Colin Leighfield Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 You won't see the wheels when they're up and most people won't notice anyway! I'm used to having projects that take a long time, so by my standards this one is a quick developer! Really interesting and worth doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted April 16, 2017 Author Share Posted April 16, 2017 You are right Colin and they will be much more practical. I have also changed the actual nose leg to one with a spring in it which should help. I know that there has been a bit of a delay on this one but now that all my other projects are finished, I am hoping to make more progress now. She looked good on the move I must say and has reinvigorated me somewhat! I cant promise I wont get sidetracked again though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted April 16, 2017 Author Share Posted April 16, 2017 I was very tempted on one of the fast taxi runs to open the throttle fully and squeeze on some up elevator! I had to remind myself that she is not really in a condition to fly yet! No flaps, wing tips, windscreen, cowls and hatches to cover the esc,s yet fitted, but it was sooooo tempting lol. Edited By Cliff Bastow on 16/04/2017 20:48:16 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted April 16, 2017 Share Posted April 16, 2017 All we need now is for someone to do that De Havilland Albatross, a better man than me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 Hi all, Well I have had a couple of days holiday from work, no work to do about the house and blowing a gale outside, so I decided its about time I did some work on Connie. The wingtips and tip tanks have been added and I have started the brown paper covering on the wings, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu knowles Posted June 8, 2017 Share Posted June 8, 2017 First look back at this thread for quite a while, It's looking really good! Looking back to your post of 16/4, If t'were mine, I'd put gaffer tape over the hatches, cockpit and flap aperture and go test fly now. It means any mods necessary can be done before you do the finish and gives you a real boost in confidence to get it done and finished. Whatever you decide, some lovely building there, - congratulations, stu k Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted June 8, 2017 Author Share Posted June 8, 2017 Not a bad idea Stu, I usually test fly once the brown paper is done anyway. Then if there are any mishaps or alterations there is not so much work to be disturbed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted June 21, 2017 Author Share Posted June 21, 2017 Hi all, Well I went flying today and arrived to find the field empty! I put Connie together with the idea of some taxi tests. I was shortly joined by another member, none other than Lord of Scale John Carpenter. He watched me taxi about including one high speed run. She tracked straight and got up a good speed. It looked as if she wanted to fly! John looked here over and announced "she should fly but its up to you" well that was a red rag, so I gave myself plenty of run up and opened the taps. I could see she got up a good speed and was getting light on her wheels so I eased in some up elevator and up she came! She climbed gently and straight so it all started well. Then I fed in left aileron and nothing! At full deflection she slowly started to turn. John said use some rudder so I fed some in and round she came really sharply! she seemed to be well trimmed and cg pretty good but practically no aileron response but very twitchy on rudder. I managed 3/4 of a reasonable circuit but allowed her to get a bit far away, panicked and fed in too much rudder, she dropped a wing sharply and came down fast! I managed to get some control back just before she disappeared from view behind some crops and shut the throttle and got her level! Once we found her in the thick crops the damage was not as bad as feared. Mostly damage to the nose and a wing tank ripped off! So conclusions? Plenty of power, well trimmed, little aileron response and very responsive to rudders. Strangely I am encouraged despite the crash. I should perhaps have expected the lack of aileron response with the small ailerons and the amount of dihedral and also the rudder effect with again the dihedral and three rudders, two in the prop wash. I think next time maybe a little rudder mixed in with the ailerons and maybe some aileron differential may help. Edited By Cliff Bastow on 21/06/2017 21:15:00 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Hi Cliff, A good recovery from what you say especially when out of view as well. Could have been a lot worse, nice to get the maiden over with. Should not take too long to repair her looking at the photos and give her a nice colour scheme. You have done an excellent job of her especially with so much info missing from the plans at the start, this partially put me off building one myself from the same plans. All the best with the repairs Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Better luck next time Cliff, you'll get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 A lucky escape Cliff, at least you will have a better idea what to expect next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 Thanks all for the kind words. Strangely despite the crash I am quite encouraged. She flew well and crash was more down to me than the model. Repairs are well on the way, the pieces smashed off the nose were not to bad when I got home and inspected them more closely. just two major bits and easily glued back together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted July 3, 2017 Author Share Posted July 3, 2017 Repairs to the fuselage are well on the way. Plenty of filler and sanding needed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted July 5, 2017 Author Share Posted July 5, 2017 Doing a little bit of sanding tonight. I realised looking in the hatch area that the battery tray has been torn loose in the crash so a bit more work to do! Never mind its better than watching endless repeats on telly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 Well after a bit of a break to re-enthuse me I have returned to work on connie. Here are a couple of pics showing progress to date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted November 9, 2017 Author Share Posted November 9, 2017 I have made the 4 hatches for the esc and started rough shaping and sanding. And also I have started the first cowl front and rough shaped the top and bottom air scoops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted February 4, 2018 Author Share Posted February 4, 2018 With work completed on my HE111 until the spares become available I have returned to Connie. The first of the cowls and air scoops covered in brown paper. Once this has dried a light sanding will be needed before paint. just three more to make now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted February 26, 2018 Author Share Posted February 26, 2018 I have finally started to add some colour to the fuselage, I have decided on a Quantas livery. I really need a bigger workshop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Etheridge 1 Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 I have just looked at this blog for the first time in a long while and I must admit it looks an impressive build and I can just imagine the feelings after the first flight so I thought the attached song might be appropriate ?: https://youtu.be/t1AHaCe5m2M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu knowles Posted February 26, 2018 Share Posted February 26, 2018 A great build, it will fly as good as it looks, brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Hi Cliff, Looking really great now in the colour scheme. You have done a fantastic job of her. Regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 Thanks all for the kind words, she is a bit rougher in some places than I would like but still pleased with her so far, I have added the white line between the red and silver with lining tape on one side and started on the windows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Looking really Great Cliff, a bit of a hiccup with the maiden but at least you got that out of the way before adding all that detail and paint, which looks superb by the way. An inspiration to all who read your Blog Mate. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Leighfield Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 It wasn’t too much for you, was it Cliff? A cautious approach to the “second maiden” and you’ll be in business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denis Watkins Posted February 28, 2018 Share Posted February 28, 2018 Cliff, you are to be congratulated on this one, a truely fine model. In " imperial " non digital, old man language, Connie has a big body, three huge rudders, two tiny ailerons On a narrow chord wing And four powerful motors pulling her in a straight line? And your frightening conclusion that she was slow to turn, and rudder was twitchy Adding it all up, Connie has more holding her in a straight line, 4 motors, 3 rudders, and a big belly Than the two tiny ailerons that she has to turn her. My next move would be to halve the rudder movement, and mix in 50%rudder with aileron. Can't wait for the next installment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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