Fournier RF4 model

To the right is my model Fournier RF4, around 80 inches in wingspan and powered by a OS 25FP. It flys well although it won't fly itself. Been sitting in the garage for 10 years but she now flys again. Engine was totally gummed up but after heat and some TLC, engine runs again fine. I didn't build it myself. When I remember the guys name I will give him credit.

Will Hobby AT-6 Texan - Wing servo pushrod

I have just connected up the wing servos to the ailerons. Straight forward except 1. The pushrods need to be cut to length and bent. 2. Don't forget the fuel tube "keepers" to stop the clevis disconnecting from the aileron horn.

Will Hobby AT-6 Harvard - The front end

I feel that the front end where the firewall is glued to the fuselage is not up to it for a long term model. I have added 1/2" balsa in front of the firewall (see picture) to give it more strength. Then I have fuel proofed it.

Assembling the Will Hobby AT-6 - Joining the wings

Almost time to join the wings together. Pictured is the wing joiner (one for each side). Its pretty sloppy in the slots in the wings so I am going to face it with 1/6" ply to get a better fit before I glue it together. Note that the inner side is longer than the outer side.

Will Hobby AT-6 - Adding the transfers

Well time to add the transfers. Now I wasn't sure whether you soak them in water before applying them but I can assure you, you do not (I could not find anything in the instructions!!). Just cut them out, remove the backing and apply carefully. It turns out they will take the same amount of heat that the covering takes to shrink it, so you can seal the edges so that they should stay on longer. Best to apply them before you assemble the aircraft. Then fuel proof the areas around the front were fuel seepage can occur (unless its electric powered of course). Mine will have an ASP 46 up front. Not sure how the muffler will be routed but I will find out very soon (who said put a four stroke in it!!).

Will Hobby AT-6 - Tailplane

The completed tailplane ready to glue to the fuselage. Cut away the covering where the tailplane is glued to the fuselage to get a good strong joint. I used the supplied horn as it should be up to the task.

Will Hobby AT-6 Harvard installing the cables for the servos

I wondered how easy it would be threading the servos cables through the holes in the center wing section but it turns out it is not too difficult. Once they are through, tape them in position so they stay in there while you continue assembly.

Assembling the Will Hobby AT-6 - Wing Servos

Here is another view of the wing servos ready to be mounted.

Will Hobby AT-6 - installing the servos in the wings

Unless I have misinterpreted the instructions (pictures only, no narrative at all), the servos are retained in the wing by screwing them to balsa. I don't think this will last very long at all so I glued a ply facing on the balsa mounts and will screw the servos to the ply.

Assembling the Will Hobby AT-6

I read a suggestion on the internet to replace the supplied hinges with "proper" hinges which I have done. The replacement ones have a metal hinge and also have holes so that the glue can pool in them and help get a better bond.

Will Hobby AT-6 Harvard for 0.46 engines

Well I purchased one of these off a certain New Zealand on-line auction site. Its probably the cheapest ATF one the market for what it is. See here for the details http://www.willhobby.com/product/plane/na1.asp. Its reasonably well made but the accessories are cheap (they had to save money some where) and will need to be replaced. I will post the assembly here.

Actually I should mention that the instructions which come with the model are just drawings only so I have documented my assembly of the model to help anyone else would might run into issues assembling it as the instructions could be better. Note that I don't consider myself an expert modeller; I have seen vastly better constructed models than mine, I have built models over 40 years (oh!!) so was around before RTF models caught on.