Correx Impala Build

Phil and I are working on a new project to build the Aermacchi MB-326 Impala out of correx plastic. The stuff they make house for sale signs out of. 

With Phil off work at the moment he's already made a start and moving pretty quickly, whereas I won't be able to make a start on mine until next week. 

The build uses mostly 2mm and 3mm correx, however, Phil was unable to source 3mm so we are having to use 4mm. We are not envisaging any problems with this as we fly "big air" slopes anyway. 

So as I said, Phil has made a start and I will progress this post every few days as the build progresses. Here are a few pics. 

Phil cut out the plans he had printed, which were a free download, and he made cardboard templates. 

He then began to cut out the formers and fuselage and dry fit them together. 

And this is where he is now, ready to hot glue it together. 

So here Phil has cut out the tail feathers and top decking ready to be attached.

The nose is also supposed to be made from correx also but felt that he couldn't get a nicely curved shape, it was too angular, so he is looking to make a nose cone from foam.

Now adding a little subtle? colour in the form of tape.

 Now onto the wing and a wood spar has to be shaped, obviously to give the wing strength, but this is to give it a little dihedral also.

First wing drying...note flap in top for servo to fit inside on strengthened base. Flap can be taped down once servo is glued in place.

Phil thought long and hard on servo position,  this method will be more direct acting with only the servo arm poking through the wing top and allowing access if the servo needs replacing. 

Fuselage having colour added

The canopy has been made using a pop bottle. The nose was made from foam. It's maybe a bit blunt but we are sure it'll be ok.

The maiden flight. Being launched off the Wrecker at the Bwlch on Saturday 21st March 2015

Phil said it flew very well indeed, and was very surprised at just how well it did fly. It was somewhat nose heavy and so that needs to be sorted out but all in all, it flew very well.

This has been a very interesting building project and I shall look forward to building my own when I have time.

Amazingly, the cost of the Impala came to £48 which included the correx, glue, servo's etc. Everything in fact apart from the receiver. A cheap fly in any ones book.