mike__
Jan 25, 2008, 06:28 PM
Just maidend my L39. Conditions were perfect, no wind which is strange for Perth. This is my first EDF plane after flying my PZ supercub for a while and my PZ T28 about 10flights. Neither have been crashed *knocking on wood*
I built the plane over 4 nights and encounted a lot of dramas & did a few modifications. My wings were a less than perfect fit, i had already applied the epoxy and was left with gaps 2/3mm along both wings. What a nightmare. Anyhow i learnt my lesson and after a little sanding the rear end assembly was a perfect fit. Did a few modifications: Ran a piece of servo wire across the back stabalizer to join them 2gether to create a stiffer piece. The wire sits directly behind the thrust exit and using heat is molded into place then epoxied. Also i fixed the rudder with epoxy and siliconed the steerable nose in place. Where i fly is all grass, never use the steering on any of my planes. Saved a little weight here to compensate for the amount of epoxy i used everywhere strenghtening nearly everything and every join. Im yet to weigh the plane but i think it will be over so i wasnt too confident with the maiden.
Used my PZ ZX10 TX from my T28 set on low rates, PZ rx (waiting on a corona dual), batan servos and a 30amp esc supplied my extremerc. Battery is a chinese xcharge i got of ebay: 15c 1800. Is crappy i know but does the job fine until i buy a better quality one. You can get this plane as a package. Aerilons & elevator were set on low travel with the servo/elevator holes. Paint scratches fairly easily on the foam (prefer elepor), but paint job was excellent
Confidence was a little low this morning as i put her on the grass for a ROG takeoff. Grass was rough but not long. Heart was beating hard, no wind at all, gave her full throttle and she screamed off taking off a lot sooner than i anticipated, about the same distance or less than my T28 (<10m), i couldnt believe it! She climbed pretty steep and needed down trim. This was adjusted on the plane after the flight.
This plane is one SWEET beginner EDF. Actually found it a little easier to fly than the PZ T28 (which i absolutely love), or maybe its cause i learnt aerilons with that plane. Im sure plenty of you have seen the HL F-18 videos, how easy it glides and can fly @ very low speeds on v low throttle. This is exactly the same. Can fly in a very small area and the plane turns on a dime! Can 'hover' along very slowly and turn 180deg so quick, couldnt believe it! Rates and travel were all set to nearly the lowest positions, which im glad i did. Rolls were easy and smooth, NOT lightening fast (im not an advanced flyer) and she performed loops effortlessly but did slow down a ltitle at the top of a large roll.
Speed was a little dissapointing & identical to the T28 but am sure a better battery would fix this. Seems identical to the HLF18, whilst not slow i am used to it and need a little more speed, after all it is a jet :) . Sounds awesome in the air but not too loud but it looks terrific! Flight time im guessing was ~6min or so using mixed throttle. I have to get used to the decreased flight times because i was actually away in the distance when she lost power fairly quickly. Bought her back and landed a tad heavy in an emergency landing. I shouldnt have cut the throttle which im used to do on prop planes near the ground and the landing gear bent v slightly. Might even ditch it which will help the speed but this plane seems like itll need x2 hands to hand launch & i love rog takeoffs.
I can now see the hanger getting bigger.......
Mike
I built the plane over 4 nights and encounted a lot of dramas & did a few modifications. My wings were a less than perfect fit, i had already applied the epoxy and was left with gaps 2/3mm along both wings. What a nightmare. Anyhow i learnt my lesson and after a little sanding the rear end assembly was a perfect fit. Did a few modifications: Ran a piece of servo wire across the back stabalizer to join them 2gether to create a stiffer piece. The wire sits directly behind the thrust exit and using heat is molded into place then epoxied. Also i fixed the rudder with epoxy and siliconed the steerable nose in place. Where i fly is all grass, never use the steering on any of my planes. Saved a little weight here to compensate for the amount of epoxy i used everywhere strenghtening nearly everything and every join. Im yet to weigh the plane but i think it will be over so i wasnt too confident with the maiden.
Used my PZ ZX10 TX from my T28 set on low rates, PZ rx (waiting on a corona dual), batan servos and a 30amp esc supplied my extremerc. Battery is a chinese xcharge i got of ebay: 15c 1800. Is crappy i know but does the job fine until i buy a better quality one. You can get this plane as a package. Aerilons & elevator were set on low travel with the servo/elevator holes. Paint scratches fairly easily on the foam (prefer elepor), but paint job was excellent
Confidence was a little low this morning as i put her on the grass for a ROG takeoff. Grass was rough but not long. Heart was beating hard, no wind at all, gave her full throttle and she screamed off taking off a lot sooner than i anticipated, about the same distance or less than my T28 (<10m), i couldnt believe it! She climbed pretty steep and needed down trim. This was adjusted on the plane after the flight.
This plane is one SWEET beginner EDF. Actually found it a little easier to fly than the PZ T28 (which i absolutely love), or maybe its cause i learnt aerilons with that plane. Im sure plenty of you have seen the HL F-18 videos, how easy it glides and can fly @ very low speeds on v low throttle. This is exactly the same. Can fly in a very small area and the plane turns on a dime! Can 'hover' along very slowly and turn 180deg so quick, couldnt believe it! Rates and travel were all set to nearly the lowest positions, which im glad i did. Rolls were easy and smooth, NOT lightening fast (im not an advanced flyer) and she performed loops effortlessly but did slow down a ltitle at the top of a large roll.
Speed was a little dissapointing & identical to the T28 but am sure a better battery would fix this. Seems identical to the HLF18, whilst not slow i am used to it and need a little more speed, after all it is a jet :) . Sounds awesome in the air but not too loud but it looks terrific! Flight time im guessing was ~6min or so using mixed throttle. I have to get used to the decreased flight times because i was actually away in the distance when she lost power fairly quickly. Bought her back and landed a tad heavy in an emergency landing. I shouldnt have cut the throttle which im used to do on prop planes near the ground and the landing gear bent v slightly. Might even ditch it which will help the speed but this plane seems like itll need x2 hands to hand launch & i love rog takeoffs.
I can now see the hanger getting bigger.......
Mike