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Thread
: Vehicles
SkyStriker / F-14 Bombcat Conversion
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08-24-2011, 01:52 AM
SuperFlanker
Cobra Viper
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Washington
Posts: 386
Skystriker - 30th Anniv. Version. Wing Modifications 2.0 -
Separating the Landing Gear Deployment from the Wing mechanism
In a matter of speaking it's as if I defeated one of Hasbro's conundrums with the odds stacked extremely against me - one hell of a crapshoot. It was established early on that the Upper and Lower halves of the fuselage / frame were essentially fused at both ends and one would face the risk of causing damage to the plane by breaking the sections apart. I was never able to take it apart so therefore I had to study what options were on the table. This process probably lasted a few days. Once I had some 'idea' of the limitations, I was able to thus move forward with the design and test stage.
After taking a peak inside the wing box to my suprise, not only was the shifting lever completely different from the Classic Skystriker's mechanism but here was twice as less space to do any real work much less in my opinion fit the original mechanics into the new version Skystriker. Using flashlights and bright lamps, I set out to establish the limitations of space and interior room. I did a mock up version of what hypothetically would be my "area" if you will to work with it. AND I thought the last skystriker was unforgiving of error. An entirely new system was designed and it barely resembled the original - the retraction bar had to be designed with a 23 degree bend which I dubbed "The Hockey Stick" It also had to be a minimum of 5 mm in height to increase tensile strength and the stresses of the lateral movement. The first design was 3 layer of styrene glued in layers like plywood to achieve this and leaving one end at a mere 2mm to provide the linkage arm to swivel. On the first successful assembly, the wing seemed to work flawlessly. After 15 minutes of testing and retesting, the arm broke. I figured this would be a serious set back because of the limited supply of plastic I had in storage. Out of sheer luck I found a solid 4 x 6 by 5 mm thick sheet of styrene which would be stronger and more tolerant to lateral stress. After the 2nd try, it worked but then I had to add a 'restrictor' plate underneath the left access bay to prevent wing lock as a result of space limitations. In this case, the left end of the arm had zero room and the restrictor plate permitted the end to slide right under the left access panel box.
Retrospect: The wings are VERY snug and needed zero alterations at the pivot points. In fact now that I look back, I think some light grease or petroleum could have been added at a couple points to smoothen out the mechanics and reduce friction. It's a very solid piece and to make a comparison, it sounds like a new skateboard as you drop it onto the concrete. No rattles, nothing loose.
Conclusion: The good news, it is obviously doable. The BAD news is that it was frustrating, twice as unforgiving as the Classic Skystriker and the Level of complexity is just THAT more. It will also require a lot of good tools to execute and to prevent damage to the plane. That's everything from a Dremel, several flashlights, a small hammer, philips head driver, A vise, and some good sanding materials for starters.
Now for the pics: YouTube Video Link right here:
http://youtu.be/ci0i3Sixpck
Last edited by SuperFlanker; 08-24-2011 at
02:29 AM
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