My First Peanut Scale Build: BD-4 by Bill Hannan

[g_kandylakis]

Hi Markus,

LG exactly per plan. Works fine, light and strong enough but mainly springly enough. No worries

Nice looking pilot! As expected...

George

[MockwingF]

Hi George,

thank you very much for the quick reply. In that case, I will build the landing gear mount exactly as shown on the plan.

Markus

[MockwingF]

Build Update: Box Fuselage & Cowling
�Today's session went really well, and I managed to finish the box fuselage structure smoothly.
�Tomorrow, I'll be moving on to the cowling section (right in front of the cockpit). That's going to be an interesting challenge: I'll be trying to shape the side curves using carefully sanded, ultra-thin 0.4 mm balsa.
Markus

[MockwingF]

Hi everyone,
Just a quick progress update on my current build: the fuselage is essentially finished and is now waiting to be covered!
Before I get started with the actual covering, I need to run a test on a scrap frame. I want to try airbrushing the Japan paper white before applying it, and I want to see how it reacts.
Along the way, a few questions came up. I would really appreciate your advice and tips on these points:
 * Window Film: Should I glue the window film to the sides and front from the outside before covering with paper, or after the paper covering is done?
 * Wing Covering (Bottom): Should I cover the bottom of the wings completely, or should I leave the cabin area open on the underside?
 * Winglets / Solid Balsa Parts: Should I also cover solid balsa parts like the winglets with paper, or is it better to leave the bare balsa and just give it a thin coat of dope/clear finish?
Looking forward to your thoughts and tips! Thanks a lot in advance!
Best,
Markus

[TheLurker]

* Window Film: Should I glue the window film to the sides and front from the outside before covering with paper, or after the paper covering is done?

Whichever suits you best and that you think will let you make the neatest job.  I usually fit glazing after covering because I find it easiest to do that.  If you leave the top of the cabin area uncovered it may, depending upon the size of the opening, be possible to fit the glazing on the inside of the fuselage after you've covered the sides and front of the fuselage and opened out the window frames.

* Wing Covering (Bottom): Should I cover the bottom of the wings completely, or should I leave the cabin area open on the underside?

I'd cover the entire underside.  When the tissue is shrunk it makes a significant contribution to the rigidity & strength of the wing so leaving an area uncovered may impair that.

* Winglets / Solid Balsa Parts: Should I also cover solid balsa parts like the winglets with paper, or is it better to leave the bare balsa and just give it a thin coat of dope/clear finish?

Depends. My preference is to cover sheet / solid parts with the same tissue as the rest of the airframe. I think it gives a more uniform look.  However... if you prefer the appearance of bare wood doped then do that.  Your model, your rules.