JohnAV8R's blog View Details
Posted by JohnAV8R | May 27, 2016 @ 02:29 PM | 9,114 Views
Here is where my models were first used to take aerial pictures.
Farm crop video surveillance- 2011
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1480498

A lot has happened since then.
Seems like the quads are taking over.

However, model building still remains at the top of the list.
Posted by JohnAV8R | May 20, 2014 @ 03:04 PM | 14,260 Views
Here is a small, very simple model that has only the bare essentials.
Originally it was made for indoor flying.
It's even simpler than a Tomboy or a Schoolgirl.
The wing was made first using foam ribs (15% Clark Y) and Saran wrap covering, just to experiment with.
It didn't weigh much, so how well would it fly? I made a stick body, taped on 2 small servos and a small BL powered by a 2S 350 ma LiPo. I didn't get a chance to try it indoors, but it did get a night out.
Basic construction is using a sheet of foam, or foam from a meat tray, or egg carton.

Saran model for indoor flying

Foam ribs with 15% Clark Y airfoil
LE, TE and spars are 1/8th hard balsa.
Half riblets are capped with silk span tissue and Weldbond glue.
Wing span is 24", cord 7.5" giving 180 sq in or 1.25 sq ft
Weight is 4 oz giving about 3.2 oz/sq ft.
Dihedral to suit rudder response.
Amount shown is not really critical, but is 4" at the raised tip.

The wing is covered in food grade Saran wrap.

Video shows out door flight on a calm evening here at the Flying Farmers model field, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.

Saran small model airplane 1 (1 min 41 sec)

Posted by JohnAV8R | Apr 12, 2014 @ 09:32 AM | 12,061 Views
I took the Blade 350Q down to the local soccer field at the high school. There is lots of room when the area is not in use at this time of the year, or early in the morning. This is a non industrial area, residential only.

Ancaster High School Soccer Field, a Bird's Eye View -1 (5 min 16 sec)

Posted by JohnAV8R | Apr 03, 2014 @ 10:14 AM | 12,320 Views
The Peacemaker is an older U/C model, similar to a Flitestreak. Mine is finally finished and is waiting to be flown. Here is my build log which contains many pictures. Doculam was used to cover part of this model.

My Build Log
Peacemaker- "Britplan" Build Off - 1st January 2013 to 30th June 2013
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1804015
Posted by JohnAV8R | Nov 14, 2013 @ 11:36 AM | 12,936 Views
I've finally got my glider cam in the air. Functional, not quite finished, but very flyable.

A powered glider was designed to carry up to 6 oz of camera pay load. An extra long tail moment was used in the hopes that the pitching moment during powered flight would be reduced or dampened. Not too sure if this is working, but the elevator response is very smooth and not jerky.

The Toshiba camera [view] was positioned out the RH side, pointing about 30 degrees down.

The video is slightly blurred, but snap shots taken from the video appear sharper.

Build pictures - see thread view.


Farm Crop Video Surveillance no 4 2013 Glider Cam
Farm Crop Video Surveillance no 4 2013 Glider Cam (7 min 10 sec)
...Continue Reading
Posted by JohnAV8R | Oct 13, 2013 @ 11:27 AM | 13,358 Views
Maiden flight of Graham's Multiplex Cularis sail plane,
Oct 2013 -
Ancaster- Ontario- Canada.

Cularis sailplane maiden fight Oct 2013 (2 min 48 sec)




This Cularis model, as initially set up, as per Multiplex instructions, had a tendency to tip stall very easily and quickly without warning.

Turns required both rudder and aileron input.

On turns, the model tucked in the nose and spiraled down.

On power, the model tended to point/pitch the nose up and then go into recovered stalls.

Down elevator was required during powered flight.
Less power, less "down" elevator was required.

Future modifications are to set the ailerons with 1/16th to 1/8th UP reflex, increase the aileron UP throws, and move the CG slightly forward to make the model nose heavy.

Down thrust will also be added.

Compared to a Radian Pro glider, this is not a friendly "floater".

The Cularis is a heavier, faster model.
Posted by JohnAV8R | Jul 16, 2013 @ 07:22 PM | 13,698 Views
Here's the Dallaire Sportster's maiden flight. The CG was right on, no trim changes were required. Flew very easily on reduced power. Full power (75 watts, 8x3.8 prop 1000 kv, 3S 1000 ma LiPo)) pulled the nose up and did require holding down elevator. Initial hand launch towards cam resting on ground. Subsequent in flight video using one hand to hold cam and the other hand to hold the transmitter, awkward, but it worked. Model is not finished, has no trim or wind screen.

Build log is found at
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1883473



Dallaire Sportster Old Time Model from 1937 Maiden Flight 1 (3 min 16 sec)

Posted by JohnAV8R | Jun 16, 2013 @ 12:57 PM | 13,019 Views
Published on Jun 16, 2013
Siren Hot Liner glider has a 79 inch wing span and weighs about 21/2 lbs ( 1+ kg).
It is powered by a 500 watt Axi brushless motor.
Graham is the owner/builder of this model, I was the cautious test pilot.
This was the maiden or very first flight. Best CG and control throws have to be set up for best performance. Aileron throws with differential will be set up for greater response.
Model was flown with only partial power (less than half stick). Power drained for this test was only 300 ma.


Siren Hot Liner Glider Maiden (4 min 10 sec)

Posted by JohnAV8R | May 06, 2013 @ 10:13 PM | 14,928 Views
Last year I removed and cleaned the my carb (OS .45) in a sonicator bath. The carb was put back on the OS. I started the engine and set the idle and top end slightly rich. I left them alone, no "fiddling" with the needles. Flew all last year without touching the needles.

This year I just fueled up the Pulse and flipped the prop once. Started first time. Flew seven 10 minute flights. The OS ran perfect. I didn't touch the needles from last year, and won't be this year.

The Pulse is a nice "friendly" model that is easy to fly and has no bad habits. You can see the video below that Chad took last year.
Posted by JohnAV8R | May 04, 2013 @ 12:37 AM | 14,345 Views
I had my first flight of the year with a new foamie Visionaire

Visionairefirst test flight of the season (6 min 11 sec)


The second day out, the Visionaire became a lawn dart.

Visionaire in the WIND on day 2 (6 min 27 sec)
...Continue Reading
Posted by JohnAV8R | Jul 25, 2012 @ 08:54 PM | 14,432 Views
P38 first flight
________________________________________
Here's my first flight with the BH P38 using the 2.4 GHZ radio that came with the model.
The BL motors had more than enough power with the throttle stick set about half way. Props were 2 bladed GWS 10 x 6 which drew slightly less power than the three bladed. This P38 is easy to fly and does not appear to have any bad habits.


P38 war bird first flight (4 min 13 sec)

P38

Posted by JohnAV8R | Jul 02, 2012 @ 04:09 PM | 14,662 Views
I finally got my P38 (BH foam) into the air this week (last wk of June/2012)
The landing gear was removed to save weight, and the cowls were left off to get better cooling. Surprises…it flew rather well. No trim changes were required. There was more than enough power (GWS 10x6 props) for an easy hand launch.

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...nav8r&page=233

shows the GWS props and post #3502 shows the gear removed.
Posted by JohnAV8R | Oct 24, 2011 @ 06:53 PM | 16,799 Views
Here's the RC Groups thread
Discussion
Farm crop video surveillance- 2011

https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1480498

and

Here's a follow up to no.1

FARM CROP VIDEO SURVEILLANCE NO2 - 2011.avi

FARM CROP VIDEO SURVEILLANCE NO2 - 2011.avi (5 min 32 sec)


made using a Radian glider and a key chain video camera, taken in Aug., 2011

Using the video to locate problem areas, a snap shot is taken of the area for future investigation. In this case, mostly poor drainage and drowned out crop.
Posted by JohnAV8R | Oct 01, 2011 @ 09:47 PM | 14,988 Views
Here's another video taken by Chad at the Flying Farmers Field here in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
For power, a little MVVS engine.
When it gets going, the short header almost acts like a pipe.
Plane is a scratch built "Wild Thing".
Spinner had to be removed as it made the plane nose heavy.
Blue Flame Flies Again.flv (6 min 57 sec)

Posted by JohnAV8R | Oct 01, 2011 @ 09:39 PM | 14,781 Views
Checking out a Hanger nine Pulse.
A really nice smooth flying model. Here's a video Chad took.

Pulse Punishment.flv (8 min 51 sec)

Posted by JohnAV8R | Jul 31, 2011 @ 08:23 AM | 15,095 Views
Brigidier old timer

Build log
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1337034

In flight video

Brigidier (4 min 11 sec)



view from the Brigidier at
Flying Farmers Field, Ontario, Canada

Farm crop 2 video surveillance June 2011.avi (5 min 15 sec)
...Continue Reading
Posted by JohnAV8R | Feb 19, 2011 @ 10:45 PM | 15,146 Views
A few ongoing modeling activities

1-Model Cad
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...on#post1695050
and
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187259


2-Lancer build
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...ight=gw+lancer

Update
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1629809
2012 Vintage & Old-Timer Build-Off- Lancer 72 from Klarich short kit-a continuation.


3-Brigidier old timer
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1337034
Posted by JohnAV8R | Oct 03, 2010 @ 08:23 AM | 15,390 Views
First flight of the Radian (Parkzone) electric glider,

Flying Farmers Field, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada

Grace in Styrofoam. Video by Chad (aka jetwaco)

Grace in Styrofoam (2 min 1 sec)