Tim Hooper Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 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? timEdited By Tim Hooper on 24/02/2010 20:38:18 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 There's a thread here, Tim. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 The only cure for wing-clap must be aerobatic antibiotics, surely? Pete Edited By Pete B on 25/02/2010 09:20:08 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Posted by Pete B on 25/02/2010 09:19:00:The only cure for wing-clap must be aerobatic antibiotics, surely? Brilliant! tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Williams Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Butler Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted February 25, 2010 Author Share Posted February 25, 2010 Thanks for the offer Andy, but I think we'll go for a new kit. It's all part of the experience! tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Claridge Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 to avoid wing clap use latex covering on wings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David perry 1 Posted February 26, 2010 Share Posted February 26, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted February 27, 2010 Author Share Posted February 27, 2010 Got any pics David? tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted March 4, 2010 Author Share Posted March 4, 2010 One Bird of Time kit arrived this morning, courtesy of Sussex Model Centre. tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floaty Light Posted March 9, 2010 Share Posted March 9, 2010 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floaty Light Posted March 11, 2010 Share Posted March 11, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted March 11, 2010 Author Share Posted March 11, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted June 13, 2010 Author Share Posted June 13, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted June 20, 2010 Author Share Posted June 20, 2010 Looking pretty good, as the covering phase comes together. tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon burch Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted June 21, 2010 Author Share Posted June 21, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted June 21, 2010 Author Share Posted June 21, 2010 Oooops! Duplicate post..... Edited By Tim Hooper on 21/06/2010 23:20:07 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon burch Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 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 ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted June 22, 2010 Author Share Posted June 22, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon burch Posted June 22, 2010 Share Posted June 22, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted July 10, 2010 Author Share Posted July 10, 2010 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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