Jamara Bonanza

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

a few notes and comments as I go along

 

photos to follow

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

nice wood

no undercart

 

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

 

I hunted for 20 mins for these parts, notice how they are significantly different from the manual. There is no plan (not even pdf on the supplied CD rom)

 

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

It's as if someone has cut the parts for me then handed them over but with not plan, just a sketch on a napkin.

 

This is not horrendus, but if you were a first time builder I think you would struggle

Compare this to an american kit (sig or stevens aeros from my experience) where you get a full size plan, a very thorough photo build guide and clearly identified parts.

 

This is challenging, and only a little frustrating.

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

 

Coming along (getting cold here in the shed) I'm using pva and cyano with kicker to tack parts. Components are accurately cut and jig together nicely. Better than I can cut anyway

[David Ashby - Moderator]

Seems like the instruction/plan deficiency might be common across the range then rA?

[Tim Hooper]

Not including a plan could be done for a variey of reasons I suppose, the chief one of which must be to save money  in materials and packaging.

 

Seems a shame really.

 

tim

[Sheldon Holy]

The Evolution, i think it is, funfly model is a very accurate kit that does not come with a plan as the parts are so accurately cut that it does not require it for good alignment. A plan is always helpful, but i'm imagining that this model goed by the same thing...

 

Sheldon

[David Ashby - Moderator]

The Fusion perhaps? Very true Sheldon, laser cutting means you've just got to meaure and build straight.

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Lack of plan is not a big issue if the components are identified and referenced by the build manual. Sadly niether plan or references are included in this kit (no identification on the parts themselves). I have enough experience to fill in the gaps, but I'm kind of waiting to make a mistake. E.g. Manual says add the triangle stock to the rear. The photo is useless and there is no triangle stock supplied, so I'm going to skip the step and retro fit once I know where it's going. At least with a plan or a more complete exploded diagram I wouldn't be working in the dark. These are minor niggles, it's going together very nicely and it's great to be building something Pat

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Okay, I've found a real discrepency. Manual refers to components for fixed under carriage, but no piano wire and no plan for length and angles. Ply components for mounting are included though. I'll email Jamara and see what they can come up with.

[Sheldon Holy]

Thats it, the Fusion...

[Sheldon Holy]

Ooopsadaisy. Double post. Mr. Ashby - how does this happen?

Double posts, that is.

Edited By Sheldon Holy on 02/04/2010 20:45:55

[shambala]

I bought my kit in germany. there was an option for a printed plan , costs 5 bucks.

but on my cd there was a PDF with the same plan. So who needs a "real plan" ?

http://213.23.113.132/xtCommerce_3.0.3/media/content/Bonanza.zip is the link to the same file.

To print the file i used the "tiled" function and got a lot of paper out of my printer and glued it together.

I also think these kits are not for build rookies. I am glad to have enough expirence in building kits.

I found this build threat in a german forum   http://www.rc-network.de/forum/showthread.php?t=92261

 

not sure to use these retracts http://rc-castle.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=117&products_id=738

with 3 servos

 

or these http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8346

with 2 servos

 

both including wheels and struts.

 

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Rc castle units look just the job, I've got a pair of mains on order from brc if I can mod one for nose wheel I'll get another pair. If not definately worth looking at rc castle. Fancy sharing the postage?

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Also had an email from jamara promising a plan to make up fixed undercart, I'll share as soon as I get it. They suggested 4mm wire, now is it me or is 4mm a bit massive. They also recommend 55mm main wheels if operating off grass.

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

http://aas.squarespace.com/storage/airplanes/74%20V35D%20N61JL%20002.jpg found my colour scheme p.s. Where is the post tool bar on this forum when using an iPhone?

Edited By rActive on 06/04/2010 22:59:46

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Got the diagram from Jamara (very helpful and responsive) fixed gear is to be made from 3mm wire and simply follows the contors of the ply pieces included in the kit. 45mm nose and 55mm foam main wheels for grass. Brc have retracts and motor esc combo on their way to me. I'm going with turnigy tg9s all round for servos.

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Sorry, been busy. Wings are built, just need to skin the bottoms once I've decided on landing gear. Probably going to go fixed to start with. BRC sent me a nice motor - A2217-8T and a 45amp ESC with 5amp u-bec which will operate well within their ratings will run them up on the watt meter soon and let you know the draw. Going with Turnigy TG9s all round, 2 for the v tail, 2 for ailerons and 1 for flaps. My initial frustration with lack of plan has turned out to be unfounded as to be honest it's all very straight forward. More photos soon

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

I will pull my finger out and post some photos soon. I've decided to go without flaps, by joining them to the ailerons to make a strip. I fitted Castle creations retract set using 2 servos. Just got to work out how to get the nose wheel to steer or lock it.

[Sheldon Holy]

More piccies!

I'm going to the toy shop to pick up the Jamara Pitts, looks like a nice model.

Gonna overpower it with the 2814 from BRC. 300 watts, should have over a 2:1 thrust ratio...

Sheldon

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

lots done, lots still to do.

Got to secure the nose gear servo properly and fix the steerable wheel

unless I add yet another servo. Not really viable to run a snake from one of the rear v tail servos all the way to the nose wheel.

 

I must say from my initial reservations about the kit, this has gone together very well. The laser cut parts, once identified, fit very accurately.

 

I'm at the stage where my building slows right down as I fit the radio and make the linkages.

 

As posted elsewhere, I have to test potential current of all the servos to make sure I'm within the 3amp constant limit of my linear bec.

 

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Sheldon, did you pick up the pitts? what's it like? I must say I'm very tempted myself

[Sheldon Holy]

Hi,

 

Got the kit, no plan on mine either. I see why it doesn't have one-all the parts are so accurately cut. I'll start a build blog this evening. It is a very nice kit, for sure. They are very intricate to build.

 

Sheldon

[Pat (rActive) Harbord]

Finally nearing completion! What have I been doing all summer?

Oh yes ... flying ...

 

All up weight is 800g (spot on) although I've gone with fixed undercart to achieve this. This also saved me 3 servos. (1 each on retracting main and nose, plus 1 more for nose wheel steering) A good thing as it was getting very fiddly getting it all linked up and working.

 

A few photos of the build can be found below. I have one outstanding query re c/g, manual says 62mm - 65mm from leading edge. I need to know if this is measured at the root (which looks very forward) or from the kink in the leading edge which puts it behind the main spar.

 

Anyone know where I can get a nice lightweight spinner? motor shaft is 3.5mm and 42-45mm would look great.

 

Maiden will be on the next calm day