Aero "Shrike" Commander PSS build

[Fred]

Another build

This time a very simple one. Quick design and build to keep my mind off when I needed a break from other builds (not sure if that makes sense! ).

So, 3 views, plan drawing done in a day and will be semi scale, but I think it does look the part. To me anyway

WS is 1.4m

So, started with a bunch of parts. Fuselage goes first with the sides in 3mm balsa, 5x5mm balsa in the corners.. Classic! Sheeting will be also in 3mm balsa.

[Fred]

All the formers are in 3mm balsa. Making sure the central ones are at 90 degrees, everything is glued up. This is a basic box, so all goes well!
Top of the fuselage is dead flat, so it can be build on its back. Make sure the fuselage does not look like a banana!

The front was more work as there is a quite sharpish bend. As usual, notches on the 5x5mm and where the bends are does help! This is the "hardest" bit on the fuselage build, so not too bad 

And we can have a look at the overall shape with a beer in hand! Rudder etc are made of 5mm balsa.

[Fred]

Next is finishing the top sheeting. Bottom later after I do the linkages for the elevator and rudder.
After that, started on the canopy. Executive decision time! Made it removable and in balsa.
Original plan was to make a mold and do it in plastic. Access to radio via an opening under the cockpit floor. But was easier that way. Down side, I lose my cool instrument panel

[rogallo]

Hey Fred, that looks good, love the speed at which you build.

Looking forward to seeing it fly.

[Fred]

Thanks

It's only a rectangular box with wings really, nothing fancy. But I like the shape I have to say

[Kevin O'Donoghue]

You've clearly gone mad building this. I have to google a Shrike but I have a mental picture of a slightly faster and fatter version of a Shorts 330 but without the fun of a ramp to maybe drop stuff!!!!!!!

[billscottni]

https://youtu.be/I0BZMdW3-aE  Bob Hoover in his Shrike Commander

[Fred]

You've clearly gone mad building this. I have to google a Shrike but I have a mental picture of a slightly faster and fatter version of a Shorts 330 but without the fun of a ramp to maybe drop stuff!!!!!!!

OOhhh, I like the Short 330! A bit like the slim brother of the Skyvan!
Laurent from the Jivaro sells a plan for it. Was very tempted at the time. Unusual model.

[Fred]

https://youtu.be/I0BZMdW3-aE  Bob Hoover in his Shrike Commander

I picked another subject
Bob Hoover was the obvious choice of course. SO I went for something else  Wanted something dead easy to do 

[Fred]

So next, canopy. Simple top and bottom, a couple of wood pieces et voila! Canopy done.
It will be sanded with the rest of the fuselage. That hide the radio and it is removable for access to plug stuff.
Need 2 pilots to be glued on the canopy floor now!

Then, attention is turning to the wings! Simple platform, so quick and easy job.
The spars are 10x5mm and are put on a 2mm strip to compensate for the sheeting. As usual, built inverted.
The first rib includes the diedhral, and without forgetting to build the servo frame, the build moves very quickly.

TE is from stock. Simple.

[rogallo]

Looking better every day!

[Fred]

Just like me

[rogallo]

Naturally

[Fred]

Work continues on the wings

Wings are sheeted in 2mm balsa. TE is made of a 5x5mm square strip as usual.
Wing joiner tubes are glued in place, and servo cable puts in.
Basic stuff.

I then used the 10x5mm leftovers from the spars to glue at the TE. just to give some "meat" when I do the covering as I will use the covering as hinge as per my habits, so again, nothing special here

Wing tips are a mix of 3mm plywood and 2x4mm balsa. All that will be sanded in shape later

Ailerons are made with the stock TE.

Next, the engine pods

[Fred]

And now, the nacelles!
I was not too sure how to make them, but luckily, they are simple.
So like the fuselage, it will be a box

The sides are made of 4mm balsa. 2 formers are here to give the usual rigidity. Now, there is a left and right side!
The wing profile is cut on the sides and match where that goes on the wings.
Sheeting is made of 3mm balsa.

For the top, to reproduce the effect of the real one, 2 4x4mm balsa strips are bent/glued on top the wing from the LET to TE of the nacelles. This is then sheeted in 3mm balsa, sanded then covered

Proud of myself moment, as it's easy and does look the part.