Edgeflyer Posted October 26, 2018 Author Share Posted October 26, 2018 Another fine mess you've gotten me into. A fallen pilot having a nap ? This will need removal of canopy, fortunately canopy glue is heat sensitive so a warm blade separates it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Adding stiffening rods down fuselage sides. 2mm cf rod into slots cut with hot 2mm piano wire. Extending from fin to beyond wing to fuse joint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 After gluing with thick cyanosis, the slots are filled with epoxy filler. With the rods inserted under the tail also, the rear fuselage is now stiff and the tail won't wag. Much more resiliant for hard landings. Next step will be covering the fuselage front with light weight fibreglass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted November 1, 2018 Author Share Posted November 1, 2018 Applying with brushed water based pu floor varnish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 Fibre glass covered wings. Next covering with heatshrink film. Horrible stuff to use the lightweight film wrinkles easily and doesn't give a second chance. Top surfaces finished. The result is much stiffer than the original. I forgot to weigh the wings before starting. They still feel very light and I think the increased strength will help when my grandson flies it. Hopefully the horrible colours will help orientation. Next job to colour the fuse and refit radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Chaddock Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 It would be interesting to have weighed your Bix as it was to compare when finished. As with all reinforcing there is a danger that you simply discover the next weakest point. It is also worth remembering that although extra weight only increases the flying speed by roughly the square root of the increase, both the power to fly and any impact forces increase in direct proportion. In other words 10% heavier has to be both 10% more powerful and stronger to simply retain the same performance and crash resistance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel R Posted November 17, 2018 Share Posted November 17, 2018 I made a comment the other day at the field, fibre glass a bixler and it could have a glow on it!What weight cloth did you use, and what Weight increase has the model seen? I do wonder if the carbon rods were necessary if the whole thing was being glassed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted November 17, 2018 Author Share Posted November 17, 2018 Carbon rods stiffen fuse very well for virtually no weight penalty. Glass 0.5oz p sq m. With pu floor varnish as resin medium, the glass is not inflexible and gives with foam. Weight gain pretty minimal but I didn't weigh the old bixler before starting, stupidly. I watched clubmate bixlers flying as supplied they seem too light for training as severely wind affected. I think the stiffer heavier mod will help, but time will tell. I will be fitting a 3 axis stab rx with training setup for grandson and we'll be flying from slopes so need strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 The Bixler is finally finished and test flown today. I had to add 3.5 oz of lead in the nose to get the cg on the aileron servo wires. It flew beautifully in a 20mph wind at my local slope site. I didn't use the motor except to test it. The model is very stable, helped by the Lemon 7 plus stab rx. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Garway Hill test flight underside topside Lemon rx with 6 axis stabilisation installed on the removable hatch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 I must learn to use photos better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edgeflyer Posted January 28, 2019 Author Share Posted January 28, 2019 Final all up flying weight is 37 ozs. HK 's specs for Bixler 1 say 33 ozs. I am happy with the strength and flying performance, when gliding, hopefully the stock motor has enough power (200 watts measured) to get airborne. If not I will be looking for a better motor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokenenglish Posted January 28, 2019 Share Posted January 28, 2019 Just a comment: I've been flying the same HK Walrus for more than 5 years, in the standard "as purchased" configuration, without any problem whatsoever and it still flies perfectly well today. 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.