Dual Ace Canopy Mods
04-20-2008, 09:56 AM
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Dual Ace Canopy Mods
After losing my tricked out twinstar,
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7130165/tm.htm
I needed to find a way to get thru the Winter blues. So I purchased the Dual ace with the intent to simply build her and go play.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_7130165/tm.htm
I needed to find a way to get thru the Winter blues. So I purchased the Dual ace with the intent to simply build her and go play.
04-20-2008, 10:00 AM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
After completing the standard mock up( to get the juices flowing) I decided to do a few modifications. Not to the extent of my twinstar, but I felt the urge to change a couple of things. So here we go…..
The first change for me dealt with the fin between the canopy and the vertical stab. To long and bulky looking.
First, I removed 7 ¼†measuring from the vertical stab towards the canopy. Then butted the new fin up to the vertical stab and measured the amount I had to remove from the stab in height. After cutting and final sanding I recovered both pieces and glued them together.
The first change for me dealt with the fin between the canopy and the vertical stab. To long and bulky looking.
First, I removed 7 ¼†measuring from the vertical stab towards the canopy. Then butted the new fin up to the vertical stab and measured the amount I had to remove from the stab in height. After cutting and final sanding I recovered both pieces and glued them together.
04-20-2008, 10:03 AM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
The next item on the list is the stock Canopy.
Before I start, I wish to preface this by simply saying one of the best aspects about our hobby is diversification. That is, no two individuals will see the same thing in the same way. While others see beauty in the canopy, I saw a square, white School Bus. So changes were definitely needed.
First, I tried to modify the existing canopy and canopy support.
Before I start, I wish to preface this by simply saying one of the best aspects about our hobby is diversification. That is, no two individuals will see the same thing in the same way. While others see beauty in the canopy, I saw a square, white School Bus. So changes were definitely needed.
First, I tried to modify the existing canopy and canopy support.
04-20-2008, 10:10 AM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
From a musicians standpoint (using the left side of the brain) It wasn’t happening for me. So I scraped that idea and decided to remove everything from the original canopy support, except the bottom and the first and last formers F4 and F5. then I cut a chunk of foam out to fit and glued it in place.
Next, I started to rough out the shape using a sure foam tool purchased from my local hardware store. Once It stared to take shape, I then removed more foam that would be directly under the new canopy and completed my final sanding.
Next, I started to rough out the shape using a sure foam tool purchased from my local hardware store. Once It stared to take shape, I then removed more foam that would be directly under the new canopy and completed my final sanding.
04-20-2008, 10:18 AM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
Oh yea, what could I use for a canopy?
After rummaging around my carnage closet I came across what was left of my Showtime 90. Made some rough cuts for size, taped the two pieces together and set them in place and gave it a look…
For me it was awesome!!!
That’s when I realized that while the new canopy would be securely mounted to the new support frame, almost 1/4th will protrude forward over the existing fuselage. When traveling at extremely high speeds this new canopy would promptly remove itself from the aircraft. Ejection system anyone?
After rummaging around my carnage closet I came across what was left of my Showtime 90. Made some rough cuts for size, taped the two pieces together and set them in place and gave it a look…
For me it was awesome!!!
That’s when I realized that while the new canopy would be securely mounted to the new support frame, almost 1/4th will protrude forward over the existing fuselage. When traveling at extremely high speeds this new canopy would promptly remove itself from the aircraft. Ejection system anyone?
04-20-2008, 10:28 AM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
To remedy this problem I removed aprox 3 1/8†thus enlarging the canopy support opening.
In effect I removed material from F3 to F2. Glued F3 to the front of my new canopy support and then made a new F2 ,and connected it using stringers to the canopy support.
So, with that matter settled, I began sheeting the foam.
I like to use Southerns for this application. Once dry it bonds permently, and when radius’s are involved I can use all the help I can get.
Once the sheeting had set, I hollowed out as much of the foam as possible from underneath the canopy support
In effect I removed material from F3 to F2. Glued F3 to the front of my new canopy support and then made a new F2 ,and connected it using stringers to the canopy support.
So, with that matter settled, I began sheeting the foam.
I like to use Southerns for this application. Once dry it bonds permently, and when radius’s are involved I can use all the help I can get.
Once the sheeting had set, I hollowed out as much of the foam as possible from underneath the canopy support
04-20-2008, 10:36 AM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
After my new Showtime 90 canopy arrived I traced the old pattern onto the one. Broke out the magic canopy cutters. Some final sanding. A little Tamiya black spray paint and as I said earlier in this post.
For me it is awesome!!!
But again, this is only one modelers opinion!!!
This first pic shows how much material I remoed from the new canopy.
Next, onto the graphics.
For me it is awesome!!!
But again, this is only one modelers opinion!!!
This first pic shows how much material I remoed from the new canopy.
Next, onto the graphics.
04-21-2008, 10:56 AM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
cool!
what engines are you using? Have you flown it yet?
You are gonna really like this airplane.
I have both my old original Twinstar (with the crappy covering) and a dual Ace, and the old Bridi Aero Commander twin (now with winglets & IMAA legal).
Have modifed my dual ace cosmetically, not to the extrent you did.
goes to show ya. We don't have to have the same LOOKing Arfs out at the field.
Kitbashing an arf............. the only way to go.
what engines are you using? Have you flown it yet?
You are gonna really like this airplane.
I have both my old original Twinstar (with the crappy covering) and a dual Ace, and the old Bridi Aero Commander twin (now with winglets & IMAA legal).
Have modifed my dual ace cosmetically, not to the extrent you did.
goes to show ya. We don't have to have the same LOOKing Arfs out at the field.
Kitbashing an arf............. the only way to go.
04-22-2008, 11:35 PM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
Prairie Mike,
I,m running evo 46's in mine, but winter has been extra long this year. Only flown 4 times since christmas.
What did you do cosmetically to your DA
Mike
I,m running evo 46's in mine, but winter has been extra long this year. Only flown 4 times since christmas.
What did you do cosmetically to your DA
Mike
04-23-2008, 08:07 AM
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RE: Dual Ace Canopy Mods
I changed the rudder to pull-pull
shortened the dorsel fin so it didn't look so "toy" like
added trim to the nacelles.
here's a view:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_36...25/key_/tm.htm
scroll down and you'll see my pictures.
the link is part of a long thread on this airplane. Early versions gave lots of CG problems. the instructions had the wrong CG location.
interesting read though.
shortened the dorsel fin so it didn't look so "toy" like
added trim to the nacelles.
here's a view:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_36...25/key_/tm.htm
scroll down and you'll see my pictures.
the link is part of a long thread on this airplane. Early versions gave lots of CG problems. the instructions had the wrong CG location.
interesting read though.
