David Boddington Centurion (4th try)

[Nick Ward 1]

Hi again Alec, apologies for no updates for a while - progress has been slow since my last post due to the usual 'life getting in the way of Aeromodelling...'😉, though I did manage to build a DB Mills Bomb earlier this year as I needed a 'quick-build' to keep me motivated.

HOWEVER - the big news is I've finished the Centurion and set it up for its maiden flight, but I might have a transport issue - see the photo with the car. Last thing I need is transport damage - I'm actually considering changing my vehicle to a larger one (small van or station wagon) as I'm hoping to continue building some large-ish models in the future - so the Centurion maiden may have to wait just a little longer.

Final dry weight of The Centurion is 11lbs 10.1oz, which includes a couple of ounces of lead near the tail to achieve CG on the main spar as per plan. This gives a wing loading of around 18.9 oz/sq.ft, which I'm sure is fairly light for a model this size.

The OS95fv seemed VERY powerful when I broke it in on the bench; it's fitted with a 16x6" Master Airscrew Classic prop. I suspect I will only be using 1/3 throttle or less for much of the time.

Rudder uses a pull-pull rod connection with a Savox servo mounted just in front of the tail (see photo) , and the elevators are operated by twin Savox metal geared mini servos, each kicking out around 2.8kgscm.

 

That's it for now, I'll post again when the model has its first flights. Nick

 

PS - Gary W, thanks for the videos, inspiring to see a Centurion in flight - yes I think Boddo was a bit of a genius - I still have a list of his designs I want to build...

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alec Turnbull]

Well Nick that is very impressive....excellent effort. Yes a big car is required. Unfortunately I do not have an station wagon or a van ( could do with one, but my wife says its too utility!) So it just about goes in my Merc E class saloon with the front seat folded down and the wing across the back seats, not ideal but its what I've got!

Looking forward to hearing how the maiden goes 

[Nick Ward 1]

Finally managed to maiden the Centurion earlier today, fitting it into my Honda Fit with some careful positioning.

 Perfect conditions - sun and almost no wind.

After assembly on the stand, I carried out the obligatory pre-maiden photo-shoot (to record the magnificence of the completed project in case it met an untimely demise on it's first few flights...yes, this HAS happened to me before!😒)

 

The take-off run seemed nice and straight with no apparent tendency to ground loop, the tail coming up quite quickly allowing easy steering with rudder.

Climbout at around 2/3 throttle seemed effortless before throttling back to about half, or slightly less once trim adjusted.

Required a little up elevator and left trim, but then flew slowly and 'majestically' (Boddo's description) hands-off on about half throttle, although the throttle has been deliberately set up quite low (ie 'full throttle on the transmitter only opens the carb.intake about 3/4, if that, as the OS95fv provides way more power than required. The 16x6 overprops the motor, but moves plenty of air even at these lower revs.)

Two test flights - 10 1/2 mins and 9 mins respectively .

Touch and goes were a breeze, and the stall appears to be benign, resulting in gentle 'mushing' on about 1/3 throttle and full up elevator. Recovery on releasing sticks was all but immediate.

Rudder seemed very responsive, elevator certainly adequate at this stage.

Managed a fairly tight loop and both left and right stall turns on second flight. Won't be trying to roll it as the original build article suggests the airframe is not really designed for it, but as a sedate flying large model with sport scale looks it certainly has plenty of presence.

Despite being just RET controlled, it is easy to place the Centurion where you want; nice, neat rectangular circuits were easy to maintain, and low, slow fly-bys in front of the pilot box are a delight.

 

I'm extremely pleased with the end result of over three year's on-and-off effort, my only regret being I wish I had finished it sooner.

Already looking forward to its next outing.

Thanks Alec for all the encouragement, and to anyone else reading this who enjoys scratch-building their own planes, particularly larger ones, I found this build extremely enjoyable, partly because the larger sizes of wood required meant it wasn't too 'fiddly' - just be prepared to stick at it, 'cos there's lots of it!

 

Here's one very happy chappie.  

[Alec Turnbull]

Well done Nick, that's brilliant, so there are at least 3 Centurions flying now, any one else on here have one ? Let us know !

[GaryW]

Hi Alec  @Alec Turnbull........ Was a bit of a breezy day at tthe Club Field today and fellow member Simon asked if I wud mind if he followed the Centurion round with his Camera Plane........ which his camera plane was getting beaten about by the wind trying to keep up with me

 

 

[Alec Turnbull]

Good video Gary, the weather up here in the North West has been atrocious, yesterday (Sunday) was the worst very strong winds and sideways rain, so no flying for me!

 

Settled down now tho........

[GrumpyGnome]

Nice. Especially the location!