Charlie Kellogg's TBM Avenger Build
#2777
Somewhere in my house I still have the plans as well, however, I prefered the FAW2 version. Probably it should not be much of a problem to convert it to the later version. I later bought two Airworld L-39 kits and sidelined the Sea Vixen project. Kerry also sent me the photos shown on the Ziroli website as probably my plan and part set were one of the earliest. To tell you the truth I do not know if the plans had been revised or not. I also wished that the plane was larger (for two smaller 100 size turbines) given that now there are quite powerful turbines around. At that time the retracts were still in early manufacturing and I remember Kerry had a bit of a problem to supply the nose leg as he was waiting for the manufacturer to finish it off. By the likes of it, it is likely that the nose gear was made by Sierra as it is very similar except of the piece of front metal which houses the servo. Since the project stalled I did not bother getting the mains. The Sierra retracts look to be very scale and in their usual manner.....also sturdy.
Please excuse us for this interraption. We let the thread keep going, however, I also have an Avenger plans and partsincluding Darrel's retracts for it.....beautiful plane! If I am still around I would love to start making it in the near future but I have many projects to undertake before making it....unfortunately there is very limited time!
Reuben
Please excuse us for this interraption. We let the thread keep going, however, I also have an Avenger plans and partsincluding Darrel's retracts for it.....beautiful plane! If I am still around I would love to start making it in the near future but I have many projects to undertake before making it....unfortunately there is very limited time!
Reuben
Last edited by F86_SABRE; 12-26-2017 at 09:56 AM.
#2778
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (15)
Reuben - I too will be converting the Sea Vixen to the FAW2 version (elongated booms). If you are in my shoes, as my friend tells me all the times, we are running out of birthdays. I hope not tooooooo soon, I am stalled with the Avenger, still trying to get auto body shops to let me do some painting. Military base auto hobby shops are a dying breed, they always had a paint booth, Been to all the bases around here. Guess the California effect is spreading across the country (K&B paints.). Currently trying to spray both cockpits. Chic
#2781
My Feedback: (35)
Made a little progress on my front cockpit. It needs a throttle quadrant, a few more switches and knobs, and i need to build a seat. Im going to make the seat removable since i access my fuel tank through the cockpit. Also the wires hanging out are for the light system switches which will be mounted on the instrument panel
#2783
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (15)
Looking awful "GOOD" Navy. I really like the map case. I'm gonna steal that idea. I too have the navigation table but I'm gonna have mine pulled all the way out into the pilots lap.
Decided yesterday to stop looking for a heated open space, paint shop, or rental spray booth, to spray paint the Avenger. Gonna finish up sanding on the wings. Then, I decided to cover everything in the shop with plastic drop cloths. Initially I am gonna spray a Gray Coat as suggested by Dave Platt. Will let you know how that works out. Its 11 degrees here today. Carl, nice work. Chic
Decided yesterday to stop looking for a heated open space, paint shop, or rental spray booth, to spray paint the Avenger. Gonna finish up sanding on the wings. Then, I decided to cover everything in the shop with plastic drop cloths. Initially I am gonna spray a Gray Coat as suggested by Dave Platt. Will let you know how that works out. Its 11 degrees here today. Carl, nice work. Chic
Last edited by redtail; 01-07-2018 at 10:49 AM.
#2788
Okay guys,
So I have the engine reinstalled and a manual rod for the choke, the choke rod from the servo was rubbing and bending the throttle rod, I should have listened to Charlie and gone with a side mount carb, the DA 85 is rear mount and I need to check it with a mirror and flashlight (HINT, any other ideas for me???? LOL)
Here is the current rat nest of wiring in the Avenger, I am slowly going to shorten the wires but not making new leads as I haven't had any luck with making my own... can't seem to get the hang of it.
As soon as I get the wires shortened I can make the platform for the gyro and get the wiring squared away, glad at least I can solder without any problems or angst.
BTW, temp here when I left for work this AM was 46 going upto the low 70's, next week they are calling for low 60's during the day. Certainly would have loved those temps in NY in January.
Stay warm my friends, spring is just 3 1/2 months away
Larry
So I have the engine reinstalled and a manual rod for the choke, the choke rod from the servo was rubbing and bending the throttle rod, I should have listened to Charlie and gone with a side mount carb, the DA 85 is rear mount and I need to check it with a mirror and flashlight (HINT, any other ideas for me???? LOL)
Here is the current rat nest of wiring in the Avenger, I am slowly going to shorten the wires but not making new leads as I haven't had any luck with making my own... can't seem to get the hang of it.
As soon as I get the wires shortened I can make the platform for the gyro and get the wiring squared away, glad at least I can solder without any problems or angst.
BTW, temp here when I left for work this AM was 46 going upto the low 70's, next week they are calling for low 60's during the day. Certainly would have loved those temps in NY in January.
Stay warm my friends, spring is just 3 1/2 months away
Larry
#2789
My Feedback: (35)
Ikahn, I was originally going to use a DA-85 as well but I didn't like the idea of the carb being closed off like that. I have a Saito FG-84 going on my Avenger now since I can use stand-offs. At first I was worried it would not be enough power but If a 3w-75 can fly it, an FG-84 can.
#2790
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Piedmont,
OK
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Chic,
Love the seats. Tell us more on how you made them.
BTW, not that I'm counting, Ha!, but I noticed you started this 9 years ago. I'm glad I'm not the only one that can take as long to build something.
Keep it up. Be sure to post some youtube videos of the maiden.
Boyd.
Love the seats. Tell us more on how you made them.
BTW, not that I'm counting, Ha!, but I noticed you started this 9 years ago. I'm glad I'm not the only one that can take as long to build something.
Keep it up. Be sure to post some youtube videos of the maiden.
Boyd.
#2791
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (15)
Boyd, so glad hearing from you. The initial shell of the seat was provided by Charlie when I first purchased the plans and the kit nearly a decade ago(SMILE). After reviewing many photos, I added to the shells, the arm rests, back supports, and seat/lap belts for the two action figures that are to sit in the seats. The pilot's seat has the squared off support bar and the RAF Observer seat behind the pilot has the two straight posts. ????? Have no idea why.
Eric, from National Balsa, also reminded me of how long my build has taken. We were still Pylon Racing when I began this project. Needless to say, I'm truly embarrassed of the time spent, to say the least. At this point, I can only say one thing: "I have not given up on this build of the beautiful airframe - Charlie designed", I guess you stick with it like a good marriage regardless of the bumps and pitfalls along the way. But I finally feel like I am in the final lap of this race. I pray to God I am. Boyd, I expect you, Noah, Larry, Peter, BobH, and others to keep kicking my butt toward the finish line, toward the maiden flight, and finally toward the 2018 AMA Sportsman Sport Scale Flight Line. Thanks to all of you. Chic
Eric, from National Balsa, also reminded me of how long my build has taken. We were still Pylon Racing when I began this project. Needless to say, I'm truly embarrassed of the time spent, to say the least. At this point, I can only say one thing: "I have not given up on this build of the beautiful airframe - Charlie designed", I guess you stick with it like a good marriage regardless of the bumps and pitfalls along the way. But I finally feel like I am in the final lap of this race. I pray to God I am. Boyd, I expect you, Noah, Larry, Peter, BobH, and others to keep kicking my butt toward the finish line, toward the maiden flight, and finally toward the 2018 AMA Sportsman Sport Scale Flight Line. Thanks to all of you. Chic
#2794
Chic,
It will be done before you know it..
Got all the servo wiring numbered and out of the plane, now have to find a new spot for the receiver and get some extension for the gyro and reset the throws per Bretts.
instructions.
Cool down next week, low to mid 60's
Stay warm, guys
Larry
It will be done before you know it..
Got all the servo wiring numbered and out of the plane, now have to find a new spot for the receiver and get some extension for the gyro and reset the throws per Bretts.
instructions.
Cool down next week, low to mid 60's
Stay warm, guys
Larry
#2797
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Piedmont,
OK
Posts: 429
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Larry,
I spent around $500.00. I only got the S-Bus Micro Receiver, up to 18 channels, 1 Channel Setting Tool, and 3 decoders. I ordered a Hub but ended up not using it. The Hub is really used for Digital Servos.
The nice thing about this you can still use your old servos using the decoder. I still have some analog servos, but have been slowly upgrading to digital. This can get expensive.
Boyd
I spent around $500.00. I only got the S-Bus Micro Receiver, up to 18 channels, 1 Channel Setting Tool, and 3 decoders. I ordered a Hub but ended up not using it. The Hub is really used for Digital Servos.
The nice thing about this you can still use your old servos using the decoder. I still have some analog servos, but have been slowly upgrading to digital. This can get expensive.
Boyd
#2799
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (15)
Larry - only a couple of hours at work and you can buy all that top shelf stuff (futaba). WOW - Wish I had your money. Smile. Hey man, it feels so good getting close to the end, but I feel only a bit over 1/2 done. Stay warm out there, let me know if I can send you some cooling air. Ha, Ha. Stay Well . Chic
#2800
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Piedmont,
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Chic,
I lost Brett Kellogg's e-mail address, or at least the contact info to order parts etc. I have been slowing making progress on the Tracker I got from Charlie and someone else is interested in the project. Can you send it my way.
Thanks.
Boyd.
I lost Brett Kellogg's e-mail address, or at least the contact info to order parts etc. I have been slowing making progress on the Tracker I got from Charlie and someone else is interested in the project. Can you send it my way.
Thanks.
Boyd.