Stevan Wilson Posted July 6, 2008 Author Share Posted July 6, 2008 After reading Kelvins blog about the launch holes breaking, I have decided to do a quick modification to my model to distribute the pressure when being held.2 bits of Plywood cut to size.Plywood stuck into the gaps and it is still big enough to fit my fingers in.The trusty Revell ME-109 colour to make them less obvious.As Gordon Ramsey would say,DONE.I know it is not perfect but at least it should lengthen the life time of the balsa wood behind them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted July 6, 2008 Share Posted July 6, 2008 Should do nicely Stevan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 7, 2008 Author Share Posted July 7, 2008 I got a new servo today, but have had a very stressful day at work so I am going out with my Spitfire tonight to relax. I went out with my Trojan last night in 20mph+ wind, a bit hairy but all came home safe and sound, luck more than judgement I think!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 8, 2008 Author Share Posted July 8, 2008 Tonight I have completed the model and tested everything to the max. I have replaced the servo in the wing and connected the Y connector to drive them.The wings are attached to the fuselage and angles are checked to ensure they are o.k.A little modification to the battery connectors to keep them in the right place.The radiators on the bottom of the wing are fixed in place using the superglue.The completed picture of the model from 2 elevations.And finally the battery has to sit as far forward as it can go and is a snug fit, although the picture does not show it I have nicked a Velcro strap of my Spitfire spare crash box and screwed this in place to hold the battery still.Well hopefully tomorrow I will be up, up and away, or down and out, I will try and get some pictures and if everything goes well I will get some video at the weekend!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Well done Stevan - that's a big heavy battery so please make sure it's secure. I pop a cable tie around my batteries just to be on the safe side as velcro can sometimes fail when the model is inverted etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 Good point I will do that on the maiden voyage. Just a quick question what are the usual failures that arise on maiden voyages are there any things I need to look out for and potential problems that many people face??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 That's a short question to which books have been written in reply.important points are - 1. Getting the CG correct, a good range test, re-check control throws and make sure they're going the right way - don't be too embarrassed to get someone to double check everything 2. Model true and square, battery secure and charged, power system tested 3. Get a decent launcher to launch the model for you4. First priority is to get the model up to a safe height, throttle back and trim her out. Test the stall. 5. Don't try anything silly on the first flight, use the time to get to know the model, extreme aeros can come later. 6. Check her over thoroughly back on the ground - linkages, battery, servos, structural integrity etc.. Progressively explore the models capability over successive proving flights ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchweight Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 The one thing I always do, is keep it short and sweet. Fly a few circuits and maybe a few simple aeros, then land. Afterwards, check her over thoroughly, inside and out. I did with my Rip Spit and I was glad I did as the ESC ribbon cable had chaffed through the outer on the signal wire and was slowly working through the metal inner. A few more minutes and it could have been nasty! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 Thanks for the advice, silly question but if the COG is wrong what will be the characteristics in flihgt apart from the obvious!!!!!!!! Complete destruction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Most models should be ok within a cm or two of the recomended point but.....too far back and the model will become far more sensitive on elevator and far more inclined to tip-stall, in a bad case the model will be all over the place and uncontrollable. Up to a point, some 3D pilots like this and will get the CG back as far as they dare. A little forward of the suggested point is often what flyers intentionally start with just as a precaution - I've never flown a model with excessive forward CG so I'd be interested to know how it feels. I guess you'd have trouble keeping the nose up? It's interesting to see just how changing the CG can affect a model. Take a model you know well and progressively move the CG back over successive flights - see how the flight characteristics can change! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 9, 2008 Author Share Posted July 9, 2008 Thank you David, I will give it a try tonight and see what happens. Is there anybody out there that can stop the rain, if you can, can you give me tonights lottery numbers as well!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Ok Sevan, good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 There is a saying around, goes something like this.......Nose heavy - flys badly , Tail heavy - flys once ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Posted July 9, 2008 Share Posted July 9, 2008 Nice job Stevan, look forward to your maiden flight . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 Well I have finaaly checked the COG and it is perfectly balanced, the wind is a bit strong at the moment but hopefully it will calm down later and I will go for it. I almost scrapped my project and decided to built a boat instead after all the rain, now, no rain, lots of wind, the British weather is so frustrating!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 Complete disaster, the plane took off fine, gained height, seemed perfectly balanced and then the tail kept dropping and it was gaining height, I tried to counteract it with the elevator and I could not turn it towards me, it kept going and going and going, it kept gaining height and the tail dropped and I've Lost it. It is in the middle of a field somewhere along way away and I am gutted, I wouldlike to find the pieces just to recover the expensive bits inside. I will be out again tomorrow night looking for it!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Oh that's a bummer Stevan! Sounds for all the world like tail heavy to me - I take it you throttled right back? - in which case it should have lost height?I hate to say this...but your battery will likely be goosed as well, unless by chance it came disconnected in the "arrival" . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 I cannot find anything, it has gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 I am really sorry to read what happened Stevan The Ripmax Me109 is designed to fly with a brushed motor set up,a lot heavier than brushless. Both my Spit and 109 needed a bit of lead to get the CoG in the right place.They are very tricky to fly with a rearward CoG , I know it happened to me with the Spitfire when I upgraded to brushless from brushed and forgot to check the CoG . . Timbo is right you need to reduce the throttle to get the nose down, my Spit needed a whole lot of down trim to get it to fly level on half throttle,even so it still wanted to climb when the throttle was opened up further, it was very unstable.Your better than me at launching the 109 at least you got it in the air, I've dumped mine twice trying to hand launch it.I hope you find it Stevan and in good condition.Kelvin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winchweight Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Its possible that the battery slipped aft during the flight. I have shortened my motor mount because of the brushless setup, and after my mmaiden I had to open up the fuselage to get the lipo right up tight against the back of the motor mount firewall. Even then it's still a little taily. Hope you recover the costly bits. Don't get disheartened, stick another one together and try again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 13, 2008 Author Share Posted July 13, 2008 i have spent 13 hours looking for it now, it is in Norton somewhere I think it will be another victim of a combine harvester, the saving up has already started and I will make my own plane, thank you all for your encouragement, my next one will be something sensible, I can fly But these things happen, any ideas, it has to be something that is hand launched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Stevan, a bit late I know, but I was sorry to see what happened. Are you still flying the Trojan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevan Wilson Posted July 14, 2008 Author Share Posted July 14, 2008 oh yes, the Spitfire and the Trojan are in almost daily use, I couldn't do without my "Fix" each day, I still walk over the fields every night looking, at least it gives me a good deal of exercise!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Fly away models often travel further than you'd think, have you gone out far enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kessock-Philip Posted July 14, 2008 Share Posted July 14, 2008 Hi Stevan,Sorry to read about the BF109.Have you thought of putting a Flycamone on you spit or trojan, that way you may be able to see it and get an idea of where it is if you fly aset pattern, it has workd for others doing this an may well b worth a go.Cheers.MarkKessock Models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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