> Approach Fuselage Kit  >  AH-1F Cobra Electric	Printable Version

AH-1F Cobra Electric AP102 This fuselage was designed for the Swift and Logo 10 electric mechanics. The finished fuselage weighs in at 10ozs which makes it very comfortable to fly with the Swift using the 530mm or 550mm main blades. The fuselage can be detailed to any degree, as there are no engine and muffler headaches here. The only concern is making sure the electric motor and controller are receiving enough cooling from openings in the fuselage. AP102  AH-1F eCobra Scale Fuselage Assembly Kit  $316.00

When you first open this fuselage, it is well organized into assembly sections. All wood parts are identified using a key number that is shown in the manual and is referenced in the accompanying text. Approach Engineering has used modern CAD (computer aided design) to model the entire fuselage virtually before any wood was cut and as your start building this fuselage, you will start to see why this design approach is so effective. Major fuselage sections are constructed from an interlocking plywood box frame design that integrates the elevated tail and main mechanics sub-frame together in a very lightweight structure. Aesthetic details are then built on top of this base frame that form the rounded surfaces of the fuselage.

As the Swift has a belt driven tail system, Approach Engineering includes all the necessary tail components to install the longer tail belt over the ball bearing pulleys that allow the belt system to function in the elevated tail section. Tail belt tensioning is done at the very end of the tail boom section which is accessed by removing two screws from the tail cap. The elevated tail section uses two telescoping sections of tail boom, the outer is bonded into the tail section allowing the inner to be adjustable. Set the desired tension, then tighten the tail boom clamp to secure it place. No rudder pushrod is provided as pilots have their own preferences based on the type of gyro used. The short tail pushrod in the elevated tail and the bellcrank at its base are included, leaving the modeler to choose their own pushrod from the rudder servo to the bellcrank in a straight shot along the tail boom.

The modeler can choose to actuate the rotation of the 20mm cannon. This can be mechanically slaved to tail servo or operated on a separate proportional channel. The parts to assemble the cannon include the actuator arm and are installed anyway, all that is left then is to make the servo connection. Other possible areas to further detail would be actuating the TSU on the nose, openable battery and ammunition bays, and engine hatches. The Approach Engineering models are just packed full of great scale accessories that normally are not included with many fiberglass fuselages.

Wood Components:

Key coded plywood and balsa laser-cut components with balsa sheeting and stock for the fuselage.

Clear Components:

Clear vacuum formed windows provided for the cockpit.

Other Components:

Vacuum formed upper fairing, longer tail belt, ball bearing timing pulley and idler pulley, molded landing gear and skid carriers.

Documentation:

Construction manual with step by step photographs.

The following photos show a selection of photos from the instruction manual to give you a better idea of exactly what you will be involved with as you build this fuselage. Construction photos are clear and include numbered keys to help you find the correct pre-cut part on the sheets.

	Left & right eCobra plywood fuselage sides bonded to balsa sheeting.			Framed up fuselage sides with bottom installed, note landing gear mount points.
	Marking and drilling the main mechanics mounts in the hardwood rails.			Detail of nose section with formers and kerf bending of triange stock.
	Plywood elevated tail stacked frame started with cross members.			Timing and idler pulleys and tail belt positioned in elevated tail.
	Elevated tail and drive system mated to bottom fuselage frame.			Tail boom section installed in elevated tail with rudder pushrod guide.
	Top and bottom finished surfaces of balsa elevators, ready to install.			Elevators installed to the tail boom of the fuselage with joiner.
	Cockpit windshield structure framed up from plwood base ready for sheeting.			Front view of fuselage with base installed for nose avionics.
	Cobra nose installed and shaped with mount to support TSU turret.			Completed teardrop shaped top fairing with cutout for rotor head.
	Framed up and balse sheeted stub wings for armament provisions.			Completed Tow missile mount and adjustable weapons pilon.
	Completed 7 tube FFAR rocket pod and adjustable weapons pilon.			20mm three barrel cannon with barrel separators and pivot mount.
	Detail of the actuator arm that can be optionally connected to move the cannon.			Rudder pushrod secured to former at back of mechanics, note triangle gussets.
	Mounting the Swift mechanics to the main fuselage using original holes.			Completed tail rotor assembly with cover removed, note tail boom clamp.
	Complete mechanics access, with top fairing and cockpit removed.			Plenty of space for a fully detail cockpit in the front of the fuselage.