Mitsubishi Ki-15 Babs, Construction Manual

Page 1: ...el Pants 26 Full size Photos 74 Fin Rudder Assembly 31 Markings 77 Stab Elevator Assembly 35 References 80 Wing Assembly 40 Alternate Color Schemes 81 Surface Details 51 Four view Drawing 84 Parts List 57 Paint Masks 85 Modelers Comments 59 The CD described on the plans is no longer available because all of its information is shown here Also the email address that appears on the plans is no longer...

Page 2: ...wl assembly instructions are shown separately in another section Let s begin The fuel tank is enclosed in a plywood box The front of the box is a removable firewall The firewall is screwed to hardwood blocks inside the tank box which are in turn screwed and glued to the inside of the tank box A total of eight flat head aluminum screws are required for the firewall plus another eight for the blocks...

Page 3: ...and other instruments Laminate F3 F4 and F5 together Aces of Iron pilot looks worried as he This causes F4 to be oddly recessed which contemplates the author s flying skills is nevertheless scale Assemble the upper half of the fuselage over the plans that are protected with waxed paper The last former position F20 must hang over the edge of the work table this space will be needed later when attac...

Page 4: ...interior before sheeting Install rudder and elevator servo cables at this time before sheeting Sheet and glass the cockpit interior surfaces Then sheet the rest of the fuselage V3 is installed rudder servo and p r attached Install fin platform and partial sheeting ...

Page 5: ...servo Fit the completed fin and rudder to the fin platform After the fin and rudder are completed and primed install them on the fin platform Reinforce the fin with gussets See also Fin And Rudder Assembly instructions Assemble the tail cone Install the tail cone Openings are clearances for the rudder horn and the tailwheel bracket ...

Page 6: ...See Stab and Elevator Assembly instructions Turn the fuselage over fin hanging over the edge of the workbench Support the fuselage with foam blocks It is now ready to install the lower formers rudder elevator servo leads and the tank box Install the lower formers and wing saddle Install the tank box and throttle servo under it Trim pushrod to length later ...

Page 7: ... for observer s window triangular gussets Depth equal to window thickness Install plastic windows mask paint inside Paint and install the observer s floors and attach over the observer s area Wing saddle support before shaping After shaping to match formers ...

Page 8: ...age See Wing Assembly instructions Tap wing bolt blocks for two Assemble the antenna mast and its socket x 20 nylon wing bolts Tab is Popsicle stick or equivalent Harden the threads with thin CA The mast must be removable for transport Moisten the outside surface and bend sheet balsa sections Sheet the lower fuselage in large sections Fill seams holes low spots and other flaws with spackling paste...

Page 9: ...filet formers with the wing in place Insert a cotter pin bend the ends around Verify that formers align Trim if necessary the mast and epoxy it in place Trace the filet pattern onto the fuselage Moisten the inside of the lower rear filet to using the pattern on the plans make it more flexible and glue it in place Secure with masking tape until the glue sets ...

Page 10: ...in place Moisten the inside surface if necessary Glue the upper forward filet in place Trim the wing filet to the wing saddle like so leaving a squared off not tapered edge Sand the underside of the filet edges Fill the edges with spackling putty and sand them smooth ...

Page 11: ...glassing remove the masking tape After primer apply masking tape to the filet from the observer s windows and apply edge and apply auto body filler Sand to the new tape is shown in the lower window the tape and remove the tape Result as shown above simulates overlapping sheet metal Ignition module installation Radio installation All wiring is spot glued or taped in place to keep it from flopping a...

Page 12: ...12 Stab attachment bolt access holes ...

Page 13: ...engine to the firewall F1 For the glass cowl C2 can be installed at this time recessed into the cowl by 3 8 inch Use an angle template when assembling the cowl frame Cut the cowl skin slightly oversized soak it in hot water and clamp the ends together until dry This will bend the skin and make it easier to glue to the frame Glue the pre bent cowl skin to the frame with slow cure epoxy Clamp in pla...

Page 14: ...h screws Sand the outside flush with the cowl frame Use the template from the plans to rough carve the nosebowl with a razor plane Then sand the outside to final shape continuing to use the template as a guide Very minor irregularities are okay if they duplicate the hand shaped sheet metal of the full size ...

Page 15: ...hile the engine and cowl are attached Then enlarge them to slightly larger than the exhaust pipes with a Dremel drum sander Cut 12 engine fairing stringers to the shape shown on the plans exactly the same length Install the stringers with thin CA using the angle template shown on the plans Then add the rear former CF2 Sheet the frame and cut openings to just barely clear the engine cylinders Glass...

Page 16: ...east 1 16 inch clearance between the fairing and the backplate Block sand the front of the fairing if necessary For the fiberglass cowl it is easier to fit and install C1 at this time pull it forward with tape and glue it to the fairing and cowl sides Cut Williams Bros cylinders to size Lightly spray silver leaving black shadows Completed cowl with dummy engine cylinders in place minimally detaile...

Page 17: ...ed without vacuum forming by pulling hot plastic over a carved balsa form The lower part of the windscreen is folded flat sheet supported by a frame the patterns are on the plans A better solution is to purchase a fully formed complete windscreen from Micko Aircraft and Accessories Access to the cockpit will be difficult after the canopy is installed So before assembling the canopy the interior of...

Page 18: ...lock sand if they don t Paint and install horizontal canopy rails Mark each piece prior to trimming Roughen the canopy edge for gluing Epoxy the rearmost canopy section in place Epoxy the observer s section in place Install the section in front of the observer ...

Page 19: ...the outline of the windscreen Hold it in place with tape until the frames using a paper pattern cut from the epoxy sets plans Mark the canopy frames with 3 8 tape Punch dia circles from masking tape Masking tape will be applied inside these Apply to all corners so that all windows squares then the 3 8 tape is removed will be rounded ...

Page 20: ... window with masking tape 3 8 tape as a guide Then remove the 3 8 tape Fill the seams and pin holes between Form the lower windscreen filet with auto sections with auto body putty body putty Sand smooth Remove tape The canopy area is now ready for primer ...

Page 21: ...oden pant and using it as a plug to make two molds Else high quality fiberglass pant sets are available from Micko Aircraft and Accessories at www mnbigbirds com The pant is secured to the strut by blocks of wood resting against the oleo portion of the strut and the axle in a hole in layer E The entire assembly moves up and down with the oleo When compressed the pant moves into the bottom of the w...

Page 22: ...22 Trim the scrap and install a fiberglass lip inside one side of the pant at the curved edges This will strengthen and align the halves when they are glued together ...

Page 23: ...n the hole in the lower pant epoxy hard sheet balsa blocks beside the upper strut Refer to the plans for positioning Smaller hard balsa sticks at the straight edges are trimmed flush at the edge of the pant Do this on both pant halves When the pant halves are epoxied together these sticks will secure the edges of the pants together ...

Page 24: ...to wheel with methacrylate glue Pant halves being epoxied together Fill and smooth seams with auto Axle protrudes thru holes in pant body filler Evercoat Euro Soft both sides Polyester Glazing Putty shown here For extra security insert a sheet metal screw or self tapping machine screw thru the pant and into the strut three inches above the axle inside surface only This will reduce wear on the axle...

Page 25: ...ng gear strut and install it in the wing Use medium thread locker on the set screw threads Set screw access is thru a hole in the leading edge and another hole in the rib Note how the upper pant moves into the wing with oleo compression ...

Page 26: ...o the strut by blocks of wood resting against the oleo portion of the strut the axle in holes in the E layers and one screw in the lower strut The entire assembly moves up and down with the oleo When compressed the pant moves into the bottom of the wing Note that wooden pants weigh 2 3 times more than fiberglass pants They are a lot more work and cost more too Fiberglass pants are available from M...

Page 27: ...ue Bevel level D for tire clearance Glue BCD to A Weight while glue sets ABCD left bolted to ABCD right Lay right E on plans align axle hole Glue right E to ABCD right and ABCD left Standard wheelchair wheel Spokes will be covered with thin aluminum ...

Page 28: ...n the hole Weight down with old batteries while the glue sets Wax paper protects the plans Glue F in place Both sides Note bolt access holes Clamp while glue sets Disassemble Glue G in place one side at a time Clamp with clothespins ...

Page 29: ...gap in C with 3 32 sheet Fill the gap in D with a triangular block Interior view of assembled wheel pant Plane to teardrop shape before rounding edges Bolt halves together and sand to final shape Ready for glassing ...

Page 30: ...nto the strut three inches above the axle inside surface only This will reduce wear on the axle holes File two flat spots on the landing gear strut and install it in the wing Use medium thread locker on the screw threads Set screw access is thru a hole in the leading edge and another hole in the rib ...

Page 31: ... steerable tailwheel strut is attached to the rudder but supported by a plywood former in the fuselage The assembled and primed fin with rudder is attached to the fuselage while the upper half of the fuselage is still on the building board its rear extending over the edge of the board Assemble fin halves over the plans Sheet each half while pinned to the building board File slots for Robart hinges...

Page 32: ...al bend after partial assembly Drill the tailwheel axle holes after bending the bracket Assemble the entire tailwheel strut before its installation Assemble the rudder over a flat surface Tape rudder hinges in place and glue from other side Note marked hinge line offset ...

Page 33: ...are installed Enlarge the slot around the hinges with an X acto blade so that the rudder hinges swing 45 degrees each way Cover the rudder with SIG Koverall and two coats of clear dope Add white glue rib stitches over each rib Then apply 3M hair set tape over the rib stitches Apply at least two more coats of dope lightly sanding away the fuzz between coats ...

Page 34: ...t w ready for installation Install fin rudder t w in fuselage Reinforce the fin with balsa gussets Install sheet balsa fin fairings Fill edge of fin fairing with spackling Smooth spackling on the fin filet with foamy sander ...

Page 35: ...uite contact the fabric covering The plans and this construction manual show a removable stab for ease of transportation Without the stab the rear of the fuselage will fit between the front seats of a small car But if your vehicle is big enough you may just glue it in place Assemble the stab and elevator halves over Plane stab elevator spars to match ribs the plans Protect plans with Saran Wrap Bl...

Page 36: ...thin CA glue Don t glue yet Don t glue yet Route a groove in both elevator halves for the elevator horn music wire Glue elevator halves together with horn Mark positions of hinges using the elevator in place Use slow set epoxy as a guide and fit with a file Epoxy in place ...

Page 37: ...rial fit stab hinges Epoxy them in place Cover the the elevator to the stab and sand with a elevator with SIG Koverall or other fabric sanding block After the fin is installed fit the stab to the fuselage Align with equal sized blocks Verify the stab incidence Then drill pilot holes thru the stab into Tap hardwood blocks for two x 20 the hardwood blocks in the fuselage nylon wing bolts ...

Page 38: ... the rearward force when running up the engine while the pilot is standing in front of the tail a practice that I don t recommend for any giant scale airplane Add hard balsa key alignment blocks to Four stab alignment blocks and elevator the stab Bottom view servo cable top view Shown after primer Lengthen the stab bolts from 2 inches Taper the elevator fairings before assembly to 2 inches with br...

Page 39: ...he elevator fairings on the tailcone Install and test the elevator servo Then Sheet the stab fairing glue F17A lower F18 and F19 to the stab Add stringers Waxed paper protects fuselage Stab primed ready for color paint Two holes for access to nylon bolts ...

Page 40: ...ly 9 degrees of throw That is enough for this design because Babs has large ailerons and is intended to be only mildly aerobatic The Spangenberg linkage is not mechanically adjustable so throw differential and center positions must be fine tuned from the transmitter Ailerons on separate channels are recommended For the less adventurous a traditional external pushrod arrangement is also shown on th...

Page 41: ...me shape wing panel alignment dowels Screw don t glue the LG mounting plate Fit strut base to the mounting plate To the mounting plate bearers This eases with six wood screws only 4 shown repair later if necessary in this view that extend thru the bearers Screw and glue Rib F to LG bearer Align Rib E with Rib F and ...

Page 42: ... the center section over the plans on a flat surface There is no washout in the center section all washout is in the outer panels so the main spar cab be placed on the building table as the rear of the ribs are supported by a inch balsa stick near the rear spar Weight don t pin the ribs in place Plane the spars flush with the ribs Add 3 32 scab to top spars Rib D to F ...

Page 43: ...m flush with the surface linkage or other linkage in Ribs 8 before Do not attach the flap to the wing yet installing the ribs in the wing Rib 1 is tilted 9 degrees Template on plans Assemble the outer panel upright over the plans on a flat surface The main spar lays flat on the building surface The Lower Assembly Jig pattern on plans under the rear spar lifts the rear of the ribs to the proper was...

Page 44: ... to cut the aileron free Washout is built in during assembly Tabs on Rib 15 provide its washout and alignment with the other ribs Taper the leading edge to match the ribs before sheeting Upper aileron skin is attached Partially sheet the upper surface of the Aileron servo is already installed panel leaving access to the wing tube area ...

Page 45: ... Add the lower aileron leading edge The lower surface is now ready for the lower aileron skin Taper the leading edge to match the ribs before sheeting the lower surface Partially sheet the lower surface leaving File the center section and outer panel rib access to the wing tube area holes for a loose fit of the wing tube sockets Apply the 3 32 scab on the main spar Needed for the sheeting ...

Page 46: ...ner section and outer panel together on an empty wing tube socket leaving a gap just big enough for a backless razor saw to fit between them The fit must be loose not distorting the socket Then glue the socket in place with slow cure epoxy Cut thru the socket with a backless razor saw separating the inner and outer panels Apply generous filets of epoxy around the socket at each rib ...

Page 47: ...Glue flap servos in place before sheeting wing center section Up position shown Note servo arm angle Minimum torque needed in the up position Same flap servo shown in the fully Cut aileron loose with a backless razor saw down position Note the servo arm angle pointing at the horn for increasing mechanical advantage as the flap is lowered Sides of servo are supported with sq sticks ...

Page 48: ...on plans The hole will be covered when fabric is attached to the aileron Sheet center panel upper surface from ribs D to D Then sheet the same surface from Rib F to Rib B both sides overlapping the center sheeting Some of this overlap will be cut away to drop the wing saddle into the wing As follows Glue ply wing saddle to fuselage Align wing and trace the wing saddle onto the wing ...

Page 49: ...t leak in later Wing dowels epoxied in place Rib stitching added to ailerons over doped The bottom of the wing can now SIG Koverall Dope keeps fabric taut be sheeted Cover with 3M Hair Set Tape and dope again Fabric covers the hinge access hole If the doped fabric sticks to the base pry it Drill and tap 8 32 S H bolts to secure the loose with a pallet knife wing tubes Two required for redundancy ...

Page 50: ...all driver access to the set screw in the Cover the end of the center section with side of the landing gear mounting bracket Saran Wrap to prevent sticking is via a hole in the rib Apply auto body filler or epoxy microballoons to the end of the outer panel Join panels while standing on end After it sets pull apart and remove the Saran Wrap Repeat for other side Trim flash This provides a seamless ...

Page 51: ... radio on F12 before installation from balsa blocks Cut two loop antennas from wing tube scrap Add bolts to attach them inside the canopy Install them before attaching the canopy Scale antenna attachment is an aileron horn Install the pilot before attaching the canopy ...

Page 52: ...s with a fiber tip pen and a straight edge after the first coat of primer has been applied and wet sanded Use a flexible ruler around curves Apply 1 64 ChartPak tape over the panel lines Note how the landing light is masked for painting Apply a second primer coat with a roller brush Wet sand and remove the panel line tape Lightly sand the panel lines to remove flash ...

Page 53: ... color and trace it onto the wing Apply masking tape Spray bright gloss red Remove the upper half of the backing of a ProMark paint mask position it per a pencil drawn reference line press and remove the lower half of the backing Then remove the protective cover Fuselage ready to spray gloss black trim color ...

Page 54: ...ings Our eager pilot watches the author remove the window masking tape English markings on the left side Equivalent Kanji on the right side Observer s camera window and red signal light on bottom Receiver switch and wing bolts under the flap ...

Page 55: ... model rocket body tubes Paint flat black inside and copper outside Airbrush the inboard ends flat black to simulate oil and soot Airbrush the outboard ends flat gray to simulate hot ash Glue the small exhaust pipes to the cowl attachment tabs Attach the large exhaust pipe to the fuselage side with two layers of double faced foam mounting tape leaving a small gap between the tube and the fuselage ...

Page 56: ...ws Note the red signal light loop antennas and removable pitot tube Aileron rib stitching 3M Hair Set Tape Landing light is a cut down GE over glue drops Magicube flashbulb Remove and stow the antenna mast here for transport ...

Page 57: ...r ribs F15 F20 stab tips shear webs 54 3 32 x 4 x 48 light soft density F14 wing sheeting fuselage sheeting stab sheeting tailcone rear sheer webs flap core lower wing filets 5 1 16 x 4 x 36 aileron skins rudder base fin sheeting upper wing filets 1 1 32 x 3 x 36 aileron dummy L E aileron dummy ribs Balsa Blocks 2 3 x 4 x 12 blocks cowl nosebowl 2 3 4 x 3 x 24 block tailcone wing saddle supports S...

Page 58: ...nuts wheel bolts 4 8 x 32 x 1 socket head cap screws wing bolts 24 4x3 4 FH wood screws landing gear bearers 8 4x3 4 RH wood screws landing gear mounts 12 8 x 1 RH wood screws landing gear strut 1 16 sheet aluminum tailwheel aileron horns 1 pkg SIG Koverall fabric covering for aileron elevator rudder 1 1 4 scale Japanese Pilot http www acesofiron com page AOIW2IJN14 htm 1 1 4 scale 9 cylinder dumm...

Page 59: ...it canopy to worry about and no retract system to empty the bank account Martyn in the U K Wow what a design Aldo in Switzerland I had a really great time building it Miroslav in Czech Republic Sugoi desu It s great awesome modeler in Japan Yesterday BABS lost her virginity the test flight was superb she required three klicks of uptrim on elevator rudder and ailerons on center the cg set at 6 1 8 ...

Page 60: ...60 Completion Views ...

Page 61: ...61 L to R Throttle servo receiver battery pack In the car Eager to go flying vent overflow drain exhaust pipes fuel dot fill plug yellow inner Nyrod choke pushrod ...

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Page 64: ...64 Recommended tail hold down denim jeans and a large screwdriver minimizes stress on the tail ...

Page 65: ...esota air show Designer relaxes with an Asahi beer after completion of 12th and final test flight Best of Show award at 2010 Northern Alliance Military Fly In Owatonna Minnesota Dick Galley s Babs From a modeler in Padova Italy ...

Page 66: ...66 Miroslav Hirsl in the Czech Republic Brian Rawcliffe in England Lennart Henriksson in Sweden ...

Page 67: ...67 Smaller Babs in trainer squadron colors RCM plans ...

Page 68: ...68 In Flight Photos ...

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Page 70: ...ery effective It permits very slow flybys and slow landings When landing in a strong wind or crosswind use the take off flap position Landing without flap in a light headwind is possible but a long rollout will result At 30 lbs and a DA 100 engine power is available for sustained vertical flight not very scale However vertical maneuvers can be entered without a prior buildup of airspeed Merely adv...

Page 71: ...ar and low wing cause a low center of gravity This adds stability due to the pendulum effect But it tends to accelerate the roll rate when coming out of a slow roll Note the slight increase in roll rate in the slow roll video The pilot could have compensated for this by reducing aileron throw slightly in the last half of the slow roll Item on preflight checklist Tighten wing and tail bolts before ...

Page 72: ...72 Donald Thorpe Photos ...

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Page 74: ...74 Full Sized Photos First prototype Smithsonian photos ...

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Page 76: ...76 Arrival in London ...

Page 77: ...77 Markings ASAHI NO118 MITSUBISHI NIPPON ...

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Page 79: ...79 Graphics in model size Callie Graphics callie callie graphics com Ask for Andersen Mitsubishi graphics ...

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Page 81: ...81 Alternate Color Schemes ...

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Page 84: ...84 Four View Drawing ...

Page 85: ...85 Paint Masks ...