Test Build: Northrop HL-10

**Sidewinder81777** · #1 11-07-2009, 10:27 PM

Ok have the fins and part of the nose section done. Everything is going smoothly so far :D. Gluing edge to edge with internal tabs its lining up really nice so far, good work Steve!

**Sidewinder81777** · #2 11-09-2009, 12:47 PM

Have the entire dorsal surface done. excuse the wavy-gravy look, I think that has a lot more do do with my inexperience in building models of this type than with SAustin16's design technique. Although I do think this model would benefit from higher res textures where he edges of the parts were more clearly defined.

**SAustin16** · #3 11-09-2009, 04:33 PM

Sidewinder, you're doing a great job! Hope it's going together well for you. BTW, you're doing a MUCH better job than I could do. Excellent photos.

As for the waviness, I had the same problem. I'm wondering if I need to devise a method for aligning and connecting the bulkheads to provide a better skeleton for the skins. I'm going to have to think about this a bit.

Thanks again for taking on this build. I really appreciate your help.

**Sidewinder81777** · #4 11-09-2009, 06:08 PM

Ok its done. Had some gaps on the bottom but that could easily be from me cutting the parts too small. Far from being my prettiest build ever but again I wish to emphasize that can probably be laid at my feet more than anything.

**Texman** · #5 11-09-2009, 06:16 PM

Hmmm, wonder what the glide ability of this lifting body might be....

**SAustin16** · #6 11-09-2009, 07:32 PM

Sidewinder ... I am in awe.

GREAT job on the model and incredibly quick build also. It took me DAYS to finish my crummy ham-handed job on the prototype. This is the first time I've seen the model in color and with the graphics...my prototype was strictly white paper.

By the way everyone, Sidewinder did this build WITHOUT the benefit of any instructions...Wonderful job.

I'm re-designing the bottom of the craft to be flatter like the actual vehicle, hopefully that will close the gaps you ran into. I'm also thinking that because the bulkheads are sized directly from the Metasequoia vertices, they may be slightly too large. Perhaps in the instructions we need to mention to cut inside the lines, versus on or outside the lines on the bulkheads in order to compensate.

Texman...I was thinking the same thing. I believe the real HL-10 flew pretty well under rocket power, but all of the lifting bodies flew like the proverbial "brick" during the glide phase and landing. The descent rate was part of what caused the M2-F2 crash...Bruce Peterson couldn't get the landing gear deployed fast enough before the craft touched down. Very little room for error. There are some good videos of the landings on Youtube. As for how THIS MODEL would fly...I'm thinking it would be pretty unstable. I would not advocate anything more than glide tests.

Sidewinder, Thank you again for building the model and writing the thread. I owe you.

Steve Austin

**John Bowden** · #7 11-09-2009, 09:17 PM

umm.... didn't they re-build him after crashing this.......... making him faster.......stronger.......oh wait.............

that was a TV show...............:p Right Steve Austin?:D

I bet you got that all the time..............:o

**billy.leliveld** · #8 11-10-2009, 03:09 AM

Yeah, and running 90mph in slow-motion :D

**jagolden01** · #9 11-10-2009, 05:46 AM

Holy Carumba! I've just started mine! Did sidewinder bring an apple for the teacherr, too!? :D

**willygoat** · #10 11-10-2009, 07:54 AM

That's a great build Sidewinder! nice work:D