Cessna 177 Cardinal beta build- Murph's Models

[willygoat]

I am using the last few days of my Christmas break to help beta Murph's Cessna 177 models. I am currently building the fixed gear version, and when done, will do the retractable gear version.

Let's get started!
I started at the nose of the plane and the prop hub. If I were thinking more, I would have saved it for the end, but I didn't. The nose cone has attached tabs, unlike most of the parts which have separate strips. I tried to build everu thing as is from the kit.

1-2. Here is my first attempt at the pop cone. Not great. The thickness of the 65# stock was too thick with the small tabs to get a smooth seam.

So, I used my backup print (on 65 lb cardstock) and the ooconnecting strip page. Murphy added the separate strips right in with the parts, so I just printed a black and white copy of each page on typing paper to use for the strips.

3 -5. I just cut out strips to connect the cone segments form the typing paper. The end result was much better.

Next, I cut out the props, folded them, and glued. I used a black marker to edge color and fill in the black portion of the blades

6 -7. I then cut the small lines on the prop cone where the propellers are supposed to go. Then add a bit of glue to the inside of the cut and insert the props. Once dried, I inserted the end cap disc which I had glued onto 1mm cardboard.

8 -10. The propeller hub cowling was next. This piece mounts to the nose of the plane and blends into the top of the engine cowling. It is a tricky bugger to cut out. I'm glad I had a second copy printed. I cut one of the strip off the first time. Oops.

Be sure to preshape the sides so that the stay curled to match the shape of the attached disc.

[willygoat]

Onto the fuselage!

1 -2. I started with the engine cowling. Again, I cut off the attached tabs and used the typing paper to make strips. From this section back, the rest questions of the fuselage parts come with separate connection strips.

3 -5. The second fuselage strip parts, formed, and attached to nose.

6. At this point, I attached the prop hub cowling to the nose. I wanted more structure to the nose before I attached this, and I didn't want to wait too long and not be able to support the gluing from the inside. (Last pic. Oops)

7 -8. Strip 3. Parts, shaped

9- 10. The back edge of strip 3 has a separate, flat piece that the nose landing gear attaches to. Knowing that I would likely need to add some nose weight to make the plane sit correctly, I decided to mount this strip to cardboard, and used my mini hand drill to make a hole for the landing gear strut.

[willygoat]

This part of the fuselage was a new twist for a Murph's Model, FORMERS!

1. Strip 4 parts

2. Strip 4 former. I glued it to 1mm cardboard. *notice the step shape* the angles match the front edge of the piece.

3. I dry fit the former into place, just behind the edge of the paper.

4-5. NOTE: Do not install the former before gluing strip 4 onto the rest of the nose! It doesn't work. Glue the strip on first, then insert the former from the rear.

6. Notice how the glue strip from part 4 overlaps the landing gear connection brace

7. Former installed. The 3 black spots are small fishing line weights. These should be enough weight to have it sit on the nose gear. If not, I will add weight to the nose wheel as well.

8-10. Strip 5 formed, then attached.

[willygoat]

Next we finish off the cabin part of the fuselage and make the tail.

1. Strip 6 formed

2. The fuselage former (#2) that fits at the joint between strip 5 and strip 6.

3-4. Once again, glue 6 on first, the insert the former. I had to sand down the former just a couple of passes all around to make it fit perfectly.

5. Tail boom main part

6-7. Tail boom formed

8. Tail boom attached to fuselage

9. Tail boom end cap attached

10. Main fuselage assembly.

[willygoat]

Fuselage/cabin top section

I thought that Murph did this this part of the design in an very unique way that seems to have solved some of the structural strength problems encountered in other Cessna models. Usually, the window sections are a part of the main fuselage parts. This reduces the number of parts, but can cause major warping of the fuselage if just one joint is misalligned.

This is Murph's take- which he pointed out to me was the only way to get the windscreen to work properly at all. The 177 is a very curvaceous plane compared to the 172 which it was designed to replace.

1. The cabin top parts ( the whole thing is two pieces. One for the windscreen, and the other is all of the side and rear windows )

Once again I cut off the attached tabs and cut them out of the copy I printed on typing paper.
I got so into forming this piece that I forgot to take pictures of it before attaching it to the fuselage. Sorry.

2-4. Top of cabin attached to lower fuselage

5-6. Wing spar box. Parts then formed and attached.

7. Main wing parts- I kept the main glue tab on the trailing edge of the wing for strength, but I cut off all of the other tabs. I opted for the light weight paper and smoother joints, especially at the wingtip.

8-9. Formed wing, close up on tip detail. No droop!

10-11. Completed wing

12-14. Wing dry fit to fuselage

This is where the model currently stands. I will try and finish it up tomorrow.

[Don Boose]

Excellent build thread, Brett! Beautiful airplane and fine model.

Don

[willygoat]

Thanks Don. I can't take too much credit on this one. Murphy has really stepped up his game, and this thing builds very nicely. I'm also glad he figured this one out. I have been trying to design this plane for nearly a year, and Sketchup has been fighting me on it the whole way.

[MacSongLi]

Great photos of a very nice build. I look forward to the release of this kit.

Gary

[RyanShort]

I've been waiting for this... the RG bird is one I fly.

[murphyaa]

Originally Posted by RyanShort

I've been waiting for this... the RG bird is one I fly.

Literally. I used your photos to make it as close as I could.

Oh, and I noticed the glaring whiteness under the windshield (it should be red) I fixed it for the final version. Still working on separate tabs for the prop hub (Have I mentioned how tedious separate tabs are to make?)

BTW, have you calculated the scale yet?