Panther

Some years ago I bought a Hobby King Sukhoi 29. It flew extremely well but a couple of years ago I pulled out of a loop a bit low and 'landed' below ground level.

I sat the remains in my barn where it gathered dust (lots of it) and then decided I missed my balsa models so I dragged it out to see if it was worth re-certifying.
The landing gear had been ripped out completely and in the process it drove the wheel spats up through the wings destroying one rib in the process. Considering the impact it came out of it rather well.
I had previously had a bad accident with this machine where I stalled it and it broke in half. I had flown it since then but decided that all previous repairs could be re-vamped and then a new colour scheme would make it like a new plane again.
Here are a few photos as I go along with the repairs. It will take a while....
I have completely laminated the sides of the fuselage and will sand them down to blend in smoothly. Once re-covered it will not be visible at all. 100 pins used to hold the lamination in place while it set.

I have mostly repaired the fibreglass cowling with minor touch-up required.
When I built the plane I fitted the elevator and rudder hinges held in place by tiny screws thinking that if I ever had to do repairs then they could be easily removed. It was a blessing as all I had to do was remove the screws and the tail surfaces are off and ready for recovering.

Panther

Few more repair pics. It is coming together nicely. Last row of pins and a bit of sanding will see the Fuse nearly completed.

Panther

I have temporarily refitted the motor so I could position the cowl correctly. Also fitted a new motor firewall while I was at it. I had to split the cowl to allow for the extra lamination on the fuselage. Required some glass work. It is now ready for an undercoat.
I have ordered Hobby King film from China warehouse as Australia warehouse was out of stock

dahawk

You and Nigel must related. Brothers in repair

Panther

LOL . Trouble is, sometimes I go too far. Instead of repairing them I REBUILD them...
It can be time consuming.

Panther

I painted the cowl, canopy and wheel spats today... blue. I think the film I ordered may be a bit darker though so I just may have to repaint them again. I used epoxy paint in a spray can. It isn't fast drying but it has a beautiful gloss.
Hoping the new colour prevents it from crashing again.
Waiting on DHL Express expectantly.
Youse will have to wait for a piccy though... hehe

solentlife

Rock on Bruv !!

I have to say I have a liking for the Yak / Sukhoi design ... has a bit of character unlike the Extra / Edge / Cap sort that all look similar.

My Yak 55 is no 3D machine though ... she is terrible to try and hold in a vertical hover.

Nigel

Panther

Yes the Yak and Sukhoi look a lot similar. Being the 29 mine has a larger cockpit.
I fly it like a sports plane but I will throw a A3 into it this time (with Hover) and try it. Or maybe I am looking for trouble again? LOL
I will fit my Spektrum gear in it this time.

Panther

Covering film will be here early next week. I have painted the spats and cowl and some of the Canopy and fitted my pilot.
Starting to suspect that the film may be a slightly darker blue than this.

I couldn't work out why the canopy used to fly off on regular occasions. Very annoying. I took to taping it in the finish.
Now I have rebuilt it I found the reason. 2 of the six canopy retaining magnets were mounted in reverse so they were repelling each other. All fixed now and got a grip like Tarzan.

CHELLIE

Repairs look Great As Good as I could Have done myself LOL

Panther

Oh, I do believe that Chellie LOL Lots to do yet though mate.
I do hate glassing, but it is worth it in the end.

Panther

I would like your opinions.
I was going to re-cover the rudder (blue) but I quite like the old original colour too.
I still have quite a bit of work/detail to do so I can go either way.




This is what it looked like originally.

solentlife

Brill !

Just needs some decals / sponsorship stickers etc. then she'll be good to go.

Rudder .... Yep - I'd leave it be ... the blue is a bit overpowering ?? Needs breaking up.

Nigel

CHELLIE

Nigel is right, to much Blue, PINK would look Nice LOL

solentlife

And Frilly Lace knickers for the Pilot !!

Nigel

Panther

NO PINK!!! No No No LOL

And there will be no frilly lace knickers either Nigel.

But seriously, as I said, nowhere near finished yet. The original idea was to be all blue but have white sunray stripes on the wings with the stripes edged in orange pinstripe.
Having the red tail has made me re-think and it may be a blue/red silver scheme now.
(after having bought white film) LOL .
Next photo will be when it is finished.
But it is a nice blue...... (Hobby King Sea Blue and Rustoleum Epoxy paint in a rattle can.)

I got some nice FrSky decals/stickers when I bought my QX7 Nigel but I may install my Spektrum in this one this time. I have about 5 spare RXs for my DX6. An A3 would go well too.

I started building a new mission Quad yesterday and should have it finished/flying today.
(another Dart with Pixhawk etc)

UPDATE. Got the Quad going and it has already done 7 missions today. I am having a ball.

Bit wet and misty here at the moment. Flying between the drizzle. Not cold though. I wonder where winter is. Shortest day is well gone...

Panther

Smashed Rib repair

Wig-tip repairs, Top and bottom

Wings stripped and ready for new pinned hinges and covering.

Panther

For a Hobby King Plane, this thing was pretty well built. I haven't seen this before.

Wing covering Dovetailed and ribs morticed into the trailing edge. Ribs and spars are all Spruce or similar. Maybe Obecchi?
Anyway I am pleased I have made the effort to restore the old girl at last. Covering the wings has begun.
Funny thing is that nowadays you pay more for a foamie than what I paid for this back then. (Au$110)

Original Ad. Discontinued of course

Panther

Getting close. The right wing is now complete and covered. (it was the damaged one)
I will start covering the left wing tomorrow and then work out some sort of wing design with some other colours.
And in-between I am continuing my Piper Cub build as well.

Panther

More pics. Only one aileron to do and it will be finished. All new hinges fitted.

Panther

FROM THIS:



TO THIS: Still some design work / graphics to do but at least the main hard yakka is finished now.

Don Sims

Coming along!

Panther

Well I am pleased to report that the re-maiden went perfectly. The Sukhoi really flies nice. Just great to have it all fixed up and looking like new again.
I haven't decorated it any more as I plan on getting a Sika Vinyl Cutter in the future and doing all my own decals. Meantime it can be a hangar queen as it is a lot more capable than I am now.

Panther

Flying time