Building an XA-8

ReMARKable Mark. Maybe the oldtimers were twice as fast, but not twice as good. Four hours? Takes me that long to build a solid wing hollow log with finishing requiring at least that long again.

Bob

Not only were they twice as good builders but they didn't have CA glue! It was fun to watch!!!

Well done video Mark... fun to watch

Thanks

Thank You Mark !! That was cool and being I have tried to build one of these and didn't finish yet , you are a much better builder than I , I just don't have a routine as to what to do next in any order . If you get finished or are I would love to see the product . I am wondering what you did around the engine compartment to keep fuel from blowing into the wing? Eric

Well, I was working on a plane last night, and I came to a point where I needed to grab some stuff to continue, but I’d have to have gone into another room and would have woken up my wife.  So, I looked around the room for something else to work on, and I saw the remains of this sitting in a bag where I put it after doing the video.  Well, why not?  I grabbed the bag and got busy.  

First thing I did was do a little clean up on stuff I rushed in the video build.  Then I finished sheeting the upper portion per the plans.  But it seemed a little flimsy if I was going to use Monokote, so I put in a couple of shear webs between the spars.  That still seemed flimsy, so I boxed the top and bottom sheeting.  Nice and stiff now.







Then I reached in my covering box and the first thing to come out was a partial roll of red Monokote.  So red it is.

Starting covering.




Bottom before tightening:




Top before tightening:




I didn’t want a solid color, so I needed a different color for the fin.  The only color I had that would be a good contrast was white, so white it is.  White fin and red body.  Hmmm…


So, I scalloped the trailing edge of the elevator.  I’ll have to see if I have any black trim sheet to make up some Maltese crosses.  Unfortunately, there still wasn't enough bracing when I tightened up the Monokote, so the upper inboard spar warped a little.  I doubt it'll affect the flying qualities, though.




More to come,

The Coordinated Mark

Thanks Mark!! I will get back to you as soon as i get mine down to look at where i am ,,, its' only been a yr,!! Been hoping you would get to this again and there it is

Okay, I’m pretty much done with this.  All that’s left is to spray paint the engine mounts and install the motor when that’s dry.  It should be good weather tomorrow, so I’ll paint the engine bearers and let it sit for a week.  Then I’ll mount a Medallion.  Unfortunately, I can’t find the Medallion I originally set aside for this plane.  I have no idea where I set it.  So I’ll have to take another Medallion I have and get it running nicely.  I couldn’t find a way to mount a hard tank that I liked, so I’ll use a balloon tank.  It’ll work out well, as the balloons I use are about the same shade of red as the covering, and the Medallion has a red venturi body.





Eric, to answer your previous question, I smeared glue around inside, and I covered as much of the interior as my trim iron would reach.  There’re probably other vectors for fuel to get in, but I did my best, and I’ll probably just wedge some absorbent material behind the tank to catch any burnt fuel residue.


The Forgetful Mark

Well done Mark, I like the Red baron finish!!

Thanks Mark , I see now how i can get the rest of mne together , and the reinforcing will be a definite , it is a flimsy plane structure . You's came out looking real good !! i hope to see it in the air if you're able to get some footage , O did you put any offset in the engine or rudder?? I think it will bee squirrelly in the air even with the tone down Medallion engine .

Nice job Mark! Do you remember the balloon tank capsules that I made from the floral water-tubes for cut-flowers? It holds a long-type party balloon. One of those would probably fit nicely into your tank-bay.

This photo shows the weight of the components that I used for one type. Coincidentally a red balloon..



I also made versions that use the feed-tube as a stopper, eliminating the weight of a stopper in the capsule.

This one uses a cutting-tool tube for a capsule.



A small zip-tie seems to seal pretty well..




You might want to try cutting a rectangular sheet of transparent (or matching-red) plastic, slightly wider than your tank-bay. Flex-it to fit between the rails to form a "dome" over the balloon/capsule. If it's fairly rigid plastic, it should stay in place.. and not require removal for refueling. Transparent would be better for visually verifying the complete evacuation of air during fueling.



I think that would work without having to do any more work to the airframe itself. Be sure that there are no areas that might abrade/puncture the balloon.

Andras (Balogh) uses balloons in his RC models.. and could give you more tips.

Good luck with the Medallion. I hope you find the misplaced one.. but it's always good to give an engine that needs it, some attention. Plus.. it'll give you something to do while the paint on the bearers cures.

Well, the paint’s had a week to cure, so I added an engine and the fuel system.  I don’t know as I have ever run this Medallion, so I’ll have to pull it back off and tune it up before flying this thing.  

Roddie, I’m using a plastic fluorescent tube cover to hold the 9” balloon.  I bent it to shape so it will fit into the well in the wing.








The Lovecat Mark

The X8-A came out looking good Mark . I don't think this plane was made to last a long time , just build in a afternoon and fly the next day . I really had some problems building it with the very thin wood pieces .