Hi everyone!
Thank you so much for the help and inspiration on the B-36 project!
I have decided to cancel the build as there is a kit being released in the scale I needed and will build it.
At present my son brought me 2 wheels from an old Guillows kit and said it was his favorite years ago. The plane has long since vanished and I am building The old Dr 1 for his birthday.
The kit he mentioned was built by me in 1963? and will be a surprise to him when a new one finished!
Thanks again for the help with the B-36 scratch build. I just got back on the forum and will let you know about the Dr 1 as it progresses.

Sky9pilot wrote on Mar 17^th, 2015 at 1:55pm:


ME ALSO.

BOB

Tom, that is an idea I had not thought of and should help much. Since the a/c will not fly the weight is not an issue, but the foam would solve the wood from sagging.

Thanks

Bob

Oh man!
That's something to think about! I might need to strengthen the wing with lots of stringers besides the 2 main spars. Maybe using 1/16 x 3/32 stringers.
The wing comes out to 5.5' long and 1.5" thick in 1/48 scale.

What do you guys think?

I shy away from foam as I have never used it and want to get an accurate airfoil throughout the length of the wing.

Fliegerhorst, please post some photos of your Miramax/Bondo technique I think that may be the way I wish to go on my B-17 only with balsa sheeting not basswood.

Bob

This will probly get me in trouble but here goes,....

I've been surfing boat building websites lately. 
They use foam and plywood and the basic structure is the same as a plane.  The problem with foam is the glue, paint, ect will melt it. There is an epoxy out there that you apply like paint [with a brush]  and it gets hard as a rock and it wont hurt your foam. Cant remember the name right now. Sorry. It's almost like a different type of glass' resin. A lot of guys use foam for pontoons, then shape and coat.
Titebond is a favorite for gluing foam to itself or wood. 
You could also sheet the whole thing in bass wood or whatever wood and gelcoat. 1/16th  or 1/32 wood in large sheets can be purchased, bent, and coated in fiberglass resin. [or colored gelcoat]  That stuff requires power tools, but as big as your talking, power tools are a must anyway. Gelcoat can be polished pretty smooth and painted with car paint.

Wear a mask whenever you sand fiberglass resin or epoxy.

If you need more info on the epoxy they use,  checkout the home built boat building sites. Those guys have a good knowledge on how to create large, solid, curved shapes.  They are also pretty handy with "planking" a shape. That might be the best way to get a compound curve.
Hope this was helpful.   

Please keep us posted. you are doing something I have always wanted to do. Very cool!!!!!!

P.S. Don't worry guys, I'm not converting. Just trying to expand my knowledge base.  No boats for me. I cant swim and boats don't fly. 

The wood finish from the rocket model group is----

Minwax Wood Hardener and Bondo Spot Glazing (comes in small tube and is pre mixed)

They say use 50/50 but this might work better with more wood hardner so it is easier to apply. Once dry it can be sanded to a high gloss. Heavy but my hanger queen will never fly-----
My problem with the B-36 is I am using sheets of basswood and balsa and the model needs to have a hard slick finish to take shiny silver paint.

[quote] My problem is that I have too many hobbies and way too many hubby do dos!! [quote]

Welcome back Fliegerhorst; and we all fit the description .

So how's it going in your neck of the woods? Cannot wait to see more progress on your B 36 build.

Bob