Howard Hart Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 I recently rescued a nearly 20 year old Precedent Fun Fly model that a relative was about to throw out. The model is still boxed as it was when bought i.e. just a box of balsa wood and bits & pieces. Although the 54 inch foam wings are part built. Anyway I have decided to build this aeroplane and almost immediately found I'm in need of some advice from you experienced modellers. The instructions state that die cut braces dictate the wing dihedral angle and for reference it's 16mm under each wing tip. When I fit the wings to the die cut braces the wings are almost horizontal with very little angle and certainly not 16mm clearance at each wing tip. Can anyone help? Should the wing tips have a 16mm clearance or should I fit them according to the die cut braces and have almost horizontal wings with no upward angle? Appreciate any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Sand the wing panels to get the required dihedral in Howard, I'm assuming the brace shows dihedral ? if not then same thing applies, you just fill in over the brace with balsa and sand flush. John Edited By john stones 1 on 08/03/2016 16:02:42 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 +1 for the required dihedral As John says, just sand the wing panel roots to achieve that. They key is to do it gently, checking and rechecking as you go. Not the end of the world if you overdo it - you can always infil with balsa scraps - but far better to get it right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben goodfellow 1 Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 ditch the diehedral . years ago i had quite a few of these . and on the advice off old wise/unwise (member on here ) i did ,they all flew great ..great plane it is too.. fly low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Hart Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 Thanks for all the advice. If I fit the wings to the brace John, they are almost horizontal. Must admit I'm tempted to follow your advice Ben, although I'm new to model making I would like to get it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Won't hurt nowt if you join it flat Howard, if you're not bothered without it, I doubt the model will be. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben goodfellow 1 Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 your very lucky to find a kit like that , ive looked on ebay and the like for years ,ones never came up.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Hart Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 Thanks for the help everyone, made me feel better. I'll get started and let you know how I get on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Don't assume that by lining up the wing cores in the middle you will have a straight wing Howard, dry assemble it and check the wing will be straight, hold it at eye level and view the wing tips, that's where it needs to be level if it doesn't match in the middle it matters little. Not uncommon for this to be the case. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcaddict Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Ben - do you know about this :- http://www.slecuk.com/balsa-wood/Funfly-Kit-PR123.html think it is abuilt up wing though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonryan Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Was that the one offering a choice of high wing with dihedral, 3 channel, or shoulder wing, flat, with ailerons? If memory serves, you could use it as a first trainer, then change the wing for something a bit more lively Edited By jonryan on 08/03/2016 19:11:59 Edited By jonryan on 08/03/2016 19:12:29 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcaddict Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 jonryan think that was the hi-boy - there are posts about this on this forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonryan Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Ah! I think you're right, oldgit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funflyerColin Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Hello Howard, your post prompted me to have a look at my Fun Fly first maidened in 1995. I got my wings out and had a look at the dihedral in them they look almost flat but on measuring them they do have about 16mm under each tip. I stopped flying in 95 when i moved house and got married, back in 2013 i started getting back into flying again and have recently started to clean down and resurrect my models from back in the 90's, The Precedent Fun Fly being one of them. It can be seen in my album of my models. Hope this helps Colin Edited By funflyerColin on 08/03/2016 21:04:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Hart Posted March 8, 2016 Author Share Posted March 8, 2016 Thanks John, your post made me stop just when I had opted to go for straight wings and was about to glue the wings together. Saved me some grief! Then your post Colin prompted me to start again. I'm not sure what I was doing wrong before but I've cracked it. Wings will now go together with 16mm clearance at either tip. So glad I found this site which has helpful people like you guys. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funflyerColin Posted March 8, 2016 Share Posted March 8, 2016 Glad to hear you are back on the build again, i really like this plane it's very forgiving and a lot of fun you will enjoy it mine is powered by an Enya ss40 again from the 90's and has plenty of power. Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Hart Posted March 9, 2016 Author Share Posted March 9, 2016 Thanks Colin. This is all new to me although I have relatives who fly the electric powered ready built models. I have considered converting the 'Fun Fly' so as to power it with an electric motor. Do you think this is feasible and if so would you know what size the equivalent electric motor might be to say your Enya s40 Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funflyerColin Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Hello, I'm sure that it's feasible as a lot of glow designed air-frames have been successfully converted, but being quite new to electrics myself i wouldn't really be the one to ask. I'm sure someone with more knowledge than me would jump in and help you out. Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Gorham_ Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 Howard, SLEC still manufacture the Fun Fly kit (albeit with a built-up wing rather than the foam) and they also make an electric version. See the webpage here, as it has full details of an electric set-up under the technical specifications tab: **LINK** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Hart Posted March 9, 2016 Author Share Posted March 9, 2016 Thank you Alan & Colin I will have a look. I could get addicted to this model making, hope flying is as much fun! Howard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
extra slim Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Good flying planes indeed, but all can be traced back to the original "flying machine" not well known over here, but big in the US, then very quickly after the Hots series took hold out there, and we started to see them over here, Precedent and latterly SLEC funflys a much a kin to the originals..... I have just finished my original hots (had one when I was a kid and they were brilliant) and waiting for good weather to maiden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 happy days with a few of these...flatten the wing and increase the rudder length by 1/2" and the F/FLY will knife edge with the best of them.. ken anderson...ne....1...... tech dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redex Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Hi Howard - lots of info and drive train examples within the forum for an electric FunFly, just do a search on FunFly Motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Hart Posted March 10, 2016 Author Share Posted March 10, 2016 Thanks Redex I'll take a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted March 10, 2016 Share Posted March 10, 2016 Howard. All the advice given so far is good advice but they all assume the model is for a fairly experienced pilot. It is not a trainer but really only suitable as a 2nd or 3rd model after becoming proficient with a trainer. So bear that in mind if you have not flown yet. 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.