David Rivers Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I am building a Flair legionnaire. Can anyone suggest options for covering, please. I have Solartex in mind, but wonder if there are any alternatives. Also where would I look for colour schemes. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Solartex looks good on that type of model, google Nieuport 17 and you'll find plenty colour schemes David. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 The Legionnaire builds into a nice model that flies well but is as easy to hold in a straight line on the ground as a nervous cobra grasped by the tail. Unless you have the left thumb dexterity (assuming proper mode 2) of a concert pianist and reactions of that nervous cobra, you might consider fitting a gyro on the rudder... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Posted by Martin Harris on 25/01/2016 15:54:34: The Legionnaire builds into a nice model that flies well but is as easy to hold in a straight line on the ground as a nervous cobra grasped by the tail. Unless you have the left thumb dexterity (assuming proper mode 2) of a concert pianist and reactions of that nervous cobra, you might consider fitting a gyro on the rudder... Agreed a very good description . I have heard of fixing the wheels to the axle so they turn together helps take offs . I thinks its the small rudder thats hidden behind the big fuz with little air flow that causes the problem . Once up to flying speed they are fine . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 My model is much improved after i fitted a sprung u/c but it is still very twitchy on the ground. I have not fitted a gyro as i feel it goes against the whole point of the model and while twitchy its far from impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I never did any mods to mine, I found the trick was to build take off speed steadily, and if it go's pear shaped STOP and start again, keeps you on your toes though John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Parker Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Hi David, I've used Solartex on both my Magnatila and Puppeteer and found it can be painted quite readily. regards Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Solartex on mine. I also use a gyro on the rudder. The silver I used "bruised" very easily, so go easy on the iron. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engine Doctor Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I covered my legionnaire with silver Solatex back in the late eighties , horrible heavy stuff. I still have a part roll of it in my box of covering stuff and it can only be described as feeling like thine lino . For some reason its not like normal tex but more like the ready painted Glosstex I think a far better and lighter finish would be to use antique solartex and spray it silver with solarlac or suitable fuel proof paint. JMO , possibly had a duff batch but never used it since Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 In my opinion, along with the Dr1, the best looking of the Flair Scouts in the air, the model has such a lot of character. I had one for a while that was loaned to me my a friend as he had such trouble with it. Ground handing was the main issue and even after all the usual tweaks and fudges and utmost care on the rudder, it was always a lottery as to whether it'd ground loop. I'm sure a gyro would have helped but my friend was afraid of the model and its wayward ground antics and lost confidence in it - a real pity so he sold it on - I wish I'd bought it from him now. FWIW, keep the weight down at all costs, particularly at the back and watch for warps developing in the lower wing. I also recall a fair amount of adverse yaw from the not overly effective ailerons, so rudder was always needed to give nice turns (once up and away, it would fly quite happily on RE only!). I think Solartex is too heavy for this model, others might disagree - perhaps fibafilm and a light paint finish? Edited By Cuban8 on 26/01/2016 12:50:03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Crook Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I can remember using silver Solartex that "bruised", but I'm pretty sure I've used some since that was ok - perhaps they improved it? Had a Legionnaire many years ago and can't remember ground handling problems (rose-tinted memories?). However I do remember that it needed rudder with the aileron to turn nicely, which is expected for this type of model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Wolf Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Mines covered in silver solartex, as mention above does tend to bruise, however this adds little to general used look rather than showroom pristine look. Would not worry about weight of solar covering, flies just great with OS 40 4c, also glides very well. Take offs do require a little care but no need for gyro, it did not like rolling to the left at all. But during trimming flights it was found that it needed quite a bit of side thrust, this helped with the roll and I'm sure it as also helped with take offs. Did not have any enthusiasm for the model as initially did not like the look of it. However when I got offered the kit for £30 I couldn't turn it down. Since finishing and flying it, it has got to be the model that I most enjoy flying, tends to get noticed possibly due to not being an ARTF? SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I used silver solartex on mine and echo the comments above. Its nowhere near as easy to use as the other colours but looks great when finished. Wolf, its funny you say your model didnt like to roll left. Mine has a saito 45 up front and it does not like to roll right. left is fine, but right it is not happy! Mine also glides like a brick which is weird as it is not heavy at all. In fact its well under the weight listed on the box and has no lead in it at all. I have added a good amount of right thrust as well which helped no end with all round performance. Anyway, despite being tricky to fly well its a brilliant model and very satisfying to fly once you get your head around its quirks. Edited By Jon Harper - Laser Engines on 26/01/2016 13:41:56 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rivers Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 Thanks for all the comments. I will go for silver solartex and try and keep it light. I have an OS FS48 for the plane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 The OS48 will monster it. Use a big low pitch prop, something like a 13x5 and i am sure it will be great. If you dont fancy silver there are always some other paint jobs you try http://img.wp.scn.ru/camms/ar/113/pics/21_3_b3.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J D 8 Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Most aircraft of this time had some quirks both in the air and on the ground and for their pilots a good aircraft rigger was worth his weight in gold along with a good mechanic. A full size trick I intend to try is a ploughshare tailskid,a narrow blade on the base of the skid that dug into ground some to help keep aircraft going straight during takeoff and landing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon H Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 The full size Mew Gull at Shuttleworth has one of those skids. It looks like its ploughing the strip every time they land it with earth and grass all over the place, but it seems to keep the tail down and that is clearly the whole point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter S B Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 Use solartex and a Flair colour scheme pack on mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff2wings Posted February 8, 2016 Share Posted February 8, 2016 I used solartex on most of mine except this one ,black 'tex and silver hobbyking film with a coat of satin clear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren t Posted May 17, 2023 Share Posted May 17, 2023 Very long shot here, but do you still have the plans for the legionaire ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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