![xpower xdream xpower xdream](https://www.hwbox.gr/images/2195/460/32031.jpg)
I cut out all the fuselage parts, and sanded off any residual nubs from the laser cutting process. Not much - it only took a second or two with a fine block to get them to go into the slots firmly.
XPOWER XDREAM TRIAL
I did a trial fit, and the only way to get the new, hard formers into the new, hard doublers was to sand the tabs a bit. There is still a double reinforcement on the top of Former #2. The same conventions are there: there is a notch on the top of each former, and the goal is to have the notch to starboard when installed. The plywood doublers are of much harder ply, and so are the formers. The balsa for sides and bottom is still very light and relatively thin. The big end must be trimmed so that the overall length is 660mm. The boom provided is very slick, tapered and already cut for the vertical tail. The big choice, of course, is to use a carbon boom. However, the choice of materials has changed a bit, and also some design choices. I can tell right away that the same guy designed both, there are lots of comparable parts.
XPOWER XDREAM HOW TO
I had to study the X-Dream plans and parts a bit to determine how to proceed. Some one else thought it was too long, too: the X-Dream is within two centimeters of length of my truncated X-RES. I took the opportunity to compare my latest X-RES fuselage with the X-Dream drawing. Keep at it, and finally wipe the dust off and call it done! If the balsa were harder, it might shine, but the X-RES balsa, while fine for the job and of good quality, will reveal endless little dings and dents. Be patient and do it.įinish with a block of fine sand paper, and polish the whole thing. To get around the tail mount and vertical tail, this is where I resorted to a small sheet of new, fine sand paper, and tried to match the contours of the rest of the forward fuselage. Now is the time to round off the nose, too. Round off all the corners until the whole fuselage is nice and smooth, with no sharp corners to trip airflow. Once the corners are beveled, change to a less aggressive block. Using a long block helps assure an even job. The X-RES balsa is universally soft, so it comes off easy. Behind the wing, and all along the bottom, you want to sand to achieve a bevel flat of at least a quarter inch - really grind the balsa away. For the X-RES, you cannot sand much off the top, forward of the wing, as the top is pretty thin. Once the sides are flat, I take an aggressive block and sand bevels at each corner. What is left, will stick without flaking. Excess spackle comes right off, and does not clog the paper. I start with pretty aggressive paper on blocks, usually 120 grit, and make the sides flat. All sanding uses blocks (except for the X-RES - it is the only sanding I've done with sheet sand paper, to get around the little bits sticking out all over the tail). I don't enjoy sanding, so I make it a ritual instead. I will sand off 98% of it anyway, and besides: it is very light in actual fact. I applied the spackle with huge abandon in great gobs, forcing it into cracks and over-filling depressions. I ladled out a big tablespoon of spackle, and added four or five drops of water and mixed the spackle until all the lumps were gone. For those, I use Dap light weight spackle. The X-RES will have gaps and depressions from joining the side pieces and bottom sheet, and also where the bulkheads penetrate the sides. The importance is to not have any sharp edges - read your Dave Thornburg to know why.
![xpower xdream xpower xdream](https://ag-spots-2017.o.auroraobjects.eu/2017/07/18/mg-xpower-sv-c748818072017070125_8.jpg)
It's a process I do not enjoy anyway, although a good sanding job goes a long way towards great covering. I find it extremely hard to photograph sanding. I just came in from finish sanding the X-RES fuselage: hatch made and everything.
![xpower xdream xpower xdream](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/10/7c/6d/107c6ddab40f7bd0b54c0fca6a3063bd--boat-parts-marine.jpg)
Unfortunately, the X-RES tail mount is like that: you gotta keep your eye on things once you start, or it goes South in a big hurry. Sometimes, I get wrapped up in the action, and forget the photos. I wish I had an assistant to photograph things as I go.