Cliff Bastow

On trying a test fit of the outer wings I have discovered that there is no positive fixing for these, it just relies on the inner rigging wires being tensioned to pull the wings into the centre section. Really not sure if this is acceptable. Thoughts anyone?

Sorry that should read rx.

Fitted arc and flight battery tonight to try a few things. I had no elevator or rudder although I could hear servos working. Peering inside through the door I could just see that the servos complete with rails floating about loose! I don’t know if this happened in the arrival! Or if it was the cause! There is no real access into the rear fuselage so I am going to have to cut into the underside and make a hatch. it looks as if the hard wood servo rails were just superglued to balsa fuselage side rails, not good!

Yes could be, modified I guess. I am not sure about this model now the more I find out about it! Don’t want to look a gift horse and all that but!

Yes I have measured the span.

The previous owner said it was plan built but I cannot remember whose plan he said. Anyone any ideas? It is 113inch span by the way.

I am a bit hesitant about spending £200 on batteries and props if the model is no good!

Beginning to think perhaps it is not such a good gift after all. I will have to give it a good look over! This is the problem with second or third hand models.

The mystery deepens with this model! The guy who gave it to me said that the person he bought it off stated it had never flown but was maiden ready. However looking into the damage to the wing mounting I found clear evidence it had been repaired before, patches in underside wing skins and you can see where one of the wing tubes has been repaired by fitting a sleeve over it!

Looking at these photos I can see I must spend less time playing with toy aircraft and more time tending my lawn!

The previous owner said he thought it was tail heavy but it seems ok to me. To me it appeared to stall on take off. The damage includes broken top to the fin, bent u/c legs and damage to both wheel pants and worst of all one of the wing fixings is badly bent. Talking to the previous owner he stated that he had tried to fly it on two 4s connected together to give an 8s power set up which is what he had been told by the person he bought it off. However on inspection I can find no connection between the two batteries so it is actually running on 4s. I do not know if the previous owner misunderstood the builder or if he was misled. Having talked to George at 4 Max he thought it was underpowered on 4 s with the fitted motors and esc and recommended a 5 s set up. This would seem to back up my theory that it stalled on take off.

I have been gifted this by a club member who damaged it on its maiden and could not be bothered to repair it! The white areas are where I have started repairs.

I have been lucky enough to be gifted this by a member who damaged it on its maiden and could not be bothered to repair it! The white areas are where I have started repairs.

I wish I still had my constellation.

Lovely model, always one of my favourite aircraft.

I am also building one of these at the moment. Mine will be electric using the set up as advised by 4 max. here is progress to date.

Slightly off topic but I am practicing for my B at the min and though I am an experienced flyer I have noticed I have a definite one way itis. I am much happier flying any manoeuvre right to left rather than left to right including inverted.

A couple of pics of my Arrows T33 taken by clubmate Garry who is a professional photographer.

Test flew this on Saturday, Well it flew but it was very twitchy in pitch! I flew one very up and down circuit and managed to pull of a reasonable landing but did break one motor mounting. I think the cg needs to come more forward and I will maybe reduce elevator rates also. I am a bit concerned about adding any more nose weight as I do not want to make it too heavy but there is not much room inside to maove anything further forwards. Hopefully as it was designed for heavy brushed motors and Nicads it will stand a bit more weight.

I have several bellylanders, both tractor and pusher and have never had a problem. I think that unless the speedcontroller brake is on the prop just flicks the motor round a bit.

Had a great day today at my local club. Had the first flights with my new Arrows T33. What a sweet little flyer it turned out to be. Love it!

I will be there on the Saturday, hoping for good weather!

Here is progress to date. Not the easiest kit I have ever built but looks good when built. I am really struggling to get the cg right with lots of nose weight in the removable nose cone. As you can see I have everything as far forwards as possible including the receiver hanging half off the battery tray. Just hoping that as it was designed for heavy brushed motors and Nicads it will cope with the weight!

You are all correct, I should have posted up aileron, my mistake. Yes you do have to fly it fast, you can slow it down if straight and level into wind but power up before turning. It’s not as bad as it’s reputation, you just have to be careful.

This is looking amazing Dave, I can not wait to see this in the the flesh at the the field, Cheers Cliff.