Peter Miller Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 I have now found a new model to design, the Team Minimax home built aircraft. I started a google search for home built aircraft and found a mass of pictures for dozens of the Team Minimax. One colour scheme jumped out at me. Then I remembered that a Minimax had landed at a strip where we used to fly and I had pictures of that one and also all the 3 views and even some construction drawings. That one was a the closed cockpit version. I chose this one because the colour scheme is fabulous, well in my opinion, and I planned to have plug in wings which needed an open cockpit to fasten them. The model is 1/6th scale 52" span,possibly 53 as this one has rounded wing tips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 I have cut oit all the formers and fuselage sides. also all the wing ribs. The main U/C legs and the tubes for the wing mounting wires are bound and soldered to the formers The wing tube is behind the former with the undercarriage legs. The most vital operation is to make sure that the wings will plug into the fuselage so I did a dry run with the wires in the root ribs and the tubes pushed through the sides. Great, they all line up and fit in a dry run. Now I can build the fuselage. and wings. Edited By Peter Miller on 16/11/2020 12:26:33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 For those who would like to build the model for i.c power here is a pictures showing the very commong version with a big finned head sticking out of the top of the cowling. I would suggest a .15 size engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 As a second thought, a 20 four stroke woud be about the right power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 I have a Saito FG21 would that do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 No you can't have meant 20cc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 No,I meant an OS .20FS. Of course there are some people who would try and fit a 20cc engine in a model with a span of 52" but then there are some who have fitted Supercharged V8s in motor cycles and even 9 cylinder radials in motorbikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted November 16, 2020 Share Posted November 16, 2020 It's just a demonstration that you know more about electric motors than I know about IC engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 16, 2020 Author Share Posted November 16, 2020 I know nothing about electric motors. I know quite a lot about i.c engines and what size of model for what size of engine. Been using them for the last 66 years! When it comes to electric motors I phone George at 4 max Edited By Peter Miller on 16/11/2020 17:42:47 Edited By Peter Miller on 16/11/2020 17:43:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 19, 2020 Author Share Posted November 19, 2020 Got some more done now. The wings are under construction. THe basic wing follows my standard method. Leading edge and top spars fitted, The sheet over the trailing edge spar and aileron leading edge also done Leading edge being clamped down. This leding edge box is very small so does not give quite as much anti warp effect as one with the spar further back. The spar webs at the root are 1/32" ply on Both sodes of the spars as this where the 10 SWG wire wing joiners go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 Well some progress has been made. The wings are ready for their capstrips and a bit of sheet at the root. Note bearers for mounting the servo plates The wires are glued into the ribs at the root withy epoxy. 1/32" ply webs are fitted each side of the spars in this area Any bending loads are taken but the functional struts The basic fuselage is made up The servo mounts are glued in The mount for the rear undercarriage legs have been fitted. There should not be any really heavy loads on this mount but I have made it as strong as possible. It is amazing just how much shock loading can be applied in a heavy landing. Once again I have done an assembly check just to make sure everything fits well. The wings will be held in place with small hooks screwed into those small block on the root rib and then either an elastic band or a spring between the hook pulling the wings in to the side. Edited By Peter Miller on 21/11/2020 11:16:46 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 Quite a lot more done now. The wings are ready for covering The top of the fuselage is sheeted. Because of the curvature I have to cut thin Vees at the front. In effect taking the rolled sheet and cutting planks in the end. The rear top deck has spruce stringers fitted and sheet between the stringers to support the head rest and covering The cowl follows my normal method of construction It is attached with screws into F-1 and keyhole slots in the rear cowl former (C-2) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 The cowl is shaped. I had no front view of the cowling and they do seem to vary quite a lot, The aircraft that I am modleling does not seem to have an exposed engine and there looks like an intake on top of the cowl. The lower intake is guessed but is needed anyway for motor and battery and ESC cooling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted November 27, 2020 Author Share Posted November 27, 2020 The tail is very simply made from 1/4" Sq.and 1/4" X 1/2" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 14, 2020 Author Share Posted December 14, 2020 Well Itis finished and I nipped out in the road while the sun shone for some quick pictures Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 looking good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Dell Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 That’s cute looking Peter, great colour scheme👍🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Davies 3 Posted December 14, 2020 Share Posted December 14, 2020 That looks fabulous Peter. Can't wait to see it fly! Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 14, 2020 Author Share Posted December 14, 2020 THanks 52" span. 494 sq in. 3 lbs 5 ounces Wing loading 15 1/2 ounces per sq foot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 Well today was flat calm and mild but cloudy.I looked at the forcast it is is going to turn horribly cold so I grabbed the chance to test fly the Team Minimax. It is great. I took off on low rates and found that while it was rock steady and not a bit twitchy it was fuly aerobatic on low rates, Loops, rolls, envery spins, flick rolls. The lot. No flying shots I am afraid because I was not with anyone used to my models and anyway the dark weather was not suitable for decent flying pictures. I only had one flight as I found that the nylon clevises on the strut ends are not strong enough for a slight tumble on landing.Metal ones wil be fitted.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted December 22, 2020 Share Posted December 22, 2020 So the next question is when is the plan going to be published! 3 pound 5oz is very light - does that include the Lipo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 22, 2020 Author Share Posted December 22, 2020 I have to finish the article, finalise the plans, take all the photos, (weather permitting) and finally send it in.Then you can pester Kevin for when it will be published as that is not anything to do with me. Yes, that is the weight ready for take off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 4, 2021 Author Share Posted January 4, 2021 Got some flying shots of the model in less than perfect conditions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basil Posted January 4, 2021 Share Posted January 4, 2021 Peter, I have seen the technique of keyhole mount used before, other than on model planes , it is very effective. Do you rely solely on the screws/bolts holding the cowel, or do you employ another form to make sure it stays in place? Always enjoy reading your articles/posts bas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 4, 2021 Author Share Posted January 4, 2021 Hi Basil There is a simple strip of aluminium under the cowl which swings across under F-1 and prevents the cowl from moving up. Swing it out of the way and lift and the cowl comes off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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