Lindsay Todd Posted June 25, 2022 Author Share Posted June 25, 2022 (edited) Many thanks for the positive comments guys, much appreciated. I never thought i had a reputation for 'interesting' pilots but thinking back you are probably right Nigel. I have indeed been looking for something appropriate and by that I don't necessarily mean a human figure. For a while I have fancied a gorilla with long fur to blow in the breeze, equipped with suitable goggles and scarf of course. Its about fun, god forbid I ever grow up! Linds Edited June 25, 2022 by Lindsay Todd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Todd Posted July 3, 2022 Author Share Posted July 3, 2022 Well not flown yet but have added a few simple graphics and lettering just to finish things off and of course a suitable pilot (quite normal on this occasion) I have kept things really simple and just gone for basic lettering down the fuselage side. Tail wheel also now added, this is just a screw fixed commercial unit I picked up some time ago The wing graphic was created on cad and then cut on my Cameo Vinyl Cutter from some stock black film. The pilot is an old Flair ABS moulded affair with a bit of a repaint and of course ribbon scarf added. I also made up a basic windshield from scrap timber and clear acetate sheet. The original idea was a wrap around affair but this simple unit just felt more appropriate. Final addition was a battery monitor on the dash for those important visual check! After installing a 5cell nmh under the tank i checked the CG and did need to add a little nose ballast bringing the all up weight to 6.5lb and a wing loading of just about 23oz a square foot so not a floater but not a fighter either and should be fine. just need time and the weather to align now for test flights Linds 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindsay Todd Posted July 9, 2022 Author Share Posted July 9, 2022 Well had a chance to carry out the test flights today, nice bright sky if a little bumpy but the Kestrel performed beautifully. It was one of those models that just felt right straight away and needed absolutely no trim at all. The ASP 52 provides plenty of power, the controls felt balanced and comfortable and the flight characteristics are smooth and predictable. Just a couple of circuits and we were in to low passes and touch and goes, loops, rolls, inverted flight needs a little forward pressure on the elevator and spin recovery was simply on centering the sticks. Slow speed flight is good and the stall is very predictable and needs to be almost forced. In other words a great success. First take off, smooth, predictable and ground handling and rudder authority really nice, just a slight nudge of elevator to get airbourne Plenty of excess power climbing away A couple of circuits to get a feel, not that I felt I needed it as it felt so good straight away A bit of a Farnborough pass for the camera Time for some low passes and touch and goes A bit more fun dodging the farmer water cannon (further away than it looks on the photo) Touchdown after first flight, they really don't get any better! Ok time to crack on with final details on the plan, finish off the words and then get everything away to the Ed. If you chose to build his one it is a cracker. Lindsay 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Jones Posted July 9, 2022 Share Posted July 9, 2022 Looks great flies great what more could one ask. 👍 Steve 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murat Kece 1 Posted July 10, 2022 Share Posted July 10, 2022 Excellent👏 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kestrel plans Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 Beautiful design. Very dissapointed though as i subscribed to RCME online just to get this plan and it is impossible to print frm the onine version. Quite a ripoff actually. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kc Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 Welcome to the forum. There is an announcement here which says the plans will be available from 2023! But you would need the first half of the plan which was in Dec 2022......... I suggest a message to Beth and maybe she will help you with this. Alternatively the paper copy might still be available or someone might offer you their copy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted December 22, 2022 Share Posted December 22, 2022 (edited) All parts of the plan are at the end of the Jan digital edition. Edited December 22, 2022 by Ron Gray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toto Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 On 23/06/2022 at 21:17, Lindsay Todd said: Spent the last few days or at least a couple of hours in the evenings doing a little covering of the wings and hinging the ailerons using a top hinge techniques with the heat shrink fabric then cracked on installing the ailerons servos, hitec mini metal gear in this case side mounted onto hard wood blocks that are glued onto the ply plates with arm passing through a slot and short 2mm wire link to the ailerons a bit more paint work now required before final set and then off to the field. Linds I've just ordered one of these, they look superb. I could do with a bit more of an explanation on the hinging technique used for the aileron attachment. Many thanks to anyone who can maybe help explain. Cheers Toto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 A top hinged joint is one where the aileron hasn’t got a V shaped LE but an angle from the top back to the bottom. This angle allows the aileron to pivot downwards. The hinge itself is formed using the covering film, the aileron is positioned on the top of the wing (back on itself) and the covering film is then applied over the bottom of the wing, back up over the TE and then over the LE of the aileron and then over the bottom of the aileron. The aileron is then pivoted back into the down position then the covering film is applied over the top of the wing back onto the top of the aileron. The result is a hinge formed with the covering film. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toto Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Hi Ron, Thanks for the explanation. Obviously that must be wrong enough to hold the aileron on place as well. Is this just normal film covering or is there maybe a slightly stronger maybe even structural version. I note that the OP refers to simply heat shrink film which I assume is your everyday covering film. Toto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Ordinary covering film, plenty strong enough. The sketch I included is a bit misleading as it implies a strip for the bottom and another for the top whereas the main wing covering can just be extended over the joint to form the hinge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toto Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 This is going to be very interesting indeed trying to get the correct stressing of the film over the top of the wing to still enable the flexibility for the aileron to flex down to provide it's full throw distance. The film must be pretty flexible. Cheers Toto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john stones 1 - Moderator Posted July 20, 2023 Share Posted July 20, 2023 Top hinged ailerons, makes a great job, the film is very durable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toto Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 Eye candy if ever I saw it. Beautifully finished good Sir. An absolute scorcher and the perfect colour. More details please. Toto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 8 hours ago, toto said: This is going to be very interesting indeed trying to get the correct stressing of the film over the top of the wing to still enable the flexibility for the aileron to flex down to provide it's full throw distance. The film must be pretty flexible. Cheers Toto There is very little, or no flexing of the covering film! Think of it being a crease in the film that forms the hinge. I will get some photos for you later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toto Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 Thank you kind Sir, Just shows the trust that you have to place in some products. coupled with good workmanship of course. Cheered Toto Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Gray Posted July 21, 2023 Share Posted July 21, 2023 Some photos for you to help explain and apologies for injury close ups! This wing is foam covered with laminating film which is similar to standard covering film. Underside Top Aileron up I've cut and shaped some balsa to show it a bit better, the rectangular section represents the wing and the bit with the angle, the aileron Fold aileron back onto wing then cover the bottom of the wing right round the aileron (from my thumb to finger) Fold the aileron into the down position then cover the top of the wing extending the covering over the top of the aileron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toto Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 Thanks Ron, I get the idea now. The above helps explain it perfectly. Many thanks Toto 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.