3DR1 Fokker Triplane

[Flypaper 2]

No. Hinged at the top like the ails.
 Put four more flights on it today and the more I fly it, the more I like it. I think it's getting used to me.

[ganguy]

It  looks like you have 3 hinges on each ail, what are they, and is the ail slit open or did you close it with tape or hot glue?
Thanks

[Flypaper 2]

I use the open weave drywall tape. I believe it's fiberglass threads.
 I left the plastic over the hinge line but slit it at the hinge line. One needs to glue the tape to the foam itself, so I made a slit through the plastic, fore and aft about 1/2 in. from the hinge line and 1 1/2 in, apart, then peel back to plastic so the foam is exposed. Now, cut the tape about 1 by 1 1/2 in. and hotglue to the foam. While the hotglue is still melted, put the plastic back down over the tape, using a plastic card to push it down rather than the fingers.
 I found that the glass fibres will loosen up too much with use, across the hinge line, so I put a thin strip of hotglue across the threads.
 You might as well do this now.
 On the elevator. I put the glass tape all the way across the hinge line, using the method above.

[ganguy]

I did that on the Zagi, but was wondering how you made the surface look so neat - secret revealed! I'm going to use 3 of the mini-hinges on the rudder, and probably add a couple of pin hinges on the outer end of the ails to help with the "wandering" problem of fiberglass drywall tape.
On the elevator, you must have joined the halves with a rod?
I tried a sample of the Krylon yellow spray on both sides of the material, and I think it will cover my mistake nicely.
Thanks

[Flypaper 2]

On the elevator , there is a 1/8 in. carbon joiner tube bedded into the foam at the 45 deg. bevel.

[ganguy]

Thought so, I'll have to focus my camera better next time!

[ganguy]

Nose Job:
Well it's extended about 2 inches, and balances at the same point as yours Gord without all those lead weights. I'm just trying to figure a btter way to mount the foam cowl without hot glue, but otherwise, raedy to go!
I'm not painting the new nose until she flies well!
Herman is grinning again.

[Flypaper 2]

Looking good Reg. You may have to put skis on it.
 I wonder if Velcro would hold the cowl on. If it gets hurt, I still have lots of that foam.

[ganguy]

Here's what I did (no photo):
I pinned the top of the cowl to the body with a bamboo rod, which I disguised as a gun sight for Herman!
At the bottom of the cowl, I glued on two small magnets which stick to the LG rods. So the whole thing comes off quickly, if needed. Ain't I smart?
Skis for everything now, I guess.

[Flypaper 2]

Then , we can always take off on the tables. I won't tell anybody.

  Gord.