General Discussion

[pldaniels]

Hey there, after I realised that I've infected a number of threads with my general blabber, I decided it would probably be a good thing to start a ... well... general talk thread ... so here it is.

... first step, transplant the existing converstation from the other thread ...

Thanks for the Pics Paul....the Slipso is now on my scratch build List much to my wife's disgust (It would be leathal with a 2200-3000kv brushless)....It's a pretty long list in no particular order.

Aaah, ermmm... it wasn't me :( Does that mean that when I make the extended version of the Slipso400 you'll be making that one too?

I've got some B20-40-15 and -18 motors here which I should try out with a slipso type airframe one day, though I worry I won't actually see it (people have told me there's this thing on the right hand side of my transmitter called a 'throttle' *huh?* - I thought that was a broken control stick, it never returns to center ;) ).

Oh yeah, All up pretty Impressed as this pack can do what it claims unlike a lot of cheap packs out there that don't even come close to their labeled specs.


Very very glad to hear that. This was about the smallest sample size I could order in order to test out the batteries. The factory was actually very good about it considering they normally request orders of 1000+ units at time *wow*).

Looking forward to hearing about your "over-12C" tests, I imagine the pack will warm up a bit more at least (perhaps you should wait till winter, then it'll make a nice hand-warmer ;) ).

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Sorry to change the topic Paul, But what is the legal Feq now? Last time I was in the sport it was 27.XXXmHz. Has it changed or something. Did I miss out on too much?? Also what the hell is 3D I have heard of it so many times, but i got no idea what it is. :S Please educate the uneducated.................................. No really, tell me, please I wanna know :(

[pldaniels]

Parkflyer -

Oh gosh, you better sit down - a lot has changed.

1. Legal/common frequency is now 36MHz FM/PPM/PCM, we also still can use 29MHz AM and some 27MHz and 40MHz spot frequencies (though not used for much other than toys).

2. 3D flying is basically taking a plane, giving it HUGE moving surfaces (ailerons, elevator, rudder) and a powerful motor such that the thrust-to-weight ratio is greater than 1. With those abilities, you can hover the plane (prop hang) on demand, the huge surfaces are required so that you can still get a level of deflection purely from the prop-wash.

3.... added for your own sake --- electric flight is -very- popular now :) Brushless motors and lipo batteries are the king.

... ask anything else ?

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

OMG - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO................................... .... Electric flight is popular???? when did that happen??? Has the world gone crazy????? I was always told electric was on for kids.


Just kidding, I can see why though, its alot quieter and can be flown in residential areas (providing the area is big enough). Damn Now i need to buy new TX/RX gear.:(

[pldaniels]

ParkFlyer,

Aaaaah, such is the trauma of progress. For me, it's delightful, I've been trying to fly electric the last 15 years and it's finally becoming /really/ practical (for up to .30~.40 size replacements - beyond that there's still a lot of cost involved with the batteries).

Yes, it would be advisable to get a new batch of TX/RX gear - of course, it depends on what you're thinking you want to get into again as to what gear to buy. I'm not even going to begin to tell you what TX/RX gear to get - it's just asking for a religious war amongst everyone else here :D, needless to say JR, Futaba, Hitec all produce some pretty good sets now.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

PLDANIELS,

Mate did i see this right in your shop, /www.pldaniels.com/rcshop/ , GWTXS001JBLKM1 for $69.00 ??? Is there a zero missing somewhere, If thats the case, I may need you to hook me up with one soon. Don't spose you could me what there like?

Thanks mate.

[pldaniels]

Parkflyer,

No no, that's quite correct. They're good transmitters for simple park-flying and training on the computer with. However if you want something that you can really expand with then you need things like a JR-2610 (6 channels, 2 flight modes [air/heli], 10 model memories).

The GWS 6ch TX is a /simple/ transmitter. Aside from trims and channel reversal (2 position LG switch and 3 position flap switch) it has nothing else. No expo rates, no dual rates, no travel-volume adjustments. That said, I've bought 3 of them for myself and given two of them to my family members, they're a great little TX for fun planes.

Paul.

[Mark in Aus]

Does that mean that when I make the extended version of the Slipso400 you'll be making that one too?

Well I generally up size everything I scratch build to at least 40" span or slightly bigger. Almost finished a MiniTelemaster from a plan I up sized from 38"to 45"(Because I saw that HobbyLobby are selling the 45" version and liked it)
So Um yes... :D ..I"ll skip a size and go bigger.
I can't afford to get all the gear for each plane so I usually gut one plane to serve another. The Plane I'm using to torture the 2S 2200 is getting boring so that 400 sized brushless would be what I'll use. I can still call it a Slipso400 then.. :) or maybe the Slipso400+. :D

(people have told me there's this thing on the right hand side of my transmitter called a 'throttle' *huh?* - I thought that was a broken control stick, it never returns to center ).

I'm pretty sure that's just a Myth.. I've been with newbies and there nice new Parky that's Mildly out of control and me standing next to them screaming THROTLE OFF,THROTLE OFF only to hear the reply ,Throtle ? :D

Mark

[Parkflyer81]

Anyone,

Dumb question, could you put a 36.xxx mhz crystal in a 27.xxxmhz radio, and would it still work?? I only ask cause I really dont want to outlay for new radio, since I'm flying on a budget.

Phill

[pldaniels]

Phil,

Quite simply, no.

Two reasons -

1) 27Mhz and 36MHz are too far separated, if you put the crystal in there it would operate extremely poorly

2) 27MHz typically use AM, 36MHz sets use FM, just isn't going to work.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Cheers Paul,

I got myself a simple 400 today, to crash and burn, i mean learn. Nice little plane, gonna start on electirc, then when I got some bickies convert it to gas and learn all over again. What would you recomend, in a six channel radio and micro rx?? If you've got in stock and at the right price, I may just have to get one off you.

[pldaniels]

Parkflyer81,

Sadly - bad news, unless you want a pink transmitter I have no more in stock (yes, they sell very fast).

The Simple400 is quite a /fast/ plane, be aware of that - there's reports of people getting 160km/hr out of them, though with a stock sp400 + 2S lipo you'll get more like 90~100km/hr.

Paul.

[pldaniels]

Parkflyer81,

I forgot to say, I do have servos and receivers in stock of course.

I've also got some 8ch full range receivers coming in next week.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Holy crap, I was only gonna put in a 380 motor with 1000 pack in there aswell. I'm was kinda aware that it would move, but I think I'll put in a 360 or a 400 geared down. What do you think?

The wife loves the idea of a pink TX, but I told her I would get one for her next month, for her to learn with.

Cheers Phill

[pldaniels]

Phill,

Perhaps you should get the pink one and secretly learn with it under the guise of "It's for my wife" ;) Incidently, the pink ones I have are both on ch607.

As for the Simple400, don't expect to be able to slow it down too much else it will fall out of the sky :(

I must admit, I went through a similar experience when I re-started the hobby a few years ago, bought myself a Wattage Hawk, absolute SCREAMER of a plane for a 380 brushed - needless to say I didn't fly it first, instead I made myself a small trainer called the "EasyBox-II". The Easybox-II + 150 motor + 2S800mA lipo pack = enjoyable re-learning.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Cheers for the tips Paul, I managed to score a JR XF631 6 channel, for $150 the other day, with reciever and servo's, charger and battery pack etc. I was there so I had to have it. Damn that impulse buying. :@ Anyway, I've come to a rather quick halt on the simple 400.

Iron on coverings. How hard is it to use? Most the models I've done have been silk and dope or tissue and dope. I've heard its very easy, but rather ask then waste cash and stuffing it up. I know its rather cheap now too. $8-9 dollars a packet, compared to about $30-40 about 10 years ago. Any tips for the first timer?

[Parkflyer81]

Hey Paul,

Do you know where I can get one of those EASYBOX 2 planes, I wouldn't mind getting one of those. Do you still have your's? And are you prepared to part with it? For the right price, wouldn't be for about 3 weeks yet (pay day)?

Cheers phill

[pldaniels]

Phill,

*Laugh* Sounds like things are going well for you. Would you believe that my first radio after getting back into the modelling arena after a departure of 10 years was a JR 622, not far from what you got (6 channels, 2 models, 2 modes [heli and air]).

As for covering film, I use laminating film now, it's cheaper, tougher and clear, then you can paint it :) How much cheaper... well... a $30 USD roll is about 150m, enough for about 15 models at least, not bad.

Regarding those EasyBox-II's, erm, the plans are free (yes, I drew the plans) and it's pretty quick and simple to build using the old stick/glue method. If you're _really_ desperate I can build you one, however you may find that it's equally as cheap to just buy something like a GWS Beaver or J3

I wouldn't really be able to sell you the old one for two reasons
1) it's a bit tatty (doesn't have that great ARF look)
2) the wings would be near impossible to pack because they're a 1-piece with dihedral

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Ok, would you seperate with the plans if you still have them, Or can I borrow them?? Or option c: whats it goning to cost me for you to build one ( not prefered since I love the building phase too much)?

Cheers Phill

[osmium_192]

OOOOOHHHHH

I might be going to the gold coast for a year or more for uni...

If im comming from perth, does that mean discounted postage pricing if i buy from you in a month????

LOL

(BTW, your GWS receivers dont include xtals right? its $9 each anyway. And would any brand of xtal work, or is it not reccomended, say berg xtals)


And Phill
Heres a link to plans on Paul's site. Might not be right, but i just wanted something to fill the space in my post
http://www.pldaniels.com/flying/index.html?page=plans


Owen

[pldaniels]

Owen,

That's correct, re the GWS RX's, crystals (UM1/micro-size) are sold separately. As for "other brands", while we've found that for receiver crystals you can do this, it's definately not suggested for transmitter crystals. Some people have reported success with the BlueArrow xtals.

The plans link is correct. I was just looking over the EB2 planes and thinking that perhaps I could modify them a little bit to give some more nose room or lighten up the tail a bit, either way, if the battery isn't in that nose compartment it gets a bit tail-heavy.

paul.

[osmium_192]

Whats the approx range you get with the 4ch gws receiver with the tx antenna rully retracted (but not removed). I get about 50m with my futaba 114F on 29mhz (singapore standard).

AND, how does the chat rooms work if im using the rcgroups one (on the home page, left column)

And Paul, you've got alot of competition for the advertisment banners in RC groups in the aussie forums..... :D, lol just realised.

Owen

[RAY GWS]

Here is the info about GWS Xtal.

http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/receiver/crystal%20comparison%20chart.htm
http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/receiver/rx%20crystal.htm
http://www.gwsus.com/english/product/receiver/crystal.htm

Ray from GWS

[pldaniels]

Whats the approx range you get with the 4ch gws receiver with the tx antenna rully retracted (but not removed). I get about 50m with my futaba 114F on 29mhz (singapore standard).


That sounds quite good actually, consider that a lot of people consider 50m to be the 'usable range' of the GWS R4P with the antenna fully extended :-O. GWS specifies that it should get 150m range under ideal conditions. Put that at 100m and you've got the realistic limits under "real life" situations.


AND, how does the chat rooms work if im using the rcgroups one (on the home page, left column)


Essentially, if you launch the chat room JAVA applet and go into the "general" chat, we're all sitting there blabbing away, though not always - sometimes we're boring idlers. Just fire it up, give it a go ... ask for 'inflex' ;)



And Paul, you've got alot of competition for the advertisment banners in RC groups in the aussie forums..... :D, lol just realised.


Aaah, that's the sponsorship banner, it's a little different from the advert banners but it's still all good. :)

[osmium_192]

Its still advertising to me. you paid rcgroups, and they advertise you. lol yah its all good.

Im in a chat room and theres alot of talk happening bt with different people. Whats inflex? i fly reflex flight sim but i suspect thats different

[pldaniels]

Owen,

Glad to see you've made it to the addictive world of IRC-chat :D

You're right about the advertising, it's all advertising... which is good (for me - and you, since you get to find out about the specials :) ).

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Thanks Owen.

Hey Paul, sorry for bugging you the past couple of days. You just know more than I do. Sorry.

[pldaniels]

Parkflyer,

No problems about that --- I've just been a bit run off my feet here. Aside from doing R/C stuff I've got this other business which tends to be a hog with my time (involves computers).

Paul.

[osmium_192]

more general stuff about RC....

Heres a pic of my latest creation. A little free flight glider. It can be RC, just that the gear will weigh about 100 times as heavy. LOL.

Ive tried making a rc version thats some 35cm wing span and flies like a brick using a 110 ma battery and the RC gear from those micro RC cars, but as a Free flight flies at less than walking speed.

Heres a pic of my 16cm span one. I made it from just 1mm light balsa and light tissue and some CA. the tissue is just CAed onto the wing, no doping.

Owen

[pldaniels]

Osmium,

that's plain beatiful, really, it really is. Just pulled that out of your head?

Paul.

[osmium_192]

Yeah, i just felt like making one.

LOL, its proof of my condition CMD = compulsive modelling disorder


The rudder is a piece of normal paper, which is easy to use as a trim or primary control. With full throw (45 deg) it circles in 1m. so i throw it hard away from me and it turns back toward me, flies behind and around me so i catch it in front of me.

Its pretty cute really.

Owen

[pldaniels]

Owen,

1m... wow, that's tiny. perhaps you should make something that can do 10m circles? Or are you thermalling above your stove :D

Paul.

[Mark in Aus]

Just shows how addictive this hobby is huh?. :)
I save the big meat trays that we get from the supermarket and make gliders for my 2 boys. They fly great .

I think I have a touch of CMD myself :D Always got a scratch build model on the go. Just Finished a Mini Telemaster and my next may be a Slipso...LOL :D

I make so many trips to my LHS (Addies Hobbies) for Balsa and CA and have been asked what on earth I am building. I reply "I think you mean what have I just finished and what am I starting"..LOL :D
To much time on my hands..Haven't been to work In 4 months so all I do Is build Build Build.

Paul ,
It's been stinking hot here for a while now so I haven't had a chance to torture the 2S2200 but will as soon as it's cool and calm enough to do so. :D
Oh Yeah Did you draw up the Slipso yourself..? Or was it from a Plan..?


Mark

[osmium_192]

Well when i glide it around, i can see it being severely affected by my body heat thermals. It almost stalls when it enters my thermal and then wobbles around a bit and then exits and flies smoothly again.

Those meat trays are really just depron foam, with a smooth coating and maybe with a higher density and softer feel. It works just as good and is significantly cheaper.

Except the bones in the ones i usually get are damaged.

Owen

[Parkflyer81]

Excuse me for asking a dumb question. Alot has changed since I was last in this sport. Could some please shed some light on the whole "speed controler with 'bec' " thing. Speed controler idea i get, but bec?? WTH is this thing? :confused: Help

____
l\
l \
l \______________ Is still learning. Be gentle. :confused: :o :confused:

[pldaniels]

the BEC, or battery-eliminator-circuit is a way of providing power to the servos and receiver from the main battery (lipo pack etc).

The BEC basically operates independently of the ESC, since the startup/boot process of the speed controller is as follows...

1- Power is applied to speed controller + BEC device
2- BEC supplies power to the RX
3- RX activates and sends the throttle signal to the speed controller
4- Speed controller ARMS (if the throttle is at zero position)

Of course, this tends to all happen in a split second or so.

With much higher voltage speed controllers, the BEC tends to be a completely separate unit for technical/electronic reasons, you may see things around called "SuperBEC" or "UBEC" units.

For basic park flying you need not concern yourself with those separate units.

Paul.

[osmium_192]

Essentially as paul has described, the BEC is like a seprate system.

The battery essentially has 2 power drawing devices.

The motor and
The radio system (the receiver and servos)


What an inbuilt (into the esc) BEC does is it disconnects the motor from the battery when the battery level is low, but keeps supplying power to the radio system. This prevents overdischarging of the battery by eliminating the main power drawing device, but keeps the critical parts running so you can still control the plane.

You can fly without the BEC, but i wouldnt reccomend it as it means that you might risk overdischarging the battery which is not good for the batteries' servirce life.

Owen

[osmium_192]

Heres a pic of my 3.5" delta glider.

Its a brilliant proof of concept design that flies brilliantly. even at that size its got great performance. It flies inverted with very little down elev, and will do the classic delta high alpha flight, hold up and it wont stall, just descends at 45 deg (and does that inverted too)

I think ill make a bigger one some time soon

Owen

[pldaniels]

What on earth are you using to control it? 3.5" WOW.

A bit smaller than my 38" balsa cat

Paul.

[osmium_192]

LOL its a glider for now, free flight. I used paper (masking) tape hindges because it keeps its position when folded and so i use that to control the plane.

Im planning of using it as a proof of concept so i scale it up to normal RC size using cheap gear. (im not spending $$$$ US on micro gear although its a dream)

If its stable as a micro, its got to be great at size

Owen

[osmium_192]

More pics of my very cool delta.

It was dark so the long exposure and me holding the camera and plane meant blurry pics. (i dont like flash unless its a flash gun)

Owen

[osmium_192]

Pics of my delta glider in flight...

(please try not to look at the the scarry person, might ruin the picture)

And a whole lot of other general stuff (this is a general thread.:D)

Owen

[steve wenban]

Excuse me for asking a dumb question. Alot has changed since I was last in this sport. Could some please shed some light on the whole "speed controler with 'bec' " thing. Speed controler idea i get, but bec?? WTH is this thing? :confused: Help

____
l\
l \
l \______________ Is still learning. Be gentle. :confused: :o :confused:
Seek us out for some local close by help if you need it we have a number of guys that fly electrics but our primary interest is slope :cool: http://swenban.rchomepage.com/
SteveW

[Parkflyer81]

Steve,

I got some inlaws that live down that way, in kent rd actually. Next time I'm down there on the weekend I'll drop by to see if you guys are there. I've spent about 10 hours on the fms program and starting to get the feel again. I took my simple 400 for a buzz down in yarragwonga (100km west of albury) and flew that for half an hour, before a wind gust got the better of it on landing, fliped it and wrote it off. I could only salvage the wing, and radio gear, the rest was fire wood. If I'm down that way tomorrow, I stick my mellon in.

Paul,

Thanks heaps being kind enough to list the easy box plans on the web, I've started construction, and it's looking good. I also fixed my solar film problem,
------->parkflyer81<-------- dumbass - forgot to tack off the backing plastic. I'll post some pics real soon.

Cheers guys

[pldaniels]

Parkflyer,

If it gets too expensive for you to keep using solarfilm, start looking at getting some doculam/laminating film, cheaper, tougher... cheaper :D

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Cheers Paul.

Hey I just finished one on your planes, The easy Box. I quite fun to bluid this little thing. Have you got the motor, lipo and esc in stock?? And how much. Hook a brother up.

Phill

[pldaniels]

Phil,

You've done it all wrong... you need to send us photos ! :D :D

I'm actually all out of appropriate speed controllers and lipos for this size *sob*. People keep buying stuff off me before I get to sell it to other people.

Only thing I have atm is the servos, receiver, 150 motor and props in stock.

Waiting for the next $4000 to appear in the bank for the next GWS order.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

I did the fuse on sunday,I have only just finished the wings off, I still gotta cover her yet. I modded wings alittle. I wont try and explain it, I'll post a piccy real soon. 2morow night after work. You might like it.

Shame bout the gear, I wouldn't be abble to order till late this week, or early next any way, so i'll keep an eye out in your web shop. :cool:

Phill

Here some pic's now for you on the wing uncovered

[osmium_192]

WOW, NICE WING, love the capstrips, makes covering a breeze, but its just a beautiful wing. The leading edge sheeting, the curved cutout for the wing centre and leading edge sheeting transition, its all good. You should try using a filler like mocroballoons or spackle for any uneven bits to make your covering that little bit smoother if you like, unless your wing is perfect and the pics dont do justice. LOL

Great job

Owen

[pldaniels]

Phil,

Great wings :D Glad you were able to made some mods off the plans, always is a good sign imo :) Looking forward to a flight review.

Phil, your other option with the motor/esc etc is to get one of thse GWS brushless combos (motor + esc), works out a little more expensive than a brushed unit but it would give you a lot more power. Only trouble then is still the battery, I'm at least 6 weeks away from getting my next batch of 1350 or 2200mA packs.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

:D Cheers guys. I'm glad you like the wing Paul. It's .8mm sheet over the original design, taken out to the second wing rib from the centre. The rest is pretty straight forward. What kind of hinges have you used on this design on the tail plane??

Now the time has come to wait for pay day, to get me some bits. :p

Once she's all covered and flying, I'll post some better pics ( just an excuse, cause I lost my digi camera :P ) and give my verdict.

[pldaniels]

parkflyer,

[pldaniels]

parkflyer,

Just use tap hinges, or film hinges. ie, use the covering material to be a "live hinge" both top and bottom.

I find doculam works great for that, otherwise, just use some clear packing tape or 1/2" wide sticky tape (clear).

She's looking really good, I'm anxious to see how she flies for you.

Paul.

[osmium_192]

Looking GOOD,

Covering looks very neat in the pics :D
Lile the colours.

(and Paul, you've got 3K posts)

Owen

[Eagleburger]

parkflyer,

Just use tap hinges, or film hinges. ie, use the covering material to be a "live hinge" both top and bottom.

I find doculam works great for that, otherwise, just use some clear packing tape or 1/2" wide sticky tape (clear).

She's looking really good, I'm anxious to see how she flies for you.

Paul.

Hi Paul,

where did you get the doculam from? I have been looking for some.

Eagle

[pldaniels]

Eagle,

Had a 500ft roll sent over to me from the states. Cost about $60 AUD all up but even that's cheap compared to what you pay for normal films.

Paul.

PS, Owen, I was going to respond to you about the 3000 posts milestone, but that would have sent me to 3001 :D

[Eagleburger]

Paul,

where did you get it from?

[pldaniels]

Eagle,

I picked it up via a friend who lives in the US, he spied an auction on their eBay for 2 rolls at a good price (about $10 USD + shipping).... so he bought them, sent me one roll (after knocking out the cardboard roll).

Regards.

[Mark in Aus]

Paul,
Just a question about what you used to finish the slipso.
Could you tell me what you used to wet out the glass?
I saw on the plan that it says Polyurethane which I've seen around that's used to seal floors,but when I asked one of the people at Bunnings if they had any the Guy just stood there scratching a huge hole into his skull.
He asked one of the other staff members and now he has a huge hole in his skull also.

Just thought I'd ask what it's called exactly so I can help stop this epidemic I have caused at my local hardware and make sure I get the right stuff but I guess I could use just about any thixotropic coating


Mark

[pldaniels]

Mark,

First up, avoid thrixotropic stuff... it's evil from what I've heard :D

The stuff I used was Cabots Crystal Clear. It's a polyurethane based clear varnish available in 250mL, 500mL and 1L tins. You can also get it in various tints.

For the slipso wing what I did was cover the balsa with a PVA/brown-paper layer, then put laminating film over that.

[Mark in Aus]

Thanx for that Paul.

I'll have a look for that. The 2 part stuff doesn't leave much room for error but I've got by in the past on large jobs but not keen to use it on a model.

Hey the Seether Looks great.Nice vid to.. You could have used the song "Seethers" By Varuca Salt for your sound track...mmmmmm Varuca Salt :D

[pldaniels]

Mark,

I hate that 2 part stuff as well. Good ole simple water-based acrylic or polyurathane for me :)


Seether actually took a dive today at the flying field, about 5m off the deck, had a "glitch" (air tubulence) and I reacted wrong, nosed right in. Fortunately the grass where I did this is about up to 1.2m tall, so the real damage was me not being able to find it for a while. Then I got a genius idea and fired up the motor sparotically so I could locate it :D :D

As for music, I've found that I can legally use the tunes from www.magnatune.com for incorporating into the various clips I make, so I'm super happy now. Didn't know about the Varuca Salt song.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Sorry to hear bout the flying misshap. I have those alot, on FMS anyway. :D Paul, have you ever thought of kitting the Easybox, for 'us' L platers? I still haven't had a chance to fly mine yet, still waiting on some coin. Finally finished it as far as covering it goes, but I think i'll buy some hinges due to the solar film didn't really like being a hinge to much. Anyway, I thought I might throw that Idea at you. I think I only spent $30 on wood, and bought enough to make two :D . Anyway nice Vid of the seether she really flys really well.

Phill

[pldaniels]

Phil,

Yes, I've thought about kitting the EB2, it's just one of those things where I wonder if there's enough demand as such.

Personally, I'd kit it out with a 150 motor + GWS5030 prop, modern 850~1000mA 2S lipo and it should be "Set to go" (the 150 motor needs about 5A at full throttle, so a 1000mA at 5C, that gives you 12 minutes of flat-out flight). Of course, there's a fair bit of work involved in kitting these planes. Not least of which is getting all the stocks together.

Something like the EB2 would cost about $35~$39 to the public including covering and obligatory vinyl lettering cutouts and landing-gear :D

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Paul,

Just quietly, I think there maybe. It's a real easy plane to build and from what i've seen it flys rather well. It's not a high cost aircraft which is good. I'm sure I'm not the only person who loves to build, fly,rebuild and fly,etc. If it where priced at $40 in a shop with LG and wood, I would have bought it. Theres not may kit build planes in the shops these days, that i've found. Who knows, it was and Idea for you to stew over.

I've flown the Seether on FMS too, she flys really nice. Has a weird balance point when doing aero's. Nice tight turns but.

So you think 150 / 5a /2S 1000ma will do the box a treat?? I'll try that out for you. If all else fails, I got a 380 /25a that'll sort it out. :)

Phil

[pldaniels]

Phil,

I just updated the Seether model this afternoon, trying to sort out the "wierd stuff". Striking a balance between FMS's "reality" and.... reality, is fun.

I think that a "quick build" $40 kit is a sweet spot in a market that's gone almost entirely ARF/RTF. I think that when people start out with balsa, the first thing they need to get a hold of is (a) balsa plane, (b) balsa stripper, (c) basic wood working knowledge.

It saddens me to see people look at balsa models and think "It's too much work", when in reality _building_ the plane can often be the great source of pleasure. For myself, flying the plane is actually more of the ceremonial award. Working out the engineering details and being as econominal as possible with wood and seeing /other/ people flying my models is the real pleasure I personally get.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

I think "we" as a group of people have become lazy. "We'll" get someone else "to do it for us", and that attitude has followed into the hobby section of most of our lives. I can not build the best looking model, But I'll have a crack at it. And just like you fly/crashing after the last decal has been stuck on is my reward ( that and the fact that I get some time apart from the missus :p ). To add to "my 2 cents", If I were to see someone flying a model that I designed and made into a kit, I would be tickled pink.

Thats I think Paul.

I think I've opened a can of worms too. :p :D :p

[pldaniels]

well, speaking of kits... my Seether laser cuts arrived today, already setup a fair bit of the build, this is definatey a 1-night or 2-night build model.... maybe 3 :)

Here's a photo of the Seether just moments after a lipo detonated in it. ;)

I have one spare kit incase anyone is interested.

http://www.pldaniels.com/flying/albums/seether-02/mpic00026.jpg

[Parkflyer81]

Looks nice Paul, How much are you looking at for the kit??

[pldaniels]

Parkflyer81,

Because this is a 1st-run kit and has some minor kerfing issues (nothing that'll stop you being able to build/fly it) I'm happy to sell if off for $30 + postage. I'll even throw in laminating film and CF tow.

At this point the -real- kit is still going to cost about $49 AUD but that'll come complete with clevices/horns/rods/lettering-decals/covering/cf etc




Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Cheers Paul,

I'll see how the finaces balance on thursday, and i'll let you know. I'm keen, but the bank account is screaming at me.

Phill

[pldaniels]

Phil,


Perhaps you're better off putting the money into your EB2 gear :D

Incidently, I'm going to be reiviving the EB2 and a couple of other plans I have in a "40 for 40" kit theme. That is, 40" of wingspan for $40 AUD, nearly-complete kit.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Yeah, I'm doing that too. The wife has let me have some pocket money out of my pay :confused: still not sure how that works but still :confused: I hopefully should have my EB flying this weekend. Cant wait really, if the weather is right. I still need calm days as 30+ hours on FMS is starting to pay off. I hope it give my touch back.

The '40 from 40' Kit sounds heaps good. You really can't do better than that anywhere.

I've started a new model 'The Wildcat'. An old CL plane that getting the EB wing modded for alerions, with a 200/300 motor size. The plan was in a 'Aeromodeler Mag back in 1982. I also have the Clasic 45" and 60" plus 109 and spitty plans to work off, so bring on the balsa and C3 glue. :D

[pldaniels]

wooo... C3 glue... did that ever stick? I gave up on it mostly and stole my father's Aquahere :D

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Works fine for me aslong as i'm not standing up and have a window or garage door wide open. I found PVA glues to be heavy and very long in the drying process.

Phill

[pldaniels]

Phill,

Next time you're rich, get some Weldbond PVA (red white plastic bottle). It's -similar- to Selley's Aquahere except that it's thicker and bonds much quicker as it has a different or stronger catalyst. I personally really noticed the difference when I switched over. At first I was dissapointed because I thought "darn, this is just concerntrated Aquahere", but it works very well.

Paul.

[jhai]

Can anyone let me know where I can get (in Aust.) a Gunther 125x110 "push on" prop that is used for Easy Star etc.
I have honestly spent many hours (too embarrassed to really say how many) searching for them. I was sure I had seen them onthe Australian shop sites.
Please!!!!!!!!!! let me know if you know who sells them.
Thanks,
John H.

[pldaniels]

John,

You might want to actually use the GWS 5043 props, I've heard from many people that they are superior and not to mention cheaper.

Send me a PM and I'll organise to send you a couple that I have lying around here from a project I didn't finish.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

To all,

I'm living in the Wattle grove area, in Sydney. Does any one here belong to a model club somewhere close by, PM or leave a post, as I'm keen to get out to one.

Cheers in advance

Parkflyer81 a.k.a. Phill :)

[khan_01]

Parkflyer
A member of Appin Sports Aeromodellers Club (Appin - power) and Southwest Sydney Slope Soarers (MT Annan - gliders) & Syney Slope Soarers (slopers - Otford)
PM me & I can take you out to either or put you in touch with someone, depending on your preference for type of flying
Steve

[Parkflyer81]

Khan, thanks heaps. I'll be in touch.

Paul, the easy box is alive and flying. I found the flight very stable and very persice. Which saved it from a couple of close calls. I bought a 150 GWS kit (motor and prop + spinners) and have a minor problem keepin them on the shaft, but other than that, She's a great plane. You've done well. Keep up the good work mate.

Phill.

[pldaniels]

Phill,

Excellent to hear. When you've burned out that 150 motor, I've got a stack of them here :)

To keep the prop/spinner on, try a drop of superglue on the shaft or maybe a thin smear of hot-glue. . . . often I'd be flying along and the plane would seem to go into "glider" mode... then I'd see this little prop fluttering down :D

Unless you can get a collet/screw prop adaptor for the 5030 props this will continue to happen. Don't try put a 6x3 or other 'heavy' APC or cox prop on the motor, it'll just heat up and die very quickly (experience talking here).

Got some photos?

Really glad again to hear that it went well. It was my first model to 'bring me back' after not flying for nearly 10 years. . . . so, think I should kit it up and make it a 40-for-40 kit ?


Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Paul,

Photo's are on they way. I put in a 150 motor with the 5030 prop you suggested, running thru a 8/15 esc with.............wait for it....................650ma nicad battery. I found this little baby in the shed, from a cheap ebay plane that took a nose dive. I get around 6-7 min flights which is great, and about 3ish on full throttle. I get some 150 motors of you soon, since the one I bought today was $23 with the props and that, but on its own it was nearly $17. But you get that.

Stupid me used the firewall diagram for my speed 400, so I just prefab another and glued it over the original. So it's sweet now. I'm going to make some trim adjustments and take it for another fly tomorrow, I let you know how she goes then.

Phill.

[pldaniels]

Phill,

Alas I don't have any compact batteries here that would suit the EB with a 150 motor (only a 280 motor), else I'd send you one. A modern 800mA lipo would cope no worries (the 150 draws about 5A @ 7.4V).

Actually now that I think about it.... something like the GWS 7 cell 700mA helicopter packs would work quite well in the EB2, they're packed quite densely (hex config) so would have no problems fitting in. At 700mA they'd give you about 8 minutes of flight.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Paul,

Sound sweet mate, I'll have to get one oneday. I still reckon that your idea of "40 for 40" is a great idea. I think you will make a bit of those. :cool:

I was doing some triming earlier, and I knocked the thottle on the TX, she shot out my hand :eek: :censored: :o and into the couch :D . Thank god, other wise it would smashed the wings on by flying into my other car :o

Anyway I'll see how she goes tomorrow.

Phill

[pldaniels]

Phill,

Good thing the couch was there indeed! Perhaps all flying fields should have a couch, just for those "bad landings" :D

[Mark in Aus]

:D A mate of mine had a similar accident like that...but His hand stopped his prop. A 3cell Lipo on a 2500kv brushless spinning a 4.5x4.5. It was pretty messy and one of his fingers will never bee the same. Most of his living room and wife were covered in red spots....He was so Lucky it wasn't worse.
Very easy done though.
Have had it happen myself. Had just connected the Lipo and was just putting the TX strap over my head when oops :censored: what the. Ouch..straight at me and hit my leg. Glad I wasn't wearing shorts that day and it says a lot for BEC switches. If it had one it wouldn't have happened.

No better feeling than flying a Kit Plane that Flies great. Especially when you have designed it yourself.

Keep em coming Paul, it's a great way for someone to experience the satisfaction we already have without costing them a fortune..
PS I'm still gonna build an 1100mm span Slipso one day :D
My Up-sized Mini Telemaster is a dream to fly. It's fast ,Aerobatic and flies like it's on Rails.
It's a real buzz when you take a chance and get results like that.


Mark

[Parkflyer81]

Prop on the leg is not cool at the best of times. I took the EB for a spin today, and had a great flight again, except for the landing. There is something about me a landings :confused: . They always get messy :mad: . I'm just glad shes an easy one to fix :) , but she'll be flying again tomorrow, I've just patched her up and it's all good to go.

I installed some hinges in the contral surfaces, makes a big ass difference, Lot better to control.

Paul, do you still have that seether kickin around still?

Any way, off to go crash another one. :o :cool:

[pldaniels]

Parkflyer81,

Glad to hear things are going well with the EB2, shame about the landings, they can be a bit on the tricky side since you don't have the advantage of a nice little set of LG to bounce on.

What hinges were you using before ?


Yes, I've got one seether kit still sitting here in its cardboard wrapup.

I've actually almost done building the other one (actually, I have done building it - now I have to install all the gear).

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Paul,

I was using the solarfilm as a hinge, every time I appiled it, it wouldn't work too well, so I bought some same hinges to use instead.
I was going to buy some LG but, it was going to cause a little bit of hassle to fit, so went against it.

I'll land ok one day.

I see what the boss has planed with my money, and I'll discuss with you about that kit.

Phill.

[pldaniels]

Phill,

Aaah okay, you need things like packing tape (nice 'n sticky) or laminating film to make a good hinge.

Just wondering, where did you put the battery in your EB2 and where has the balance come out?

When I was using a lipo pack I had to cram it into the front bay to get a decent CG, leaving the underside of the wing area - subsequently I'm thinking of enlogating the nose by about another 10~20mm in the 40-for-40 kit.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Paul,

I put the Nicad battery in the front bay aswell, I had a balance point about equal with the main spar line in the wing which turned out to be ok, even though it was a bout the same as the plan.

Extending the nose couldn't hurt, more room the the better. I put a far amount of styrofoam in the front in case i crashed ( now that wouldn't happen, would it??). So after all that it balanced very nicely.

Phill

[pldaniels]

phill,

Yes, even another 10mm would make things really nice[er].

Are you going to get any flights in today?

I would like to try and come up with a low-cost but effective landing gear system, even if it is just for /landing/ only ( as apposed to ROG ).

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Yeah, I'm going to go for a fly this afternoon. I may be able ti help you with LG. I'll Got something that may help, I'm doing trails with it tomorrow. I'll get back to you with a design.

Phill

[Parkflyer81]

Paul,

I finished my lg testing works great, Its a steerable tail drager. will post pic soon.

phill

[pldaniels]

Looking forward to seeing _that_ ... wow, steerable, amazing.

Paul.

[pldaniels]

Here's a snapshot of how things are going with the EB-2 "40 for 40" kit. Needless to say I was surprised at how many sheets were required for such a simple kit. However I decided to go with putting the spars onto a separate sheet so I could make them 'notched' into the ribs - everything to make it as easy as possible.

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

Paul,

Here are the pics from the "shed" :) showing my modded EB. Its got 20mm by 250 mm by 2mm alloy plate for LG with small wheels. The Tail has a small peice of wire bent to suit which is epoxyed in place. Which turns out to add 50g to the model, and has minimal mods to the plane. I put in a Ply section as show for strenght which replaces the balsa panel. All in all, She sits nice a proud.


I'd like to know what others think.

Phill

[pldaniels]

Phill,

Looking good there. Actually looks like a -real- model plane, instead of some chicken-scratchings from my drawing board :D

How's the flight times and power with the LG added ?

Paul.

[Parkflyer81]

I didn't have and CoG problems, it actually help balance the plane a little better. Take off from the ground looks good, just have to find some smooth grass/dirt/concrete to take off from. Cricket nets work well, 22 yards was enough for lift off. :)

Havent noticed any rather big changes in flight performance, It's a little slower on the turns, but other than that, it still stable and works well. If the wind settle down tonite I'm off the burn up the skies again. If not, I'll have to keep building my other 2 models. :rolleyes:

Phill