Balsa USA Stingray with DLE-20, RC Plane Build N0 21: Firewall dowels and Fuselage Sheeting

Welcome to my build series of the Balsa USA Stingray RC plane kit. The Stingray 120 is a great trainer and sport rc plane with an 83-inch wingspan and powered by a DLE-20 RC gas rc plane engine. I will be using a Futaba transmitter system with Futaba or Hitec servos and receiver. This plane is designed for .80 to .90 2-stroke glow engines, .90 to 1.20 4-stroke glow engines, and 15cc to 30cc gas engines. I will be using basic techniques of building rc plane balsa kits (or at least the techniques I have learned to build rc planes).
All of these videos will be placed on a playlist.
In this video I show how install wood dowels to reinforce the engine firewall. Doweling or pinning the firewall with dowels will help reinforce the firewall. The DLE-20RA like other gas engines vibrate more than their glow engine counterparts, so reinforcing the firewall with dowels is helpful. I also finish construction of the fuselage by installing the tail wheel mounting plate and bottom sheeting. At this point the fuselage construction is done and I will move to finishing up the wing by installing the aileron servo mounts.
I have been building, flying, crashing, modifying, and repairing radio control planes (RC Planes) for many years and enjoy sharing what I do with the radio control plane community, so I started RC Plane Tech channel for fun. I am not an expert, there are many different techniques when building radio control planes. A good way to learn about flying and building rc planes is to see what others are doing, that's what I do and that's why I like to share what I do.
Thanks for watching my channel. Hopefully you will find my videos a little interesting and perhaps fun to watch.
/ @jamesrcplanetech

[@marcobuonavita2757]

Idee utili ed efficaci espresse molto bene, ottimo il video , un buon Maestro e un'ottima lezione sono indispensabili per iniziare la giornata , grazie

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks Marco! I appreciate it. Have a great day!

[@duainrothman7930]

Well done that's exactly what I did for a HK Zlin 50 (70") that will get an Evo 15cc but I used bamboo skewers then I wrapped it with thin fiberglass. I also agree that's a first on not being a cross grain planking on the fuse.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks!

[@Jimmyzb36]

Good idea with the dowels!

[@alfredvink]

Coming along nicely. I think the dowels are probably overkill, but hey it never hurts and is a simple but effective technique.

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Thanks!

[@oliverinfw]

The dowels are only good if the fuselage side walls are ply like the firewall. Where the fuselage sides are balsa, the dowels will tear our the balsa and do not add any strength benefit. But excellent work on the sheeting and servo installation in the previous video.

[@dkrchangar]

I believe the fuse sides are doubled with ply on the inside and balsa on the outboard side. If it was just all balsa then yes it would not add much benefit. But with the ply inner doubler, it will add strength from firewall pull out. I've had them fail on both glow and gas engines with just tri stock, so I pin all my firewalls (even on ARF's) regardless of engine type for peace of mind. Nothing is more frustrating that a firewall that has broken free on a hard landing or wild taxi after landing but the rest of the plane is in perfect shape

[@lonestar5253]

Have you thought about fuel proofing those 2 compartments before sealing them up? I fuel proof all of my compartments that have even a slight chance of getting some fuel on them, whether gasoline or glow fuel. P.S. Watching your videos have been a great way to doze off at nights. Keep em coming!

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Yea, I need to do that. Probably an epoxy resin. Good point.

[@revodrvr]

Where did u get your lil planer. Man that thing looks handy

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

Master airscrew online provides the blue plastic one. But the other one I use more is an antique, but they are very available on ebay. Search for a Wilkro razor. They are very affordable and come in different conditions, they use a standard “safety razor” for shaving. Here is a lint to one example: www.ebay.com/itm/335575228155?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=zILXZle5RTK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=k3llMVeiRBC&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=EMAIL

[@JamesRCPlaneTech]

If buying off eBay just make sure you understand what you are getting.