Peter Miller Posted December 10, 2021 Share Posted December 10, 2021 Searching for inspiration I decided to do an enlarged Aerobic. This was a model based on the American Fun Fly models that I first introduced back in the 80s. Aerobic was a very small version of the type powered by a Cox Pee Wee and later a Cox TD020. Maybe someone remembers my Fan Dancer in Radio Modeller which was very similar but much bigger. Aerobic was 22" span and the current design is 1 1/2 times the size for electric power. Aerobic_oz11769.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 Construction has started. The first stage of this was the 5/16" "fuselage" which needed to be drilled for the 8 mm carbon fibre tube boom. Luckily I had an old section of transmitter aerial which was perfect when mounted in a drill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 10, 2021 Author Share Posted December 10, 2021 At this stage I am trying to work out the installation of the electrics. The power system is one of the £25 package deals of motor, ESC,Ptops and three sevros from 4 Max 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 Interesting use of 4-Max low cost power option and matching the model size to suit. Looks like an easy, quick and low cost build, ideal for a novice builder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 It is pretty easy to build and low cost. The installation could be interesting ans the flying could be hairy on high rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 Could the battery and ESC strap to the fuselage in front of the LE? Reinforced with1/32 ply either side with slots for the straps to go through? At this size there will be no need to take it apart for transport, as I found with your Swizzle Stick (40") and very low rates will turn it into a docile fun model. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 Still playing with this. I really want to build a bit more to get an idea where the CG is likely to come out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 Sounds like the 'observational approach' I was taught many moons ago. The boss was not well pleased when some whit said 'it's trial and error then'. It is but with a scientific element thrown in. The room filled with laughter, I am sure to this day the boss could not see the joke. Anyway Peter you are making me think of trying a profile fuselage with servos near the tail. ? But I have plenty to do although I like the idea of an easy build low cost fun model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor Posted December 12, 2021 Share Posted December 12, 2021 Many moons ago I built a version of the Aerobic offered in kit form by 5-star adhesives. (Details Here ). I had the same dilemma about where to house the gear. In the end, most of it went in the wing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 12, 2021 Author Share Posted December 12, 2021 I have an original kit produced shortly after the plan came out. I think it is "The Miniature Aircraft Factory" Yes It will be trial and error as the original used a simple small engine so only one "lump" to consider. I shall build the tail and flaps and then see how the balance starts to look. With any luck the suggestion of strapping it on the fuselage side (Which I had not considered) might save a lot of fiddling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Hall Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Reminds me of a funky looking plane I built from a Radio Modeller set of plans back in 1992. Plane has long gone. I started building a new version a while back but the cats found it one night and thought it was a chew toy. Gigolo_oz7439_article.pdf Gigolo_oz7439.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 14, 2021 Author Share Posted December 14, 2021 Yes, I introduced the American Fun Fly models in the 80s via my "Engine Bay Column" plus reviewing a couple of American kits. Aerobic came out in Radio Modeller in about 1992 or so.. Radio Control Model World. I did a full size one called Fan Dancer in Radio Modeller. I just thought that a slightly larger electric powered version might be interesting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Stephenson Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Peter, I built a couple of Smith's Specials in the early 90s was that by any chance one of yours? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 14, 2021 Author Share Posted December 14, 2021 No. Smith (forgive me. I forget his first name) sent me the plans and I built it and did the write up etc and he got the credit which was his due. It was a good model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 Jerry L Smith? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 I thought the Aerobic was probably in an RCME Special edition called flying for fun or something similar. Anyway nobody should confuse this Aerobic with the kit called Aerobik ( with a K ) which was unusual because it had a 4 four wheel undercarriage. Peter, which of the 4Max package deals have you chosen for this model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 14, 2021 Author Share Posted December 14, 2021 Hi Kc N No it was a Radio Modeller in November 1993 The set is the 1400 KV one with the 8" props. I have just build a Mercury Matador and am using the 100 Kv set on that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted December 14, 2021 Share Posted December 14, 2021 (edited) Of course it is in RM Nov 93 and I have found the magazine now. I also came across the magazine with the larger 46 inch Fan Dancer free plan in RM Nov 91. The 4Max 1400 kv package deal is here and to me this motor is better than some other 4Max motors because it has the shaft out front and the X mount at back. No fiddling cutting off the shaft or having it protrude into battery bay. To those who hate soldering the best bit of this package may be that all the connectors seem to be already soldered on including a Deans type plug on the ESC. Edited December 14, 2021 by kc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 14, 2021 Author Share Posted December 14, 2021 I have bought a couple of 450 Mah batteries which have XT30 plugs.soI do have to solder plugs on the ESC... No problems with that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 24, 2021 Author Share Posted December 24, 2021 Well, after a long time I have got some more to show. This has been an interesting design operation as I have had to work out the radio installation on the model as it is being built. First picture shows the parts all built Second picture shows the top of the wing. Two servo cutouts and the hatch on the left is for the Rx while the one on the right is for the satellite Third picture shows the under side. This open area is to allow the servo lead and satellite lead to be threaded through to the Rx. Fourth picture shows the ESC mount. fifth picture shows the battery location. NOTE hatches over Rx etc and access hatch will simply be covered with iron on covering. Simple,lighter and quicker. Weight at this stage including the motor is 9 ounces 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted January 6, 2022 Author Share Posted January 6, 2022 Well it is finished and ready to test when the wind drops to civilised levels and the temperature rises above freezing and the mud dries out enough to cross to the field without bogging down. 33" span a bit over 2 sq feet of area. Weighs just over 16 ounces This view shows the battery location This shows the ESC mounting.Plenty of cooling there The control set up is simple and possibly crude but it works. Power train is one of the £25 complete packages from4 Max Yellow panels are simply covering film covering the access to the Rx and satellite rx Hey, I managed to set out the pictures properly!! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EarlyBird Posted January 6, 2022 Share Posted January 6, 2022 22 minutes ago, Peter Miller said: Hey, I managed to set out the pictures properly!! ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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