TF Beechcraft Bonanza F33A Build
#454
Thread Starter
She was a big girl. I'll probably be around that same weight too...It looks like you had a retractable nose gear. I would love to see how you did it. I have a few ideas on what I'm going to do.
#459
Thread Starter
Very nice Vincent. I'm glad you included the story that someone had underestimated your building skills without even knowing you. Sadly this seems to be the norm these days. You will however get a good chuckle when done with this beautiful build the same as I did when finished with my pattern airplane design. Rest assured you are getting great support here. I for one have always loved the Bonanza, the lines are simply timeless.
#471
Thread Starter
I cut a small groove in the trailing edge of the horizontal stabilizer. This groove will allow clearance for the horn in the elevator joiner wire so it can move up and down without hitting.
The rudder is deflected left and right with this pre-bent rudder torque rod. A nylon swivel horn is rotated onto the threaded end.
The nylon horn is installed until it's flush to the threaded end as shown.
The rudder torque rod will be inserted through a hole drilled through the TOP of the stabilizer. I'm using a plywood rudder torque rod drill guide to ensure that the hole will be drilled at the correct angle.
I chose to drill a 3/16" hole using a brass tube with its end sharpened.
With the hole drilled, it's time to slip the rudder torque rod through the stabilizer.
Last edited by VincentJ; 11-22-2019 at 03:34 AM.
#472
Thread Starter
Six 1/4" length bushings were cut from the white inner pushrod tube supplied in the kit. These bushings will be slipped over the pushrod wire. Another six bushings will need to be cut for an additional pushrod.
Two 2-56 pushrod wires were fitted with bushings. One is for the rudder and the other for the elevator. I was going to substitute these pushrods with stiffer 4-40 rods, but I decided against the added weight in the rear of the fuse.
These bushings were evenly spaced throughout the length of the pushrod. To ensure that the bushings stayed in place, a drop of thin CA was applied.
Before the horizontal stabilizer is epoxied into position, I wanted to check its incidence. The plans call for 2 degrees positive stab incidence. Too many builders just assume that the incidence is good and never check it. I'm using a Robart Model Incidence Meter, Model 3.
The first step is to get the fuse dead nuts level. Here I'm using the top of the fuselage which is the Datum Line for this plane. One leveled, I ensure that the fuselage doesn't move on my build table. This can be done with weights or clamps.
I'm glad I checked as the incidence was off by one degree. To get to my target of two degrees positive incidence, I needed to sand the rear portion of the saddle.
I'm close enough at two degrees now.
Once the incidence was set, the fit between the stab and saddle improved dramatically.
Last edited by VincentJ; 11-22-2019 at 05:00 PM.
#474
Thread Starter
I've taken a metal straightedge and placed it on top of the fuse sandwiched between two pine boards. The pressure of the boards will keep the straight edge in place and vertical.
With the stabilizer in place (before being epoxied), stand behind the fuselage and view the bottom edge of the stabilizer and the top of the straight edge. The two surfaces should be parallel. In this case because the stabilizer is tapered, I'm looking that there is equal space between the straightedge and the botttom of the stab as compared from left to right.
I have been using this method of "sighting" to verify if wings or stabilizers are properly aligned for years. If an adjustment was necessary, you would have to sand one side of the stabilizer saddle to get it aligned properly.
Note the the two photos on the back wall. Those pictures are of Bob's actual Bonanza, I keep them there for inspiration...
With the stab centered, sighted and its incidence checked, I can confidently apply the epoxy and clamp it into position knowing that I've done my due diligence as the builder.
Last edited by VincentJ; 11-23-2019 at 03:20 AM.