I was rather surprised how well it went on and how easy it is to use. I glassed the entire bottom of the wing along with a second coat in one afternoon. With any luck I'll get the top done and primed by this weekend.

Mike

[MikeT]

Ok here's the report on water Based Polyurethane. It's awesome. So much easier than epoxy. No Mess, No Smell easy to apply. I went with 3 coats. Seemed to fill the weave. I'm hoping to prime the wing tomorrow.

Mike

[rifleman_btx]

Very nice! Shes gonna be a beauty for sure!:Cool:

[MikeT]

Wet sanding. This is gonna take awhile. Have I mentioned how much I hate this part do to the mess?

Mike

[Hardway]

Just a cross between paint and mud!! LOL Looks really nice!!

[MikeT]

LOL. Spent the better part of Sunday sanding, what a mess.. Got a few minor issues with a few pinholes that I just may let slide due to location. Might have a base coat of paint down this weekend if the weather holds.

Mike

[rifleman_btx]

Great stuff!

[MikeT]

Panel lines and I took plenty of liberties here. One thing that impressed me was the Tamiya Insignia White is really a good match to what I was looking for. I thought the white would just be too white. I was wrong it has just enough tint to make it look right.

Mike

[MikeT]

Working on paint. The wings basically done and the fuse needs some touch up. Merry Christmas to All.

Mike

[rifleman_btx]

Looks good, merry Christmas to you as well!

[MikeT]

Finally warmed up enough in the shop to actually get a bit of work done. The flaps are still a issue but I pretty much have the fuse wrapped up. I see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Mike

[MikeT]

Well kids I didn't die......... I just got side tracked again. I woke up last week at 3 AM and realized " why haven't I finished this"? .........................I've spent the last 4 days in the shop finishing up the wing. All that's left is cleaning up the wiring and balance. Pictures coming.

Mike

[Grossman56]

Great to hear MikeT, for those of us and there are many, who have followed this build. We're excited to hear that its so close to being complete, can't wait to see the pictures. This would be such a cool plane for FlighLine to come out with!!

Grossman56

[Hardway]

Awesome! Great job so far! :Cool:

[Terminater007]

Love the look of the Avenger, I had one of the 80 inch Cy Models ones flew really well considering the 10kg weight :(