Mud Duck Aviation Forums

Hey Greg,
I picked up some "Gator Board" for my next Agri-Duck. (For those not in the know, this is similar to foam cor, but the outer layers are plastic instead of paper) Anyhow, to my question.

Would there be a problem cutting the side panels as a one piece instead of the two shown on the plans? 

My thinking, the single panel,nose to tail, would be stronger then the splicing at the tail section.
The boards I have (5'x 10') would easily allow me to make the panels as a one piece.


Keep up the good work.

Brad

p.s. I ran into AMA Pres Dave at Top Gun this year, and first words out of his mouth were about my big yellow Duck he saw at the fly in last year. He's still getting a kick out of seeing it's maiden. ME TOO!!!!

Hi Brad,

  There's no reason why you couldn't make it from one piece.  The two factors that the plans detail two parts is the lack of availability of sheets big enough in many areas; and the option of making the fuselage 2-piece by having it seperable at that junction.  Some modelers with tighter storage/transport space will make the fuse two piece for convenience (using some simple ingenuity since it isn't specified in the plans).

  Let me know how you like the Gatorboard. I don't typically recommend it because it costs more and is heavier.  That doesn't make it a bad choice, but for first-time Duck builders/pilots its best for them to experience the planes as they were originally designed before they push the specs out of the normal range.  I personally haven't used Gatorboard so you will have to tell me what you think.

  On a related note, I didn't relize it could be had at 10" lengths!  I am attempting to build an 18' wingspan Mud Duck this summer to have ready for the NEAT Fair 2010.  If it turns out I want to push it larger (using  one sheet wings like I am with the 18 footer) I can squeak out a 23 footer next year!

Greg

Greg

Greg, #2 is almost done, paint is on, retracts are in, just wrapping up some of the emblems/lettering.
Anyhow, the Gator board is the cat's meow!!!!!!

I love this stuff. The harder coating doesn't show the marks/dents/scuffs as easily as foam core does.
You really have to screw up to damage the outer portions. And if you have to angle something, 220 sand paper will lay down a razor sharp edge, with no fraying. 

CA glue will bond the outer surfaces, just be careful of the foam inside. Gorilla glue bonds to it quite well,ditto epoxy, and doesn't bother the foam at all.

I found that if you booger up a corner, (like I did by dropping it) you can use HOT water and massage the whole corner back to near perfect shape.

Get a drip of glue on the outer portion, just wipe off the excess, and after it dries, you can sand it off and doesn't destroy the outer panels.

Crease it, and you can bend it way past 90 degrees with ease and no worries of the panel tearing.

Light weight Spackle will adhere to it quite well.

As for paint, I gave the whole thing a light scuff with some 320 sandpaper and paint adhered great. I used both Krylon for plastics, and also regular old flat house paint on this one.

Something else, I ran some 1/8" carbon fiber rods in the tail surfaces, due to the design change I made, and came up with a slick trick. As the outer panels are stronger then the foam core versions, I just sharpened one end of the rod, chucked it into a drill, and drilled it right through the foam. The outer panels kept it from punching through.   It worked so well I used a CF rod for a hinge on the rudder, the rod is stiff enough that it bores straight through without wandering and ending up somewhere it doesn't need to go.

I give his stuff three thumbs up!!!!!