Rebuild of Galaxy

[Garf]

I am finally getting around to evaluating the Galaxy wing for possible rebuilding. The repaired leading edge survived, and most of the other damage is wear and fuel soaking plus prior wrecks. I'm tempted to use the fuselage I just built for the basstormer for the Galaxy wing. That would make this the Basslaxy, Bassalaxy, Garfalaxy, or Garflaxy. No good choices there. Reminds me too much of Ex Lax. It had a Perfect bellcrank in it.

[bigiron13]

looking at thoseholes in the perfect belcrank. I believe I would replace the belcrank and leadouts both--- how bout you?

Bigiron

[Garf]

It's going to get a new bellcrank, the leadouts were changed when I first acquired the plane and I believe there is enough to reuse them, but we'll see. I plan to make a few other changes to the control system. I am also going to reinforce some weak points.

[Garf]

The Galaxy wing now has a new bellcrank and leadouts.

[Garf]

The wing is going back together. It is pretty bad in spots. now to pick a fuselage.

[Garf]

Wing is done. It looks better than I thought it would. I might use fuselage #2 on it or build a new one.



UPDATE:
I decided to use fuselage 2, the 5.8oz one laminated from 3 sheets of 1/8" balsa.

[Garf]

I seem to have run out of usable stab/elevator units. I am having to repair broken ones as I go along. I have one gluing now for use on this thing.

[Garf]

Something else I need for this thing is a new name. It is no longer a Galaxy. Technically it's a stretched Galaxy. Now, what is the next larger thing to a Galaxy? Universe maybe? Doesn't quite seem right. Any ideas?

[Garf]

I think I'm just going to call this thing a stretched Galaxy. I think I have enough Oracover to do this thing along with the PT-19.

[Garf]

Repaired stab is installed. Next step will be a small rudder.

[Garf]

Rudder is installed. This is a small one that should break away easily in an upside down landing. The painting has begun.

[kiwi1]

Jul 18, 2010 21:07:54 GMT -7 Garf said:

I seem to have run out of usable stab/elevator units. I am having to repair broken ones as I go along. I have one gluing now for use on this thing.

Your mention of a "small" vertical fin reminds me of 1957 or 1958, when I had a Flite Streak with a Fox 25 on it that I was trying to pretend was a full blown aerobatic plane, at a time when my assorted "outside" maneuvers were rather less than well done. I broke that tall fin off every third time I flew that plane for awhile.

.. and it didn't come off in one piece, it always wanted to be in several pieces.

At one point, I attached a smallish fin made from 1/16" plywood, and it got knocked off a couple of times as well, before I finally developed my technique.

[Garf]

Done that a few times. The upside down landing on the Fronkensteen took the rear of the fuselage with it. Rudder survived. I cut the rudder in 2. Half went back on the Fronkensteen, the rest went on the Galaxy.

[kiwi1]

At the time I was knocking tail fins off, I also added an aluminum plate under the upper mounting lug that extended upward as a protection for NVAs being broken off when "landing" inverted . .

[flyingtigre]

My ancient copy of "Model Plane Building from A to Z" published by Flying Models, shows a landing gear complete with wheel for protection in case of inverted landings.

Much in this publication may be obsolete but interesting.

[Garf]

I am trying to cover this thing using Oracover. The wing panels look good, but as usual, the tips are a big problem. This stuff is heavy compared to the Brodak covering. I turned the heat up all the way on the iron and I was able to complete the tips.

[Garf]

The Galaxy is almost done. Covering looks good. It's amazing what an opaque covering can do for a wing. I used a single wheel landing gear, so time will tell on that one. Controls are next.

[Garf]

Galaxy is ready. It got a Super Tigre G21 40. I had to put a single wheel gear on it because of the wing to fuselage reinforcement block. I hope it has enough angle to take off. It will have plenty of power.

[Garf]

Flew the stretched Galaxy today. The 40 was too much power. Pulls like a truck. Does not turn well enough. I need to replace the 40 with the ST 35S and see what happens. The plane needs some tail weight to bring the CG back to where it needs to be. That should also reduce the pull somewhat. The single wheel gear is no problem but needs to be a little longer for easier takeoff.

[jehold66203]

Have you enough room for a bigger diameter, lower pitch prop? Might even go with a larger wheel which will help if flying off grass.