Propellers

12/30/08 - 3 sections of the propellers removed from the sheets

12/30/08 - The 3 sections have been bonded together. Tips are 1/2" wide


12/30/08 - Right and Left Propellers bonded and ready for carving

Upper Wing Assembly

12/30/08 Before the wing ribs were removed from the sheets, they were sanded then sprayed with clear lacqure. After they are removed, the ends were cleaned up. The above picture shows the ribs ready for assembly.

12/31/08 Main Spars, Front Spars, Wing Tips, & Wing Spar Reinforcements

1/1/09 Spar joints with reinforcements

1/1/09 Top wing under construction. Left to complete is the wing tip banding, and front spar to rib banding

01/02/09 Upper wing is complete. It took a lot of work to clean / repair it, after it was removed from the jig.

01/03/09 Upper Wing Front Spar Reinforcements added

Build Jigs

Jigs were really simple to build. Little bit of super glue and make sure everything was straight.

Parts received with the kit

Castings, Photo Etched Brass, Tubing, Wire, Cloth, Brass Tape, Nails

Basswood Sheets A, B, & C

Basswood Sheets D, E, & F

Basswood Strips

Research on Flight Controls

Wing Wraping Cradle - Cables were secured to the cradle and ran through pullies that were located just inboard of the wing joint. The cradle moved side to side and controlled the wing wraping and rudder.

Bellcrank - Allowed the cable to go to the top of the wing. A bicycle chain was used in the pulley.

Bellcrank - View from the rear. In this picture, you can see the tension cable that runs to the rear of the wing.

Elevator - Controlled by the pilots left hand. Again, the Wrights used bicycle chain at the pullies.

Rudders - Controlled by the hip craddle. 2 bellcranks are located towars the rear of the wing that transfers sideways cable action to push pull action to pivot the rudder.

Research on Wing Struts

Each strut has an eyelet at the top and bottom that is secured by binding. The plates on the wings have hooks that secure the struts and rigging lines.

Research on the Engine

Original Engine

Replica Engine

Replica Engine

The Kit

Model Airways Kit # MA1020

Purchased from Model Expo $89.99

http://www.modelexpo-online.com/product.asp?ITEMNO=MA1020

History

From Model Airways Instructions



On December 17, 1903 at 10:35 a.m., Orville Wright accomplished the first manned, controlled, powered flight in the airplane that is known as the "Wright Flyer." The flight lasted about 12 seconds and the plane traveled as estimated 120 feet. Later that day at Kitty Hawk North Carolina, on the forth flight; Wilbur flew 852 feet in 59 seconds. During celebrations after the forth flight the wind turned the flyer over and it never flew again.



These flights were the result of four years of one of the greatest engineering feats of all time. The brothers used their free time from the bicycle business to study flight and systematically develop the flyer. By 1903 they had greatly improved the understanding of how wings produce lift, made the first systematic study ofhow to control an airplane and had designed the first practical propeller. Additionally, they had designed and built an engine powerful enough, yet light enough to be used in an airplane.



The Flyer had awingspan of 12.3m (40' 4") and a length of 6.1m (20' 1") and weighed 625 lbs (283 kg) with pilot. It was powered by an engine designed by the Wright Brothers and their machinist assistant Charlie Taylor. The engine produced 16 hp (12 watts) and weighed 150 lbs (68 kg). The pilot controlled the elevator with his left hand, the fuel flow to the engine with the right, and executed turns by moving his hips left and right.



The Flyer is now on permanent display in the entrance lobby of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.

The Plan

This will be a build diary of a 1/16 scale 1903 Wright Flyer. The first powered manned aircraft.

Manufacture - Model Airways
Kit # MA1020

Wingspan - 30-1/4" (768mm)
Length -15" (382mm)