Mark Elen Posted February 28, 2018 Author Share Posted February 28, 2018 Hi Gents, Thank you for your kind comments. (The only reason those leads are so neat, is because they were all cut to length and new connectors crimped on.) I got a little more done tonight. Port aileron hinged up and linkage done. I also got the little man glued in too😃 I glued the hinges I using superphatic and I've been deliberating about pinning them as 'belt and braces', but, tonight's ordeal has made me have a rethink. I mistakenly fitted the correct aileron, but 'upside down', fortunately, the superphatic had only had about 3 minutes to set. I had a proper job on getting it back out so it could go in correctly. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 1, 2018 Author Share Posted March 1, 2018 Hi all, Some more done tonight, got the starboard aileron hinged up and pushrod made and all linked up. Prop and spinner fitted. I also filed the flats on the main undercarriage legs for the grubscrews of the collets to seat on. Just the fairings for the undercarriage legs to make and the small 'anti-rotation' devices to make and solder on and the windscreen to make and fit. Nearly there... Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 looking very smart Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 Thanks Nigel👍 I had today off work, so got the undercarriage done The only thing left now is the windscreen. I'm awaiting a delivery of acetate for this. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martyn K Posted March 2, 2018 Share Posted March 2, 2018 That looks lovely. What transparent covering material have you used Mark? Martyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 2, 2018 Author Share Posted March 2, 2018 Hi Martyn, Many thanks. It's Transparent Blue Oracover. It's got a metallic sheen when it's on the roll and I enjoyed working with it. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 7, 2018 Author Share Posted March 7, 2018 Hi all, That's it, I'm going to call this finished, I made up the windscreen and it is fitted Battery is charged and I have the day off on Friday, hoping for good weather and hopefully its maiden time. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 I will look forward to hearing about the maiden flights Friday is looking pretty good in Suffolk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 Good luck with your maiden, Mark. Don't forget to show us some pics... Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted March 8, 2018 Share Posted March 8, 2018 A very sharp looking plane Matey. Well done. Good luck with the first flight. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 Thanks Gents👍 I am pleased to say that the Ballerina flew on Friday. It was a bit of a handful to start off with, but mostly that was my own doing. The first mistake I made was programming the throttle at the field, because the carb is upside down and you can't see the opening, I left that so that it could be done with the engine running. I ended up with hardly any movement at the low end of the stick and pretty much full throttle at anything over half stick. This was caused by my programming the tanaris in mixer, adjusting the weight and offset. The second thing that caught me out was how much power the Saito gives, I was using the prop recommended for running in and general sport flying (a 10 X 7) The field is grass and it was pretty wet on Friday, so much so, that when I flew the RM trainer first, it took a lot more of the field up before it got airborne. Not so the Ballerina. It was off in just a few metres. It needed a lot of up trim and a few clicks of right and once that was sorted, apart from the throttle issue, I was pleased with its performance. Unfortunately no flying pics, but here she is ready to go Back home and over the weekend, I have pretty much cleaned up my programming, taken all of the stuff out of the mixer and programmed it back up in the outputs, I've adjusted all of the pushrods to take out the trim and sorted the throttle, it is now how it should be. Looking forward to next time. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Very happy for you and Ballerina Glad you had a successful if stresseful test session Peter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 Hi Peter, The stress was all of my own making. I'm still working away on the bathroom at home and so haven't had as much time as I would have liked to thoroughly set the Ballerina up. Hopefully, next time will be a little less stressful. Here's a pic of bathroom progress Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 I can understand the stress. Itis no fun with any kind of stress. The bathroom looks great and as I am sure that your workmanship will be as perfect as Ballerina it will be something to be proud of. Anyway.Now that you have sorted ballerinas settings you will be able tg enjoy it next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Congratulations Mark, like your bathroom as well. Why is it your pictures right way up though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted March 11, 2018 Share Posted March 11, 2018 Congrats on the maiden, Mark. And indeed the following flight should be a lot less stressful. Really like your bathroom colour choices. In fact they're totally in accordance with the one I designed for Iris' apartment some time back. Black & white and some grey shades in between. Well done, young man. Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 Thanks Guys👍 I think I may have sorted the photo issue I have been having. I'm using an iPhone and uploading the photos straight off it, it seems that if the photo is shot in portrait, the forum rotates it, but if it is shot landscape, it orientates correctly. I need to do some more testing to prove this theory. 😂 Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 11, 2018 Author Share Posted March 11, 2018 Yup, that is definitely the case. Next plan on the bench, Shot Portrait Shot Landscape Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McG 6969 Posted March 12, 2018 Share Posted March 12, 2018 "Next plan on the bench", Mark. Already? Don't forget about the Fury Classroom... Cheers Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 12, 2018 Author Share Posted March 12, 2018 Hi Chris, I've not forgotten buddy, this is going to be a 'quick build' just to keep my hand in until October 😂 Now... Where is that toothpick? 😁 Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hi all, Managed to get a couple of hours at the field this afternoon and apart from it being a bit waterlogged, I flew the Ballerina 3 times. Wow, what a difference. A much more pleasant experience. Many thanks once again Peter, it's a beautiful design you have given us. I will try and get some flying photos in the near future. Cheers Mark Edited By Mark Elen on 13/03/2018 17:39:25 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Excellent. The "second maiden" is usually easier going than the first I like your minimal IC toolbox. Nothing going for a free ride in there! I imagine you are a bit like me, if a problem occurs at the field, you go home to fix it, rather than packing a stack of tools and glues and whatnot to try and effect a field repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Elen Posted March 13, 2018 Author Share Posted March 13, 2018 Hi Nigel, Yes, I find that if it can't be fixed with a small screwdriver at the field, then it's much easier at home in the dry and warm. I don't take any hex keys with me on purpose, so if it needs the engine removing or servos out, I can't do it at the field. That field box is great, it's about 20 years old now, I bought it at the Sandown show. Everything clips in its place, so apart from the tacho and chicken stick, as long as everything goes back in after charging, there is nothing to forget. When I got home today, I adjusted all of the trim out, so we are onto maiden 3 next time. Cheers Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted March 13, 2018 Share Posted March 13, 2018 Great!! Glad that you now have her sorted and enjoyed those latest flights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.