When I got interested in building a Flying Aces
Club (FAC) model, I decided on the small AT-6 after reading an article
about the AT-6 FAC competition in Flying Models. I ordered the plans and a
canopy from Richard Zapf and proceeded with the fuselage construction to the
point shown below.
It was then I started receiving several e-mails
from a number of experienced FAC modelers suggesting that I had selected a
somewhat difficult subject to make fly because (1) it was a low wing, (2)
because it was relatively small with only a 21" wing span, and (3) it was
going to be heavy with all of those stringers. The basic message that kept
coming through was that I was domed for flight failure with the AT-6 as my
first FAC model. Therefore, I put the AT-6 project aside to be finished at
some later time.
A year or so earlier
(before the AT-6) I was
told by Ed DeLoach to contact Mike Midkiff to help me get started in FAC
modeling and to help me select a suitable "first" FAC model to build. I did
and Mike was more than willing to help. We met over at Roy's hobby shop in
Hurst and he selected the Herr Piper J-3 Cub kit for me to build, which was
a larger model with about a 36" wing span. Then we went over to Mike's house
and went through the kit. He made several changes such as reducing the wing
dihedral and raising the location of the rubber motor pin at the back of the
fuselage to change thrust line. However, I was still working on my Class
A T-Bird free flight at the time so I did not start the J-3 Cub project and
that has now been a couple of years ago.
Since then, I have completed the Class A T-Bird,
finished up my full size Lanzo Bomber, built the FAC AT-6 fuselage, and
recently built a 1/2A fuselage for the Fubar 43X. As I was considering my
next building project, I decided to go back and work on the FAC J-3 Cub for
a while before I start this winter's long term building project, whatever
that is going to be.
So Saturday afternoon I framed up the first
fuselage side as shown below. The laser cut parts for a scratch builder are
a real treat.
Then Sunday after church
(and before the Cowboy game)
I framed up the second side as shown below. Oh yes, notice the raised hole
for the rubber motor aft pin that Mike Midkiff recommended.
This Cub is going to be a fun model to build.
However, I keep thinking about the up and coming winter project so I have to
be careful not to stop work on the Cub too
soon..........................Tandy