rrTV-PHOTO   New HD TV
HOME   rrTV-PHOTO   GALLERIES   MY GALLERY   HELP-FAQ
myHOME PM pmRR MEMBERS 369 ONLINE 21 EVENTS SEARCH REGISTER  START HERE
 
20 pages [ <<    <    ( 1 )     2      3     NEXT    >> ]32948 viewsPOST REPLY
Autography FlightPower . Advantage Hobby . Revolution Models

.
.
Scale Model RC Helicopters > Scratch building a 1/4 scale Jetranger and Longranger
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

Hi Guys,

I was so very inspired by Yvon's thread here;
http://www.rotory.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/75878/

that I've decided to scratch build a 1/4 scale Jetranger.....my first project of this type.



There a couple of reasons why I'm choosing this particular helicopter. One of the main reasons is that I have a ton of reference material and access to several of the real ones which will help in an accurate model, plus I've always liked the look of the Jetranger.

This should turn out to be a challenge but a fun one at that. Thanks goes out to Yvon's excellent build thread!

Here's a few images of the progress.







As a added note, I've decided to build a Longranger at the same time. It's only an additional 6" of fusealage and a longer tailboom.





I'm at the point now of re designing the top section of the Longranger. I should be ready for foam and shaping soon.

Until my next update,
George
06-05-2008 02:12 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
marc28
Senior Heliman
Location: new york

You got some skills....I will be watching this thread
06-05-2008 03:13 AM
 
 
jetfixrguy
Senior Heliman
Location: Valparaiso, Indiana USA

+2 I have subscribed.

I am really amazed at the way this is starting out. Makes me want to try something in the scale department.
06-05-2008 03:20 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
trunkmunki
Senior Heliman
Location: Bangor

just watching
06-05-2008 03:27 AM
 
 
FBoss
Key Veteran
Location: Aurora Indiana USA

WOW thats a great project and good work. I just followed that link and now my dang head is BUZZIN with ideas. Guess its time to start a scale! Please keep adding to your thread.

The good ole times are now ,000132
06-05-2008 09:32 AM
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

re-design

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the kind words!

I've redesigned the center spar of the top section, adjusted the angles and added a curve at the rear portion close to the tailboom attachment point. This third attempt should be the final then I can stretch a section of it out for the Longranger.

George

06-05-2008 03:41 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

I finished the re-design of the top section of the Jet Ranger and am happy with it, I allowed myself room for the foam this time.

The top section of the Longranger differs in a few ways which I'm working on now. I also added a windshield center spar. As I'm sure everyone knows, each side of the windshield itself actually bubbles out from the center point. I'll get to that later on in the build.



George
06-05-2008 10:53 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
CitationX
Senior Heliman
Location: Danville, IN

FINALLY!!!

Like many others, I was also very impressed with the work Yvon did on the Hind. This is what I call "grass roots" scratch-building at its finest! The Jet & LongRanger is a tried and true machine that goes very well in the scale R/C market. I will definitely keep an eye on the progress as my ultimate goal is to do the same thing but in the form of a Bell 407.

Just out of curiosity, what mechanics do you have in mind for either fuselage? I have posted on RR & HF the difficulties with installing the MA Spectra-G mechanics in any fuselage (except for the IndyHeli's Apache) due to the frame height.

Great work!
06-05-2008 11:47 PM
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

407

A 407?! Oh that would be sweet....hmmmmm I may just make one of those too, I still have 2 more 4x8 sheets of cardboard. LOL

I haven't decided on mechanics as of yet, but there will be plenty of room for just about anything...especially the Long Ranger version.

George
06-06-2008 01:24 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
CitationX
Senior Heliman
Location: Danville, IN

You mentioned having tons of reference material and access to several real machines. Well, I have access to a real 407 but when it comes to reference material, I have yet to find anything readily available for the 407. What I would ultimately need are cross-sections at the various station and water-lines.

I noticed in a couple of your photos some large scale drawings from a Miniature Aircraft LongRanger fuselage. That would be ideal. I have found on-line some 3D CAD model files for a 407. I am just not sure how accurate they are. Here is a link to one:

http://www.exchange3d.com/cubecart/...r/prod_755.html

It will be very interesting to see the progress on this once you get to laying in & shaping the foam. I have to assume you have experience in making molds and working with fiberglass. My experience...none. Can't wait!

Thanks
06-06-2008 04:03 AM
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

Well.................
I stumbled across a major design error which has forced me to scrap these two models and start again

Not really that big of a deal money wise($5-$6 in cardboard) but I really want to do it right, and if I let it go now it's going to bug me every time I look at it. It's in the main fuselage angle, looking at it from the side it's currently too straight and needs to have more of a curve up towards the tail...if that makes any sense.

The new design is already printed out and with the new build changes I'll probably have it completed by late tomorrow night.

Update....heres the updated version. Arrow indicates the location of the curve missing on the previous version.



Citation X,
My fiberglass experience was with r/c boats and scratch building hulls for weed wacker motors but the process is the same as making a plug. This will be my first attempt at making a mold and pulling a part from that however. Thanks for that link...I'll check it out.



George
06-06-2008 04:12 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
marc28
Senior Heliman
Location: new york

George,are you planing on making the tail section removable? What will the deminsions be? I would be interested in a 1/4 scale Long Ranger

marc
06-06-2008 05:24 PM
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

The tail will have to be removable....total length rotor tip to tail stinger will be approx 10.5 feet.
06-06-2008 07:22 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

Welcome to my Bell Helicopter factory.

While I was at it I built a 407 also. I have a couple of details to add then back to work on the top redesign. It's going to have to be redesigned to match the curve of the fuselage.




George
06-07-2008 12:15 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
CitationX
Senior Heliman
Location: Danville, IN

You can't begin to tell me this thread isn't anything short of outstanding!!!

George - Just out of curiosity, where did you get the scale documentation for the 407? I have looked all over the internet for bulkhead cross-sections from tip to tail. From what I can tell, the 407 has some slight differences in the fuselage width and possibly some tweaks around the upper "doghouse" area.

You are right about the tailboom angle to the fuselage. I was looking at the 407 nearby today and it is quite pronounced.

Keep up the good work!
06-07-2008 12:36 AM
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

Citationx,

First I took two drawings, one of the Long Ranger and one of the 407 and superimposed them one on top of the other.



I then used the bulkheads I already had and in photoshop widened the three to correspond to the drawing.

The top fairings are different too, but I'm still working on those.

George
06-07-2008 07:35 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
CitationX
Senior Heliman
Location: Danville, IN

Looks accurate enough to me! I like the idea of using cardboard for the mock-up. I am assuming that blocks of foam will be cut to fit in all the "holes" in the mock-up? Seems much easier and cheaper than using wood.

Looking forward to your next update.
06-07-2008 03:05 PM
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

407

I got the top section of the 407 completed today and made sure I left room for foam this time. ......glad that's over.
The 206L and 206B are finished but not glued together..taking a break for tonight.



CitationX, yes the holes will all be filled with foam in preparation for shaping. It'll be one solid mass when complete.

George
06-08-2008 01:43 AM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Rotor George
Senior Heliman
Location: Tampa, Fl

Ready for foam!

Hi Guys,

Here's the latest progress photo. Everything is built, now I'm ready for foam and shaping. I included a photo of the 206B....I think it already has a good stance even without gear, hopefully they will all look accurate when complete.






George
06-08-2008 06:42 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Heli 770
Elite Veteran
Location: Lemon Grove, Ca. USA.

RotorGeorge
What are you using to cut the cardboards with?
06-08-2008 06:51 PM
 
 
20 pages [ <<    <    ( 1 )     2      3     NEXT    >> ]32948 viewsPOST REPLY
CarbonXtreme . Midland Helicopters . HeliProz

.
.
Scale Model RC Helicopters > Scratch building a 1/4 scale Jetranger and Longranger
 PRINT TOPIC Advertisers 

Subscribe to This Topic

Friday, December 5 - 12:04 pm - Copyright © 2000 - 2008 runryder.com | email | link to rr | runryder needs cookie