Our next installment of the ArrowMaster Biplane Build-Along gets the wings in shape! So far, builder and reviewer Rick bell, gives the Alien Aircraft laser cut kit, two thumbs up!
Let’s get to the workbench!
1. Here’s the major componets to build the lower right wing panel. To glue the parts together, I’m using Sig Sigment for balsa-to-balsa joints thin and medium ZAP CA for tacking parts as necessary and ZAP epoxies for all plywood-to-plywood joints.
2. Here’s the root ribs the ply parts for the wing center section after the lower basswood main spar is pinned in place on the plan. It’s important to make sure that it’s built straight. For alignment, I use solid steel machinist blocks. I bought thses many, many years ago at a tag sale and they have a 1001 uses for building!
3. This is a detailed view of the wing dowel support. Use epoxy to secure it into place.
4. Another view of the center section. Note that the top of the root rib is angled slightly toward the wing tip to accomodate the dihedral.
5. The ribs are now glued into place.
6. Followed by the top spar.
7. Here the 1/4″ square L/E, bottom T/E and Aileron T/E are glued into place.
8. The solid wood wing hold down support needs to be shaped to match the taper of the ribs before gluing into place. I used an Master Airscrew Razor Plane to taper the support. Note the before and after difference.
9. The support glued into place.
10. Sheeting the T/E center section.
11. Before gluing the L/E sheeting in place, I used a Great Planes Easy Touch sanding bar to make sure the ribs were smooth and even.
12. the L/E sheeting is first glued to the 1/4″ sq. L/E. A slow setting glue is then applied to the tops of the ribs and the top of the basswood spar. I like to use a piece of heavy “L” shaped aluminum to insure the sheeting is completly and evenly attached to the spar. This also helps insure everything stays nice and straight.
13. After glue had dried, the wing panel is removed from the plan to continue work on the bottom.
14. A 1/4″ sq. shim is pinned to the plan, the wing panel is then pinned to the shim and the top main spar is pinned to the building surface. The shim needs to be flush with the aileron T/E. Make sure the wing panel is perfectly flat so a warp isn’t built in.
15. The bottom L/E sheeting is glued into place like the top sheeting. After the glue has dried, the center section sheeting is completed and the aileron servo support is added. This completes the basic assembly of the lower right wing panel. The lower left wing panel is built in the same manner.
16. Top of the wing panel.
17. Bottom of the wing panel.
Wing construction is not at all difficult, just be sure to be accurate and precise with your glue joints for maximum strength.
To see the next installment of this Build-Along series, click the link: https://www.modelairplanenews.com/blog/2014/07/30/workshop-build-along-3-alien-aircraft-arrowmaster-biplane/
To see the previous posting in the Build-Along series, click the link: https://www.modelairplanenews.com/blog/2014/07/30/alien-aircraft-arrowmaster-sport-bipe-build-along-part-1/
I would love to see the first installment but the website just defaults back to the most recent build alongs when I click on it. Bummer.