Old Pilot kit Tiger Moth overhaul.

[Mike.K 60]

About three weeks ago, Rob Newman sold me a fairly ancient 48" Tiger Moth complete with servos and an SC 30 FS motor. It was thought to be a Pilot kit. Finished in war time yellow and dark green training colours, the model appealed to me so I bought it. Some of you may have seen it hanging from the ceiling in the shop.

The Tiger was in reasonable condition if a little dog eared and faded in places. It was a sweet little thing and I just had to have it. As the coverings were so faded, embrittled and flat, I`ve elected to strip it down, make any required repairs and generally re-life the model.

The core of the model was quite sound with just a couple of broken wing ribs needing attention. Removal of the former covering glue has been the biggest issue. Most of it has come off by sanding and then attacking with acetone on a rag. Recovering is a little delayed due to Hobby King not having a supply of their 115 Bright Silver material. A similar covering frustration currently exists with my big Fly Baby bipe build which also uses 115 as a core material cover. The 115 is on back order with indications being that it will be back in stock towards the end of October 2019. Extra edging has been applied to most flying surface peripheries in an attempt to alleviate the "starved horse" effect caused by covering sagging and creasing between high and low points. The shots of the rudder re-cover show what I`ve done in that respect.

Using the material I have, the fuselage and tail sections have been re-covered. The colour scheme will be that of the silver, red, white and blue example owned by the Shuttleworth Collection. A few images here to show the progress to date. More in due course. I think you will agree, this model is set to be a very pretty little number.

Mike

[Mike.K 60]

This re-build has progressed quietly as time allowed. Only the installation of a pilot and two cockpit screens together with battery, Rx and a little ballast are now needed to see completion. Air-frame numbers will also be added in due course. Its been a fun little project with the model now looking rather better than it did. Perhaps the worst part was restoration of the glass fibre cowl which was split, battered and bruised. This cowl glass fibre actually accepted epoxy and glass repairs and the physical bond between old and new materials formed a decent bond. On other cowls, I`ve not been so fortunate. Images tell a thousand words.

I`m quite pleased with the result and look forward to flying it when the summer weather returns.