Ordinance Pylons.

Now I’m moving on to the ordinance pylons. These are Aerotech pylons and are molded from a resin of some-sort. I opened up the top of them to see if I could get any sort of mechanics inside and was pleasantly surprised.

I have to devise the mechanism, but I believe I can have that sorted out in a few hours. I believe I can install the release servo in the wing and with the use of a couple of 90 degree bellcranks, I can get what I need.

In studying the pylons last night, I’ll have to add a bit to the bottom of each. This next photos shows where the 2 release points will be, but the bluish shapes show the rough outline of how much needs to be added to replicate the real thing.

Some goodies arrived today.

I found a nice box waiting for us on the porch today – goodies from Aerotech.

The first 2 photos are the bomb pylons. Nice that a bunch of details are in there, but they’ll be covered up by the Flite-Metal. They look good, though I’ll have to do a bit of work to make the bombs droppable. These are pretty solid pieces.

 

Here’s some of the dummy engine and cowl divider.

 

This is a bunch of goodies – machine guns, control horn covers, light covers, a few things for the cockpit and more.

Did a bit of work today.

 

It’s taken a few days, but I have the first bomb just about finished. Sanding, filling, priming, sanding again, and painting 2 colors – it takes a bit of time…

Anyway, here’s just about the finished result. The arming prop should spin, but the aluminum mount is not attached yet. I am waiting on the bomb pylons to arrive from Aerotech before I can finish it. I’m not sure where the mounting posts should go.

I also ended up putting in about an ounce of lead shot, in the nose, held in with 30 minute epoxy.

Everything will get a coating of matte clear finish after the mounts are attached. I’m already starting on the other one, as you can see the fins for it in the background.

Close-up of the fins.

 

Here’s a closeup of the fins. I used JB weld to make the fin assembly first. Then after they were dry, I tested them by throwing them as hard as I could into the air, then into the ground – both on grass and the driveway. No initial problems.

Of course, with my luck the fins should burst apart on my first drop in competition!

Fins on.

Here’s the mostly assembled bomb. The “case” is fiberglass from Yellow. Everything else is mine and I’m pretty happy with it. The nose cone is a turned aluminum piece that will be attached after painting.