FMS ASK 23

[Jozef M]

I would not normaly open a thread about a foam ARTF plane, but I have done some browsing and discovered that there are some issues with those foamy chinese planes.

First thing was that people reported upthrust on FMS Fox glider. I have checked and indeed mine ASK23 had built-in quite noticeable upthrust. Also I found that these machines use plastic firewall. Upon this I committed to perform a surgery on my bird. I cut it open, and as reported elsewhere, the firewall was only glued to one side of the fuselage, so removing it was not that difficult.

After removal of the plastic thingy I found this: the motor was fixed by 3 screws which one of them was not even fitted through the reinforced area.

I have fabricated a new motor mount and binned an included plywood spacer or whatever it was.

I have used washers to provide for some down and side thrust:

I have changed evevator and rudder servos which presumably was not necessary.

Oh also as I watched some reviews they complained about an inefficient rudder, so I decided to cut all control surfaces out and used mylar hinges.

The fuselage was covered with model tissue paper and primed with PVA glue, sanded and sprayed white. I left control surfaces as they were and only sprayed them. I did not have enough motivation to cover the wings, so I coated them with several layers of thinned PVA and gave them several layers of spray paint.

Next thing was the canopy. I did not like a pilot and dashboard sticker and also found the battery compartment rather tight, so off he went to a bin [pilot].

THE FLIGHT:

To cut it short, the flight lasted approx 2,5 seconds. I opened throttle fully and threw it in [what I believe was] a slightly upward path. The plane started to bank to left immediately and by the time I had managed to grab a stick [mode 2] the banking angle was approx 45 grades. Full right stick did not have any effect and the plane was in no time kissing the ground. I just managed to cut the throttle. The left wing was in two pieces, two aileron hinges [I used 4 for each aileron] were thrown out of the wing with some foam, the fuselage was somehow damaged at the front from impact, but is not too bad. I have applied some epoxy to fill the creases, but have not sanded it yet.

The fuselage behind the canopy and tailplane were left intact. The spinner and folding prop completely destroyed. More interestingly a motorshaft broke off.

I have contacted the supplier for an advice as to the motor type and was offered a replacement for 39.90 plus postage 3. In pounds of sterling. Well here is the motor which I belive might be D4023-850 as some googling revealed. Could anybody advise me on shaft replacement? Hobbyking states that it has a 4 mm shaft. Now I am thinking can I just use a machine screw with its head chopped off??? Here is the crippled motor:

I am not sure why the plane has crashed. Perhaps the difference in wings lift was too greatt due to poor ailerons alignment? Albeit I did not notice any significant misalignment. Perhaps it just stalled? I regret that I have not made a video of this remarkable movement through air which I am reluctant to even call flight. Now as I am approaching the finish of fixative work I find myself less confident to launch it a second time!

Thank you for your attention.