The birth of Solstice (build thread)

[JBajkor]

Many hours put in and showing some progress. Wings are framed up. Landing gear mounts complete. Leading edge 'D' tube is covered with 1.5mm Soric skinned with 1.4oz cloth. Now preparing the Divinycell wing skins. Also doing body work on the fuse. Nose is complete and cleaning up imperfections in the fit and finish.

[JBajkor]

Started assembling the ailerons. Made a plug for the fuel tank from foam. It will be 3.6 liter for lots of flight time.

[Mouse]

Nice progress. I'll be seeing you and further progress on Solstice in the new year. Until then, Happy New Year to you and yours. All those parts you donated to me have made a great looking Logo 700 flybar head. Thank you.

[JBajkor]

Got one skin on a wing and ran out of hysol. So, while I wait for my glue order to come in, I made the fuel tank.
Pic#1 - got a thin layer of glass on the plug.
Pic 2 & 3 - Tank halves removed from plug. PVA works great!
Pic#4 - Easier to install the fittings before joining.
Pic#5 - Tank all together with more layers of glass added. After curing, I just need to sand off some sharp edges and it's done.

[RC_MAN]

Nice work Joe.

[JBajkor]

Twice now, Canada Post has changed the expected delivery date for my Hysol. I still have lots to do while I wait. Made up four aileron horns from G10 and installed.

[JBajkor]

Still waiting for Hysol. It's coming from Windsor to Hamilton, normally 2 or 3 days. There appears to be a problem in the Stoney Creek postal facility. Tracking shows the trip to Stoney Creek in timely manner then after a delay tracking shows "Item processed Richmond, BC". WTF!!! This is not the first time I have had a package reach Stoney Creek then disappear, only to show up somewhere else in the country. Of course, they're going to blame it on Covid-19

[Mouse]

I had a package from Florida that disappeared on the 25th of December leaving from Miami Intl. and took until Monday to show up on Canada Post's radar. It should be here today. There is something going on with their package delivery and sorting. It could be the massive influx of Amazon traffic.

Mouse

[JBajkor]

I think balsa is too soft for the trailing edge of the ailerons, so I wanted to use basswood. Couldn't find basswood near by so decided to use poplar from Home Depot. As with so many things, cutting trailing edge blanks is easy once I spent half a day deciding how, and doing the setup. Turned out quite nice.

[JBajkor]

Forgot to mention, I have Hysol!!! Second wing skin is glued on.