Douglas Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Hi guys, I am building a 1/48 Shadow. While I am sanding the fuselage, I wonder what would go to that hole in the leading edge of the big rudder. I checked the instruction and I am amazed that nothing would be inserted there. Do you guys know what is that hole for, in the real plane ? An intake ? For cooling, or generator ? Regards, Douglas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hoops Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 (edited) I think that it's an air intake for the Environmental Control System, but I will defer to S-3 pros to give a definitive answer. It is also on straight Vikings as well. Hoops Edited September 19, 2014 by Hoops Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ro-Gar Hobbies Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Its an air system heat exchange ram air intake. Note the link with a diagram of the A-3A http://www.nomenclaturo.com/wp-content/uploads/Lockheed-S-3B-Viking-Airplane-Parts-Nomenclature-Diagram.jpg Regards, Robert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Just spoke with my co-worker, he's a former ES-3A EWOP. It is the intake for the vapor cycle unit...air conditioning for the avionics. The intake went in a few inches and curved down 90 degrees. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Actually it wasn't specifically for the avionics, it was the air conditioning system for the pressurized crew compartment. Pressurization is bled off the engine compressor, and the air is extremely hot due to the compression. The "vapor cycle unit" (aka air conditioning system, aka air cycle machine, aka several other names) is essentially just a way to cool down pressurization air so the crew doesn't get cooked. All pressurized aircraft have a similar system. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DonSS3 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 The A/C was to cool the avionics, keeping the crew cool was a side benefit. ;-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ElectroSoldier Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 The A/C was to cool the avionics, keeping the crew cool was a side benefit. ;-) Thats more believable. The factory I work in has an A/C system but it isnt there to keep the guys cool, its to control the air temperature because the chemicals we use need certain temperatures to cure, or not cure. The data center its the same deal, thats fully A/C'd up while we mortals have to sweat it out Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 The A/C was to cool the avionics, keeping the crew cool was a side benefit. ;-) You don't say (written by someone who sat may hours cooking away on alert/ready spare...heck just manning up and launching...before the cool air was even close to being "cool"). 80 degrees in the tube...or don't turn on the system. Cheers Collin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ALF18 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 All the pics I find indeed show a hole in the lower forward part of the vertical stabilizer. So yes, it should have a hole. I'm afraid I don't know exactly what it is on this aircraft, but typically it would be an intake for the ECS (Environmental Control System, which could be called the air conditioning), or for an APU (Auxiliary Power Unit, a mini jet engine that provides electrical power and/or pneumatic pressure). ALF Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82Whitey51 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Actually it wasn't specifically for the avionics, it was the air conditioning system for the pressurized crew compartment. Pressurization is bled off the engine compressor, and the air is extremely hot due to the compression. The "vapor cycle unit" (aka air conditioning system, aka air cycle machine, aka several other names) is essentially just a way to cool down pressurization air so the crew doesn't get cooked. All pressurized aircraft have a similar system. Yup...like I said, air conditioning for the avionics. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RCarlson Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 It's pretty easy to replicate. For the couple of S-3 I build I just used styrene tube (I don't remember the size) cut to fit in the width of the opening. Once the fuselage was joined you just sand it too the contours of the tail. Ron Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Collin Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 Piece of soda straw jammed in there...glued and then blended in works wonders as well. Cheers Collin Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted September 18, 2014 Share Posted September 18, 2014 The duct is the same on the S-3, you can see it does a 180 in these cutaway drawings Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Douglas Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Thank you guys ! Now I know what it is and what to do in my build. Regards, Douglas Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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