Michael Heer
May 14, 2003, 01:00 AM
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00010.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00010_t.jpg">
</a><br><br>Author with Swift Vee
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<p><strong>Specifications</strong></p>
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<b>Wingspan:</b>
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1760 mm (70 inches)
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<b>Wing area:</b>
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36 dm2 (558 Sq. inches)
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<b>Weight:</b>
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1200-1250 g per manufacturer
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<b>Wing Loading:</b>
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33-35 g/dm2
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<b>Weight as Tested:</b>
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41.1 ounces plane w/ battery, 2 oz lead to balance at C/G for a total of 43.1
ounces
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<b>Length:</b>
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<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">1100 mm (44.5 inches spinner nose to end of the control surfaces)
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<b>Airfoil:</b>
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<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">E193/RG15
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<b>Motor:</b>
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AXI 2820/10
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<b>Spinner:</b>
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Turbo AL 40mm diameter, 5mm motor shaft
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<b>Propeller:</b>
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11 x 8 aero-naut folding prop blades
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<b>ESC:</b>
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Jeti Jes 40-3P
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<b>Radio:</b>
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JR 8103 transmitter, FMA receiver
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<b>Servos:</b>
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Hitec 81s three servos
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<b>Made By:</b>
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RCM Pelikan. <a href="http://www.rcm-pelikan.cz/">www.rcm-pelikan.cz</a>
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<b>Available From:</b>
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Hobby Lobby <a href="http://www.hobby-lobby.com/">www.hobby-lobby.com</a>
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<b>Note:</b>
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Recommended battery pack is more compact then one I used so may not require the
lead I needed to balance at the proper C/G.
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<p>
<big><b>Introduction</b></big>
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
My first thoughts on opening the box were "what a gorgeous looking glider". Built and covered,
and only needing a little final assembly, the Swift Vee looks like it wants to fly. Within
fifteen minutes of opening the box I had test assembled the wings and stabs to the fuselage
and saw I had a very pretty glider to review.
</p>
<p>
As I studied the kit I
realized I wasn't certain of what makes up a "hotliner" besides an ability to climb
quickly. A hotliner in my mind is something that can climb vertically, be
almost out of sight in 10 seconds, come screaming down to run 20 feet over the
ground seven seconds later, then do axial rolls as it climbs back to altitude. I was
distracted from the Swift as a glider as it didn't fit my concept of a hotliner. But setting
aside the idea of a hotliner for now, I focused on the Swift in front of me.
</p>
<p>
I was
pretty confident it would be a good soarer and able to "swiftly" cover the sky from thermal to
thermal with its E193/RG 15 airfoil, which is a proven blend for thermaling, penetrating and
being able to get out of sink quickly. I was anxious to get this plane together. The
instructions are on the minimal side but there isn't much to do so they seem to me
to be adequate and helpful in explaining v-tail control movement for the first time v-tail
flyer.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<big><b>Kit Contents</b></big>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Swiftkit.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Swiftkit_t.jpg" width="327"></a>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/electricsminusreceiver.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/electricsminusreceiver_t.jpg" width="201"></a>
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Here are the parts that came in the box.
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Here are the other parts supplied to me, everthing but the battery and receiver.
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/kithardware.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/kithardware_t.jpg">
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You can see in this picture how small the wing joiner wires are. OK for climb but
not sure how strenuous a dive they could handle.
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<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
Hobby Lobby supplied the kit for this review. With it they sent a Jeti, Jes 40-3P brushless
speed controller, an AXI 2820/10 brushless motor, and an 11 x 8 folding prop with a Turbo
spinner. I had heard good things about this motor and have had good results with the few Jeti
speed controllers I have used in the past. The Jeti speed controller comes with three wires with
female plugs installed for connecting to the wires from the motor. They include three male plugs
that match to install on the motor wires. I soldered those male plugs to the wires on the motor
and also soldered the approbriate red and black sermos connectors to the speed controller to
connect with my battery pack. At this point I realized I hadn't taken any pictures of the parts
or the kit so I took the required "before" pictures with the connectors already installed. Hobby
Lobby didn't send a battery pack as they didn't yet have the recommended pack in stock at the
time they sent the kit. (They will be recommending a seven cell 4/5 AUP 1700 nimh pack at 9.7
ounces.) I used an eight cell "Sport Pack" from DMA rated at 1700 mah and weighing in at 13.9
ounces (my unofficial scale). Unfortunately no mounting bolts came with the motor. I went to
Orchard Supply Hardware, a chain store started here in Northern California. They had the bolts
I needed! They are Pan Head Phillips, M3 x 6 pitch .5 and are sold in bags of three. Since I
only needed 2 bolts I bought one bag and have a spare.
</p>
<p>
The Swift kit comes with a very nicely finished fiberglass fuselage that has the mounting pins
for the V tail already installed as well as the block for the wing mounting bolt. The V-tail is
built and covered and the mounting holes to fit the v-tail to the fuselage are predrilled. The
wing is in three sections, a straight center section with a single center mounted spoiler and
two wing tips. These are completely built and covered. There is no "construction" to do on the
wing. Also enclosed in the kit is the wing mounting bolt, four prebent wires to connect the wing
tips to the center section, hardware to connect the V-tail to the servos and a predrilled
motor mounting plate for the front of the fuselage and some small pieces of wood for mounting
servos and linkage.
</p>
<p>
<b>Mounting the Motor</b><br>
The building instructions indicate that the motor mounting plate is mounted flush to the front
of the fuselage as the proper angles for right and down thrust are already built
into the fuselage. When the initial
epoxy was dry, I made up a second batch and added some micro balloons to the mix and using a
bamboo rod I added a small amount of this epoxy mix to the outer edge of the motor mount on the
inside of the fuselage. Just a little for added strength but not so much as to get in the way of
the actual mounting of the motor. I left it to cure overnight and mounted the motor the next
morning using two of the bolts. Before mounting the
motor I plugged in the speed controller and confirmed that everything was working properly. I
have often had to struggle to properly line up the motor for mounting in past projects but this
one went very smoothly. Preformed air intakes in the mounting plate line up nicely with air
intakes on the AXI motor. With the Turbo spinner cooling should be no problem. It took less
then ten minutes using no special tools to install the motor.
</p>
<p>
I mounted the motor with the wires going alongside the motor and next to the fuselage. Since
I don't want the wires to touch the spinning motor, I used a little dab of Household Goo to
secure the wires to the side of the fuselage, even with the back of the motor. This keeps them
out of the way of the rotating motor and out of the way where the battery will be mounted to the
bottom of the fuselage behind the motor. With the motor thus mounted I installed the propeller
blades, yoke and spinner and after finishing that I installed velcro behind the motor for
mounting the battery and receiver and again tested that the motor was working properly. It was,
so I moved onto finishing the wing.
</p>
</blockquote>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/motormount3.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/motormount3_t.jpg">
</a>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/turbospinner.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/turbospinner_t.jpg">
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Motor mount and AXI motor installed
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Turbo spinner, yoke and folding prop installed
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<blockquote>
<p>
<b>Wing Assembly</b>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Spoiler1.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Spoiler1_t.jpg" width="240"></a>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Spoiler2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Spoiler2_t.jpg"></a>
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Spoiler up front view
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Showing spoiler servo mounted
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/wingjoiners.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/wingjoiners_t.jpg">
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Wires are slid inside the tubes and tape secures the wing tips to the center
section.
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<br>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
As stated above the wing is already assembled including a dowel installed in the front leading
edge to center the wing and a bolt to secure it to the fuselage. In the center wing section
all I had to do was mount a Hitec 81 servo in the spoiler bay, add a servo arm extender to the
servo and drill a hole in the bottom of the wing for the servo wire to get into the fuselage.
The spoiler comes with a fairly strong spring action attached to keep the spoiler closed when
not intentionally opened with the servo. I therefore decided to use Household Goo to secure
the servo in place. The servo is truely secured in the wings spoiler bay. (I decided to use a
short servo extension wire plugged into the receiver so that I could easily plug in the
spoiler servo when I attach the wing without having to touch the receiver every time.)
</p>
<p>
The wing tips are held on with two small wires each. These slide into two small tubes mounted
in the wing ribs as shown in the picture. The instructions tell you to use cynoacrylic glue
(CA) to secure the wires into the wing tip panels only. They merely slide into the center wing
tip section and the wing tips are held in place with tape connecting them to the center
section. This allows for removal of the panels for travel. I deviated from these instructions
slightly. I added clear tape over the covering material on the wing panels to protect the
covering from being torn in the process of removing the tape that will be used to secure the
wing panels to the center section. I have done this to other planes in the past and found it
has worked well for me. The wing was now finished.
</p>
<p>
<b>Attaching the V-Tail and Mounting the Servos</b>
</p>
</blockquote>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00003.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00003_t.jpg"></a>
<br>
<br>The only real "building" is drilling holes for the v-tail control wires pictured above.
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00004.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00004_t.jpg"></a>
<br><br>The tail surfaces simply slide onto wires premounted in the fuselage.
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<br>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
As stated above the fuselage comes with the v-tail mounting wires already installed for
mounting the v-tail to the fuselage. The v-tail itself comes built, covered, and with holes
drilled for the attachment wires that are mounted in the fuselage. The control surfaces come
taped in place. The assembler does however have to mount the control linkages into the V-tail
sections. I installed the control wires to the control surfaces by first measuring where the
wire goes into the control surface and then hand drilling the hole for the wire by turning
the drill bit between my fingers by hand. I started with a 1/16th bit and then moved up to a
5/32 drill bit. These easily drill the holes in the soft balsa. I next trial fit the prebent
control wire into the hole and confirming it was properly located I carved out a small trench
in the control surface to fit the wire that runs out of the bottom of the control surface.
When certain of the fit I first applied a small amount of CA to secure it in place and then
added a small amount of epoxy over that to completely bond the wire to the control surface. I
repeated this process on the other half of the v-tail.
</p>
<p>
To this point everything had gone perfectly. The last step was to mount and connect the
control tubes to the servos that would be mounted under the back of the wing saddle to the
fuselage sides and then connect the linkage to the v-tail. The instructions call for mounting
the servos to wood cross pieces and making a mounting block for the control linkage right
behind the servos. I have a method that is much easier and has worked very well for me in the
past. It was taught to me by Jeff Hunter. Instead of making the wooden cross braces where the
servos are attached you simply use Household Goo or Shoe Goop to glue the servos together and
to the bottom of the fuselage. If necessary the servos can be removed by picking at and
scoring the glue but until you do that they remain firmly in place. Additionally, if you
properly measure the exact length of your linkage and prepare it properly you can make
certain that your control surfaces are level with the servos and control arms in the neutral
position by slight adjustment of the servo location until the goo sets up. The outer tubes for
the control linkage is glued to the side of the fuselage by the servos and the bottom in
back. This system works great but you must measure and make your linkage the correct length to
position the servos where you want them and have everything set up correctly.
</p>
</blockquote>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00009b.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00009b_t.jpg"></a><br><br>
Per text, servos further forward than intended but that helped with the planes balance.
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<br>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
On this project I considered using the tubes and connectors that came with the plane to test
them out. If I had just bought the kit for myself I would probably have switched to using a
metal wire inside the plastic sleeve rather then use the inner plastic tube that came with the
kit. As I measured for these possibilities I had one measurement for using the wire without a
connector on the servo end and a shorter measurement using the plastic tubes because of
the connectors and clevises that get secured to both ends of the tubes. I slept on the
decision of which method to use and went with the plastic inner tube. But I cut the tubes
using the longer "wire" measurement. This error moved the servos about two inches forward of
where I and the plans intended for the servos to be installed. I discovered this mistake at the
last step of installation and rather then go back I decided to just go with it. I
haven't had to make an adjustment since I started using this method. As you can see in the
picture above it is a good thing I didn't have to adjust the control arms as they ended up in
an almost unreachable location. Since with my method the servos are glued in place with the
control linkage connected and neutral, the only thing left after the goo was allowed to harden
over night was to balance the plane.
</p>
<p>
Because of where I ended up mounting the servos I was a little concerned I might have made the
plane a little nose heavy so I initially installed the receiver behind the servos to correct
for my error. The plane turned about to actually be tail heavy. As I mentioned above Hobby
Lobby didn't have the battery pack they plan to recommend for this plane in stock so I used my
own battery pack. The Sport battery pack from Diversity Model Aircraft an 8 cell CP-1700SCR
nicad pack available at: <a href="http://www.flydma.com/">www.FlyDMA.com</a>. Power wise it
seems very well matched for this motor set-up. Even with my forward position for the servos,
moving the receiver in front of the servos and using a battery pack almost four ounces
heavier then the one Hobby Lobby is proposing for the plane, I was still tail heavy. I ended
up securing a two ounce fishing weight to the top of the battery, right behind the motor and
the Center of Gravity (C/G) balanced at 70 mm behind the wings leading edge. This is the back
of the range given in the instructions of 65-70 mm for the C/G. The plane was done, now it was
time to program my transmitter for the v-tail.
</p>
<p>
<b>Programing the Transmitter</b><br>
I am using my JR 8103 to fly the Swift in "aircraft" mode, I selected the
Delta wing option. Channel one is the throttle. I am using channels two and three to control
the v-tail and both are servo reversed to get the proper throws for all surfaces, for all
directions with the way I set up the linkage (on the outside of the servos next to the
fuselage sides). For the spoiler I am using an auxiliary channel on my 8 channel FMA receiver
and using a mixing control so the spoiler is controlled by the flap switch in the
left front top of my transmitter.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<big><b>Flying</b></big>
</p>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Jeff1.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Jeff1_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/speedrun2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/speedrun2_t.jpg"></a>
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Jeff Hunter launching for first flight.
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Adjusting trim tabs for level flight
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/climb.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/climb_t.jpg"></a><br>
<br>Third full power climb as I missed the first two.
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<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
Final static testing is always necessary before the first flight is attempted. At the local
park I performed a range check of the radio system and that was passed with ease. I did a
final check to make sure the plane was balanced at my starting point for the the C/G of 70 mm
behind the leading edge. I double checked the control set-up one last time. Right stick on
transmitter and both control surfaces moved right, left stick, both moved left, and up and down
checked out correctly as well. Firmly holding the plane with the propeller in front of me and
pointing it away from me, I ran up the motor and confirmed motor and propeller were working
properly. One last look to confirm wing tips were firmly taped in place and that v-tail
control surfaces were in neutral position with neutral trim tabs. All systems are go! The
Swift is ready for it's first flight and this will be done with the motor off. Holding the
transmitter in my left hand I start running forward into a light breeze and give the Swift a
hard firm toss forward, level with the ground. After all this is a glider and we can see if it
is in trim without using the motor. On this first toss I just let it fly forward and see if it
flies level with the trim adjustments I have used. It basically flies level with a slow drop
as the speed bleeds off and it slides to a nice smooth landing about 50 yards in front of me.
I retrieve the plane and walk back to where I started and do it again but this time I put
it in a slight right turn and the plane responds nicely coming back to me in a circle and
landing at my feet. I am ready to try powered flight. However the local park is too small to
fly this plane and I need to take pictures. Time to recruit my friend Jeff Hunter.
</p>
</blockquote>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/speedrun.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/speedrun_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/lateclimb.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/lateclimb_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
A high speed pass over the field.
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
A late climb near the end of the battery charge.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/inverted.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/inverted_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
Jeff flew it inverted to burn off about 500 feet of altitude and brought it down
from 1,000 feet for me to take over at 500 feet.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
Jeff and I went out to the Modesto Reservoir, our clubs largest flying site and there we met
up with Zack and Devin Brooks who were on spring vacation. Zack is joining our club and is
building an Electric Cub from a kit on his own. Today the boys were just spectators for the
first full power flight of the Swift. I operated the cameras and Jeff tossed and flew it for
the first half of the flight. After the initial toss the plane kicked up and Jeff slowed it
down and programed in some down adjustment on the transmitters elevator subtrim. With that
done to his satisfaction he kicked it into high and it took off like a shot climbing at
between 80 degrees and vertical on the fresh battery. In less then ten seconds (best
estimate) he shut down the motor and he was at about 600 to 700 feet above the field having
started his climb about 50 feet above the field.
</p>
<p>
Unfortunately, I missed most of that climb
and the next one with my video camera as Jeff flew close and I was too slow transiting the
camera up. Jeff continued to fly for about 8 minutes and I took pictures with my still camera
and my video camera. Jeff did loops and locked into a thermal and climbed to over 1000 feet.
Then he put the plane inverted and burned off about half that elevation and turned it over for
me to fly about 500 feet above the field. He had added up elevator using the trim tab so it
was trimmed for motor off flight when I got the transmitter. As would be expected with the
E193/RG15 airfoil the plane likes to fly fast even with the motor off. Still I was a little
surprised by just how quickly it covered the sky in near level flight. I also hooked a thermal
and climbed a couple hundred feet with the motor off. I did a series of loops to burn off
altitude and tried out the spoiler, which also proved effective. After about five minutes of
flying I turned the plane back over to Jeff at about 400 feet of elevation and only later
did I realize that I hadn't run the motor during my stick time as I was having so much fun
just soaring.
</p>
<p>
Jeff did a few more climbs and some more loops and inverted flight but he refrained from doing
any steep dives. Neither of us thought the plane was built for terminal velocity dives and
this was proving to be too nice a plane to risk by doing something stupid. Jeff landed the
plane after the battery no longer powering the motor with more than 18 minutes of flight time.
We both knew we could have easily had double that length of flight time the way the plane was
handling in the good lift conditions.
</p>
<p>
That evening I had a second powered flight closer to home with the Swift out over a
new housing development. I was alone and didn't have anyone to time my climbs. They were
impressive to me, although I have seen Brian Chan and others with faster climbs with their
hotliners. I was able to keep the climbs at full charge at between 80 and 90 degrees. Later
climbs as the battery ran down were at 70 degrees plus. But I was equally impressed with the
planes ability to utilize a thermal I hit in the evening. I don't think I could have done any
better with that thermal with my pure gliders that have lower wing loading then I did with the
Swift that evening.
</p>
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" width="350" bgcolor="#000000" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<table align="center" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="4" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/landingapproach.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/landingapproach_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/landing.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/landing_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
On Final approach for landing
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
It just kept going and going, I suppose thats why it has a spoiler.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00006b.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00006b_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
Jeff Hunter with support crew, Zack Brooks standing and Devin Brooks kneeling.<br>
(Zack at age 13 is kit building a E. Cub, no ARF for him.)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<p>
<big><b>Conclusion</b></big>
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
Is the Swift a hotliner? As stated at the outset of this article this issue was raised by the
instructions and it is a question of definition but to me it is a very nice warmliner. It
climbs very well, very impressive for just an 8 cell battery pack but it is not a hotliner in
that respect and I don't think it is built for really high speed dives or aerobatics. I
wouldn't want to try and bring it down on the deck with a 1,000 foot dive. However, what it
will do is very pleasing. It climbs well, it thermals very nicely and it penetrates the breeze
very well and does great loops and a nice barrel roll.
</p>
<p>
During the course of writing this review I asked a question on <a href="http://www.rcgroups.com">RCGroups.com</a> as to what is a
Hotliner and from the responses I got I confirmed that most pilots include the ability to do
extreme acrobatics and 1000 foot dives as part of the make-up of a hotliner. Perhaps
surprising to some of you, most didn't consider vertical climb as a factor for a
hotliner.
</p>
<p>
I would rather have a flatland
glider that can thermal well and soar than to dive like my lead sled can at the slope. It has
to be flown relatively fast to take advantage of the characteristics of its airfoil. If you
try and fly it slow (except for landing) you will loose all that is good about it. Therefore
this plane requires at least an intermediate pilot who has a large open area to fly
it in. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words and so hopefully the video will answer any
questions you have about this plane. Sorry I didn't get a clearer shot of it climbing but at
least you get some idea of how it climbs from the video as well as how it looks in the air.
</p>
<p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/camera.jpg">
</td>
<td valign="middle"><a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/SwiftVee250.wmv">Watch a video of the Swift Vee</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
Since I used the components that came with the kit I have no explanation as to why my plane
apparently came out tail heavy as I didn't think I used all that much glue securing the outer
control rod sleeves to the bottom of the fuselage or in securing the control wires into the
control surfaces. With an all up flying weight of 43.1 ounces I am not going to worry about
it. But! Since I am doing a review I remain curious if any ballast will be necessary to obtain
proper C/G with the lighter battery pack Hobby Lobby is proposing for the plane as that
pack has a more compact configuration to get more weight forward then the two rows of four end
to end in my test pack.
</p>
<p>
The easiest way I can summarize my feelings about this plane is that if I didn't now own this
plane, having flown it, I would have to go out and buy it. Jeff who designs and flies his
own gliders is happy I am keeping it and is looking forward to flying it again...soon.
</p>
</blockquote>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="5" bgcolor="#000000" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" colspan="2">
<br>
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00010.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00010_t.jpg">
</a><br><br>Author with Swift Vee
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" colspan="2" valign="top">
<p><strong>Specifications</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Wingspan:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top" align="left">
1760 mm (70 inches)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Wing area:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top" align="left">
36 dm2 (558 Sq. inches)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Weight:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
1200-1250 g per manufacturer
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Wing Loading:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
33-35 g/dm2
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Weight as Tested:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
41.1 ounces plane w/ battery, 2 oz lead to balance at C/G for a total of 43.1
ounces
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Length:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">1100 mm (44.5 inches spinner nose to end of the control surfaces)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Airfoil:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">E193/RG15
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Motor:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
AXI 2820/10
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6">
<b>Spinner:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
Turbo AL 40mm diameter, 5mm motor shaft
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Propeller:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
11 x 8 aero-naut folding prop blades
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>ESC:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
Jeti Jes 40-3P
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Radio:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
JR 8103 transmitter, FMA receiver
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Servos:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
Hitec 81s three servos
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Made By:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left">
RCM Pelikan. <a href="http://www.rcm-pelikan.cz/">www.rcm-pelikan.cz</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Available From:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
Hobby Lobby <a href="http://www.hobby-lobby.com/">www.hobby-lobby.com</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="right" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top">
<b>Note:</b>
</td>
<td bgcolor="#E6E6E6" align="left" valign="top">
Recommended battery pack is more compact then one I used so may not require the
lead I needed to balance at the proper C/G.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>
<big><b>Introduction</b></big>
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
My first thoughts on opening the box were "what a gorgeous looking glider". Built and covered,
and only needing a little final assembly, the Swift Vee looks like it wants to fly. Within
fifteen minutes of opening the box I had test assembled the wings and stabs to the fuselage
and saw I had a very pretty glider to review.
</p>
<p>
As I studied the kit I
realized I wasn't certain of what makes up a "hotliner" besides an ability to climb
quickly. A hotliner in my mind is something that can climb vertically, be
almost out of sight in 10 seconds, come screaming down to run 20 feet over the
ground seven seconds later, then do axial rolls as it climbs back to altitude. I was
distracted from the Swift as a glider as it didn't fit my concept of a hotliner. But setting
aside the idea of a hotliner for now, I focused on the Swift in front of me.
</p>
<p>
I was
pretty confident it would be a good soarer and able to "swiftly" cover the sky from thermal to
thermal with its E193/RG 15 airfoil, which is a proven blend for thermaling, penetrating and
being able to get out of sink quickly. I was anxious to get this plane together. The
instructions are on the minimal side but there isn't much to do so they seem to me
to be adequate and helpful in explaining v-tail control movement for the first time v-tail
flyer.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<big><b>Kit Contents</b></big>
</p>
<table align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" width="350" bgcolor="#000000" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<table align="center" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="4" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Swiftkit.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Swiftkit_t.jpg" width="327"></a>
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/electricsminusreceiver.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/electricsminusreceiver_t.jpg" width="201"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
Here are the parts that came in the box.
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
Here are the other parts supplied to me, everthing but the battery and receiver.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/kithardware.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/kithardware_t.jpg">
</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
You can see in this picture how small the wing joiner wires are. OK for climb but
not sure how strenuous a dive they could handle.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
Hobby Lobby supplied the kit for this review. With it they sent a Jeti, Jes 40-3P brushless
speed controller, an AXI 2820/10 brushless motor, and an 11 x 8 folding prop with a Turbo
spinner. I had heard good things about this motor and have had good results with the few Jeti
speed controllers I have used in the past. The Jeti speed controller comes with three wires with
female plugs installed for connecting to the wires from the motor. They include three male plugs
that match to install on the motor wires. I soldered those male plugs to the wires on the motor
and also soldered the approbriate red and black sermos connectors to the speed controller to
connect with my battery pack. At this point I realized I hadn't taken any pictures of the parts
or the kit so I took the required "before" pictures with the connectors already installed. Hobby
Lobby didn't send a battery pack as they didn't yet have the recommended pack in stock at the
time they sent the kit. (They will be recommending a seven cell 4/5 AUP 1700 nimh pack at 9.7
ounces.) I used an eight cell "Sport Pack" from DMA rated at 1700 mah and weighing in at 13.9
ounces (my unofficial scale). Unfortunately no mounting bolts came with the motor. I went to
Orchard Supply Hardware, a chain store started here in Northern California. They had the bolts
I needed! They are Pan Head Phillips, M3 x 6 pitch .5 and are sold in bags of three. Since I
only needed 2 bolts I bought one bag and have a spare.
</p>
<p>
The Swift kit comes with a very nicely finished fiberglass fuselage that has the mounting pins
for the V tail already installed as well as the block for the wing mounting bolt. The V-tail is
built and covered and the mounting holes to fit the v-tail to the fuselage are predrilled. The
wing is in three sections, a straight center section with a single center mounted spoiler and
two wing tips. These are completely built and covered. There is no "construction" to do on the
wing. Also enclosed in the kit is the wing mounting bolt, four prebent wires to connect the wing
tips to the center section, hardware to connect the V-tail to the servos and a predrilled
motor mounting plate for the front of the fuselage and some small pieces of wood for mounting
servos and linkage.
</p>
<p>
<b>Mounting the Motor</b><br>
The building instructions indicate that the motor mounting plate is mounted flush to the front
of the fuselage as the proper angles for right and down thrust are already built
into the fuselage. When the initial
epoxy was dry, I made up a second batch and added some micro balloons to the mix and using a
bamboo rod I added a small amount of this epoxy mix to the outer edge of the motor mount on the
inside of the fuselage. Just a little for added strength but not so much as to get in the way of
the actual mounting of the motor. I left it to cure overnight and mounted the motor the next
morning using two of the bolts. Before mounting the
motor I plugged in the speed controller and confirmed that everything was working properly. I
have often had to struggle to properly line up the motor for mounting in past projects but this
one went very smoothly. Preformed air intakes in the mounting plate line up nicely with air
intakes on the AXI motor. With the Turbo spinner cooling should be no problem. It took less
then ten minutes using no special tools to install the motor.
</p>
<p>
I mounted the motor with the wires going alongside the motor and next to the fuselage. Since
I don't want the wires to touch the spinning motor, I used a little dab of Household Goo to
secure the wires to the side of the fuselage, even with the back of the motor. This keeps them
out of the way of the rotating motor and out of the way where the battery will be mounted to the
bottom of the fuselage behind the motor. With the motor thus mounted I installed the propeller
blades, yoke and spinner and after finishing that I installed velcro behind the motor for
mounting the battery and receiver and again tested that the motor was working properly. It was,
so I moved onto finishing the wing.
</p>
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" width="350" bgcolor="#000000" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<table align="center" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="4" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/motormount3.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/motormount3_t.jpg">
</a>
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/turbospinner.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/turbospinner_t.jpg">
</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
Motor mount and AXI motor installed
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
Turbo spinner, yoke and folding prop installed
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<blockquote>
<p>
<b>Wing Assembly</b>
</p>
</blockquote>
<table align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" width="350" bgcolor="#000000" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<table align="center" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="4" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Spoiler1.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Spoiler1_t.jpg" width="240"></a>
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Spoiler2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Spoiler2_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" valign="middle">
Spoiler up front view
</td>
<td align="center" valign="middle">
Showing spoiler servo mounted
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" valign="middle" colspan="2" width="100%">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/wingjoiners.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/wingjoiners_t.jpg">
</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" valign="middle" colspan="2" width="100%">
Wires are slid inside the tubes and tape secures the wing tips to the center
section.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
As stated above the wing is already assembled including a dowel installed in the front leading
edge to center the wing and a bolt to secure it to the fuselage. In the center wing section
all I had to do was mount a Hitec 81 servo in the spoiler bay, add a servo arm extender to the
servo and drill a hole in the bottom of the wing for the servo wire to get into the fuselage.
The spoiler comes with a fairly strong spring action attached to keep the spoiler closed when
not intentionally opened with the servo. I therefore decided to use Household Goo to secure
the servo in place. The servo is truely secured in the wings spoiler bay. (I decided to use a
short servo extension wire plugged into the receiver so that I could easily plug in the
spoiler servo when I attach the wing without having to touch the receiver every time.)
</p>
<p>
The wing tips are held on with two small wires each. These slide into two small tubes mounted
in the wing ribs as shown in the picture. The instructions tell you to use cynoacrylic glue
(CA) to secure the wires into the wing tip panels only. They merely slide into the center wing
tip section and the wing tips are held in place with tape connecting them to the center
section. This allows for removal of the panels for travel. I deviated from these instructions
slightly. I added clear tape over the covering material on the wing panels to protect the
covering from being torn in the process of removing the tape that will be used to secure the
wing panels to the center section. I have done this to other planes in the past and found it
has worked well for me. The wing was now finished.
</p>
<p>
<b>Attaching the V-Tail and Mounting the Servos</b>
</p>
</blockquote>
<table cellspacing="1" cellpadding="0" align="center" width="450" bgcolor="#000000" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<table align="center" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top"><br>
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00003.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00003_t.jpg"></a>
<br>
<br>The only real "building" is drilling holes for the v-tail control wires pictured above.
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" valign="top"><br>
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00004.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00004_t.jpg"></a>
<br><br>The tail surfaces simply slide onto wires premounted in the fuselage.
</td>
</tr>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
As stated above the fuselage comes with the v-tail mounting wires already installed for
mounting the v-tail to the fuselage. The v-tail itself comes built, covered, and with holes
drilled for the attachment wires that are mounted in the fuselage. The control surfaces come
taped in place. The assembler does however have to mount the control linkages into the V-tail
sections. I installed the control wires to the control surfaces by first measuring where the
wire goes into the control surface and then hand drilling the hole for the wire by turning
the drill bit between my fingers by hand. I started with a 1/16th bit and then moved up to a
5/32 drill bit. These easily drill the holes in the soft balsa. I next trial fit the prebent
control wire into the hole and confirming it was properly located I carved out a small trench
in the control surface to fit the wire that runs out of the bottom of the control surface.
When certain of the fit I first applied a small amount of CA to secure it in place and then
added a small amount of epoxy over that to completely bond the wire to the control surface. I
repeated this process on the other half of the v-tail.
</p>
<p>
To this point everything had gone perfectly. The last step was to mount and connect the
control tubes to the servos that would be mounted under the back of the wing saddle to the
fuselage sides and then connect the linkage to the v-tail. The instructions call for mounting
the servos to wood cross pieces and making a mounting block for the control linkage right
behind the servos. I have a method that is much easier and has worked very well for me in the
past. It was taught to me by Jeff Hunter. Instead of making the wooden cross braces where the
servos are attached you simply use Household Goo or Shoe Goop to glue the servos together and
to the bottom of the fuselage. If necessary the servos can be removed by picking at and
scoring the glue but until you do that they remain firmly in place. Additionally, if you
properly measure the exact length of your linkage and prepare it properly you can make
certain that your control surfaces are level with the servos and control arms in the neutral
position by slight adjustment of the servo location until the goo sets up. The outer tubes for
the control linkage is glued to the side of the fuselage by the servos and the bottom in
back. This system works great but you must measure and make your linkage the correct length to
position the servos where you want them and have everything set up correctly.
</p>
</blockquote>
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<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
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<tbody>
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<td align="center" width="100%" bgcolor="#E6E6E6"><br>
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00009b.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00009b_t.jpg"></a><br><br>
Per text, servos further forward than intended but that helped with the planes balance.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
On this project I considered using the tubes and connectors that came with the plane to test
them out. If I had just bought the kit for myself I would probably have switched to using a
metal wire inside the plastic sleeve rather then use the inner plastic tube that came with the
kit. As I measured for these possibilities I had one measurement for using the wire without a
connector on the servo end and a shorter measurement using the plastic tubes because of
the connectors and clevises that get secured to both ends of the tubes. I slept on the
decision of which method to use and went with the plastic inner tube. But I cut the tubes
using the longer "wire" measurement. This error moved the servos about two inches forward of
where I and the plans intended for the servos to be installed. I discovered this mistake at the
last step of installation and rather then go back I decided to just go with it. I
haven't had to make an adjustment since I started using this method. As you can see in the
picture above it is a good thing I didn't have to adjust the control arms as they ended up in
an almost unreachable location. Since with my method the servos are glued in place with the
control linkage connected and neutral, the only thing left after the goo was allowed to harden
over night was to balance the plane.
</p>
<p>
Because of where I ended up mounting the servos I was a little concerned I might have made the
plane a little nose heavy so I initially installed the receiver behind the servos to correct
for my error. The plane turned about to actually be tail heavy. As I mentioned above Hobby
Lobby didn't have the battery pack they plan to recommend for this plane in stock so I used my
own battery pack. The Sport battery pack from Diversity Model Aircraft an 8 cell CP-1700SCR
nicad pack available at: <a href="http://www.flydma.com/">www.FlyDMA.com</a>. Power wise it
seems very well matched for this motor set-up. Even with my forward position for the servos,
moving the receiver in front of the servos and using a battery pack almost four ounces
heavier then the one Hobby Lobby is proposing for the plane, I was still tail heavy. I ended
up securing a two ounce fishing weight to the top of the battery, right behind the motor and
the Center of Gravity (C/G) balanced at 70 mm behind the wings leading edge. This is the back
of the range given in the instructions of 65-70 mm for the C/G. The plane was done, now it was
time to program my transmitter for the v-tail.
</p>
<p>
<b>Programing the Transmitter</b><br>
I am using my JR 8103 to fly the Swift in "aircraft" mode, I selected the
Delta wing option. Channel one is the throttle. I am using channels two and three to control
the v-tail and both are servo reversed to get the proper throws for all surfaces, for all
directions with the way I set up the linkage (on the outside of the servos next to the
fuselage sides). For the spoiler I am using an auxiliary channel on my 8 channel FMA receiver
and using a mixing control so the spoiler is controlled by the flap switch in the
left front top of my transmitter.
</p>
</blockquote>
<p>
<big><b>Flying</b></big>
</p>
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<td>
<table align="center" cellspacing="10" cellpadding="4" bgcolor="#E6E6E6" border="0">
<tbody>
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<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Jeff1.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/Jeff1_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/speedrun2.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/speedrun2_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
Jeff Hunter launching for first flight.
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
Adjusting trim tabs for level flight
</td>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" colspan="2" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/climb.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/climb_t.jpg"></a><br>
<br>Third full power climb as I missed the first two.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
Final static testing is always necessary before the first flight is attempted. At the local
park I performed a range check of the radio system and that was passed with ease. I did a
final check to make sure the plane was balanced at my starting point for the the C/G of 70 mm
behind the leading edge. I double checked the control set-up one last time. Right stick on
transmitter and both control surfaces moved right, left stick, both moved left, and up and down
checked out correctly as well. Firmly holding the plane with the propeller in front of me and
pointing it away from me, I ran up the motor and confirmed motor and propeller were working
properly. One last look to confirm wing tips were firmly taped in place and that v-tail
control surfaces were in neutral position with neutral trim tabs. All systems are go! The
Swift is ready for it's first flight and this will be done with the motor off. Holding the
transmitter in my left hand I start running forward into a light breeze and give the Swift a
hard firm toss forward, level with the ground. After all this is a glider and we can see if it
is in trim without using the motor. On this first toss I just let it fly forward and see if it
flies level with the trim adjustments I have used. It basically flies level with a slow drop
as the speed bleeds off and it slides to a nice smooth landing about 50 yards in front of me.
I retrieve the plane and walk back to where I started and do it again but this time I put
it in a slight right turn and the plane responds nicely coming back to me in a circle and
landing at my feet. I am ready to try powered flight. However the local park is too small to
fly this plane and I need to take pictures. Time to recruit my friend Jeff Hunter.
</p>
</blockquote>
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<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/speedrun.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/speedrun_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/lateclimb.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/lateclimb_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
A high speed pass over the field.
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
A late climb near the end of the battery charge.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/inverted.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/inverted_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
Jeff flew it inverted to burn off about 500 feet of altitude and brought it down
from 1,000 feet for me to take over at 500 feet.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<blockquote>
<p>
Jeff and I went out to the Modesto Reservoir, our clubs largest flying site and there we met
up with Zack and Devin Brooks who were on spring vacation. Zack is joining our club and is
building an Electric Cub from a kit on his own. Today the boys were just spectators for the
first full power flight of the Swift. I operated the cameras and Jeff tossed and flew it for
the first half of the flight. After the initial toss the plane kicked up and Jeff slowed it
down and programed in some down adjustment on the transmitters elevator subtrim. With that
done to his satisfaction he kicked it into high and it took off like a shot climbing at
between 80 degrees and vertical on the fresh battery. In less then ten seconds (best
estimate) he shut down the motor and he was at about 600 to 700 feet above the field having
started his climb about 50 feet above the field.
</p>
<p>
Unfortunately, I missed most of that climb
and the next one with my video camera as Jeff flew close and I was too slow transiting the
camera up. Jeff continued to fly for about 8 minutes and I took pictures with my still camera
and my video camera. Jeff did loops and locked into a thermal and climbed to over 1000 feet.
Then he put the plane inverted and burned off about half that elevation and turned it over for
me to fly about 500 feet above the field. He had added up elevator using the trim tab so it
was trimmed for motor off flight when I got the transmitter. As would be expected with the
E193/RG15 airfoil the plane likes to fly fast even with the motor off. Still I was a little
surprised by just how quickly it covered the sky in near level flight. I also hooked a thermal
and climbed a couple hundred feet with the motor off. I did a series of loops to burn off
altitude and tried out the spoiler, which also proved effective. After about five minutes of
flying I turned the plane back over to Jeff at about 400 feet of elevation and only later
did I realize that I hadn't run the motor during my stick time as I was having so much fun
just soaring.
</p>
<p>
Jeff did a few more climbs and some more loops and inverted flight but he refrained from doing
any steep dives. Neither of us thought the plane was built for terminal velocity dives and
this was proving to be too nice a plane to risk by doing something stupid. Jeff landed the
plane after the battery no longer powering the motor with more than 18 minutes of flight time.
We both knew we could have easily had double that length of flight time the way the plane was
handling in the good lift conditions.
</p>
<p>
That evening I had a second powered flight closer to home with the Swift out over a
new housing development. I was alone and didn't have anyone to time my climbs. They were
impressive to me, although I have seen Brian Chan and others with faster climbs with their
hotliners. I was able to keep the climbs at full charge at between 80 and 90 degrees. Later
climbs as the battery ran down were at 70 degrees plus. But I was equally impressed with the
planes ability to utilize a thermal I hit in the evening. I don't think I could have done any
better with that thermal with my pure gliders that have lower wing loading then I did with the
Swift that evening.
</p>
</blockquote>
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<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/landingapproach.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/landingapproach_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/landing.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/landing_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
On Final approach for landing
</td>
<td align="center" width="50%" valign="top">
It just kept going and going, I suppose thats why it has a spoiler.
</td>
</tr>
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<a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00006b.jpg"><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/DSC00006b_t.jpg"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="100%" valign="top" colspan="2">
Jeff Hunter with support crew, Zack Brooks standing and Devin Brooks kneeling.<br>
(Zack at age 13 is kit building a E. Cub, no ARF for him.)
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<br>
<p>
<big><b>Conclusion</b></big>
</p>
<blockquote>
<p>
Is the Swift a hotliner? As stated at the outset of this article this issue was raised by the
instructions and it is a question of definition but to me it is a very nice warmliner. It
climbs very well, very impressive for just an 8 cell battery pack but it is not a hotliner in
that respect and I don't think it is built for really high speed dives or aerobatics. I
wouldn't want to try and bring it down on the deck with a 1,000 foot dive. However, what it
will do is very pleasing. It climbs well, it thermals very nicely and it penetrates the breeze
very well and does great loops and a nice barrel roll.
</p>
<p>
During the course of writing this review I asked a question on <a href="http://www.rcgroups.com">RCGroups.com</a> as to what is a
Hotliner and from the responses I got I confirmed that most pilots include the ability to do
extreme acrobatics and 1000 foot dives as part of the make-up of a hotliner. Perhaps
surprising to some of you, most didn't consider vertical climb as a factor for a
hotliner.
</p>
<p>
I would rather have a flatland
glider that can thermal well and soar than to dive like my lead sled can at the slope. It has
to be flown relatively fast to take advantage of the characteristics of its airfoil. If you
try and fly it slow (except for landing) you will loose all that is good about it. Therefore
this plane requires at least an intermediate pilot who has a large open area to fly
it in. They say a picture is worth a 1,000 words and so hopefully the video will answer any
questions you have about this plane. Sorry I didn't get a clearer shot of it climbing but at
least you get some idea of how it climbs from the video as well as how it looks in the air.
</p>
<p>
<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0">
<tr>
<td><img src="http://static.rcgroups.com/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/camera.jpg">
</td>
<td valign="middle"><a href="/articles/liftzone/2003/may/swift/SwiftVee250.wmv">Watch a video of the Swift Vee</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
Since I used the components that came with the kit I have no explanation as to why my plane
apparently came out tail heavy as I didn't think I used all that much glue securing the outer
control rod sleeves to the bottom of the fuselage or in securing the control wires into the
control surfaces. With an all up flying weight of 43.1 ounces I am not going to worry about
it. But! Since I am doing a review I remain curious if any ballast will be necessary to obtain
proper C/G with the lighter battery pack Hobby Lobby is proposing for the plane as that
pack has a more compact configuration to get more weight forward then the two rows of four end
to end in my test pack.
</p>
<p>
The easiest way I can summarize my feelings about this plane is that if I didn't now own this
plane, having flown it, I would have to go out and buy it. Jeff who designs and flies his
own gliders is happy I am keeping it and is looking forward to flying it again...soon.
</p>
</blockquote>