I seem to be my own worst enemy when it comes to deadlines. Its not that I don't know how muc htime I need for our projects... but rather that I let life get in the way during regular hours - not that its a bad thing.
Then there's the stuff that goes wrong in a job... materials showing up late, or not at all. Employees get sick or take time off.
And general procrastinating and goofing off of course. It's important.
But when push comes to shove I'm the one who gets to work late or though weekends when a deadline looms large.
This weekend was such an occasion. The plane project which has been in our shop for about a month is due tomorrow.
We finally got a handle on the spray foam this week. Grinding and sanding to the final shape took about a day and a half more than I had hoped. It always does it seems. But we got the plane primed late Friday, leaving me to put in some overtime on the weekend. The crew had plans which was OK with me.
The yellow needed three coats to get the finish I liked. While it dried between coats I whittled out the propellers out of some scraps of Precision Board.
Then it was time to get out the brushes and pull some straight lines instead of my favorite wiggly style as per usual. I can do the straight stuff when I have to.
I got it all double coated with a whole 12 hours to spare!
The plane is 1/3 replica of a Cessna T50 which was used as a bomber training plane during World War II. It has a 14 foot windspan and will hang in a recreation center in Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
Tomorrow we will quickly paint the props silver before we load it into the trailer (it arrives at 11:00 am) which will transport it to its final destination.
-grampa dan
[ July 25, 2005, 03:19 AM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Scott Jordan (Member # 5890) on :
Wow thats awsome. you have the best job in the world i reckon. making giant toys all day i think anybody would be jealous. ps. you'll have to reserve me a 'tee off' time for your mini golf course. it looked amazing.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
That is so cool . . .
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
I'll be in Yorkton later this summer...can't wait to see it...no I'm not walking there Dan.
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
If I move to Yarrow will you give me a job??
Fun stuff there!
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
another great project! i'm sure they will be excited when they see it!
Posted by Daniel Gervais (Member # 5684) on :
Wow Dan !!! I build r/c planes and helicopters for hobby and this is a great rendition of the T-50, makes me want to build one , If time allows !
Posted by Doug Downey (Member # 829) on :
Your the best!
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Straight Lines!!!!! Tell me it aint so!
Nice work Grampa Dan
Mr. NYC
Posted by Mark Yearwood (Member # 2723) on :
OH NO!! Now you'll never be able to paint crooked again!
Posted by Brian Diver (Member # 1552) on :
Are you removing the wings to crate it? Reassemble on arrival or how does the shipping work on a large piece like that?
I shipped a couple of surfboards overnight once and that was the largest box I've seen, this will be much more interesting.
Awesome job Dan, thanks for sharing Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
Looks better right-side up...damn good pilot to land on those buckets too!!!
Nice job!!!
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Plane Nice Job!
Props to you, Dan!!
John
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
Hey...looks really good Grampa Dan...How the hardcoat & primer work out for you?...Did it give you the tougher skin you were looking for?...Did you paint it with oil base or latex?...What do you think She weighs?...will she be hanging from the ceiling? If so, I don't see any hanging hardware in the above pics...To many questions, sorry, but She does look good...
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
P.S. Sorry do see the hanging hardware on the ruder but not the wings. So does it just hang from the main body of the plane?....Thanks Pat
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
To answer some of the above questions...
The hardcoat worked well although it gave the plane a pebbly finish when we sprayed it. It was tough as nails and flexible not brittle.
I used their water based etching primer right after I sprayed on the hardcoat as recommended. It worked well. Then I put on three coats of Enviroguard acrylic paint which covered extremely well.
The black paint is OneShot (for ease of lettering) and the rest is acrylics which I prefer.
There are three lifting lugs welded into the structural tubing frame... one on the rudder and one on the top of each engine cowling. They are rated at 10,000 lbs each so there is lots of room for safety.
We figure the plane came in at less than 500 lbs. The winds detach just outboard of the engines. Even so I made it a little wide for the trailer and we had to put it in diagonally... but it fit not problem.
It is half way to Yorkton by now.
ANd we have the money in the bank!
Here's a shot of how it went into the trailer... nice and snug.
-grampa dan
Posted by Pat Welter (Member # 785) on :
Thanks Dan...looks pretty snug alright...It looks like touch up paint is going along for the ride as well....Thanks again for the info...Pat
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That is so cool . . .
