The Houston Hawk Project

[schrederman]

The Houston Hawks are involved in a member project called the Houston Hawk. This is a 126" span RES ship designed around a Condor fuselage. It is available to members as a set of CAD plans, a joiner, a rib and web set, and instructions with material list. Members can make an appointment with Don Cleveland to layup their own fuselage/canopy. I will be hosting several builders sessions at my house to help everyone get off to a good start. Roland Beach will be hosting a covering session.

We are doing this to teach proper building techniques to beginners, and to help foster those with some experience to new levels. Some have heard this news and asked me to post our progress here, so here goes. The picture shows the plan, the wing kit, and the fuselage and joiner displayed in my office...er ah...workshop...And yes, mine will be a Red-Tailed Hawk!

Enjoy,

Jack Womack

[Hawksnest]

One Hawk to another

Jack, which Condor fuse are you using? I have/use the Fazer/Prism, Condor (Sleger's) mold, and it is for a 112" wing as a Obechi & foam wing & stabs. It also has a nosecone . I also have the Skyhawk molds for two different airfoils, and it is larger and has a canopy. I have a friend who fly's the Skyhawk fuse in RES with built up wings, 120" . Just curious Bill G.
I guess now that you're building the "Hawk", you will be discarding the BOT. Hint !! :D :D

[schrederman]

Hi Bill,

Just back from TNT, where the BoT was a real crowd pleaser. We are using the larger fuse with the canopy. It is about 1" longer than the Fazer fuse. It is up for sale soon, but a Hawks member wants to give me big dollars for it with no radio gear....


JW

[Hawksnest]

Originally posted by schrederman
Hi Bill,

Just back from TNT, where the BoT was a real crowd pleaser. We are using the larger fuse with the canopy. It is about 1" longer than the Fazer fuse. It is up for sale soon, but a Hawks member wants to give me big dollars for it with no radio gear....


JW

I know which fuse you mean now. Hey, if you can get big bucks, go for it. :D I'm anxious to see the "Hawk", what airfoil did you choose for it?
One of these days, I must make a trip for one of your contests.
Bill G.

[schrederman]

Hi Bill,

We used the S3021 airfoil for the club project. Being a rather docile airfoil with decent performance, and flat bottomed for new-builder simplicity made it a good choice. Don Cleveland is considering kitting the model shortly and we will change the airfoil to something with a bit more pizzaz at that time. I'm building the first wing parts this week so it'll get posted here in the next couple of weeks. I'll be posting these on the balsasailplanes site as well.

Jack

[Hawksnest]

Originally posted by schrederman
Hi Bill,

We used the S3021 airfoil for the club project. (snip) I'm building the first wing parts this week so it'll get posted here in the next couple of weeks. I'll be posting these on the balsasailplanes site as well.

Jack

Thanks Jack, I'll look forward to watching your project unfold. Bill

[bwaltz]

I saw Master Roddy's Hawk fuse up close and personal today. I was impressed of the quality. This is going to be a fine plane for the Hawk's club. I am just waiting for mine to be finished, hurry up Dick! hehe

[schrederman]

The spar caps are in place between the plywood box webs. The spacer is a shear web for this section of wing. Note the rounded corners for wrapping with tow.

Jack Womack

[BMatthews]

Any chance of letting the rest of us in on this project info? The Hawks web page seems to be down or the links I'm coming up with aren't working any longer.

A little drawing would be nice. A link to download the plans would be even nicer.... pretty please? :D

[kingbee]

I second BMatthews' request. I've been a wood butcher for 30+ years but I've never used composites to build a wing. I'd love to get in on the club project myself but I think the commute from Michigan would get old after a while...

How 'bout it Jack, some step-by-step info and photos, so we in the boonies can tap into your vast talents? (How's that for sucking up?)

Cheers,
Dave

[bwaltz]

website works fine for me...
http://www.houstonhawks.org/http://www.houstonhawks.org/ (http://)

[BMatthews]

Thanks bwaltz (is that Buzz Waltz?) I did a try with google using Houston Hawks and got anywhere BUT this homepage.

I LIKE this model ! ! ! I think you guys may be onto a wider audience and "extended club" than you realize. Can't talk now.... Got'ta go look and drool more....

[schrederman]

Let me apologize for the web site not working as it should. We are experiencing some growing pains here in Houston. That's OK as most of us feel there should be 70 to 100 flyers in an area this size.

The Hawk is really just a club project for now, intended to teach neophyte builders some skills. I want to gain as much interest as possible for the Hawks, and I certainly appreciate the interest ... and the sucking up ... :D ...

We are working with a new webmaster, cadre of officers, and so forth, and the cooperation has been much greater than I had hoped. The website is very good and will have the search engines pointed that direction soon. The site will have very detailed picture and text instructions as I go through building the first Hawk. Remember this was started as a teaching project for Hawks members. Don Cleveland intends to kit this model in the near future...something else to think about. I am too busy with work, this project, and running the Hawks to start shipping plan sets, and I apologize for that, but it just can't be helped at this point.

I will be holding the first building session at my house weekend after next. Next weekend would be good except Delores' birthday is the 24th and I will be spending that weekend with her, entirely. She certainly puts up with loads from me...

Thanks again for your interest in our project and our club.

Jack Womack
President,
Houston Hawks

;) ;)

[schrederman]

When checking work against work, first be sure of the standard. I checked the rib set today and got an unpleasant surprize. The ribs for the tapered outboard panels matched the ribs on the plan exactly, when I checked them over a week ago. The problem lay in the file that the ribs on the plan came from since I copied them to Laserarts. They duplicated them perfectly, not their fault!

A couple of hours of frustrated headscratching and I had duplicated the ribs again, but also most of the problem. Another drafting session, and a correct set of templates, this time plotted and checked and right on the money. A pleading email to Laserart's Dave Meyers and a check made out and in the mail, and all is well, once again. All the new rib sets will be in order. There won't be any more problems......right?

Real men (and women) scratch build.......

Jack Womack
Reluctant President of the Houston Hawks......:D

[schrederman]

I worked 1 hour this evening and the result is excellent. The model falls together. I laminated and notched my trailing edge, tapered the spars, and built this much wing in 1 hour. This is going to be a good project for our first time builders, because it will be something they CAN achieve and compete with. We're about to start feeling like we're accomplishing our goal. First building session for the club is the weekend of Nov. 1. Anyone in the Houston area is welcome. Respond off-board if not a Hawks member and wanting to come.

Jack Womack

[fprintf]

I realize, Jack, that you are an experienced builder. I have heard many people say that laser cut kits basically "fall" together. Is this just emphasis on how much easier it is to build a balsa model using a laser cut kit, or are they really that easy for a 1st time builder?

[schrederman]

Some parts of this model are somewhat difficult. The spar butts are realy just about all that isn't straight forward. the carbon spar caps and the dihedral braces are a couple of other things to deal with that are a bit different. This one is designed to be a teaching model.

The outboard panel I built the other night was some of the easiest building I've ever done. The only other laser cut model I built was a Windfree, and it was very easy. I would say that an inexperienced builder could build this model (Hawk) with some help and advise.

I didn't see the parts or the work, but a friend built a Sceptre from LaserArts and he said it was very easy. Another of our members built a Majestic and said there was nothing to it. He wasn't all that experienced so it must have been really good. I have an Astro Jeff to build when this project is complete and it appears to be well done, and looks easy. They're just about all easier than a Legionair or Grand Esprit. Just because the parts are laser cut, doesn't make them easy. What it does is make the fit more perfect. All the long wood and sheeting still has to be cut and properly fit and glued, etc.

If you're a first time builder, I'd suggest getting a Sceptre or the like, and some experienced help if it's available. Even if help isn't available, give it a try. You'll usually have enough information from studying the plans, instructions, and looking at other models to get through it. You may surprize yourself, and everyone else...

Regards

Jack Womack

[schrederman]

All:

Sunday, November 2, at 2:00 PM we will have our first Hawk building session. I will have a wing mostly built and one to build during the session. I should have the tails done for your inspection. This will probably last 3 or 4 hours. I will have a few cold drinks and snacks. No alcohol, please. All that read this are
invited, whether Hawks member or not, and whether building a Hawk or not. This is a teaching session for beginners/experts alike. Who knows, YOU may be teaching us something, with suggestions and hints from your knowledge base. Your participation can only benefit all of us. Please RSVP so I can get an idea of how many drinks to have on hand, etc.

I'll email directions to responders.

Jack Womack

[schrederman]

All,

We'll be putting more pictures of our progress out on our website, www.houstonhawks.org. I will be posting our progress here but the picture downloads are eating my schedule. I have built stabs and an outer and main wing panel, and the poly joint laminations.

Jack Womack

[solo6796]

Jack,

I have the joiner boxes done and have wrapped one with carbon fiber. I plan to additionally wrap the receiver endpoints with some kevlar tow. Would like to laminate this carbon before I add the inner ribs to it.....OK?

AJ

[solo6796]

Center panel spars.

[solo6796]

Trailing edge. Used the larger size. Will have to do a little sanding.

[solo6796]

Looks pretty much on plan. This part is a little work intensive. The web/rib/web/rib/ part should go pretty fast. I really like the lazer cut stuff. WAY more precise fit!


AJ

[Ric Duley]

This is a GREAT thread - I've "stickied" it so it'll stay at the top AND gave it a 5 star rating.

Keep up the excellent posts, guys!

I wish I lived close by - I'd be attending all the building sessions. ;)

[schrederman]

This is a good example of what we are trying to accomplish with this project. From these photos, I can tell that Alan is getting it! He is an inexperienced builder that's in the middle of a complicated process. He is right on plan! Excellent spar box! Bring that with you Sunday, if you can.

I don't think you'll need further wrapping with anything. Remember that the sheeting has to go on there. If you add more material than you really need, the sheeting will bulge beyond anything sandpaper will correct. When you build the rest of the wing, you will need to sand away some of the sheeting in the wrap area, or the spar will be too tall to keep the airfoil shape. Sand a depression in the sheeting after it's on the plan so the dip will be properly positioned. This will need to be done before you glue the spar down to the sheeting for the leading edge and the center section.

Great job so far!

Jack Womack

In Lafayette this week...I'll eat enough shrimp for both of us...:D

[Hawksnest]

Originally posted by schrederman

Jack Womack

In Lafayette this week...I'll eat enough shrimp for both of us...:D [/B]

How bout sending an overnite "doggie bag", HUH ? .:D :D Bill G.

[schrederman]

Sorry, Bill, I ate yours, too.......JW

[solo6796]

Installed the shear webs, ribs, bottom sheeting and trailing edge this PM. Used thickened epoxy on the webs and thick CA to attach the spar to the sheeting.

Weighted it down for a couple hours, but had to look. Will re-weight it overnight so it will cure in compression.

AJ

[solo6796]

Comin' along.........

[solo6796]

Joiner box area

[solo6796]

one more...

[solo6796]

I like it!

[solo6796]

S3021 Wannabe!

Won't be too long now......

Thats all for tonight.

Jack,

Gotta work Saturday. Hate to miss the contest. Wanted to take some pictures. See ya Sunday tho. Be careful driving..

AJ

[RBeach]

Alan You are several steps ahead of me but I did get the hollow box spars done. Not the simplest part I ever built. Attached is a picture of the spar wrapped with .5 oz fiberglass and "Spectra"
100 # Test line.

[RBeach]

When I can sort out lowering the resolution of the pictures I'll be back

RBeach

[schrederman]

When I was building my full-scale ship, I used to sit in the cockpit and make sounds like I ws on a long final glide at redline...my wife thinks I should be committed... Now whe things start looking like a sailplane, I can't help but swoosh around some:D


Jack Womack

[schrederman]

It fits pretty nicely...

[schrederman]

Last for tonight....This building is taking a long time because I have to build and then dink with this infernal confuser....

I am almost comouter unliterate...( a fine word in West Texas)

Jack Womack

[solo6796]

Jack brought his Hawk wing to the field this morning and Roland asked me to post the pictures. Hope mine come out this good!

AJ

[solo6796]

One more......

Notice the custom tips.

[schrederman]

There are 4 new pages of wing construction photos posted at the website www.houstonhawks.org. We had a very nice session yesterday with a visit from Mike Lachowski. He was in Houston on business and decided to come out and see the group. Great turnout!

Jack Womack

[schrederman]

The wings are framed, and sheeted. The stabs are framed. I need to build a rudder, fit the wing tubes, fit everything to the fuselage, and cover it. That pair of wings is really pretty. I can hardly wait to see them arc skyward! The weight is promising, so far. Each panel weighs in the neighborhood of 13 oz. uncovered. The fuse is 10 oz. finished, without hardware. We might make that 50 oz. target weight, yet. A couple of our members are wanting to do a magazine article about our project and our club. I hope they do. I have other projects to build this winter. My Astro Jeff is next, followed by finishing my Searcher Woody, followed by another Grand Esprit and another Bird of Time, followed by 2 more Legionairs, followed by....man am I busy.....or what? Heck, I have Aquila and Monterrey plans, too!!

Another member thinks we should do Harley's Genie as a club project, next...I'm game, but someone that knows bagging needs to lead it.

Jack Womack

[RBeach]

As one of the fellows involved in the Houston Hawk project I would like to pass along some of my impressions of the Houston Hawk program.
The Hawk has been described as "Technically Challenging" and a "Complex Build". It really is a very straightforward model. What is demanding, is the design allows no room for error. This model must be built precisely. The model is very unforgiving in that respect. If your first part is not put exactly in it's proper position it will force every part downstream to be out of whack as well. I have a completed inner wing panel complete with carbon spars and laser cut ribs. This panel has been sheeted and looks great. But it turned out to be junk by 1/8". The spar missed it's proper position and forced everything else to be wrong. I did not discover the error until I tried to fit the inner plywood wing rib between the fuselage and the wing. Whoa, the joiner rod holes don't match. It is an education. I will build another panel, just a minor mistake in this education process. It is teaching me to be very precise in what I do.
In our building session recently I watched Jack build an inner wing panel. I thought he built rather slowly. Every piece was dry fitted at least three times, measured twice before being glued. Then immediatley measured to check how it was glued. All the while his plastic triangle was checking the vertical position. What was really happening was a steady progress was made without any mistakes to repair or correct. When the panel was finished it was right. I am relatively sure that Jack has no idea how often he checks his work. It seems simply to be his building style.
While waiting for my carbon spars to arrive I started the Horizontal flying stabalizer. I got off to a bad start and got sorted out on that and built what I thought as a very nice piece. I then got a look at Jack's part at the field on Saturday. His was at least 1/3 probably 1/2 as thick as mine. So this was the first part I junked. I have since built another that is more like it should be. This time I sanded the guts out of that stabalizer assembly. It is still not as thin as Jack's but it will work. Don't ever think you could win a sanding contest with this guy.
The Hawk uses normal materials in an unusual way. The dihedral braces for instance. Laminate 8 pieces of 1/16" plywood and heat bend them to the wing rake. Spars for the horizontal stabalizer are surface laminated to the top and bottom of 1/16" flat ribs. It builds and amazingly strong part. Every trailing edge on the model has the trailing edge trimmed by 1/4" and spruce bonded to that. The spruce trailing edge is then sanded down to a razor edge.
Had I been left to myself I am sure I would have found a very cold back burner for this project. Being able to see how the parts fit and the techniques used make this a viable project. I am determined to build this one properly no matter how many times I have to rebuild an individual part. There is nothing as educational as building the part just to see how it goes together. Then you can build a proper part.

Remember: Don't look back something may be gaining on you!

Cheers,
Roland Beach

Be sure and check the Hawks web site early next week as a great deal of information will be dded Monday or Tuesday.

See www.houstonhawks.org

Picture of rudder and horizntal stab attached

[schrederman]

I finally stopped taking so many pictures and got with the program. The stab is finished, and the wings are done. I hope to have the joiner tubes in and the rudder done by tomorrow evening. I'll post some pics of the finished frame as soon as that happens. I have jury duty beginning Monday so I may have some extra time to get finished this week...that Astro Jeff is calling me...

Jack Womack

[solo6796]

Still have a bit of sanding to do on the Stabilizer. Mine came in at 2 oz.- so far.

[solo6796]

This one shows the spruce spar and balsa shear webs. It is very stiff! I would almost think the piano wire mount would bend before these do!

AJ

[schrederman]

Getting closer

[schrederman]

This is 2 oz. A touch heavy but winchproof like the wing...JW

[schrederman]

The lightening holes removed only about 2 grams total...but they sure are cool looking.....JW

[schrederman]

I am among the most computer unliterate fools around. Please excuse the wavy pictures...I really build better than that!

Jack Womack:D

[Vince inTX.]

Ok, let me be the first to say it..........WWWWOOOOOOOOOWWWWW. Pretty! If the hawk flies 1/10 as well as it looks you wont even need a wnch to launch it. Just wiggle the sticks and it will levitate. Jack....buddy......you da man

Vince

[schrederman]

We should have a Hawk flying by next weekend. I'll be covering it this week and getting the servos in and hooked up. I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. I don't think we'll have too much trouble getting some more finished soon. Some folks are planning to build them over the holidays and so on. Some are in progress now. I have had it suspended from the tips of the wing with about 10 pounds on the middle. This is a little test that will break many wings from times past. These bent slightly, but never groaned. I think we will have a winner. I will post a couple of pics when we are finished and a couple from the first flights.

Jack Womack

[splash99]

This plane is A W E S O M E! Absolutely gorgeous!!!

I wish I'd been in on that project!
I visit Houston from time to time - next time either between Xmas and newyear or 2nd half of January.
I' love to see one of these beauties fly whom do I call?

Christian

[RBeach]

Christian,

We would love to have you for a visit. By Christmas we should have about three of the Hawks flying, possibly more
We try to fly every weekend, weather permitting. Contact me by E-mail at crbeach@birch.net and we will try to get you lined up to fly the plane.
Don Cleveland of Janco models will be producing a "short Kit' of the Houston Hawk sometime this Spring. Perhaps it won't be too long before you can have a Houston Hawk in Switzerland.

Cheers,
Roland Beach

[splash99]

Thanks Roland
I'd love to see (and feel) one of these beauties so your offer to put my hands on the stick, if just for a few minutes, is highly appreciated!

A Kit would be great!
Where in Houston are you guys?
My sister lives in Sugarland, that'sin the southwest
Anyway I'll mail you as soon as my plans get more specific.
Christian

[RBeach]

The Houston Hawks flying field is located North East of Houston near the town of Crosby, Texas. From Sugarland the trip would be 1 1/2 to 2 hours depending on the traffic and the day of the week. We hope that distance won't discourage you. See www.houstonhawks.com for a map to our flying field. You will also find plenty of construcion photos of the Hawk there as well.

Cheers,
Roland Beach

[bwaltz]

Originally posted by splash99
Thanks Roland
I'd love to see (and feel) one of these beauties so your offer to put my hands on the stick, if just for a few minutes, is highly appreciated!

A Kit would be great!
Where in Houston are you guys?
My sister lives in Sugarland, that'sin the southwest
Anyway I'll mail you as soon as my plans get more specific.
Christian
Hi Christian. I am in Pearland which is 20 minutes east of Sugarland. It takes me 40 minutes to get to the field. So, I would expect your trip to be about an hour. Either way, it is worth the trip. Hope to see you out.

Brett

[splash99]

Thank you all Roland and Brett and Jack who gave me his number - this forum is full of friends I haven't met yet!

I will most certainly contact you next time I get there, and don't worry: whenever I'm in the US, my sense of distance changes and I consider 3 hr drives "just down the road" and 1 hr is basically round the corner.

thanks
Christian

[solo6796]

Well, I framed my outer wing panels today. Started making those ZOOM sounds, Jack!

Had to see what it looked like on the floor. Dang! This thing's BIG! Hard to get it all in the picture.

Gonna do some sheeting and A BUNCH of sanding.

[solo6796]

Outer panel uses spruce on top and balsa on bottom for spar caps.

The lazer cut shear webs fit perfectly to the taper.

I did go ahead and laminate some very lightweight carbon fiber tape to the spar cap.

[solo6796]

Christian,

Looks like we'll have at least a couple Hawks ready real soon......

I live in Katy, the drive to the field isn't so bad. Surprised we haven't heard from more local pilots.....

Gonna go build a rudder, now........

Come see us!

AJ

[splash99]

I'm definitely not one of the local pilots ;)
but every evening I find myself coming home to see if there are new pics of progress...
I think its really cool that you do this as a club project - everybody can learn a lot (I found, in other fields, that I learn most when I have to teach what I thought I knew...)
Its a good 30 yrs since I last built a glider out of little balsa toothpicks (60" freeflight models , no RC) - but to see this mouthwatering beauty makes me want to do it again! Especially with the additional bonus of not spending days after every flight looking for it again...
and to built it in a group would surely help me to keep up my motivation.

Just keep the pics coming, will ya?
C

[solo6796]

I got glue on my finger tips that won't come off, sanding dust in my nose and a nearly completed sheeting job on my wings.

was sanding most of the afternoon. still have a little more to do...

[solo6796]

The outer panel mates to the inner with 8 pieces of 1/16 ply laminated together. It has dihedral as well as sweep built in, and fits the spars as well as the shear webs did.

They also were lazer cut.

[solo6796]

also serves as shear webs for the adjoining bays....

[solo6796]

Outer panel.

[solo6796]

Still need to sand the joint some, but it looks like it will mate nicely.

[solo6796]

Spoilers are 1" X 14" wide. Going to try the single servo in the fuze method. The tubes for the cables are already installed....

[solo6796]

Still working on the airfoil shaping, but it's close. More sanding to do here. Using the blank for a root rib as a template.

My whole garage is covered in sanding dust. More to come......

[schrederman]

Oh Yeah!!! He's doin' it!!!! Looks great. Keep it going. You may have to put about 1/8 shim at each end of the polyhedral brace. Be sure the grain's vertical and leave no voids....Make the poly joints match perfectly. Lots of fitting, I know, but worth the time.

The stabs will fit the tail better if you add a 3/32 rib to the root so you can sand the root to fit.

Mine will probably fly next weekend. I'm working out the control systems now. My wings are mated to the fuselage and the wing rod is potted into place. The stab belcrank and pushrod are in. The servo tray is in place. The fuselage tubes for the spoiler cables are in, I just need to fit and sand my spoilers and cover.

Staff meeting in Ft. Worth Tuesday, so I may be delayed some...hopefully I'll have her covered and balanced Friday nite. I'll post a few pics here and at www.houstonhawks.org

Jack Womack

[solo6796]

Jack,

When ya set up the spoiler linkage, please do a couple of pics. Need to view both ends of the linkage.

Thanks!

AJ

[solo6796]

Jack,

Thinking about HS-85BB's for the servos, what are you using?

I have Superslim receivers in my other planes, but we really don't need that many channels on this one.

Soooo...

What's your preference on electronics for the Hawk?

AJ

[schrederman]

I'll be using 85mg for rudder and elevator, and an 85bb for the spoilers. I'm using a 1500 mil pack (homemade) and an FMA Direct 5-chanel receiver. The spoiler tubes in the fuselage need to be the larger outer tubing if you are using one of my spoiler links. I'll post a pic of the cockpit area when finished. The spoiler linkage will be clear at that point. Roland is using hs55s in the wings, and that's OK, too. I use 1/2A stainless steel for spoiler cables so it isn't like the old string days. The principal is the same but the system I use is much more positive, with magnet hold-downs. It's just my preference to keep the weight down by having a servo ahead of the CG instead of 2 right on the CG. That doesn't mean that it's gotta be my way. With weight reduction, it isn't one big thing, but lots of little things that add up.

Enough rambling...

Jack Womack

[RBeach]

Alan,

You might want to take a look at the JR 331 Micro servo. This is a Micro with big punch. It delivers 45 oz/in of torque @ 4.8 volts. This is what I will be using for rudder & stab.

Roland

[solo6796]

Thanks, Guys!

I have been using HiTech stuff and am able to interchange servos and batteries between planes easier that way. Have a couple 1100mah packs and they still have a lot of charge left even after a good thermal day on my full house ship.

Probably stay with the 85's. I have 85bb's in my BoT 3000, using 125mg slims for the ailerons, though.

AJ

[solo6796]

Stopped by Cy Fair Hobbies and got some more supplies today. Found a stick of 1 1/2" trailing edge to fashion my wing tips with. After about 45 minutes (and more sanding dust) they were done.

[solo6796]

Ya know, I'm beginning to think that sanding is the biggest part of building. But once you get down to the 220 paper, things start looking purty good!

[solo6796]

I think I'm getting hooked on this stuff.......Must be all the balsa dust I've been breathing......

[texas1971us]

yes. nice project. But please don't go ruining it by putting that lame decal that was passed around some time ago. Better, yet, don't ruin the thing by any decals.

[solo6796]

Nope!

No decals, unless somebody wants to sponsor me.......

(Fat Chance!)

Haven't quite decided on my color scheme, tho. Was thinking maybe transparent brown would look kinda Hawk-ish......?

AJ

[texas1971us]

Originally posted by solo6796
Nope!

No decals, unless somebody wants to sponsor me.......

(Fat Chance!)

Haven't quite decided on my color scheme, tho. Was thinking maybe transparent brown would look kinda Hawk-ish......?

AJ

might be hard to see. anything brown is always scary. I had one that was a darker kind of brown and lost it in a tree and almost never found it.

[solo6796]

The wife just suggested orange and purple!!!???

Don't THINK so!

Want it to be tasteful, a little understated, but visible way up there.....

[schrederman]

What lame decal???

JW

[solo6796]

might be hard to see. anything brown is always scary. I had one that was a darker kind of brown and lost it in a tree and almost never found it.


In a TREE?

I'll be careful not to fly it into any trees. hmmmm......

AJ

[texas1971us]

Originally posted by schrederman
What lame decal???

JW

this one...

[texas1971us]

Originally posted by solo6796
In a TREE?

I'll be careful not to fly it into any trees. hmmmm......

AJ

yea, you know depth perception is always terrible and we have trees along the peremeter of our field. I had my old brown Hobby Hawk(I know, sounds ugly, and it was, they had a sale on brown monocote) I was out trying to ride a light thermal and thermaled it right into a tree. Large Oak tree in the fall with some brown leaves. Wasn't nice. Took almost three hours to spot it, no kidding. So, just do yours brown and slap that decal on there. :D

[RBeach]

A Hobie with Brown Monokote. Certainly you must have won an award for design excellence.

[texas1971us]

Originally posted by RBeach
A Hobie with Brown Monokote. Certainly you must have won an award for design excellence.

yea, like I said, it was ugly, but it was my 3rd Hobie. Just think what I could have done with that decal. :D

[solo6796]

OK guys, back to the subject of this thread........

Roland sent me a pic or two of HIS wingtips, and I want to know how he did these!

[solo6796]

Also, I really like the attention to the aft portion of the ribs. Did this add much weight?

Looks so good, I hope you plan on using transparent color covering on this area.

[solo6796]

However, Mr. Beach, Looks you ALSO have some sanding to do.......

Been sitting on my front porch, sanding, it seems like forever. But I started this Hawk on 10-28-03. Hasn't been that long.

Roland, your wing is looking sharp! Did you ever post the pic of your inner panel? That spar box will NEVER pop.

AJ

[Ric Duley]

:cool: Lookin' Good!

[solo6796]

I like the fact that, as Roland said,

"The fun part of this project is, within the general frame work of the design, you can go off in any direction you choose. "

I understand that up to 15 club members are planning to participate in this project. There will be some variations off the original plan. Some due to better engineering, appearance, or even just personal preference. But the end of this project will also determine the best modifications for optimum performance as well as asthetics.

When the best of the best of these varied pilots/builders ideas are finally put into one ship....The Houston Hawk will be truly born.

I'm telling you guys, this one WILL become a classic! Our grand kids will be building them, and you can say you helped in the final design of the original.

Purty cool.......

AJ

[solo6796]

Thanks, Jack!

AJ

[texas1971us]

CHRIST! what happened to that wing??!! the tips look real nice, but it looks a lot heavier than Mr. Womack's and your wing Alan. It will be interesting to hear the status of this sailplane and how it performs against the others. Overall, real nice. keep up the good work, and remember, they are suppose to be light and thermal.

[schrederman]

Sooo.....texas1971us....where's your Hawk wing for us to be critical of? Remember that these are teaching tools as much as models. These folks are getting through a project that is beyond the capability of the beginner without help. You might want to cut them a bit of slack. I think his wing looks fine. I'll agree that the extra beef isn't necessary, but if he wants it that way, it's his toy...

Jack Womack

[texas1971us]

Originally posted by schrederman
Sooo.....texas1971us....where's your Hawk wing for us to be critical of? Remember that these are teaching tools as much as models. These folks are getting through a project that is beyond the capability of the beginner without help. You might want to cut them a bit of slack. I think his wing looks fine. I'll agree that the extra beef isn't necessary, but if he wants it that way, it's his toy...

you are right Jack. I should not knock another's toy. It was just obvious to me that it was built "different" than the other two and I was just wondering why. I have built lots of gliders, BOT, Paragon, etc... but nothing as exciting as the Hawk. Keep up the good work and I will shut up now. But I still want to know how that one flies comparative to the others.

MW

[schrederman]

We'll get over it... and I didn't mean for you not to comment. Tell me where you are. If you 'd like to build a Hawk, we'll see what can be done. Am I missing something, are you a Hawks member? The more the merrier, you know...

JW

[solo6796]

Got a little more done tonite. Finished my rudder (except, of course, for more sanding to do).

Tailfeathers come out a 3.5 oz. Not sure if I want to cut holes in them. We'll see.

Also working on the fuze. It had a few defects that I filled with epoxy. More sanding to do there too.

AJ

[solo6796]

Jack,

I've used CA hinges on all my other rudders. Be Ok to use them here?

AJ