Finishing an old model

[Guest]

Hi everyone, I'm a new guy here (found the site looking for scale submarines) and I have a question.

At the school I go to, there is a beautifully made airplane intended for a small petrol engine and RC flying. It was made about 20 years ago by a teacher who was into modelling, but after he'd finished the construction he discovered he had cancer. He had to stop working on all his projects, and soon after died in hospital.

Now, one of his last requests was that all his models be donated to the school. So, we now have a number of models dotted around the school, including this Cessna (I think).

After a discussion with one of our Design and Tech teachers last week, we decided that we should try and get some school funding and finish this beautiful model. As I have already said, all the fuselage and wings etc are done, he has control rods going from the ailerons, rudder and elevator to the cockpit and all it needs is the relevant servos, motor and RC gear.

The plane is about 4' long with a 5' wingspan (I think, I'll try and measure it and get some pics this week) and the engine compartment is about 5x5" internally (again, an estimation).

So, my questions are as follows: What would we need to get this to a flyable state, how hard would it be (I'm almost 16, with a few friends who want to help and the aforementioned teacher) and about how much would it cost?

Thans in advance, people!

So, I have 2 questions:

[wonwinglo]

Hello and welcome Jianaran,thank you for a most interesting post that shows a lot of respect for someones work who is no longer with us,I think the idea to complete this model is a splendid one and I am sure that is what the person who built it would have wanted that to happen.

As regards completing and finishing the model nothing is impossible,to get a better idea of which type of aeroplane this is ? and its suitability for flying please try and get a few pictures here,then we can better advise you as to the best way to tackle things.

Best of luck with the funding and your worthwhile project.

[Guest]

OK. It's a single-engine light aircraft, based on a cessna probably. It was designed and build from the ground up to be an RC craft; the enine cowling is detachable and has room for an engine (I'll have to measure it, but as I said its ~5x5") and the ailerons are properly set up so lifting one side moves a rod that would be attached to a servo and lowers the other side. The rudder is linked to the rear wheel, and to a rod or something in the cockpit to attach a servo to.

Basically, it's all set up for us and we just have to put in the relevant gear and maybe a few small pieces of wood to act as braces or rest gear on.

It's made of balsa covered in tissue, by the way. Very solidly built, but still very light.

Also, to clarify: None of the people who want to work on it (Including me) have any experience with RC, so don't hesitate to say those simple things that might offend a veteran model-builder.