BUILDERS CORNER
Builder #5: Frank Deeth - email for more information
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Start date: Officially April 2007 but unofficially about 1995.
First flight goal date: Too far away to contemplate at this stage.
The Project: Tail Chase
Since starting the SAC Spitfire it evolved that I should
build the two seat Tr.9 version. A few differences with Russ's aircraft is the
pointed broader cord rudder of that series and the larger elevator balance
horns. In this folder you will see progress of my tailplane coming together as
well as the areas where I have modified the plans.
As well as changing the profiles slightly I have also decided to manufacture
the parts in a very similar method to the original with no ply sandwich
covering of the rudder and elevators...just fabric like the original aircraft.
To this end I have increased the size of the materials used in the ribs and in
the spars as well as thicker plywood webs on those spars. It has been a
laborious project to 'stretch' the rudder ribs and rudder spar for the larger
dimensions. I have used original Spitfire drawings quite a lot for the overall
dimension increases as well as other sources to make sure the material sizes
would be large enough. Check out these pictures of ORIGINAL AIRCRAFT to get an
idea of the larger rudder compared to the early model aircraft.
Started construction of rudder spar
first. Method of construction is the same just dimensions of materials and unit larger to follow larger original part. The important thing to note is
I used the same tip profiles in the plans but used laminated plywood rather than solid spruce specified in the plans. Production line of rudder
and fin ribs started to develop also. Because of the changes there have been a few areas that I could not
finalize but rather will have to design
on the run. Most of it is around the area of the trim tab and how construction with take place.
Above - rudder and fin rib jigs, ready for production
Posted 12/16/09 - Progress has been slow since x-mas 2008 but in
the last six months things have began to pick up a
bit. Pictures show the rudder spar being completed
and drilling the holes for rudder hinge
attachment. I have since run a few mockups to
check some positioning of the rudder ribs and that
dimensions are correct. Recently I glued the
rudder ribs to the spar and installed the trailing
edge ply to get a sense of the final shape. I
think it looks about right to me. As mentioned
earlier the rudder tab will need to be built 'on
the run' so to speak adapting the current plans
and fittings to the different profile of the
larger late Mark rudder. The tab will be built the
same way as the current SAC design. I am currently
working on the elevator and stabilizer ribs then I
will get a move on with the fuselage frames and
longerons. Stay tuned....
11/2/2010 -
A few pictures below of the finished stabilizer and
elevator ribs, as well as the two stabilizer spars
coming together with front and rear webs being
glued on. I have since finished both spars and now
have all of the tail feathers finished and ready
to glue together. I am waiting however, until the
fuselage is starting to go together as it looks
like to root ribs of the stabilizer must match the
profile of the rear fuselage so I will be gluing
these parts together in situ on the fuselage. You
might think it could get a little frustrating
making all these parts with little "visual
progress" but I think it is best to get as much
done of a "kit of parts" early in the build.
Later, should the enthusiasm fade a little, you
will have relatively quick visual progress
happening to spur you on.
11/23/2010 - A picture of the finished horizontal stabiliser
spars. Although the curved tips look finished they
need to be profiled prior to final assembly.
