John Duncker Posted July 17, 2018 Share Posted July 17, 2018 I built a Flea Fly from the original free plan back in the late 60s. Built as per plan with a Veco 19 rc it flew very well and would do OK flying the full aerobatic schedule of the day. It had Kraft RC gear with their small servos. I built it light.. Today a Magnum 15 would fly it nicely. I flew the snot out it for years and have fond memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Now finished bar the canopy which I am trying to order from Vortex but their order page is not working. Will probably take it to the field today to at least check out the motor. It has turned out rather weighty at 3lbs including 60g of lead in the tail which only brings the cg back to 2.5" from the LE. 3" from the LE as shown on the plan looks a little rearwards to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted July 20, 2018 Share Posted July 20, 2018 Pleased to say that the maiden was uneventful. A little right aileron trim needed, probably due to the lack of right thrust, elevator trim spot on and it will do slow and point rolls even without a canopy. I did not try a spin to check the cg. Oodles of power from the OS 26S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Took it up again today to make some tweaks and tried a spin. Very glad that I did not try to get the cg as far back as shown on the plan because after neutralising the controls it continued to spin for 1 1/2 turns instead of my preferred 1/2 turn so I think that some of the lead can come off the tail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted July 30, 2018 Share Posted July 30, 2018 Some more pics with the canopy now fitted. Will report back when I have flown it again and perhaps tweaked the cg a little. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kettle 1 Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Nice Martin, love it. A question:- hows the front of the wing retained with the front wheel in that area? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Winwood Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 i remember the Bar Flea from the 70's very well, built a couple, used OS25, could land it at my feet every time. Best of the range though, in my opinion was the Slik Fly, mid wing design, very smooth and flew like a dream on a 60 motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Thanks Mark. The wing is simply retained with a piece of 2.5mm carbon rod either side of the cut out, glued into the LE and locating into holes in the former. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Looks ace Martin.Proper squeeze to get all that kit in the airframe!I Like the colour scheme, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Kettle 1 Posted July 31, 2018 Share Posted July 31, 2018 Thanks Martin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin McIntosh Posted August 2, 2018 Share Posted August 2, 2018 Took it up again yesterday. The main difference the canopy made is that it will now sustain KE but rolls in the direction of applied rudder so will need a little mixing out. I removed 50 of the 60g tail weight but it made not one iota of difference to the spin exit so I shall just have to live with that. Ran out of up on landing so increased the elevator movement. May as well re fit the weights as the cg is now only 1 7/8" from the LE. Would be interested to hear how others get on with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Fox Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 Hi there curious to know if this is one of Bob Wrights plans. Cheers Steve nz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted June 18, 2023 Author Share Posted June 18, 2023 No! Flea Fli is one of the great designs by Phil Kraft - probably one of the most influential designers of RC models and radio equip. See his other designs on Outerzone too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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