Bird Of Time

[Tim Hooper]

Susses Model Centre supply this 3M glider as both kit and ARTF;

 

http://www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=18920

 

 

Yes, I know its dated.  And it needs airbrakes. And it has neither ailerons or flaps.

 

But it is beautiful, and I know a certain someone who fancies a crack at building an e-powered version for our flat field.  I reckon 400 watts on 3 big cells.

 

But has anybody built one, and is there anything I should know about?

 

tim

Edited By Tim Hooper on 24/02/2010 20:38:18

[Pete B]

There's a thread here, Tim.

 

Pete

[Tim Hooper]

Thanks Pete!

 

Fascinating reading that!

Some excellent ideas there, ie., capping the spars with CF, and several ways of actuating the airbrakes (spoilers?).

.....and that cream/orange example looks great!

 

This model is set to be built by my better half, but i want to make it immune to wing-clap and and able to operate from our shortish field.

 

tim

[Pete B]

The only cure for wing-clap must be aerobatic antibiotics, surely?

 

Pete

Edited By Pete B on 25/02/2010 09:20:08

[Tim Hooper]

Posted by Pete B on 25/02/2010 09:19:00:

The only cure for wing-clap must be aerobatic antibiotics, surely?

 Brilliant! 

 

tim

[Alan Williams]

I have a artf dynaflight bird of time which is unmodified and flies great and thermals well.You will enjoy it.There is a big thread on RC groups.com by UP and Away.Alan Williams

 

[Andy Butler]

Tim,

 

I have a kit at home and I've only half built one wing - not sure I'll ever get round to finishing it - PM me if you're interested.

 

Andy

[Tim Hooper]

Thanks for the offer Andy, but I think we'll go for a new kit.  It's all part of the experience!

 

tim

[Phil Claridge]

to avoid wing clap use latex covering on wings

[David perry 1]

If it's beauty you're after have a look at the plan for Raydic G84.  A more beaitful glider you'll not find.  I sloped mine, then fitted leccy and it still looked and flew like the beauty she was.  I am often tempted to make another one, but so many projects.

 

David 

[Tim Hooper]

Got any pics David?

 

tim

[Tim Hooper]

One Bird of Time kit arrived this morning, courtesy of Sussex Model Centre.

 

tim

[Floaty Light]

I built a Bird of Time, by coincidence I also purchased my kit from Sussex Model Centre.

 

Took me ages to build it. And then; like an impatient idiot, I launched it in unsuitable conditions.

 

After leaving it for a few years, I started repairing it at the end of last year as I hated seeing it broken. Only need to re-apply covering now, but no time to do that or fly it as I'm up to my eyeballs with work

 

I made a few modifications to the design:

1. Wing joining method

2. Secure method to stop elevators falling off

3. A few other bits and pieces

 

PM me if you're interested in pictures.

 

 

 

[Floaty Light]

Forgot to mention, I used to have a copy of this.

 

http://www.payhost.net/modelling/acatalog/Mod_World_March_2000.html

 

There's an article on BoT electric conversion entitled: "ELECTRIFYING BIRD OF TIME - A part finished model converted for self launch capability"

 

There's also some good pictures of a conversion here.

 

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3111568/tm.htm

 

 

 

 

[Tim Hooper]

Thanks for the links!

 

It'll be a while before construction gets underway - there's a small backlog of projects to clear up first!

 

tim

[Tim Hooper]

Actually, progress has been remarkable steady since last we met.

 

Netty has tackled the airframe with her usual aplomb. We've worked out a sensible powertrain (Turnigy 35/48 1100Kv, 14x8 folder + 3S 4500 cell pack), added the workings for airbrakes, and it seems very good.

 

She's now reached the covering phase, and is enjoying her first foray into the wonderful world of Oracover!

 

tim

 

 

[Tim Hooper]

Looking pretty good, as the covering phase comes together.

 

tim

 

 

 

[simon burch]

Tim,

 

Really tempted by one of these. Not at the field for the next few weeks, any chance the BOT will be making an appearance ??. Some close up pic's of the conversion would ne good.

 

Is it a built up fuz on the kit version ??.

 

Cheers,

 

Simon

[Tim Hooper]

Hi Simon!

 

This is the full-fat all-balsa version - no glassfibre in sight!

 

 There's no end of BoT conversion threads in the Electric Sailplanes forum at RC Groups, although most seem to centre around the gf-fuselage'd version.

 

We're going to stuff 400-500 watts up it via a Turnigy 35-48 900Kv outrunner, 14x8 folder and 3S 4500 pack.

 

tim

[Tim Hooper]

Oooops!  Duplicate post.....

Edited By Tim Hooper on 21/06/2010 23:20:07

[simon burch]

Is the large pack for balance or so you can fly it all day ??. Didn't realise the kit was a balsa fuz, should make blending in the spinner a bit easier. Have looked at a few of the conversions which just looked plain ugly, couldn't live with that.

 

Might have to order one. Whens the test flight ??

[Tim Hooper]

Simon.,

 

We have packs ranging from 2500 to 4500 so hopefully we'll be able to select the pack to suit the required CG!

Gawd knows when the maiden will be;  I'm comng to the covering phase of another project, so I've hogged the building board for the last couple of nights so I can get it somewhere near done for this weekends RCM+E fly-in.

tim

[simon burch]

Been looking on the Giant Cod site, and they list a similar motor, so I assume it all fits in the nose okay?. Have you run that motor/prop set up before and have an idea of amp draw etc?

 

Can't make it to the fly in as I am at a wedding. Bit dissapointed, but I hope the weather holds.

 

Might be ordering at the weekend.

 

Cheers

 

Simon

[Tim Hooper]

Bit of a confession, I'm afraid.;-

 

I've just copied the set-up from a bloke on a forum who uses it in a another ten-foot glider......

 

tim

[Tim Hooper]

So today was the day!

 

With the BoT completed I grabbed a few pics.

 

There ain't a lot of room in there!  The front bay is filled by the motor and pack.  Next comes the 60A ESC and receiver, followed by the servos.

 

AUW is 67oz.

 

 

Netty had some rather slick graphics made to her specs by a local company.

 

And here's the builder herself....

 

Muggins here volunteered to undertake the maiden flight, so opted to launch the model over the rape crop that currently surrounds our strip.

 

So full throttle, and a good shove sees her away and climbing.

 

 

 

Then Netty and I swopped camera for Tx.

Conclusions?  Well, the day was far too windy to allow much in-depth analysis.  However, the model just wants to fly!  The all-flying elevator is very powerful (particularly under power), and needs to be tamed a little.  The rudder is as you'd expect - a bit soggy at low speeds, tightening up as airspeed increases.

 

The big surprise though is the effect of those little airbrakes.  Full application induces a pronounced pitch down, which needs a thumbful of 'up' to counteract.  I may reduce their throw a little in the future.

 

All in all, the model is going to be a delight to fly.  More to the point, Netty (having spent several months on the project) declares herself delighted with the finished model.  And that's really all that matters!

 

tim