Mike Smith Posted August 30, 2014 Author Share Posted August 30, 2014 I still have a bit more work to do with the Solartrim, but haven't quite made my mind up on the final design yet. I'm not going to be ready to maiden it tomorrow as I've still got the controls to connect up and set up yet. Hopefully I should be able to get it finished sometime next week... watch this space. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 And here she is in all her glory!! (well, I still need to set up the controls) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Spot the difference!!! On the left is my original build from 1989 and on the right is the new one. I never got to fly the original one but have higher hopes for this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 You should be very pleased with that Mike, superb job and the colour scheme looks factory done John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Banner Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Top notch, someone has been practising their covering since the 80's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Thanks guys... I always find the covering hard work, especially with those complex curves, but have to admit that it looks quite smart, in the photos at least (where you can't see all the wrinkles) Next up is the maiden which I'm a bit nervous about... I've never maidened a model before... I've always had someone more experienced do it for me, but am quite keen to do this for myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted September 2, 2014 Share Posted September 2, 2014 Can't fault you Mike, have someone accompany you maybe ? just to settle the nerves Good luck with the maiden John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Fledermaus Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Ok... the build is underway. I've scaled down the original plan to 80% which will give me a model that will comfortably fit in the car. The powertrain installation will be tight, but no worse than my Mini Panic. Mike How did you scale down the plan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 In essence Colin, nothing more complicated than measuring the key dimensions from the original plan, reducing them by 20% and re-drawing it onto a length of lining paper. However, as it was also an IC to electric conversion, I had to re-design the front end internals a bit (ie. bring the bulkhead forward and add a battery tray). Obviously it wasn't possible to reduce the material thicknesses by exactly 20% so most of the thinner materials remain as per original plan, but I was able to knock off the odd 1/16" or so from some of the thicker components to keep the weight in proportion. For the wing ribs, I scanned the relevant part of the original plan onto my PC, reduced it down in Photoshop and printed it out which worked pretty well. I found a nice piece of free CAD software from Siemens which I used to draw up and print out the formers, etc. but this could have just as easily been done the same way I did the main plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Everybody eventually gets to the point where they realise they should do their own test flight rather than relying on the club expert. I would offer a few suggestions for this:- 1. only do a test flight when conditions are ideal and preferably with no other models flying at the time. Let everyone know you are doing a test flight & ask your fellow fliers to stay grounded for the 5 minutes or so. 2. If the club expert offers to do the test flight say no I want to do this myself but please stand by to offer advice if needed. Have another pilot ( who flys the same mode ) to move the trims if required so you dont have to move your thumbs off the sticks. The other pilot should be someone you trust to give good advice if things get hectic or the plane goes too far away. 3. Have a couple of flights first that day on another model. 4. Obviously do all the usual preflight checks ( a written checklist may help) and ensure all the control surfaces look dead level ( Very important!) yet still have plenty of trim either way if needed. Make dead certain you have the right model memory selected if it's a non model match TX. 5. Enjoy it and steel yourself that if the worst happens maybe nobody else could have done better! 6. dont hesitate to call it all off if anything is not perfect or the weather deteriorates, but equally make sure you dont put it off unnecessarilly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Scaling plans up or down. I use a calculator with the scale factor put in as a constant ( varies but often pressing " x " twice does this ) so then all you do is put in the length and the new length is shown. Measuring in millimetres seems much easier even if you normally work in imperial. ( not many inch rulers have tenths all along, only just a small bit which suddenly changes to eighths or something which catches you out). Everything can be measured from a datum line. Any angles can be measured with a protractor or better with a carpenters bevel gauge or homemade equivalent. If using a drawing board & Tee square then its easier to use the tee sq from the top of the drawing board ( not the left side as normal) as almost all the important things are vertical ( formers etc) and very little is horizontal except the datum line. I always make a master wing rib outline ( including wing sheeting) from ply and all the drawings and rib shapes are done using this. Actual cutouts for wing in the balsa fuselage sides use this too. They are then all the same even if the outline is not quite the same as the original plan. Edited By kc on 03/09/2014 11:46:41 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Thanks for your advice on test flights kc. I'm not currently a club member, but have had great help with maidens from my LMS in the past. I did take the new model out this morning, but it was looking just a little too windy for my liking... it was definitely the right decision to abort as it's got windier and windier as the day has progressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 One thing I didn't mention was rate switches - good idea to have reduced aileron and elevator movements setting available if required. Especially for an untried design or size. ( some may suggest having greater movement available but I reckon reduced is more important to help tame an unruly model ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 I'm presuming that for a scaled down design it's just a case of reducing the default control throws by the same percentage? Eg. if the plan for the full size model calls for 1/2" deflection (12.5mm), then I just knock off 20% of this figure (12.5mm - 2.5mm = 10mm). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Fentiman Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Hi this looks an intresting build just wondered if you still had a copy of the plan converted to electric. Thanks Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 3, 2014 Author Share Posted September 3, 2014 Hi Gary, I don't currently have a comprehensive plan as such - just a working (outline) drawing which is now a little worse for wear, having been used for the build. I do have a few detail drawings (electronic format) of the internal formers and the tailplane which you are welcome to have and, if the plane flies ok, I intend to draw up a proper plan for reference, should I need to repair or build another. I'm going to try doing this electronically and produce a pdf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Fentiman Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Cheers for that if it does fly ok then I would be interested in a full set as it looks like a fun build for me and my son. thanks Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Banner Posted September 3, 2014 Share Posted September 3, 2014 Well, if you are amenable to distributing your drawings I would very much like a copy too mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 I'm happy to report that I maidened Ms Jax today and am really pleased with it. After six take-offs and the same number of landings, it's still in one piece!! It certainly has a "spritely" performance with the chosen power train. I will try to post a bit of video footage later... Gary / Jack, I'm working up a proper drawing and you're both welcome to a copy once I've finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Banner Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 That's great news mike! Always a great feeling to have a successful maiden, especially when you have made so many mods to a design. Hope you can put up a video and thanks very much for the offer of the plan. You sir are a gent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Good on yer Mike, feels good doing your own John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Fentiman Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 That's great news glad it all went well and after that news defo intrested in the plans, thanks Gary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 Here's some footage of the initial flights... unfortunately I had no one to operate the camera so it was just stuck on a mini tripod, pointing in the general direction (can't believe that there was nobody else at the park yesterday despite perfect conditions!). Hopefully it will give some idea of how the model flies... best viewed at 1080p and full screen if possible as the plane spends a fair bit of time in the distance. Hopefully I'll be able to get some better footage if I can grab a helper next time out. Edited By Mike Smith on 06/09/2014 09:40:31 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Congratulations Mike, a project you can be proud of. Nice colour scheme too, very smart. Motors a bit dunnit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Smith Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 Thanks Bob, yes it certainly shifts... I'm sure it'll fly a bit slower too, but I was caught up in the moment yesterday so didn't get round to trying anything too slow, just in case it dropped out of the sky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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