Build Log Twin S400 Me 410

[jfrabat]

Here's my first shot at designing an electric plane. Although the plan is my own, I have had some help from a couple of friens.

First, some background:

Although inferior to the de Havilland Mosquito in terms of performance and versatility, the Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet) provided the Luftwaffe an increase in performance in their Zerstörer (Destroyer or Fighter-Bomber) aircraft. Although the original design (the Me 210) proved to be a failure mainly as a result of its poor handling, the Me 410 retained none of its predecessors’ handling and violent spin characteristics.

Fast and heavily armed, the Me 410 proved capable of flying intruder missions over England as late as 1944. And even though it proved an easy prey for escort aircraft (like P-51s and P-47s), the Me 410 proved to be deadly to bombers when all surviving examples were called to the defense of the Reich by mid-1944.

The Me 410 had no serious vices and, surprisingly, proved almost spin proof. In general, the Me 410 proved a major improvement over the Me 110, which was long due for replacement.

My main interest was to design a scale plane that was easy and inexpensive to build, light, durable, and easy to fly. I also wanted a plane that would not make a dent in ones pocket!

[jfrabat]

I intend to time the building process, so that I have a man-hour count of the process.

EDIT:

Because of the moving, I could not do this, and had to put this project on hold for a good couple of months

[jfrabat]

First thing you may notice is how similar this design is to Mark Rittingers designs. I intentionally based my design on his, as they make fast building, good flying planes. He also gave me a hand revising my plans (he's one of those friends that helped me during the design phase).

The fuse has 3 formers of 1/16 balsa (two are two layers laminated 1/16 balsa), with 1/16 sheet sides and balsa triangles and stringers. Here's a picture of the fuse sides with the formers.

[jfrabat]

Here's the two halves glued together. Notice the stringer on top. It is intentionally left oversized so that it is easier to align the fuse.

[jfrabat]

With this angle, you can really appreciate how much the stringer can help to align the fuse!

[jfrabat]

Here's the rear part of the fuse bent to shape.

[jfrabat]

Here's the opposite angle. By the way, total construction time up to this point, 3 hours (and that's including the time I took to take the pictures and revise the writing and the plans!). I told you this was a fast builder!

[vintage1]

I think this is going to be a nice plane.

keep it coming. I ws thinking of what fast german twins there were...as a change from teh ineveitable P38 or mosquit0.

[temacc]

Looks good!

This model is a favorite of mine, so I will be watching as you build.

Thanks for putting the pictures up for us,

Terry

[jfrabat]

Here's the sheeting on the bottom of the fuse. Note the hatch on the rear part.

[jfrabat]

Here's a shot of the nose assembly. It's basically a carved out balsa block.

[jfrabat]

In this shot you can clearly see the cooling hole. Keep in mind that the nose assembly is only rough sanded. Final sanding will be done once the piece is installed and the hatch (top part of the fuse) is finished so that all lines run smoothly.

[jfrabat]

Here's the hole made in the front former.

[jfrabat]

Here's the nose assembly glued to the fuse. The Me 410 lines start to come out!

[jfrabat]

Here's a shot of the hatch. Part of the sheeting will later be cut away to make the cockpit.