Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 13, 2018 Author Share Posted November 13, 2018 I know what you mean, John. I think the camera distorts it a bit though (only a bit mind)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultymate Posted November 14, 2018 Share Posted November 14, 2018 I don't know if it will apply with an electric installation but on the larger petrol models the carbon spinner backplates have been known to soften with heat causing prop bolts to loosen with drastic consequences. I got one for my 2.6 metre Edge but luckily had a spare aluminium backplate which luckily mated with the spinner body. This may not apply to your electric set up as I have no idea how much heat they generate, it's all looking great by the way your build logs always make for a good read Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 14, 2018 Author Share Posted November 14, 2018 Ultymate. I have not so far had a problem with 3.5" spinners of the same type using an electric set up. Any heat generated by my electrics seems to disappear out the back end grills of the plane and don't seem to affect the front. Something to watch though. As a matter of course I tend to check the prop bolts every two flights. Glad you like the build log. Appreciate your comments. Still a bit more to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share Posted November 15, 2018 The bolts arrived from Model Fixings. I have had to pack the bolt out with spring washers to get the bolt to tighten up properly due to the bolt thread being longer than the thread in the prop shaft. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share Posted November 15, 2018 traced the prop profile onto the spinner and marked it clearly. Transferred the mark to the spinner. Now to cut the spinner. I have marked the prop on the spinner base plate. A bit of Dremel work and we are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share Posted November 15, 2018 Next I finished off the RX battery tray and added velcro. Time to check the CoG again. Despite what the photo appears to show, with 6.2amp lipos installed and the Rx positioned rearwards, the nose still dips downwards a tad. With the 5.0 amp lipos the plane is nearer in balance. I am thinking it will be better to just go fly with it and just see how she goes. First I have to attach the decals, but ran out of time today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted November 15, 2018 Share Posted November 15, 2018 Well done Adrian. From the photos it looks like orange spinner is OK as it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 15, 2018 Author Share Posted November 15, 2018 Thanks, Gary. Yup no further work needed on the spinner. Stays as it is. When I get some decent weather then it is maiden time. I will post a video here when I do it. Will report back on CoG and flying characteristics too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich too Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Well done Adrian I would just cut 10mm off that spinner bolt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Share Posted November 16, 2018 That's a possibility,Rich. I didn't want mess up the thread with my dodgy sawing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Always put a nut on first then cut/file unthread nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Share Posted November 16, 2018 Good one, Ron. Never thought of that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Share Posted November 16, 2018 Well took Rich & Ron's advice and took 8-9mm off the bolt thread. All went well using a Dremel with a cutting disc. Oiled the bolt before screwing it into the prop shaft. Fitted absolutely fine and the bolt head is now flush with the spinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 16, 2018 Author Share Posted November 16, 2018 Next up I added the decals. Now I believe in the adage "less is more" and I applied this to adding the graphics. I really didn't see any more need to add additional decals. Next I will be waiting for decent weather to do the maiden flight. More when that occurs plus a video. Edited By Adrian Smith 1 on 16/11/2018 19:06:43 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted November 16, 2018 Share Posted November 16, 2018 Good man, than bolt looked annoying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich too Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Much better I use a Dremel to cut and then grind a chamfer into the end of the bolt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 I used a file to chamfer the edges, as I thought I might be a bit too aggressive with the grinding bit with my doddery hands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich too Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 Not bad weather at the moment Adrian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 Well it would be,Rich. Apart from the fact it is a moderate 13-14 mph crosswind in sunny Suffolk something under normal circumstances I would fly in, but not really for a maiden. I really want any wind straight down the strip one way or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 Looks like Tuesday could maiden day, conditions possibly perfect. Preparing my GoPro ........! Edited By Adrian Smith 1 on 02/12/2018 09:26:40 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted December 2, 2018 Share Posted December 2, 2018 Fingers crossed for you Adrian, lots of pics and vids please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted December 2, 2018 Author Share Posted December 2, 2018 Thanks Ron, will do my best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share Posted December 4, 2018 This morning arrived as expected with sparkling sunshine although a tad frosty.Pretty good conditions for the maiden flights. Well I have some good and bad news! The bad news is my GroPro didn't seem to like the cold and I couldn't get it to record for more than 6-8 seconds. Probably the battery although I did charge it up last night. I need to investigate that. Well I took a few stills instead before the flights. The good news is the flight report is as follows:- I set the timer to 6 minutes to be safe and as there was virtually no wind the throttle wasn't going to work too hard to start with. Prior to take off I was concerned the CoG may be still a bit forward despite the two 6S 5amp lipos sitting directly in front of the wing tube and the RX battery to the rear of the rudder servo. I taxied a bit to see if there was more than the usual tail bounce, but seemed normal. No Expo was dialled in. Nothing else for it, but Go... Go....Go!! Nice smooth take off and climb out along with a couple circuits. Into some rolls which were rather fast ...... She loops true and knife edge only requires tiny rudder inputs with no elevator or aileron corrections required. Seems impressive. Next into a climb, roll and stall turn. I notice she needs a flick of right rudder to keep a straight line in the climb. I tried a couple of upright flat spins, but she was not as flat as I like so need a bit of work there. Next into the dreaded bunt, but with bags of power and elevator authority it was as good as I wanted. Time went so quickly and the TX was vibrating at me to land. Well she behaves impeccably and half way down the strip after enough speed was bled off I reduced the throttle and flaring was a doddle. Not because I am that great, but more because, I think any way, the airframe and internals go to make a light for its size aircraft. Cracking piece of engineering. A few more flights are needed to really put her through her paces, but the signs are good. I realised after I landed that when I looked at the TX no trim changes had be required. Not had that before, very good. I also forgot to test the stall, but that fact I didn't makes me think she felt comfortable right from the off. The CoG seems about right where I have the batteries for normal aeros, but I might experiment a bit further another time. I will get the GoPro to work next time I will post the video here, I promise. So last job all packed up in the trailer safely bound for the workshop and a full checkover. Some more soon ....... Edited By Adrian Smith 1 on 04/12/2018 15:47:39 Edited By Adrian Smith 1 on 04/12/2018 15:50:21 Edited By Adrian Smith 1 on 04/12/2018 15:52:35 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 At least the good news out weighed the bad by some margin Looks very good indeed and I look forward to an in flight video in the future. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Smith 1 Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share Posted December 4, 2018 Well it seems the problem was with the SD card. I have tried another SD card and the camera works fine at home here. That's after I ordered a new battery for 11 quid on Amazon in the mean time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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