Build Log EAM Bomber '17 Construction

[Rudderman98]

Woo Hoo!
I just received the prototype EAM Bomber '17 (you guy's know what it is). A B-17.The fiberglass quality reminds me of those high quality European glass fuses. Not a pin hole anywhere. Panel line detail is molded in and it looks as it will be a pretty straight forward build. I will be doing an ongoing construction thread on the '17 that will be remeniscent my other construction threads i.e. Titanic B-29, MoHawk (still needs to be completed), and the Martin Mars. I will post pics and recommendations along the way. For those lucky enough to get the prtototype kit as well, feel free to post your ideas and pictures here. The more, the merrier.

I am hoping to have her framed up static, for the Pacific Nothwest Model Expo this coming February. I'd like to thank Dave at EAM for considering me to be a part of the build team.

There are some personal issues I have to deal with so the build will be a bit slower than my usual "wham bam", get it built in a month or less threads. The wait will be worth it.

Now lets get this ball a rollin!!!

E-Zone B-17 Thread index

Page 1 Post 9 Nacelles
Page 2 Post 18 Nacelle notes
Page 2 Post 21 estimating the size
Page 2 Post 33 future EAM kits
Page 2 Post 39 clear parts
Page 4 Post 47 engine detail
Page 5 Post 67 motor test
Page 5 Post 88 EAM Web link
Page 7 Post 92 tail feathers & motor mounting
Page 7 Post 101 retract tail wheel
Page 7 Post 128 7 kits ready to go.
Page 10 Post 142 laser cut wood ready
Page 11 Post 157 retract frame work
Page 11 Post 159 motor mount structure
Page 13 Post 182 wing sheeting
Page 13 Post 194 sitting on wheels
Page 14 Post 199 size and wing mount shots
Page 14 Post 209 tail group and brushless mount
Page 15 Post 215 setting the CG
Page 15 Post 220 OOPS it flew!
Page 16 Post 230 In flight shots
Page 17 Post 247 Flight Video
Page 18 Post 257 Hatch details
Page 20 Post 294 Main gear close-up
Page 21 Post 302 Plastic flight crew.
Page 23 Post 343 A better crew ( detail)
Page 24 Post 359 Covering with foil
Page 28 Post 409 Retract equipment.
Page 30 Post 436 Tail gun detail
Page 31 Post 454 Pilots choice awarded.
Page 31 Post 462 Contest photos.

[Rudderman98]

Vacu formed engine cowls and nacelles along with vacu formed windows. MAN! This kit is like a plastic model kit.

[Eddie P]

Perry, you lucky dog you. Good deal. You are certainly the right guy for the job

[Rudderman98]

Originally Posted by Eddie P

Perry, you lucky dog you. Good deal. You are certainly the right guy for the job

Thanks Ed!
Good to hear from you.

Sorry for the funky sized pics guy's. I'm just getting used to a new camera and the sizing format has me a bit baffled. I'll figure it out here.

Perry

[Thomas B]

I know the local glass shop that is making the composite parts for EAM. I will not spill the beans on who it is out of respect for EAM, but they picked the best fiberglass company that I know of to make their glass parts.

The EAM B-17 is a looker!

[JerryHall]

Perry...
Wow....Enough to make your heart skip a beat...Best of luck to you..
Jerry

[Rudderman98]

Originally Posted by JerryHall

Perry...
Wow....Enough to make your heart skip a beat...Best of luck to you..
Jerry

Thanks Jerry.
I've started tonight by washing all the parts prior to assembly to clean off any mold release agents. Now she's sqeaky clean!

Perry

[Rudderman98]

Okay.
Tonight I trimmed the nacelles and will tack them together with good old Testors plastic cement, and the excess plasic trimmed from the nacelles. I will putty the seams shut with a mixture of MEK (methyl ethyl ketone) and the remainder of the plastic scraps from the nacelles to form a paste. What you do is mix small bits of styrene scraps in a glass container with the MEK till the solvent melts it. Then you apply the paste to the seams. It actually bonds both parts together in the process. It's stinky but it's fun! After the paste dries, the seams will essentially be welded shut so to speak. Be careful though. Too much solvent and you'll also melt the part.

Perry

[Rudderman98]

Nacelle assembly 1

[Tempest]

Wow! That sure is pretty! I believe Dave's got a winner here

Paul

[DaveA]

Be VERY careful using MEK. The material data sheet for that stuff will stand your hair on end. If I remember correctly, it is a potent mutagen that is absorbed directly through the skin (and hardly even slowed down by rubber gloves). Also highly volatile so should only be used outdoors or with forced ventilation. We are not allowed to use it on campus except under a fume hood.

- - Dave

[lslewis]

I remembered hearing or reading about the hazards of MEK so I did a search here is what the EPA has:
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/methylet.html

Hurricane Larry
My Project:
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=261765

[Kevin Murray]

Looks great Perry, Thanks for keeping us all posted.
What are the specs of this plane ?

[Rudderman98]

Originally Posted by DaveA

Be VERY careful using MEK. The material data sheet for that stuff will stand your hair on end. If I remember correctly, it is a potent mutagen that is absorbed directly through the skin (and hardly even slowed down by rubber gloves). Also highly volatile so should only be used outdoors or with forced ventilation. We are not allowed to use it on campus except under a fume hood.

- - Dave

Thanks guy's for the MEK warnings. I'm familiar with it since I used it regularly when I worked at Boeing. We used LOTS of it.

Kevin, Somewhere on this site Dave posted the specs on the plane on another thread. I haven't got the wings yet but when I do, I'll get the specs posted here too.

Perry

[Kevin Murray]

OK, Relocated it. 70 inch span. Wing area and length and not mentioned.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showt...&highlight=b17