Geoff S Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 Some years ago I built a Popsie (approx 1metre ws) from a set of CNC cut parts produced by a forum member on the old RCMF site. I never succeeded in getting it to fly because I simply couldn't get the CoG right. It's sits looking accusingly at me saying 'Why have you abandoned me?". So, I'm looking at it again. It was destined for electric power and I tried to keep the weight low partly by using a small Axi 2208/26 on 3S. I did eventually get the CoG somewhere near but the last time I attempted to fly it, it simply wouldn't taxi straight enough to take off. I think, like many vintage models the u/c is too far forward. I then put at the back of backest burner 🙂 The free-flight original had a Mills 75. I just wondered how heavy they are so I could have some idea of what size motor I should fit. Anyone know? Here's the model complete back in 2012 (still looks much the same - just a bit dusty) ... and here's how the motor was fitted. Geoff 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted June 18, 2023 Share Posted June 18, 2023 The original Popsie only used the Mills .75 for free flight, it used an ED Bee for rc. Model weights according to the plan (Outerzone) F/F - 15.75oz; RC model 23oz. Engines - Mills .75 1.75oz; ED Bee 2.75oz. Note that the kit you've built from has quite a number of alterations from the original so the plan may show the cg in a different place from Vic Smeed's version. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu knowles Posted June 19, 2023 Share Posted June 19, 2023 Hrllo Geoff, I bult one of those, probably from the same source. I could never get mine to take off, or ROG in parlance of the day but it flew well from a hand launch. Mine flew quite a bit in the first year but hasn't been out for a long time. Think of the dust as a sort of patina 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted June 19, 2023 Author Share Posted June 19, 2023 So not just mine that wouldn't take off. I fly off a hard runway, perhaps it might be better off grass? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted June 19, 2023 Share Posted June 19, 2023 Yep built the same one. Mine had an AP Hornet 09 for the urge. Like most mine would not ROG or come to think of it actually fly! Consigned to the great dustbin in the sky many years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted June 19, 2023 Share Posted June 19, 2023 Found some very old picture`s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted June 19, 2023 Share Posted June 19, 2023 (edited) I remember the RCMF fly-in where the Popsie was the theme model. There must have been a dozen or more but IIRC none flew well if at all, most crashed on launch or shortly after 😁 Me & Paul J were watching a Popsie that wouldnt fly at Old Warden, he said his own Popsie simply wouldnt fly either. I've huge respect for Vic but the Popsie wasnt his best 😁 The Poppet on the other hand is a superb flyer, FF or radio! Edited June 19, 2023 by Phil Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted June 19, 2023 Author Share Posted June 19, 2023 Hmm perhaps it wasn't me after all. I think I'll spend what time I have on another project. Thanks for the useful feedback. Shame really, I made a reasonable job of building it. So what should I do with it? Literally in the bin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted June 19, 2023 Share Posted June 19, 2023 I dunno Geoff, I think if I had a Popsie I'd be intrigued enough to keep trying. Maybe I'd make an 1/8 ply profile fus and a stick fus with the same rigging, see if either works. I'm not an experienced FF trimmer but my guess is that its drag that kills it 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted June 19, 2023 Author Share Posted June 19, 2023 Not THAT keen, Phil. Lots of other and (hopefully) more potentially successful projects on hand. It's in the bin - just another of my failures 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 Odd that. I built the RCMF Popsie as a leccy-powered model, and I thought it flew beautifully! Sold it on Ebay a couple of years alter. Wish I hadn't. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted June 24, 2023 Author Share Posted June 24, 2023 You obviously have the magic touch, Tim 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stu knowles Posted June 24, 2023 Share Posted June 24, 2023 Thinking about it since my last post, I think that I left quite a bit of wood out of that kit. It was a bit over engineered Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatMc Posted June 25, 2023 Share Posted June 25, 2023 On 19/06/2023 at 16:50, Phil Green said: I remember the RCMF fly-in where the Popsie was the theme model. There must have been a dozen or more but IIRC none flew well if at all, most crashed on launch or shortly after 😁 Me & Paul J were watching a Popsie that wouldnt fly at Old Warden, he said his own Popsie simply wouldnt fly either. I've huge respect for Vic but the Popsie wasnt his best 😁 The Poppet on the other hand is a superb flyer, FF or radio! To be fair to Vic Smeed the model in question isn't a Popsie, it's a Lightwork Pops. There appears to be a number of design changes including some "beefing up", wing repositioning etc that would make a difference to how the model would need to be trimmed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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