Tucker 4 update

I have just received the laser cut parts for the Tucker 4 kit prototype. I will start building it tomorrow. I hope to have some pictures soon. There is a want list and those people will be given the first opportunity to get one.
This will be a standard i-beam build, but I hope to include some extra features - hopefully some molded parts. There is no release date or price yet but the Tucker 4 will be my next kit.
I have shipped all the Continental kits that have been paid for and have a few left so I won't have to stop work to produce more until later.
The Laser Continental ( aka Tom Warden Continental ) as well as the Playboy and Argus kits are in stock and can be ordered anytime.

Bill, I don't think I'm on the want list, if I'm not I'd like to be. Thanks

Lee,

I added you to the list.

Bill

Pictures of the laser cut parts

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This is going to be another beauty, I can tell.

So many classics, so little time.

My plan is to include an assembled motor crutch in the kits as I have done in the past. In this kit there is no former at the rear of the engine so I filled the entire crutch.

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I added an 1/8 inch square where the bottom of the fuel compartment plywood is glued. This gives a better glue joint. This is not shown on the plans but will be in the instructions.

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Here I added the rest of the fuselage formers. I need to stop at this point and produce the molds to form the fuselage top and bottoms. If I do this it will prevent a lot of carving and hollowing.

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While I was gluing up assemblies I also glued up the spar.

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Bill,

Looking good-----why am I not surprized??

Jim

I finished the top block molds - yes two of them to do the top with a short block to carve at the nose and a filler block under the rudder. The joint is at the rear of the cockpit opening. I finished these parts other than cutting the cockpit opening. These moldings are done with two layers of 1/16 inch thick balsa and glued together. I beiieve that this method gives a stronger part than just molding one thicker piece.



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Two more pictures showing the formers installed in each piece and different views. The bottom of the fuselage will have at least one molded piece and possibly two. Including these molded parts will eliminate carving and hollowing blocks that run from front to back.


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I finished the fuselage bottom bucks. Made from used 2 X 4 studs ( pine ) they should last. Shown sitting on the fuselage they are each longer and higher than needed. This allows the full amount of balsa to be molded and then trimmed to fit. Sitting in front is the molded top parts. I have decided to use the four molded parts in the kits.

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The balsa is drying on the bucks now and I should finish the molded parts tomorrow evening and then continue with the building Tuesday.

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Pictures of the top and bottom molded parts.

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Another view.

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All the molded parts held in place with tape. I could not continue with the construction until I had the bucks shaped correctly as they will be needed to produce the kits.

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Bill, this is extraordinary. Please let me in on the price, as I am one of those that "has to ask".
Yeah, I know before you guys chime in, "if ya hafta ask, ya can't afford..."

Thanks for the great, inspiring pics!

Mike

After a personal delay I am back at working on the Tucker 4. After shaping the leading and trailing edges I marked the positions for all the ribs. In the picture they parts are installed to check for final fit, alignment and gluing. The next steps will be setting up the belcrank and continuing with the wing build.
Notice the flap trailing edge is tapered forward. Also the spar does not have the typical 1/8 X 1/2 inch balsa running flat on the top and bottom. I expect this will make fitting the ribs a bit easier.

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