Futura57

Another great flying day at Epsom Downs racecourse today with a good turnout of EDMAC club members. Almost dead calm for the whole afternoon, but sadly no blue bits. I added flashing lights to my Strange Quark which helped against the grey sky. I was enjoying myself too much to remember to take pictures. Unfortunately there were at least three casualties, two of which looked terminal. https://a.aliexpress.com/_EyN4fzj The main page of our Billy-No-Mates website

I've had dozens of helis, mainly larger IC powered ones, so I'm not familiar with the Blade models specifically. However, since the wobble occurred before the original servo failed and is still present with the replacement, I'd guess there is some mechanical issue with the head. This maybe caused the servo failure in the first place. Look for worn/loose/bent linkages, loose screws, rotating parts which might now be rubbing/fouling due to excessive wear, especially when rotating eg swashplate. If there are bearings in the blade holders or the main shaft then maybe replace them. But number one would be to check the main mast is not bent and the blades are balanced. I could of course be way off if the servo is rapidly moving/oscillating. The main board/electronics could be knackered.

I received the Mortons book today to help me decide on a scheme for my Brian Taylor 110. I'm disappointed there are only fuselage side pictures. No top and bottom wing schemes 😬 https://mortonsbooks.co.uk/book/luftwaffe-fighters-claes-sundin I guess I shall have to look back through the other online references in this thread to find what I need. I could have saved myself £8.99 🙄

I think there were two competing Heli mags. Model Helicoper World magazine ceased publication some years ago. .https://www.magazineexchange.co.uk/cw/model-helicopter-world-magazine?mobile_version=on&mwr=Y It would be a shame if RCM&E went the same way. I for one continue to support it through subscription, even if much of the content is not of immediate interest. I keep a few recent copies in a bedside drawer and in the smallest room in the house. I usually dip in and out and end up reading them cover to cover, often enjoying content I might be tempted to skip. I buy the occasional second copy if I get a plan or article published.

MDS = May Dead Stick 😵‍

Here's a result. A 4S 4500 mAh HV lipo which is only 20g heavier than my Zippy 2700. And it will fit my model. That should boost the performance and give a respectable flight duration of around 5 minutes, I hope. https://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/gnb-4500mah-4s-70c-lihv-battery-xt90

For me it has to be a couple of low flying shots caught by my clubmate Michael Hall.

I have to concede @Chris Walby you were right on some fronts, especially given that I eventually squeezed in a 70mm fan. At a whisker under 1.5kg flying weight I would indeed describe the final result as porky. At least relatively speaking, given my original over optimistic weight target. That said, it still compares favourably to the flying weight of the Motion RC 70mm 4S offerings, which are in the 1.8 - 2.0kg territory. Admittedly those models have retracts and recommend a 4000 - 5000 lipo, whilst I only have a 2700 in mine, giving 2 mins 45 secs with 20% remaining. I've ordered a couple of 3300s to try next week at just an extra 40g penalty. I have 4 mins+ in my sights. I could squeeze in a 4000 if I can find one with the right dimensions, but at an extra 100g+ the CG would require lead in her ass too. Performance wise this Mk2 version is a little more spritely and a little less draggy than the lighter Mk1 with the 50mm FMS fan. It definitely holds its speed better when I throttle back. Loops are easy from level flight, especially with combined VT pitch. I'm holding back the throttle a little with the underrated 60A ESC I'm currently using. I just received an 80A ESC to fit. Control authority was sufficient with 50% rates on the maiden flight, with elevons only. For flights 3 & 4 I upped the rates to 75% and enabled the VT and gyro. Consequently, stability and control are superb. So far I've largely restricted my manoeuvres to loops, rolls and knife edge. On the last flight I performed a high alpha (45 deg) high altitude flyby with the VT pitch control augmenting the lift as I'd hoped. No flipping or spinning on her axis yet. Small steps. With a measured static thrust a little over 900g she's never gonna fan hang, but I'm happy with my baby thus far. I think the brown paper covering, pva and multiple coats of spray primer, paint and lacquer haven't help with the final weight. I do think there is a case for a stripped down light sports version with no rudder or VT. This could easily save 200g. For the next version I think I will try flapperons on the front wing for even better roll authority and to help slow her for landing, as is useful on our little jet friends. Clubmates are pushing me to go up in size to 80/90mm and 6S. All in all I give myself 8 out of 10 so far.

Had another good day flying at Epsom Downs today. I managed two more flights with my new model. This time I was self sufficient by doing the hand launch and holding the transmitter myself.

Thanks chaps. On the second flight I turned on the 3 axis gyro along with the VT unit too. She was rock solid. Now I can increase the throws and have some more fun today. Yesterday we had four different models with successful maiden flights. 1 ARTF, 2 plan built, plus mine. It was a great day. Off out again now for some more fun

I should have written "primed and ready to paint". The M key is adjacent to the Del key on my tiny phone keyboard. So auto correct did its thing. So annoying. Anyway, more books would be good.

Successfully maidened yesterday. Just a short 2.5 minute flight to trim and get the feel. Vectored thrust unit was only enabled on the second flight (not videoed) to do some really tight loops and a manic tumble where a stall turn was expected. Flown on a little over half power because the 60A ESC was under rated for the maximum 70A draw. My oversight during installation. 80A ESC delivered today will be installed for future flights.

As the subject of its own thread (which may not be everyone's cup of tea), this is still technically my new model, especially having had its maiden flight yesterday. Strange Quark Mk2.

Thanks for the link to the Mortons book. I've been on the lookout for various 110 schemes for a nice Brian Taylor example I acquired a year or so ago which is pred and ready to paint.

No pictures I'm afraid, but we had a great turnout at Epsom Downs Race Course today. Four models had their maiden flight and all four were successful, with no mishaps whatsoever. One was my Strange Quark Mk2, hence I was too preoccupied to take photos. I shall be uploading a video shortly and posting a link. On the second flight (not videoed) I enabled the vectored thrust and did some tight loops and a weird tumble when a stall turn was planned. Some tweaks to make before testing again tomorrow. Our club uses a simple Web page to post our intention to fly each day, up to a week in advance. I created it nearly 20 years ago. Someone else has taken on maintenence and modernised it a little, but the basic principle still applies.