Learjet 45 Simulator Project » Walls

Fiberglass Cloth and Paverpol

Captain — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:55:21 +0000

While building this thing I’ve been trying to figure out what to use as a final shell covering. Others have used the traditional fiberglass method, but they are building something more permanent. If you didn’t know, using toxic resin and hardener indoors is a really bad idea. Fortunately, I think I have stumbled onto a fabulous solution.

Paverpol, the fabric hardener I’m using to harden the shell foam can also be used with fiberglass. It’s completely non-toxic. That’s right, NON-TOXIC! It has traditionally been used by artists in the creation of fabric sculptures. This stuff looks and smells like white glue and dries rock hard. Testing is under way, but so far it appears to be a good alternative.

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell Fiberglass and Paverpol

Shell – Star Wars Edition

Captain — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:43:20 +0000

The shaping is nearly complete. I’m finally cutting around the edges so the panels will come loose again. The pattern on the panels gives the shell a different look. It reminds me of something that happened a long time ago in a galaxy far far away…

Learjet 45 Simulator Shell

… and He Disappeared in a Cloud of Dust.

Captain — Sun, 09 May 2010 01:10:52 +0000

I’m making great progress with the final shaping. Unfortunately, the foam putty I’m using is hard to get locally and in limited supply online too. I have to order it and wait for the next batch to arrive in order to progress further. I’m also being my usual perfectionist self, so that doesn’t help either.

It’s looking good though and there are only a few rough spots I need to clean up on the sides and the top, so sealing and painting will happen soon. I wasn’t as careful with applying the putty, and it got in the spaces that it shouldn’t have, so I’ll need to carve around the edges to get the panels to pop out like they’re supposed to. I’m not worried about that at all. It’s just one more thing on my list.

Learjet 45 Simulator Shell Side View Close-up

Learjet 45 Simulator Shell Front View

Shell Update

Captain — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 21:18:35 +0000

Um, yea. This sanding bit is taking much longer than I expected. Big surprise huh?

Port Side Foam Putty Skim Coat

Captain — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:44:08 +0000

If I do this right, I shouldn’t have too much touch-up work after this sanding pass.

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell Port Side Foam Putty Skim Coat

Foam Progress (Purple Haze)

Captain — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:59:20 +0000

The rough shaping and sanding is done. Final sanding requires a guide coat, so I found some old acrylic paint I had sitting around and used that. What, you thought I wanted a purple plane? Only if I was Prince or a rabid Vikings fan.

Learjet 45 Simulator Shell with Sanding Guide Coat Applied

More Fun with Foam

Captain — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:04:10 +0000

Just a quick update on my progress:

Phase 1: Rough trimming -Complete
Phase 2: Rough shaping -In progress
Phase 3: Foam putty (Fill in bubbles and other voids) -In progress
Phase 4: Final shaping (Various automotive block sanders) -Not started
Phase 5: Foam hardener -Not started
Phase 6: Paint -Not started

Learjet 45 Shell Foam Shaping Progress

Foam is finally here!

Captain — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:48:03 +0000

…took longer than expected, but the Bondo finally cured, and I was able to fill the shell wall voids with foam. It was more than a little surprising that it took so many cans to get it done- 12 in all. The clerks at the local hardware store where I was buying all this spray foam were, not surprisingly, giving me the twenty questions routine. I’ve learned that telling the truth in these situations is not always the best policy.

It needs to stabilize for a few days before I can start trimming and sanding it down.

Learjet 45 Simulator Cockpit Shell with Foam

Fun with Bondo

Captain — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 04:08:34 +0000

Smelly and messy is all I can say about that stuff. Make sure you get some ventilation and/or wear a respirator when working with it.

In preparation for the foaming process, I am filling the grooves (fluting) I made in the outside of the hardboard wall pieces with Bondo to help strengthen and keep their shape if things ever need to be disassembled. The filler foam will be sprayed on top of that and then shaped with hand tools and automotive finishing sanding blocks (used for body fenders and such).

Learjet 45 Shell (Now with Bondo!)

Port Side Ready for Foam

Captain — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:57:28 +0000

Learjet 45, Shell