Mirage

[Chris True]

Not much activity over here. I'm nearing completion on my Marcel Lahaie 63" Mirage. She's painted as of Tuesday, Os .91 + Dynamax should arrive next week.

[Chris True]

Topview

[gregg f]

i like the high vis scheme!

[Chris True]

Thanks Gregg, it is actually a scale scheme:D . It gets blue rings with red kangaroo's on the wings and inlet lips + a green and yellow unit emblem on the fin - ARDU which stands for Australian Research & Development Unit...

[monkamarm2000]

Awesome Chris, thats such a beautiful plane.

Barry

[uncljoe]

Chris
Looks good, :) Robart wheels with incerts( hard foam) I hope .

Semper Fi
Joe

[Chris True]

Hi Joe - haven't gotten the inserts yet but I will, there seems to be some pretty high rolling resistance without them. I put it on the scale last night - 7 pounds with everything but the thrust tube, fan, Rx pack and motor installed. I'm estimating between 10.5 and 11 pounds dry...

[Jetset]

Hold on tight if you are putting a .91 in it! Mine is a missle with a .77 and Ramtec. Good clean design and awesome flying plane! I was actually going to paint mine in the Aussie scheme you have but I was pressed for time so I didn't bother. After seeing yours I wish I had of!
Good job!
Myles:)

[downunder]

Good grief....how did an American come to hear about ARDU?? I remember when they were at Laverton in Victoria they had one of the 1/3 scale Vulcan bomber test beds in a hangar close to where I worked. Actually though it's Aircraft Research & Development Unit.

[Chris True]

Aircraft - Australian - whatever :D

Just did a google search on "Mirage" a year or two ago when I did my smaller Lahaie Mirage. I was looking for something NOT camo and bright. I just got the first test cuts of the tail marking and the ring / kangaroo's from Vinyl Graphics by Greg. They look good, another week or two and I'll get the finshed ones - I'll put up a pic when it has the frosting applied.

Actually, I need to put some more Orange on - I realized the ailerons on the top of the wing should be orange too.

Chris

[Chris True]

Getting closer. I took it to the field today for some motor running and possible first flight. Unlike the first time I ran it up in the backyard - nothing shook off this time :D . I do need to strengthen the inner walls of the inlets though, at full chat they bow inward to the point that the fuel tank got sucked up against the spinner :rolleyes: .

I'll get the tank secured so it can't move and add some more glass the the inner flat walls of the ductwork. 11 pounds dry, 12.5 fully fueled...

[Jetset]

One other thing I did do that I should have NOT done was add more throw than the instructions said to! DOH!
After the first very hairy flight, I landed (not sure how) and removed all the extra travel! I like blistering rolls but THAT was darn right uncontrolable!:eek:
After taming down the throws, it was smooth as silk!
Myles:cool:

[Chris True]

You wouldn't happen to have the recommended CG and throws? I've misplaced my instructions.

I wasn't too worried, I have experience on the smaller Mirage (electric) and I knew the ailerons need to be conservative. I've got a bunch of expo on the little Mirage, It is very easy to fly around but throw the stick all the way over and 1/2 the time it is inverted when you release it :D . On the big one I figured as long as it barely sits on the three gear with the tank empty it is by definition NOT tail heavy when the 24 ounce tank is filled.

[Kevin Cox]

Have you flown this wet beast yet Chris? :D

[Jetset]

Unfortunately I no longer have my instructions either.:(
I know the throw isn't very much, only like 1/8 or 3/16"" up and down.
Myles

[Chris True]

Originally posted by Kevin Cox
Have you flown this wet beast yet Chris? :D

No - not yet. Got the CG and throws from Marcel last week. I need to redo my steering lines then it's RTF again.

[Kevin Cox]

Looks cool....good luck.

[b1driver]

Great looking Jet!! Is this a kit or a scratch build?

Luis

[Chris True]

Kit by Marcel Lahaie in Canada.

Still tinkering - my boss sent me away this weekend so no time...

[monkamarm2000]

Hey check out the South African Mirage paint shcemes Chris, there real different. There not exactly Mirages but close enough. I had a better pic of this one somewhere but cant find it.

[Chris True]

Well, after much delay - it FLIES!

Within the past couple of weeks I acquired a BVM F-16 thrust tube and modified it to fit the Mirage and installed a new JMP system 2 pipe - the sealing system is great on this pipe. Last weeK i tried to fly it a couple times going to bigger and bigger wheels each time (from grass) with no luck. I did get it in the air a couple times but the AOA was very high and couldn't gain speed. After thinking I decided it might be tial heavy - sure enough the JMP pipe is heavier and the thrust tube is heavier than the plastic I had in there so it was tialheavy. I moved the Rx pack forward about TWO FEET! I also went to 3/16" wire on the mains and set it at a very nose up attitude. At rest the LE of the wing is about 3" above the TE. On the takoff run the nose wire bends back some lowering the attitude but it is still nose up.

After an estimated 500 foot ground roll she broke ground with full up applied. The first 180 was a bit scary but after that it flew great. Not much speed cause the wheels are huge and I ned to modify the wells so I can retract them (maybe, have to look at that). I'd say it's in the 100 or so class with 3 3.5" wheels hanging in the breeze. Once I got it trimmed I switched to high aileron rate and low elevator. It's still somewhat sensitive on elevator even on low rate and 40% expo - I'll bump the expo up before flying again. Landing was a piece of cake, with the balance in the right spot she'll get the nose up 20 degrees or so for a slow touchdown.

[Strykaas]

bump

Any news Chris ?

[chris3dd]

My mirage ....

http://www.espacesite.com/eazipictures/image.php?id=198249274343addbd376868&nom=IMAG0008.JPG

http://www.espacesite.com/eazipictures/image.php?id=149723232043addd1b54589&nom=IMAG0014.jpg

[Strykaas]

OK thanks :) !
I think I'll start mine very soon. Was it difficult to plank ?