MK Joker 60 build log (Fiberglassed)

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Have since had some time to get this moving and thanks to the help/advice from the forum, it's been encouraging. Especially the inspiration from the great builders I've read and exchanged mails with. And thanks for some who've help clear my backlog of unused planes/equipment.

Just a few more steps before this gets shipped off to the owner (long story) but here's how it started:

Stab and wing test & assemblies.... this was kit number 5ish....

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Retract rookie in action:

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Boxy lady still.... (the year is still 2006!):

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Some test fitting before the sanding fiasco begins:

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And let the sanding begin!... sand, sand, shape!

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Nothing really happened between the mid 2006 and 2009, so this was the state it was in 2009 (in Singapore). Full assembly of control surfaces:

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Fiberglass 101 - this is experiment no 2, after the OK Models Extra:

Next time around, we'll decide earlier to fiberglass or not, to fiberglass. Else, control surfaces are an absolute nightmare!

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Primer (auto paint) and the masking pain begins:

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Initial results from the first color which prompted a total change in strategy where equipment is concerned:

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2nd color looking more satisfactory, not to mentioned less effort after opening up the bengkel for auto spray shop! Had a switch to a bigger compressor and spray gun to handle the auto 2k paint:

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And the 3rd color is looking better although there were some touch ups still to be done from overspray or poor masking:

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Just did up the final color before the gloss coat but yet to take off the masking. Still, the decals need to go on (while I head over the Just Wheelz to get the Joker logo made). Then, it's the final coat of gloss to fuel proof it all. Anyhow, this is what the end result is meant to be.... heheh:

[Tony]

Sweet That is a pretty colour scheme. What kind of paint are you using? The Joker is a real sleek bird. What are you going to power her with?

Just a suggestion, for your next project, you may want to remove as much of the primer as possible and just leave enough to fill imperfections on the glass surface. Lots of elbow grease required but results worth it as it will help save weight. Just my 2 cents worth.

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Totally agree on the weight. This was experiment number 2 on fiberglass. The next project will be a Curare after I clear my Reno Tsunami. Bottomline is the building skills need to improve. Had a good run with monokote and all the pre-sanding up to the 400 / 800 grit. My fiberglassing skills will improve I hope. Even saw a good suggestion today on tacking it which i never bothered to do.

Paint is auto 2k from KL - Evercoat (they're on the web). For some reason, I can't find anything similar in Singapore. Have their contact as well as I have to keep bugging the guy to match the colors. He's really nice and helpful. Whole intention of this was to move to military camo. He'll have a field day mixing the colors I want then!

Spray gun is from Iwatech and the compressor is a nicely priced deal from the shop below Rotor (I have the name and contact if anyone is interested).

Here's the latest as of this evening. Will gloss the bottom while the decals are being made up. Just ordered them today and they're really fast (motorcycle shop off Alexandria - Just Wheelz).

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Forgot the engine question - MVVS .77 with a Hatori tune.

Also eluding the fact that this is not my plane. Agreed to build it for a friend in 2006. Got started, distracted, stalled by work travel, etc. Finally, it's marriage that's gotten the workshop more settled in one location! hahah... (and no kids). The Joker will be shipped back to KL soon before the wife gives me hell!

This kit was bought when SHS had their warehouse sale. Think there's 1 on display left at $400+. Still worth it I think but, man I really sweat when I think about the sanding I did with this fella.

And it'll be the same with the next... Curare! Will be a mini e-Curare before the 60. But, sticking to my resolution of clearing the WIP projects first! 2 more to go (testing a Guillows Hellcat RC conversion and that Reno Tsunami).