Lanier Shrike

The Shrike comes with a good plan on a single sheet and some great laser-cut components, as well as the usual sheet and stick parts. There is no hardware supplied, so I will have to provide that. But there isn't much to provide. Tank, spinner, a set of aleron links, a couple hinges, horns and clevises, and the radio gear.

Unsurprisingly, the engine bay which was designed for a .15, is far too small for the .25 which is two thirds bigger again!

Even with the backplate right up against the firewall, the nose-ring fouls the carb. And in any case, the thrust-plate protrudes too much at the front for my liking.

Unfortunately, due to the laser-cut nature of the fuse and former/firewall, I can't just move the former rearward.

My solution was to cut a new firewall (preserving the original, just in case) on the bandsaw, and use the scroll-saw to cut out a hole to fit the backplate. The engine can now slide far enough back that the carb does not foul, and the thrust-plate only protrudes a little from the nose.

Shifting the engine rearward will probably make it easier to balance the model too.

Wooden engine bearers will be attached to the firewall with epoxy, and also to the fuse sides. Little ply gussets will brace the bearers in the horizontal. The socking-great in the firewall will allow dirt and oil into the fuse, so I will add a light-weight former behind the entire structure shown here. it can be thin balsa, because it will bear no load. It will only be there to fuel-proof the front end.

What has also arisen is the fact that the throttle arm is very close to the side of the fuse. I may have to bent the arm to avoid fouling. In the photo it looks like it might even foul on the nose-ring. I may have to loosen that grub-screw and rotate the arm on the throttle barrel.

No flying pictures yet! it isn't built, so it can't have flown!

This is a promotional photo of the Shrike 15. This is the exact model that I have acquired, but the engine shown here is a bit smaller than the one I intend to fit.