Bringing an acro wot out of retirement

[.]

Just finished removing covering from the fuselage, and have removed the control surfaces so there is no going back now

[Stephen Grigg]

Oh dear good luck,this is a superb model and worth the effort.

[.]

Well im moving on now got all the last few bits on the fuselage i have just hit a problem with the ailerons,

The control rod is epoxed into the ailerons, and i trying to think of a way to remove them without destroying them and the trailing edge of the wing

One option is i make new ailerons, only problem being i dont have the old plan, but im pretty sure i could make some from the existing ones.

What im after is a nice piece of wizzardry that softens epoxy so i can get them out lol

Any ideas? or is it best making new ailerons?

Cheers

[ken anderson.]

hello craig-just cut through the aileron hinges that are on the model...flush them off and recover them and re-fit with new hinges........save making new one's etc...

ken anderson ne....1 .....flush dept.

[.]

Its not the hinges i am worried about its the steel control rod that inserts into the aileron thats the problem

[ken anderson.]

ok - got that craig....plan b.....still take off the airleron's.....dremel through the control rod-both ends and re-furb the ailerons and re-fit as mentioned-with the new individual servo's in each wing half...

ken anderson ne....1......plan B dept....

[Bob Cotsford]

or cut through the fixed trailing edge above the rods so that you can lift them out intact - I'm still using torque rods on a couple of models without problems.

[Tim Cheal]

Craig

I had the same issue with the torque rods. Once you have cleaned off the covering you will find the wood has an inserted strip of a different colour. By cutting this out with a Stanley knife, (a thin dremel tool would work great as well) I was able to lift the torque rod form the servo link end to repair. I was able to remove them from the ailerons then without terminal damage so I could use the same aileron again. The torque rods travel through plastic tubing and in my case it was all rusted up, so the whole assembly was turning in the wood when the ailerons moved. By careful manipulation I was able to free it all up and use the same torque rod and assembly. I then replaced the wood I had removed with a strip of balsa and covered over.

As for slow speed flight as discussed in my original post here, and the responses, my Acrowot does not drop a wing either, but getting it slow enough consistently to land at my club was difficult. Hence the flaps, which are used for drag, not lift, which means I can approach steeper (there are lots of trees around my flying site!) It also lands slower, which has helped on those rare calm wind days.

I covered mine with the control surfaces still attached. This proved fine with the elevator and rudder, but the ailerons were really tricky and on one flight there was an awful noise then suddenly a piece of Oracover departed the model; I had lost one of the aileron coverings in flight. So I think your plan is best.

Good luck with the refurb.....

I have some pictures, but they are on the other computer, so I'll add them later.

Tim

[.]

Thanks for the advice Tim i will have ago today and see what happens,

So the different coloured wood was in the aileron or the trailing edge/centre of wing?

[Tim Cheal]

There was a thin line of different coloured wood above where the torque rod lies, so in the centre section of the wing from where the torque rod disappears at the servo end to the inboard end of the aileron.

Hope that helps.

Tim

[Tim Cheal]

Craig

Hopefully this picture will help:

And here is my recovered model (just washed, so those are soap bubbles!)

Tim

 

 

Edited By Tim Cheal on 15/09/2013 11:42:58

[.]

Looks good tim, i have ordered some Solartex this morning,

So im just about to crack on and remove the covering from the wing then tackle these ailerons and control arms

Wish me luck haha, i will get some photos

[David Davis]

Posted by Stephen Grigg on 13/09/2013 09:08:51:

Or give it a good scrub and just fly it haha

That's what I would have done.

[.]

I may have a problem i am struggling to think how i can remove the ailerons and the control rod, as you can see in the photos i used the epoxy bandage around the trailing edge, one of the rods needs freeing up any way as it has gone stiff.

Also looks like there has been some water lying under the covering, will have to tart that up

Will keep you posted

[Bob Cotsford]

Just cut through the bandage and wood above the torque rod, then when you put it back together fill the gap with a strip of balsa, sand flush and add a patch of covering. Did you say you were covering it in Solartex? Mine has been film covered for the last thirty-ish years and has only needed a full refurb once in that time. Although it will add strength Tex may be a bit of overkill, it's a tough airframe as it is.

[.]

Yeah i have gone with solar tex, as my covereing skills arent the best

Edited By CraigB on 18/09/2013 11:00:57