stuey

At last, I have had a chance to get going with the build. Having got the fan and been less than impressed with the quality and lack of trueness of the spinner, I decided to get a Cyclone Power 'Red Velocity' 64mm metal fan. I believe it is very similar to the larger Lander fans, it has a 3900kv motor which is ok on 3s or 4s packs. It seems to run smoothly, and was pulling about 29a on a half charged pack. Should be somewhere over 300w on a full charge. I decided to split the fuz with a long snap off blade to make mods easier. I did need to ease the fan area a bit to get it in, and I removed some foam to make more space for the battery. The plate is 1/32 ply, glued to the foam underneath. I will need to make a new hatch arrangement, the kit comes with a velcro strap which retains the pack (which didnt fit btw!!) I also enlarged the access from underneath. I have tried to arrange the wiring so that the servo extensions are as far away from the motor wires as possible. The next pic shows everything ready to glue the bottom back on. Whilst checking the servos in the wings, one of them which was ok before being glued in started playing up then stopped altogether shortly afterwards, grrr. This was a brand new servo, better now than later I suppose.... The last pic shows the new canopy, which actually fits!! I have cut a hatch around the cockpit area which will give better access, pics when finished.  

Hurrah, got the bits at last! Would have got here earlier if they were sent on Friday as advised, rather than yesterday as actually happened... Have decided to leave the companys name out of it as they must have enough problems if this is how customers are treated. Anyway, the new canopy I have been sent is pretty similar to the original, except being slightly longer and wider. This also happily means that it fits!! Alas I cannot start as I'm going away for a couple of nights, perhaps I can get some done at the weekend.

I have still not received the missing parts, despite being assured that last Tuesday every effort will be made to get them to me asap. Having supposedly had them sent on Friday by recorded delivery and no sniff, I think its time to name and shame the company involved. If they do not arrive tomorrow there will be no build at all, as it will be going back. I will then name the company, which I will feel is fully justified after the amount of chasing and broken promises regarding their intentions. If they were that bothered, they could send it 24hrs guaranteed for a few extra pounds to please their customer!!

If you can build, how about one of the RBC kits? At least you can put what you want in it. I'm not convinced about the quality of some of the ARF stuff, my E.DO F-15 (if I ever get all the bits) is a case in point IMO.   Sorry double posted somehow?? Edited By stuey on 20/04/2009 08:37:58

If you can build, how about one of the RBC kits? At least you can put what you want in it. I'm not convinced about the quality of some of the ARF stuff, my E.DO F-15 (if I ever get all the bits) is a case in point IMO.

I have received the fan, not that impressed with the quality tbh. Spinner does not run true, but they are all like that apparently. Still waiting for the tailplane parts, its becoming a farce. Very tempted to mention the name of the supplier if i'm allowed. They keep giving reasons for delays, I just think they are not very good.... If I ever get all the parts, I might be able to post some building! Edited By stuey on 17/04/2009 17:23:02

Thanks for the replys chaps, any particular version of copydex?

Hi, I will soon be sheeting some small foam wing cores for my F-18 and need some advice on the best glue to use. I will be using 1/32 balsa sheet as the wing panels are pretty small. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks for that

Just occured to me. Dave, I believe this airframe is basically the same as the Graupner one reviewed in the magazine recently, to you have any control throws you could pass my way to start with?

Thanks for the replys. The canopy ends look strange as it is, like they should be cut back more. If I did that it would be way too short. The fact that it is not wide enough can be seen in the bottom pic, near the top where it is too narrow to fit over the cockpit edge.   I can well believe that the wrong canopy has been put in the box, seeing as they didnt put the tailplane halfs in either. Add to that, the UK supplier didnt put the motor and fan in the package, then after saying they would get it to me asap havent done so. To say I'm peed off with it already is an understatement... I was looking forward to getting some done over the weekend. I have tried to contact the supplier regarding the canopy to go along with everything else thats wrong, but got nowhere today. When (if!!) I get the bits I think there is a reasonable plane hidden in the box somewhere. Edited By stuey on 09/04/2009 19:03:51

Hi, I thought I would do a brief build log for anyone interested in the model. I purchased it as an airframe and fan/motor package (when I get it), rather than one pre fitted with servos and speed controller. The general impression out of the box is not that good, the battery bay underneath is a velcro strap which holds the battery in. This bay is supposed to accommodate a 3s 2200 pack, but none of my 3 (two TP and one Loong Max) packs actually fit. This will have to be modified to make more room, and a new hatch of some description made up. The actual airframe seems reasonable, although I cant comment on the tailplane as it is missing and I'm waiting for it to arrive. Having decided to make a start with what I do have, I tried to trim the canopy to fit. There are no instructions or fittings for this, the instruction manual seems to be for a TX/RX ready kit. It does not even have cg info, or control throws... Despite spending over 1/2 an hour carefully trimming the canopy, I have come to the conclusion that it is just not big enough, either width or overall length. Unless the supplier can provide me with another which is actually bigger, I see no option but to carve a foam one (which I have never done). Heres a couple of pics, If someone can suggest a solution I would be glad to hear it!!

I might be wrong, but i thought i read that some JR kit/servos don't like 6 volts. As a fully charged 6v nihm pack would be a fair bit over 6v perhaps it was a bit too high for the servos??

Thanks chaps

Hi, just got a new Irvine 53 for crimbo but the instructions are a bit lacking. It says run it in at full throttle for 2-3 mins at a time just breaking into 2 stroke, which is fine. But they dont say how long for in total! It will be mounted in my Acrowot and run on the ground. I am thinking maybe a couple of tanks then fly it a bit rich for a couple before gradually leaning out for a few more. Any advice would be appreciated

Most people are using 2.4 now, saves messing around with crystals during practice. It also makes it easier to sort out heats and finals, with no crystal clashes. It has made it easier for people on 40mhz too as not many seem to use it now. Makes it much easier to race if you have no help, as long as you are racing electric! Hard to start and refuel i.c cars from the rostrum by yourself.

Check how long it takes to respond after a quick power loss, should come back almost instantly. My two took 3 to 4 seconds to come back to life, had them upgraded by Horizon.

Just tried starting the engine, fired second go... hopefully my ramblings above have proved correct. Think a new o ring may be in order

I have been having an issue with starting my Irvine 53 recently, which i had put down to the clunk coming off the inlet tube. I was hoping to have no probs this morning when i went out, but i did. The engine would barely start after turning over for ages, then wouldn't  throttle up at all. After messing around for ages, i tried leaning out the bottom needle thinking it was too rich. I have had very good throttling in the past, which helped confuse me. I could not get the damn thing to start again and gave up. During my messing i noticed 2 things, there seemed to be no fuel entering the carb despite having no probs getting fuel through the inlet line, and the bottom end needle seemed a bit too easy to turn. Having read this thread and stripping the carb and finding no blockages, i have come to the conclusion that the bottom end needle has been closing itself down and eventually blocked the fuel from coming in. I think i proved this by blowing through a piece of tube on the inlet, with the bottom end needle screwed right in no air can be pushed through the carb. Once opened til the needle is about flush with the housing, the air just starts coming through as described above. I can't remember how many turns the needle was out originally, never needed to adjust it much. I am pretty sure it was a long way into the tube earlier whilst i was trying to run it, which i think was stopping the fuel getting through. In conclusion, i think the o ring on the bottom end needle is letting the needle screw itself in during running causing fuel starvation

I have got the impression that vertically up or down whilst holding the tx is a good position. Pointing the aerial at the model is not a good idea apparently, due to the 'cone of silence'. This is the weakest part of the signal coming out of the tip of the aerial.

Doesnt sound like a possiblr first batch going into tx/rx combos then...

I have just had 2 windy flights this morning with the receiver, and as far as i can tell it was fine. I did 2 low power range checks, ok at around 25paces, although I'm 6'2" so i might have a long pace. I ended up putting a piece of heatshrink over the vertical short aerial, a few mm short of the end. I don't think I had any glitching that I could detect, although it would be hard to tell in the gusty wind at my patch. I am thinking that the module based Spektrum equipment may not have as good a range in low power mode as a Spektrum tx, as getting a reliable 30 paces with a AR6100 or AR500 is not consistent (imo). I was told my Horizon this may be the case, but i wasn't 100% convinced by the slight vagueness of the answer I was given. I suppose if it flies ok thats the test, not too keen on losing a model trying though!!

Bummer, is it a new boxed rx or like mine taken from a combo and quite likely the first batch??

Ok, thank you gents

Is that along the whole length of the wire??