Cessna 180 601

[davidchoate]

I was so pleased at the success I had with the Bird Dog that I am building the Cessna 180. It appears very similar. And I need something to do when waiting for the paint to dry on My Stearman .

[Chris A.]

Dave, I have the same kit and it is 3rd kit on my list after the FW and a replica Keil Kraft Globe Swift. My 180 kit is nice right out of the box with really good wood. Best wood in any Guillows kit I've owned. In the past I've split Guillows kit wood with T pins so I now use the fine glass ball tip embroidery pins and high density pink foam insulation board where I can drive the pins in deep and they really hold. That pink insulation board is cheap and very flat. I cut a piece off stock for the size I need, then build on it and take it off the bench, set it aside and let the glue dry. Depending on how many parts I'm framing that session I then cut another pink piece for the next part or two and repeat. Gives me more room to work and I'm cramped for space.

[davidchoate]

Built the wing framing. Wish there was a nice easy, and light way to make one. Its a Cessna 601. Any Idea, let me know, thanx.

[davidchoate]

Mostly done the frame. The kit wood was very good. I may make it simple RC.

[davidchoate]

Covering with colored tissue. And sprayed with clear enamel to seal. I am going for lightness; no paint this time.

[davidchoate]

Assembling fuselage.

[davidchoate]

More stringers

[Billy Mc]

This looks a lot like the 600 series supercub I built. That 1/16" X 1/16" cross brace at the top between the nose and firewall caused problems on the cub. The rubber rubs it when you add down thrust. I cut it out and replaced it with three pieces that goes up and across. Wish I had taken a close up picture of the modification.

[davidchoate]

I also built the 600 series cub, and yes; there can be interference there. I ended up rebuilding the whole Cub from contest wood because it was super heavy, and did not fly well. I made an alteration on the 2nd Cub. Before I cover the fuselage I am going to install the rubber, and check if the Cessna 601 has the same problem. I purposely set that 1/16" sq. cross brace higher than on the plan. I also am going to see how the balance is, and if I am tail heavy, I may infill the front. I ordered some 1/8" FAI rubber, and some peck poly props. All I have is 1/16" FAI rubber. And 5" Guillows props. I think a ^" prop, and the 1/8" rubber will work better on the 600 planes. I got the thinner rubber for My Bird Dog which is slightly smaller, and lighter. I hope this Cessna flies as well as the Bird Dog. Man I wish they still had CO2 motors around. I have not weighed anything yet, but I got a feeling its going to be tail heavy. The surfaces are huge, and the fuselage is long behind the TE.I added a B-0 behind the cowl of 3/32" balsa for thrust adjustment and strength. Took a page out of Mitchs' book there. I did not even dope the framework to save weight. And I sanded. A lot. And I made a copy of the plan before I started. A good habit I've found out. I used it to make templates, and the original plan is still like brand new. I plan on building it again as a micro light RC plane at some time in the future.

[davidchoate]

Getting there. Auw is about 35grams. It should fly.

[davidchoate]

More progress.

[andywhitam]

WOW! That looks really nice.

[davidchoate]

OK. WEll I got My 1/8" Fai rubber in. I'm going to start with a *" loop, and a 6" Guillows prop. Kit came with a 5" prop. I read that your prop size should be 25% of WS as a rule of thumb, but I think that applies to powered motors, or engines. Anyway, if we ever get a nice calm day, I can Fly My Cessna

[Bill Gaylord]

I hear you. Gotta good few I need to fly also. If we can ever get a mid 30's day, where I actually am motivated to fly at the same time, then I may luck out.
The Cessna looks really nice too.

[davidchoate]

Thanks Bill. I keep a little ^02 Cub at work, but the wind is just too much this time of year to even do a little FF thing at lunchtime. Theres a 2 acre grass lot behind the shop, but its surrounded by trees and buildings so not suitable for RC. Anyway I loade in the rubber motor, and just have to attach the Landing Gear strut covers. Think I'll try hinge tape for that this time. Then I'll final weigh Her and hope for a nice Day soon. I ordered the "Trojan". I like doing a small qucker project sometimes in between sessions on My Stearman. And to be honest I'm not quite sure on how I'm going to do the wire rigging on the wings. I would like it to be functional and not just for looks because I do intend to fly it someday.