Parkzone Radian Sailplane Paint Modification

Started some of my Parkzone Radian mods. I decided to add paint for higher visibility at the higher altitudes. So the plan was adding under wing identifiers(stripes) and adding a fluorescent color to the top of the wings. I also removed the horizontal tail and added color to the top and bottom area. They're several different options of doing this and some of them include adding Econokote which, like Monokote, is a film that is applied with a low heat iron. Another is using Krylon H2o paint, which is latex foam safe and comes in an aerosol spray can.

I decided on the Krylon H20 paint and added Red(red sea) altitude stripes on the under wing and added Yellow(yellow sea) on the top of the wings. Before adding any paint I lightly sanded with 300 grit and removed minor surface problems on the foam. Then sprayed down with a mix of water, alcohol, baby shampoo to clean off the oil, dust or other debris. Next, I covered the top wing with a light spackling mixture (I no longer would recommend this cosmetic mod, adds unnecessary weight and time) to attempt to obtain a smooth finish on the top of the wings. My concern with the spackling was that it would add to much additional weight and may not be worth the effort(not worth it imo). I applied the spackle with a flexible credit card, dipping in water, and smoothing the surface of the wing. Once the spackling has had enough time to dry I sanded with 250 grit to eliminate high spots and to smooth some lines. I should've spent much more time on the sanding portion of the spackle, as after I painted some lines are still visible. In the future, I'll probably avoid this step as it didn't add a lot more to the finish, and the bottom wing, which wasn't spackled looks fine. I repeated my cleaning method with spray bottle then wipe down. I then proceeded to tape the bottom of the wing adding 4" for the spacing of the stripes. I added 2 coats, sometimes 3 depending on how it looked after 15 minutes worth of dry time. The upper wing painting and horizontal tail were very easy and also received at least 2 coats.

The final step was adding a couple light coats of Minwax^® Polycrylic^® Protective Finish. This would add additional protection to slight dings and scratches as well as protect the paint. It is a water base polycrylic and application with a brush and sponge brush couldn't have been easier. Clean-up and/or mistakes are easily cleaned and dry time was really fast. While I had the polycrylic out I reinforced the fuselage directly over the wings. I added a light layer of polycrylic, then laid out a small section of .5 oz fiberglass cloth and added another layer of poly on top. The cloth is extremely lightweight and almost could have done a few layers as there only a slight noticeable difference.

So that's it thus far for my Radian mods. The entire process was done over a couple days and added approx 3 oz total weight to the Radian. I have additional ideas that I want to accomplish with the Radian and my other planes but for now I'm happy and looking forward to more flights.

Another step I am looking at is adding Holographic tape of other high visibility tape to the leading edge of the wings. I have some Reflectix silver metallic tape on the Radian now but haven't seen it in the air yet.

Here are some tape links I located they may be of interest to you.

1. Holographic Metallic tapes - Tape Brothers
2. Reflective tape - Identi-tape
3. RC group topic on tape

edit 08/24/2009 - I recently started using Monokote Trim sheets, they are basically stickers, adhesive backed and to help proper placement I used a couple drops of baby shampoo in water then lightly applied to sticker, after correct placement I put pressure on all areas with towel to help get the moisture out, go back after awhile and apply more pressure to ensure it sticks well and eliminate air bubbles etc. I am working on adding additional colors but so far the Yellow is great but the chrome on the Parkzone Corsair is just ok, it only flashes once in awhile at altitude on the leading edge on wing. I'll add more info and pics of the project after I add more colors and flight time.

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WSM Smoked Pork Spare Ribs and ABT's

Passed by the local supermarket to see what they were offering for my next meal on the Weber Smokey Mountain cooker. I was mainly looking for something either in a Brisket, Pork Butt, Pork Ribs. They had a great selection and figured a shorter 4-5 hour cook was what I was in the mood for with some good ole' spare ribs and Jalapeño stuffed peppers aka ABT's. I paid ($1.78lb / 12.53lbs / $22.30) for a cryovac of Spare Ribs.


Once the Pork Spare ribs were home, I removed them from the cryovac package and thoroughly washed them in the sink. Some people do not bother washing their ribs but this is a step I always take with all my poultry and pork. I laid the ribs on my larger cutting board and using a sharp boning knife I cut them St. Louis style, again just my habits as they will work just fine directly on the smoker without trimming. I mixed some fresh rub, limiting some of the chili quantity this time as the chili became bitter last time when I applied a little too much. Also added salt, pepper, kosher salt, garlic, cumin, sugar both brown and turbinado, cayenne pepper, onion powder etc.

The ribs, now rubbed were sitting for a 45min's while I got to the smoker ready. I added a full water pan and plenty of smoke wood from our local orchards. This time a mix between Cherry and Apricot, and since I had plenty and it was a mild wood I thought I would add more wood chunks than usual to test the smokiness and just how well the ribs accepted it. The Weber Smokey Mountain smoker was at an easy 300° pretty quickly in our 90° weather. I then added a rib rack(upside down turkey roaster rack) and added the ribs to the middle section of the smoker, just above the filled water pan. The trimmed pieces filled the upper grate. The spares and the trimmed cuts where cooking at 230-250° highest was 280° or so thru my Tel-tru thermometer in the lid. The whole meal was about a 4.5 hours cook time, including taking them off for a quick BBQ sauce glaze and returning to smoker, the trimmings came off earlier as "chef treats".


Off the smoker, with just a little bbq sauce glaze that was added 10mins before, additional sauce(s) served on the side










The ABT's went on the upper grate as soon as the ribs and trimmings were removed, this was kind of backwards having the appetizers last but I was more interested in eating ribs then the Jalapenos.

The ribs turned out great and were extremely tender with a nice blend of spices and sweetness from the glaze. Another easy and fantastic cook from the WSM, and god bless the pig for all it's tastiness.

Here are a few other pics of the cook.

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My Brute - Fight Me! Interactive deathmatch between friends

"Settle your differences in the ring" is the tag line for the interactive death match MY BRUTE. Simple to play, simple to setup your own Brute. Choose a character and a name and that's it... time to fight. As you progress, you acquire unique weapons and skills. Take a look at my character and fight me. The fighting is automatically choreographed based on your weapons and skill set.

FIGHT ME HERE


Good luck!

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