My 1939 Scientific Mercury Jr....

[Demon-Leather]

This is the second Mercury Jr. I've built The other was .15 diesel powered (which was a bit too much for it) This one was fitted for an .09 diesel,.. but I got side-tracked in electrics, and she's sat for about 3 yrs without a tail..I built her from copies of the origional plans & printwood from My 1939 Scientific Mercury Jr. Kit. I'm thinking of fitting her with a geared 400 set up now. even with the heavy wire gear,and the 3 1/2" maple mounts she comes out at right about 15oz with an 1100ma 7.2V pack. (it would be a LOT lighter with some Li-polys!)
After I get the "Pseudo Pa" finished,(the one in the background) and her futer sister ship Pseudo Pa-Pacer( I'm thinking about doing a construction thread, IF there was enough interest in the "Parkflyer" section)
After that, I think I'll get the old-girl done & flying...she's waited faithfully through the years. Bob

[Demon-Leather]

Seems the older you get, time wisps-away in a wink.......:( I guess I need to get my mess in Parkflyers done this month, so I can go back to "simpler-things"......... >sigh<
I DID manage to pic up a 2200ma TANIC Lipo pack for the old girl.. should drop the weight about 2.5 oz :D

[johnvb]

I have boxes of unfinished models. Every so often one climbs to the top of the heap and gets a bit of work done on it. I think there's even a 36" .020 Mercury half done in there somewhere. :)

[Demon-Leather]

Encouragement is always helpfull (and appreciated). I finished the Pseudo-Pa, and changed the "Pseudo Pa-Pacer" to the "Pseudo Pa-Nee" Pseudo-scale Piper PA-26 Pawnee build (seemed to be more interest in a cropduster), and I have it at about70% complete in Parkflyers. between work, bad computers & such. it slowed dramatically, but I hope to get it finished by the end of this month, and back to building/flying with no pressure.
Then I can get the Merc. Jr. tailfeathers & covering done. Bob

[Demon-Leather]

It's been a "little-while" :rolleyes: But, after a really bad break up, almost losing my house(twice),a massive heart attack, and quad by-pass open heart surgery, I've finally got back on track for finishing this one. :D I've changed the power for this one 3 times, starting with an .09 diesel, going to a ThunderTiger .07 r/c glow, and ending with a geard 400 with a 7.4V 2200ma LiPoly.(I know, I know,.. all the purists just cringed or threw up!)
Anyway, so they won't be TOO displeased, I manufactured a "demon & Rice .23 ignition dummy that attaches to the gearbox and coveres the offending "juice-box" 400. I have a couple photos, but will have to wait till the camera batts charge to snap some more in a bit. I have the wing covered, I've built/covered/hinged the tail feathers, and built a light 1/32" ply battery box inside the fuselage. Need to build a shelf & install the servos (where the coil origonally went) The Merc Jr. had a unique feature of a removable tail feather section that was rubber banded in place. This allowed for crash protection and good portability. I kept that feature,.. but using r/c assist, I'm going to use some bamboo dowels and a couple rare-earth H-D magnets for added safety..still completely detachable.The Merc Jr. also had a provision in the '39 plan for a control line elevator, so that came in REAL handy! I was still on my own for the rudder rework though (came out nicely!) Hopefully, I'll have the old girl in the air before her 70th birthday next year... IF I can stay alive. :rolleyes: Just goes to show, good vintage models never die!... just their owners...hehe

[Demon-Leather]

So,.. I thought I'd post these & head to bed...

[johnvb]

Looks great! Especially like the Demon & Rice, quite rare aren't they :p

I'm also glad see someone else has a bench like mine with a 'well organised clutter' look about it. Everything on there knows exactly where it is.

[Demon-Leather]

I appreciate it! :D And if I put anything up... I'd never find it! I usually clean the bench for a "new" project, but during the time it's being built, old ones creep into the scene. Before I know it, there's 4 old projects on top of it!
You can tell by building things like dummy ignition engines, I have no real life to speak of. :rolleyes:
But, another day, another built part. I finished making the ply servo mount plate, and all I need do is put a bit of epoxy on it. I hate doing the electrical equipment mounting & figuring... trying to get it all to balance-out. Luckilly, on this one, I can mount the servos where the coil was to be mounted. With the foot long airfoiled stabilizer, it moves the c/g considerably back. Scientific Models doesn't give you a hint to the proper c/g location either. The only reason I know, is because I built one already, and went through that headache before. :rolleyes: I've "approximated" the c/g from memory,.. I hope it doesn't fall short.