BUILD LOG - BOLT55 - SGS 1-23 1:4 SCALE BETA

BUILD LOG

This is a build log for the new Tom Martin designed SGS 1-23 1:4 scale sailplane kit.

One of my jobs around the shop is being the asker (yes, asker) of stooopid questions. As a builder I have intermediate build skills - I am no where near the class of a Herbert Eberbach, Fred Guilfoyle or Tom Martin. So in addition to being the official "asker" I am also the official guinea pig designated to beta build our new kits (see if I can build them - then most anybody else can).

The way my beta builds go is I jump in and start building - as I encounter questions or problems I ask Tom - who then guides me through the process. With each beta build we also have a master builder document his beta build - so you can see how a pro does it. For the 1:4 scale 1-23 - Herbert Eberbach will also be doing a beta build which he will begin documenting in August. You can follow Herberts build here when he starts in August.

I will maintain a "trouble" list here on this first post to indicate problems, corrections and  workarounds as they are encountered.

This build log is interactive - directly below each posting is a comment box - please feel free to chime in and ask questions or offer input. Use the RSS feed to stay up to date.

TROUBLE LIST

1. Spar dimension on plans is incorrect - reads 1/4" x 1/2" - should read 3/16" x 1/2".

2. Washout dimension is 3/16" - not called out on plans.

3. 1:4 scale "H" version total wing span is 158" not 126.4" (dimensions indicated where for the 1:5 scale).

4. Detail for wing joiner rod bend to be added.

Comments

[Tom Martin]

Thanks, Mike. You've earned your keep already. I've already made the updates to the plans for spar cap dimensions, washout, span and chord lengths at quarter scale, and the template for wing joiner rod dihedral bending. Hopefully I've earned my keep now too!

I will however as we discussed this week and when stock of .500" 7075T6 aluminum rod arrives, fabricate the parts to length, chamfer the ends and bend them to spec dihedral angle. Hardened metal at this dimension is hard to accurately bend without a fixturing jig so they will come preformed in the hardware packages included with this kit.