62" stuka build help required

[deanno]

Ok i have got myself a trainer and all is reasonably well. So i have gone into the deep end and bought a set of plans for a 62" w/s stuka of ebay for .$1.00. Now i have built the odd rubber band balsa wood model as a kid, but nothing in this scale. I thought i would do it this way and have hopefully some thing to be proud of. But where do i start. I can sort of read and understand the plans and i believe it will make sense once i start cutting and shaping the parts. Is there a website or something that goes into a bit of detail on this sort of thing. Whats the basic tools required etc. Whats the best way to work out the amount of material required. I think i will end up with more enjoyment building then probably flying it :) .

Deanno

[blucor basher]

I'd suggest doing a lot of online research before beginning. Luckily, you already post on RCG, that's half the battle.

If you go into the scale forums and search on "build thread", dozens of threads come up. Take a few evenings and read them. Aircraft construction falls into some broad categories (sheet vs. stick-built fuselage sides, rib-and-spar vs. foam core wings, etc.). When you receive your plans, look closely to determine the broad "style" of construction. If your plans call for bilding the fuselage mostly from square sticks cut to length and glued at angles (looks like an old railroad bridge, called a "truss") then examine the threads for planes built that way to learn the techniques. If it uses more parts cut on a saw from balsa and plywood sheets, look at the threads showing this method. You have a lot of hours of reading ahead of you, but it will pay off.

Also, I must note the books that taught me, the Harry Higley books. For sure, you want THIS ONE (http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/hig/higbok002.htm) and I think THIS ONE (http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/hig/higbok019.htm) is also worthwhle. Some of the techniques are a bit dated...but they still work fine. Also, you should really consider buying THIS BOOK by Randy Randolph. (http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/man/man2004.htm) you could save yourself 100's of hours of frustration with those three books.

Good luck. If you get it done, it will be one of your proudest moments.

[deanno]

Thanks for the reply, hunting those books down now. The only problem i have is my plans show the wing build pretty good, but not to good on the fuselarge. But as you suggested i'm in the process of reading through the postings on here. Surprising how it becomes much clearer.

Dean