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eflightray

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Posts posted by eflightray

  1. This is a google images search on hlg glider plans (HLG = Hand Launch Gliders,) -

    HLG glider plans

    (hopefully it will work), there are loads and loads of model plans free to download off the web, many are in .pdf format and can be scaled to whatever size you require.

    .

  2. There are a few 'different' gliders.

    Are you looking for a free flight glider or radio controlled ?

    Do you have a flat field to fly or are there hills and slopes ?

    Do you want a hand launch, (just throw), tow line, or catapult launch ?

    There can be differences in the design, and how you would like it to fly, they could influence an suggestions. Not trying to be awkward, just trying to get an idea of what you want to give you the best chance of a success, and a good introduction to modelling if this is your first model.

    .

  3. Newspaper covering ?

    Yes and no.

    Yes, - as it does increase the surface strength from hangar rash, it's cheap, (my favorite word).

    No, - as it does add a little weight, the depron needs to be really 'clean' if using thinned PVA/white glue to stick the paper on, newspaper can shrink and you need to be careful and match sides to reduce any twisting on thin sections .

    I probably wont use the same method on this one. Most of the other Depron builds are sanded, primed with thinned matt ceiling emulsion with a little talc powder added, light sanding and then painted. But they can suffer with minor scuffing etc. But, it does make them easier to repair if needed. Paper or glass cloth covering can make repairs a little trickier.

    My whole aim is to build to fly, not build to survive, usually with as little power as possible, so keeping them light is just part of the design and build, but then my models are a good few years old and still seem to survive well.

    Ray.

  4. Thank you blush, but I don't see it a superb craftsmanship, more like very lucky bodging wink.

    I'm just willing to have a go and see what comes out, usually the final result looks Ok, and flies just fine.

    Each new build is a another technique gained, usually because I forgot what I did before and don't draw plans.

    But it's enjoyable.

    Ray. Some of my builds and models. (It may say 'Not Secure', but they do allow me on a long chain these days laugh )

  5. Nice model the B-17

    My scratch built, (no plans), 100" span, foam core wing covered in brown paper, the rest is balsa. Plug in wings, and horizontal stabs for easy transport.

    Electric power. The video was shot when she still had brushed motors, Olympus belt drives, and Nimh cells. She was eventually upgraded to brushless and Lipo, and shaved 2Lbs of the weight.

    Current flying weight is 10Lbs - 2oz, Still fly her occasionally.

    Ray.

  6. Here's a handy set of undercarriage animations, the last picture in post #7 shows a Cat's undercarriage - (just click on the picture to see it moving). -- Animate undercarriage

    I though about adding retracts at one time, but finding some was the problem, the front double 'A' frame off a model car seems to be a very good starting point for the mains. The RC cars ones even have shocks and springs.

    Good luck with the build.

    Ray.

  7. This could be a long term project.

    After the demise of my previous Lanc last year, ( attack of the killer hedge ), the salvaged parts, everything except the body, wings, tail, kept staring at me, pleading me to make them a new home.

    I started drawing up an A20 Boston/Havoc, then realised it looked too much like my B-25 but with only one fin, and uses only two of the motors. To use up those four motor it just had to be another Lanc. Well they do look ....... special.

    So, another scratch build, and genuinely starting from scratch as there were no usable drawings of my original, but then that's the fun of making it up as I go along. Though I may later regret using the word 'fun'.

    I don't do detailed build threads, just a few pictures occasionally, the rest of the 'design' is still in my head.

    So here she is so far. And yes, it's electric and in mostly Depron foam.

    Check the tail feathers will fit, Just held in place. (Photo rotated by system). -

    lanc iib.jpg

    Fuselage getting its skins. -

    lanc iie.jpg

    Wings will be plug-in. Wing box using carbon arrow shafts. -

    lanc iij.jpg

    A load of ribs hand cut, and these are just for the centre section. -

    lanc iik.jpg

    Mocked up to check fit of ribs and inner engine locations. -

    lanc iim.jpg

    Will be a slow build, so don't expect many updates.

    She should be about 102" span, (last one way 98" span).

    Ray, (as mad as ever, but in a nice way wink ).

  8. A long time ago in a world far far away, well it was probably the late 80's, I built a Catalina from a control line plan and converted it to RC and electric.

    Anyone old enough to remember the Acoms electric model, I think it was a something like a Cub. I bought a couple of the spare motors, gearboxes, and props, (plastic shovels), and installed them in the Cat.

    She flew fairly reasonable, even managed to get her off water once, eventually, after the second nicad battery pack. Found out the the nose of the floats needed a very positive angle, or they would want to play submarines.

    Recently nostalgia kicked in and I bought the HK Catalina, (wish I hadn't). Nostalgia isn't what it used to be, And I remembered they are not particularly nice. Short coupled and very small tail area compared to the wing.

    Now my Sunderland, that's a great flier.

    Sorry, just reminiscing.

    Ray, (a different one).

    The tip floats are swung up for flying over grass.

    catalina1.jpg

    .

     

    Edited By eflightray on 07/03/2019 13:34:07

    Edited By eflightray on 07/03/2019 13:34:58

  9. If you intend flying off water, differential throttle comes in handy for better water steering.

    I fly my Sunderland, (avatar) with counter rotating props, but only because I wasn't sure during the build how it would handle on water, it also gets flown off grass.

    All my other multi-motor models use the same direction rotation.

    I do have a HK Catalina, but rarely flown as I just don't like the way it flies.

    Ray.

  10. For an IC engine there is a limited range of props, for a brushless motor, there is a much greater range of props by changing the voltage.

    e.g. my Dauntless - 4020-08 - 520kv - this motor quotes 5s to 7s Lipo 13x8 to 14x8 props.

    But I use a 17x8 and use a 3s, the plane flies fine, on 350 watts.

    You never know what may work until you try.

    Ray.

  11. Cheat, use what others have used for the same model, or same type of model and motor.

    Different people like to fly their planes differently. Some like high speed, (high pitch speed), some like slower slogging power, (higher thrust from a slower but bigger diameter prop).

    My Spit - 72" span - 4030 385kv - 6s Lipo - has flown with 14x7, 15x8, 16x10 APCe, I prefer the 15x8 for general flying.

    Ray.

    Addition: That's from 600 watts to 850 watts, not a lot of difference in how it flies, just the way it 'feels'./

     

     

    Edited By eflightray on 14/02/2019 15:01:24

  12. It's always satisfying to make-your-own, nice job.

    I have tried butt joining surgical rubber bungee cord to make a tyre, very difficult to get a near invisible join.

    I have used a garden kneeling mat foam to cut very light tyres for commercial plastic hubs, they have lasted a long time.

    Anyone looking for a 'hubcap', check out the bottom of a drinks can.

    sbd21.jpg

    At least the rest of the plane is Depron wink

    Ray.

  13. I was 'hooked' in the mid 50's, every decade was slightly different, usually with some improvements.

    I do miss going to model shops, there used to be plenty, but the Infernalnet has made a difference and gives a greater choice.

    Best decade ?, probably the previous one, the 2000's. This decade I find I have got older, (it no onger creeps up, but races up), the weather seems to have got worse, (I can even remember calm summers and flyable winters, when I was a lad wink .

    Good job I still like building, that doesn't go away no matter what decade.

    Ray.

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