Hi All,

Well, I finally got the motor and got it mounted back there. It is a little weird having the motor in the back I must say. First off, the prop is on backwards! I did manage to find a spinner the correct size so I worked that into the contour.

It is extended rearward 1" to get it far enough so the prop clears the trailing edge. The motor I picked out is about 750W with a KV around 950. That allows me to swing a slightly smaller diameter prop. I went with a 14X8. Should go well.

I built a small hatch back there for access. The speed control is all the way up front so there are some long wires to deal with.

A few photos... Oh, and I finished the top planking. Yea!

Franny

Oh, so While I was waiting for the motor, I went ahead and covered everything. The covering is SolarTex or WorldTex. I know it is a tad heavy, but it is such great stuff! Goes on like silk and is as strong as nylon. Great stuff.

From here, I need to do the final wood sanding and then seal, seal, seal... I hope it warms up a but for some outdoor spraying in the next few weeks.

Getting there... Starting to look like a real airplane!

Franny

Very nice your work is always so clean, still watchen

Wow, looking forward to seeing the paint scheme. Nice job!

Franny....that looks beautiful! Can't wait to see it fly! Glad you went Solar tex! Looks the part!
Joe

Wow!

This has been the most wonderful build thread I've ever seen. Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait to see the end result.

Papermache

Looking great, Franny.

P

Thanks Guys!

I prepping for paint now. Sealing, sand, repeat... Still working out things in my head.

Franny

Can smell it from here! Nothing says Fat Tuesday more than paint fumes and hurricanes (I can only drink one)!

I bet! That is stinnnnky stuff!

Good Job, Franny. That is a very unique airplane.

Franny:
The XP-3 / RC-1 is looking just great! It is truly a work of art! I am sure that up there among the thermals and "Cumulus" Clouds - Ben is beaming with joy!
After all the years since the 1930's - to see one of his most daring creations coming to life! Is most inspiring.
I remember the SAMs Champs in Las Vegas, 2001, where he was honored with the one design event for the
1938 Scientific Mercury - Too see maybe 60 Mercs lined up and ready to fly - brought tears to his eyes!
I thank you, and my father thanks you!
Sincerely,
Jon B. Shereshaw
Gladstone, New Jersey, USA

Beautiful Franny! It is really looking great!

Geppetto

Thanks again Guys!!

Well, I've been working away filling and sanding. One more thing to do was to glue the tail to the booms. I used epoxy as sparingly as possible. I had installed a set of small flat carbon fiber pieces attached to the forward spar that anchor into the booms. That set the alignment and gave the stab a little more to hold on to. I used a little light weight filler to fill and shape the joint.

I got to thinking that if the booms were removed, they could be easily broken if not braced so I constructed a piece to lock them together for transport.

Just a few photos. I hope to paint soon - weather and time permitting...

Franny