David Ovenden Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 (edited) 1 hour ago, Martin Harris - Moderator said: Nobody's mentioned the possibility of a dodgy elevator servo as far as I can see. IIRC you had complained of occasional random trim changes in pitch which could be signs of an ageing feedback pot in the servo preventing accurate re-centring - maybe it finally bit big time... It's a good question Martin. But the servo is a new JR NX3421 x-bus digital that was and is working perfectly. 5kg torque is more than enough. There was no slop in the linkage either as that was checked prior to the crash. I think it may have been the gyro giving the odd trim change problem? Edited February 16, 2022 by David Ovenden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted February 16, 2022 Share Posted February 16, 2022 Long shot but are all the servos digital? I have seen the odd glitch from mixing servo types in the past. Probably not an issue with modern transmitters but best to consider all possibilities before committing your hard work to the air again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted February 16, 2022 Author Share Posted February 16, 2022 1 hour ago, Martin Harris - Moderator said: Long shot but are all the servos digital? I have seen the odd glitch from mixing servo types in the past. Probably not an issue with modern transmitters but best to consider all possibilities before committing your hard work to the air again! Yes, all 4 servos are the same type. All JR digitals, all the same spec. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted February 17, 2022 Author Share Posted February 17, 2022 15 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Seeing you fly I wonder why you would put a Gyro in it,,, I have an HK plane gyro and a robbe heli gyro if you want them,,, I thought it might help me fly like you Paul! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 17, 2022 Share Posted February 17, 2022 Oh come on you are as good as me, and you like me upset the members (French) in the club with our British high standards, even my brothers flight of my Super Gnatty after not flying for 10 years seemed to upset them,,,? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted February 17, 2022 Author Share Posted February 17, 2022 The well flattened nose cone has been soaked in water and once glued back together should be OK to re-use with a bit of filler. The replacement props have arrived. The cockpit roof survived the crash and fits OK with the rebuilt fuselage. Progress is being made. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted February 19, 2022 Author Share Posted February 19, 2022 Nose section sanded, glass clothed and painted. Colour match of paint not great but it will be good enough for test flights. Fuselage front section covered. Just glazing to do. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 Keep them coming David, and give me a shout for a flying video,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted February 20, 2022 Author Share Posted February 20, 2022 Will do Paul. Maybe Thursday if the wind stops? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted February 20, 2022 Share Posted February 20, 2022 Probably not, eating lunch at Nimes Thursday I have to take grandson to the TGV he goes back to Paris,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted February 20, 2022 Author Share Posted February 20, 2022 12 hours ago, Paul De Tourtoulon said: Probably not, eating lunch at Nimes Thursday I have to take grandson to the TGV he goes back to Paris,,, No problem Paul. Another time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted March 10, 2022 Author Share Posted March 10, 2022 Almost ready to fly again. Needs cockpit glazing and final check of wing incidences and adjustment of the rigging cable tension. 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted March 10, 2022 Share Posted March 10, 2022 She is looking good again David. I hope the re-maiden goes well for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted March 16, 2022 Author Share Posted March 16, 2022 (edited) Rigging angles all checked and model weighed and balanced. Amazingly it now balances slightly nose down with only one lipo pack instead of two. So I managed to shed nearly 400g of weight and still have the model balance on the CG. I removed the servos from the tail and moved them to the nose; removed some plywood mounts; changed the Robart wheels for foam ones; removed the gyro and got rid of some extension leads. And this has allowed me to use one 4s 3700 lipo pack I stead of two. The good news that most of the weight was lost from the extreme nose and tail of the model so hopefully that will also be beneficial. Will now have to see if the rebuild improves the flight characteristics Edited March 16, 2022 by David Ovenden Spelling 10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted March 16, 2022 Share Posted March 16, 2022 That is great news David. I hope all goes well when you reply her, she certainly looks the business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 17, 2022 Share Posted March 17, 2022 That with any luck will change it's handling, weight is the enemy,,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted March 24, 2022 Author Share Posted March 24, 2022 (edited) Well today was the day! I was able to test fly the Condor. It is definitely an improved model. After the flights the Tx trims were all still at "neutral". Take-off was good and a landing was no problem either in spite of a fair breeze a bit off the axis of the runway. Looks like just one 3700mah Lipo will give 5 minutes of mixed flying which is not unreasonable. One could use a larger capacity lipo but it would need to be located further back in the fuselage to avoid the model being nose-heavy. It was definitely worth repairing the model and making the modifications which have very much improved the flying characteristics of the model. Losing the gyro and shedding 450g of weight together with tweaking the top wing incidence was a good move it seems! Thanks to Paul for getting some video of the flight. Edited March 24, 2022 by David Ovenden 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Gates Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 Congratulations David, that is really brilliant, well done. You must be so pleased. The photos make her look beautiful. I look forwards to seeing the video. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted March 24, 2022 Author Share Posted March 24, 2022 Thanks Andy. Yes it was a very rewarding afternoon after all the effort of the repairs and modifications. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Fenton Posted March 24, 2022 Share Posted March 24, 2022 Well done David, your persistance has paid of ? Cheers Danny 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 Well done David, it certainly stirred up a lot of interest at the model field like Bees around a flower, I watched the (rubbish)video that I took as shaky as a leaf in the Mistral, and the gust of wind that threw it in the air at take off, it certainly is a sturdy flyer and crowd puller. 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted March 25, 2022 Author Share Posted March 25, 2022 Thanks Paul. Was it the wind blowing or me shaking? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 10 minutes ago, David Ovenden said: Thanks Paul. Was it the wind blowing or me shaking? Someone commented on how my Gypsy Moth was flying on its test flight until I explained its wobbles were merely reflections of my trembling fingers so I empathise with your nerves ? Looks beautiful and you deserve a lot of credit for your fortitude. As a very good designer/builder modeller once said to me "It's a hard game sometimes." and it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul De Tourtoulon Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 The wind David the wind,,,,? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ovenden Posted March 26, 2022 Author Share Posted March 26, 2022 I have now uploaded Paul's video to YouTube. Condor test flight It was a bit breezy and take off was brisker than normal! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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