first solo build

I got my flite streak trainer and lil'wizard for Christmas, but was real exited about having a bigger plane. So after the streak was off the build table I begun working on my wizard. My dad really helped a lot on the streak. I am doing the wizard by my self, with a lot of encouragement from my dad. He will also be my spare hand, and give my build tips, but I get the glue hands
I thought it would be cool to post pictures of my first build until it is done, and it's first few flights
Ryan
I am rootbeard's kid I am 13 years old and enjoy flying control Line.

Looking Good!!!

See ya when we get back from vacation.

Kreth McKee

Looks great, Ryan! You can be proud. That first one is really special...

Hey Rootbeard's kid,
Looks like a really good job so far...you must have a pretty good teacher. I always thought (still do) that building is half the fun of the sport. Tip of the day: Drill through that firewall and into the blocks behind, glue in a couple of 1/8" dowels, and it'll never come apart. Looking forward to seeing the completed project.
--Ray

>I got my flite streak trainer and lil'wizard for Christmas,
>but was real exited about having a bigger plane. So after
>the streak was off the build table I begun working on my
>wizard. My dad really helped a lot on the streak. I am doing
>the wizard by my self, with a lot of encouragement from my
>dad. He will also be my spare hand, and give my build tips,
>but I get the glue hands
>I thought it would be cool to post pictures of my first
>build until it is done, and it's first few flights
>Ryan
>I am rootbeard's kid I am 13 years old and enjoy flying
>control Line.
>

Ron B.
F4Fguy

GO!Ryan!Lookin'good!
Just a reminder: Build'em to fly,not to crash,if it doesn't need it to fly,leave it off! Lighter is ALWAYS better!

PropBuster (aka Ryan Rootbeard),

Looks like you are getting real close! From the pictures, it looks like you are doing a good job shaping and sanding. That's real important! And an all-wood airplane is a great place to learn how. I was just working on my fuselage last night (real late!) sanding it. I kept putting it on a scale and weighing it and then sanding some more to get a better shape, and then weighing it.... I got mine rounded like yours and tapered the back and took off about an ounce. Now mine started out heavier and fatter than your Whizard, but still...

I have a selection of flat wood blocks with sandpaper glued to 'em. I have mostly 120 grit. After I have the shape down, I lightly sand it all with some 220. Makes it real smooth! I used spray contact cement (3M 77) to stick the sandpaper to the blocks . The blocks help me sand straighter, so the plane comes out straighter, so hopefully it will fly straight. Did I mention straight? Be sure to check yours before you start painting. Fix anything you don't like now!

Not sure if I emailed you guys about the paint results. Your Dad was asking a few days ago. On my Chameleon 1/2A plane, after sanding, I used Rustoleum primer. Put on about 3 coats, sanding after each one. Then I put on a dust coat of white Rustoleum and a few minutes later put on a wet coat. The primer didn't completely fill the wood grain, but still looks pretty smooth. The white paint went on a little thick (I have a fat finger!) so it was a little heavy. Try heating the can up in a pan of hot water from the faucet a while before you use it. (Don't heat it with the stove!) Also, shake the can good first. Makes the paint come out thinner and gets rid of the sputtering thing. My paint didn't seem to dry very quick, so after a day or two, I left it in the sun. That really made the paint cure (UV?) and hardened it. I flew it two weeks ago, and the 35% nitro fuel did not affect the paint at all. That same fuel really ate up my other yellow plane with dope on it. Hope the info helps. Not sure what you were planning on using on the Whizard.

What are you going to use for an engine? Have you got one yet? Do you have LOTS of props?

Tell your brother as soon as I finish my (all wood) Buster, we're still on for racing. And since you're going to have the Whizard ready, I'll race you too!

Great lookin' plane!

Dave
LA_Flyer
Manhattan Beach Racing Team
Internet Racing League

I lived there for a bunch of years - never found another modeller except down on the Redondo Beach bluff flying sailplanes . . .

Had to drive to Whittier Narrows to connect with C/L folk.

Ralph,

Yeah, they ran us out of the local parks so it's hard to find the local modelers. The cops will confiscate all your equipment, too. No one likes airplane noise. So I drive out to Apollo field (Sepulveda Basin) or over to Whittier Narrows. Ryan, Josh and Paul have been lucky. Team Rootbeard has been flying in a local park! I'm surprised that more guys haven't shown up when they see 'em out flying.... It could turn into their own club!

Dave
LA_Flyer
From somewhere near Manhattan Beach, in the 'fornia

Ryan,
That looks great so far!
I hope you enjoy the building part of this hobby. It really helps during the times when the weather outside is not good for flying!
Have fun with your Dad. My son, and I, still enjoy this great hobby together. (He's 28!)
Bill <><

Both my boys are making me proud.
Turning out to be good C/L pilots.
(With a lot of help from our SSW friends.)

Thanks
Paul

Yo, Propbuster: Looking good! Who kits the Lil' Wizard, and what size engine does it take? Like Will Smith says in Independence Day: "I gotta get me one of these! "

We are going to run a cox's black widow on the wizard. We do have plenty of prop (got to have lots when Prop buster is flying ) The Wizard is a Carl Goldberg kit. I am looking forward to flying it.
Ryan
I am rootbeard's kid I am 13 years old and enjoy flying control Line.

Carl,
I got the Lil Wizard at http://www.sheldonshobbies.com/
You will need to call them as it is not listed on the site.

Thanks
Paul

>Yo, Propbuster: Looking good! Who kits the Lil' Wizard, and
>what size engine does it take? Like Will Smith says in
>Independence Day: "I gotta get me one of these! "

The Lil' Wizard is an old Carl Goldberg kit, and is long since out of production. I'm suprised there are any still around. I guess Sheldon's must have a stash of old CG stuff still lying around.