Steve Houghton 1 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 SPEEDO MAIDEN FLIGHT Well fellow glider guiders, I have managed to maiden the Speedo ....... eventually. Yesterday, (Saturday) I went up my local slope where we had a very light, north westerly with thermals rolling through. I plugged the battery into the RX and waited for the orange light on the RX when I noticed smoke being emitted from the EMAX elevator servo, which was brand new, and yet it was fine the evening before when I tested it out, so I had to go home and rob a servo from another model to try again. So Sunday, (today) came and Big Phil picked me up to head up to the same slope as yesterday. When we arrived, what wind there was was blowing south westerly, even though XC Weather said it would be westerly. Phil launched his Weasel, but the breeze must have been less powerful than a Gnats fart as he struggled to stay in the air. So I decided we may as well get to the flat part at the top of the slope and give the Speedo a glide test. I threw the plane and it immediately ballooned upwards and so gave it immediate down elevator. The model kept wanting to do this and I was altering the trim, by which time it had gone over the slope ridge, ooops! So I was committed then and managed to get enough lift for a couple of passes along the ridge before losing the wind and the lift altogether, but I did manage to get the Speedo back to the ground along the ridge line. The second flight Phil has filmed and I will put it on the video thread once I've edited it but, I managed a few passes before losing the lift altogether and had to land out at the bottom of the slope. Subsequent flights were ok in very light winds, and mist came in too, forcing me to fly fairly low. But I shall be looking forward to getting her out there again soon and trying to put her through her paces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Flyer Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Just finished building mine - 4 hours start to finish.Waiting for epoxy to set on the tail end and then I'll get around to setting it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 I shall look forward to hearing how your maiden goes DF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Flyer Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Here she is................. Had to put best part of 2oz of lead in the nose to get it to balance. I'm using a 800mAh Instant pack for the Rx.Just got to set up the throws, check it over and lob it off a cliff! Quite impressed with the quality of the components for the price.Even supplied me with a foot of red velcro...........any idea what that's for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Red velcro I never got that in my kit, but then I didn't get servo extension leads either. I've had to add about 2oz of lead to the nose too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Flyer Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Posted by Steve Houghton 1 on 08/01/2012 17:18:03:Red velcro I never got that in my kit, but then I didn't get servo extension leads either. They must have sent me the 'Executive De Luxe' version by mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave M Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 The velcro is for attaching your camera, obvious really! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 Posted by Devon Flyer on 08/01/2012 17:29:57: Posted by Steve Houghton 1 on 08/01/2012 17:18:03: Red velcro I never got that in my kit, but then I didn't get servo extension leads either. They must have sent me the 'Executive De Luxe' version by mistake. That's discrimination, where do I complain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted January 8, 2012 Share Posted January 8, 2012 My Speedo maiden is now on the video thread, take a look guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Ashby - Moderator Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 What do you think is the max wind speed it'll cope with Steve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted January 9, 2012 Author Share Posted January 9, 2012 david/steve-i flew mine in winds up to 20 mph........i know someone who has flown his in much more.... ken anderson....ne...1.... much more dept.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 I've heard that too Ken. I got mine so that I'd have something to fly in light winds, 5 - 15mph, or those lazy summer days when there's little wind but big thermals rolling through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Ive had a twiddle on the sticks of a mates a few years ago - and that was in 40MPH on the big rock. Id say that was pretty well on the limit, and made for some exciting stuff.....but beware of its diminutive size - they get small very quickly.Id reckon a nice 10 - 15mph would suit sir best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil May Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 I've been watching this with interest and after seeing Steve fly his on the weekend I've decided to invest in one. Unfortunately after just spending £550.00!!!!!!!!! on Alf , my Jack Russell, ( no wonder vets have nice motors ) it has to wait a week or two. Phil P.S Tim, my e-mail still stands regarding Le Fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mackey Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 OK Phil, youre still on the list then mate. Bad luck on the vet bill...another reason I wont have animals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil May Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Good news, Mrs Big Phil said ''what difference does 2 weeks make, you work hard so buy another boys toy' no wonder I love her so much. So now the decision on the colour Phil Edited By Big Phil on 12/01/2012 14:53:20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil May Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 .......It's ordered......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 Woo hoo What colour scheme did you go for Phil? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil May Posted January 12, 2012 Share Posted January 12, 2012 I wanted the yellow one but could not wait for them to be in stock, so went red. But, I am considering the option of changing the colour of the fuse. If that is possible - any ideas on that one guys. Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil May Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Hi guy's. I'm checking out what I need to assemble the model and this is my list. AAA square battery. 3 servo's.........I have some Hitec 55's......will these be ok. 2 x 6" servo ext leads. Y lead. Small rx.......I use Futaba FAST, so any advice on that one please. Weights, glue etc. Any thing I've missed. Cheers all Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Houghton 1 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Phil. As you know I had to take my Spekky RX out of its case and fit it into the nose cone. Because of this I needed servo extension leads of about 200mm ish to go from the RX, along the fus to underneath the wing, but you may choose to fit the RX behind the elevator servo. The aileron servos need extensions on them as the servo leads aren't long enough to exit the wing. Oh and another thing Phil, don't use those plastic clips that keep connectors from pulling apart, if you do they'll never go through the slots inside the wing. I suggest you tape them together as did. I didn't use a Y lead, the AR500 RX has 2 aileron ports but you should be able to use aileron and aux1 as you normally would. Keep the elevator servo as low in the fus as possible. I couldn't use the connector supplied for the control rod as it touched the canopy and had to connect using a Z bend. You'll probably need about 2 oz of weight in the nose, CofG being between 65 - 75mm from LE. Its not easy getting that amount of weight in there. I may buy some lead shot and wrap it in cling film and selotape before stuffing it into the nose cone. At the mo I'm using sticky wheel balance weights, not ideal in this case. Any questions when you're building, just phone or tx me mate and I'll follow your progress on here. Build should only take about 4 hours, unless you faf about like I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean McInnes - Slopeside Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Hi Phil, Sorry you missed out on the yellow one! The best battery for these is something like this Battery link The Hitect 55's should be fine.You can fit the Orange RX Futaba compatible receiver will fit at a squeeze without any casing. Sean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devon Flyer Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Hopefully going to maiden my Speedo tomorrow.Not ideal conditions with it being an ESE wind, but will have a go on the dunes at Broadsands, At least the tide will be out, so I will have plenty of landing area! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 i use the little hitec/4 channel RX's......they are a good reliable and bargain price(£15.00) .. ken anderson ne..1....speedo RX dept... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Phil, I also use FASST and put one of the FrSky FASST-compatible TFR6 rxs in my Speedo. It fits reasonably comfortably in front of the elevator servo without resorting to any cutting or hacking of anything. The battery I got is one that is sold as an Alula battery. My elevator servo is an HS55, the aileron servos are Blue Arrow metal-geared, digital ones. They were the slimmest I could find at a reasonable price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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