Ironwing

Greetings All My genuine thanks for all for your comments. I havent made much progress but I have made some. The nose is becoming more complex that I thought it would be and a series of events of total absurdity that have brought me to this point. It all started with this...Its an epoxy mold for the little mouse ear intakes on top of the cowl.

Sparz, It's been a long trip but your effort and perseverance have paid off. Very nice work indeed. Cheers.. Geoff

Dude, I see the madness and the skill quite obviously. This is just beyond reproach. A magnificent treatise on how to engineer something from nothing. The center wing section is just stunning and the gear package is magical. I'm so glad your sharing all of it. Keeper going... Geoff

Looks more like an ST_A... Small steps on the road to Ryanville. Hope evereryone is well..be safe

Greetings All, After taking a good long hard look at the spinner and prop, I decided to do it again..what a surprise There were a couple of things that didnt seem quite right. 1) The overall shape of the cowl and nose. 2) Size and shape of the prop.I thought I could make them better... Starting with the prop. Asnoted, when I made the prop, it was more of an experiment but it didnt come out too shabby. Just the same, a replacement was done up which, more accurately replects the prototype. The original prop is on the left. Im sure you can see the difference. This is the replacement This one more accurately represents the bulk of the Sensenich. The intake apertures were opened. Looks more like an ST-A nose now. New prop and spinner...

Peter "...A long way to go.." Another remarkable story in the making. Geoff

Jay, Youve turned this into a truly remarkable experience in how to build something. Just marvelous work old boy. Dont worry about how long it takes. Excellence takes time... Geoff

After a good cleanup and with the appropriate support structures installed, it should be acceptable. I hope everyone is doing well..be safe safe Regards Geoff

Sorry, didnt mean to do that twice. I meant to put this one Originally, the spinner was vacformed using .030" sheet. One was also done using .040". The >040 spinner gave me more room (thickness) for fitting it to the cowling. The line of the spinner is continuous with the top of the cowling, much in the same way the cowling and spinner match on the Mustang.

I wish I could finish this off but there is more work to do. The prop especially will have to be finished..varnished,painted, and brass leading edge.

Hello All Everyone is well and in good spirits I hope. I promised myself I wouldnt post anything about what I was working on until this subassembly was finished..OK, I lied. I didnt plan on this bcoming a major effort. Bad plan. All I wanted to do was make a spinner. I did that but it grew from there... A while back I was just kind of playing with making a prop. I had never made one before. I didnt really know if I would use it or make another one. So now, after making the spinner, there was a spinner, a prop, and a nose fairing. Its still pretty ratty looking and still incomplete but I just had to show you whats been done... The spinner is a bit out of position. It steadfastly refused to stay put..but... I used some lacquer primer out of a can, Something I wont do again but you get the idea.

Jay I cant believe it either! The little witch turned out to be a sneaky little time bomb. If you look at the front major diameter, the OD isnt a sharp edge. The little radius caused a step in the profile. Fortunately I was able to sharpen it so it fit the back side of the spinner. The two fit together not unlike the Mustangs nose whereby the line of the spinner is continuous with the top of the cowling. That said, Im glad you looked in..thanks much Bud. Geoff

Kev Thank you. You always say such nice things. I always hope I can contribute in some way. Many thanks... Geoff

Richard, Your comment makes me smile..overly kind of you..thank you. Youve nothing to be ashamed of for sure. When will we see more of your build? Best Geoff

Happy Summer All Many thanks for all the kind and thoughtful comments. Things here are progressing. It was decided to go back to the cowling assembly which, turned out to be more challenging than I thought it would be, especially the nose piece that closes the front of the cowling. It took a couple of days of sanding (very carefully) filling, and test shooting. The curves on the nose frontus closure is very subtly curved in several directions with the area directly behind the spinner sitting forward (raised) in front of the rest of the nose. You can see what I mean in the photos. It took five iterations with very small adjustments in between(one missing in photo). The last (far right)to get to the last one. Three were made from .020 card. One made from .030 card.. and the last from .040 card. Getting the curve under the spinner seat and the smale radius on the chin where it meets the cowling were the biggest challenges. From there, it went to the fairing that sits between the fuselage and the rear of the cowling. I might reshoot this part. In hind sight, it might have been better to just leave the fuselage a little long and try to sand the needed radius into it rather than making a separate piece. The end result... So is the state of the ST-A. Maybe a spinner next and revac that fairing. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and enjoying good health...Be safe. Best Geoff

Just beautiful metal work and pristine precision. Looking forwar to lots more of this snd fully appreciate the time and dedication it takes to do this...Bravo Best Geoff

Mike This just really nicely done and I love the scheme. Share lots more pics. Best Geoff

Peter, I see the professor is back and school is in session. As always, great lessons in how to do things. I marvel at the way you conjure up ways to do things and then execute...Good show Best Geoff

Jay No matter how you shake it..this is just crazy good stuff..Bravo Dude Geoff

Hi Everyone, It is just hotter than the gates of hell here...just withering heat and humidity. I did manage to accomplish a bit by installing the rear spar. It took a long time to accomplish considering that they(two parts to them) are just two straight runs. They lined up well on the trailing edge of the ribs. Matching the curve of the ribs took some time. There is also a second spar laminated to the the main spar which is common to both the aileron and flap noses respectively. However, the aileron sits deeper in the wing and accomodation had to be made to allow for a bit of the wing skin to overhang the TE to create the transition from wing skin to control surface and has to be bullet straight. If you look at the line between the flap and aileron, you can see the step in the spar Its about as straight as I could get it... I just couldnt resist the urge to do this pic...I just had to see how much it looked like an ST-A Still much to do in the wing to get it ready for skinning. Hope everyone is well..be safe. Best Geoff

Hi Craig I havent yet glued the rods in. They fit pretty tight as they are and tend not to move. I was thinking a drop of CA at each interface. Any thoughts on it? Geoff

Wolfe, As always, pristine and artful work..just gorgeous. our ability to make things look real is astounding. Top shelf all the way. Geoff

Jay Your work is becoming art imitating reality. Really Dude Geoff

Dud What are you talking about? LOL. Whos going to be at what?

I should clarify..The gear nount plate is in the front, The heavy cross member at the back of the rib bay will act as a receiver for the segment of the gear structure. I left it floating since Im not yet sure where the rear gear post will end up. The inboard most rib has also been left floating so it can adjust to the sides of the fuselage. Tires are in process.. Maybe more about the gear and control surfaces next time. I hope everyone is well...be safe Best Geoff