Gotta go with the classic Jet Age graphics, or maybe even a pre-jet age scheme, but we'd need to go with white instead of polished aluminum. The biggest guns were TWA and PanAm, and to a slightly lesser extent Eastern, American and United ...we can also include BOAC to tip a hat to our friends across the pond that nearly had a world beater with the de Havilland Comet.

One could also go with the Boeing 367-80 (prototype 707) paint scheme, but you will have to put a Tex Johnson image in the cockpit along with micro gear and make it barrel roll.



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I love sanding.

It looks so small in the glider body.

Now, the question is, should I set up the elevons at the same angle as the described in the instructions, or do I set them neutral with the wing. Or should I set them at the angle for boost and then centered for glide?

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If I get this kit I will most likely use a custom nose cone for the booster. Something like on the actual shuttle tank . I just don't like the looks of the long nose cone.

I've not flown the complete stack with out this angle on the Shuttle elevators. It may or may not boost straight it changed. I was vey lucky on my original prototype in that the angle I choose for the elevators matched the balance point of the shuttle perfectly for a great gliding model. I in fact didn't have to add any weight to the shuttle to get it to balance for gliding flight. I'd say if you boost with little to no up elevator on the shuttle you will need to more the CG back a little more from where it is shown on the plans in order to get the shuttle to glide using RC without having the elevators sticking up much as they are for a free flight version. I look forward to your final radio set up and flight reports.

I've not done this myself but instead of using the paper index stock to cover the top and bottom of the shuttle you might try using 1/32" balsa. It would most likely weight no more and give you a better finish. You could also more easily create and access hatch in the model for your radio.



John Boren

Maybe an Estes PNC-80B, although still not scale, could be build up to look more scale than the Phoenix/V2 cone that I assume the kit comes with.

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

If you paint it up like the Comet I think it's guaranteed to prang!

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078

I guess that you could put a hat on it like some Launch Pad kits use.

I think I'm going to try covering the top and bottom of the orbiter with 1/64 plywood instead of cardstock or 1/32 balsa. Much tougher than either material, yet almost as light. Finishing 1/64 ply takes much fewer filler coats of dope than balsa so the weight is probably total same. Using Monokote covering would be even lighter, but that stuff is awful for painting details on. Paint adhesion on Monokote sucks.

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When in doubt, WHACK the GAS and DITCH the brake !!!

Yes, there is such a thing as NORMAL, if you have to ask what is "NORMAL" , you probably aren't !
Failure may not be an OPTION, but it is ALWAYS a POSSIBILITY.
ALL systems are GO for MAYHEM, CHAOS, and HAVOC !

How much bend can you get out of 1/64 plywood? I was exploring some at a Michael's and without warning the whole sheet cracked, and I had not bent it very far. Will you be using a bunch of strips or trying to conform a smaller number of wider strips?

Photos of the process would be most appreciated.

I've bent solid basswood using steam but I've never tried it with ply.

__________________
Never trust an atom. They make up everything.

4 out of 3 people struggle with math.

Chemically, alcohol IS a solution.

NAR# 94042
SAM# 0078