I went to my employer's little field, set aside for future expansion of the aircraft parts warehouse.

Overcast. Zero wind.

I had two hours of great fun.. it was perfect.

Flying field 20130514 (0 min 0 sec)

Now that the Eagle and Knight are ready for first flight, it's time to revisit the 56-inch span C-122 Avitruc.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1815255

The wrecked Eagle is converted to electric, repaired, and ready for first flight.

The conversion left the plane tail-heavy by a pound.

I bought this inexpensive ducted fan aircraft some time ago. When I assembled it, there were some issues. The vertical stabilizer and one wing tip were warped. From the way the unassembled aircraft lay in the box, it appears that the box was probably exposed to heat at one point and the parts of the aircraft nearest the edge of the box were warped. There was also a problem with the ducted fan unit, in that the fan touched the duct at one point. When I tested the motor, there was a hit of the screeching sound, and a whiff of hot plastic smell. It was not until I opened the engine compartment, and cut away the cemented wing that I discovered the reason. I am very glad that I used white gorilla glue to attach the wing, as it was easy to cut the wing away and, later, to reattach it.

The aircraft also seemed to be designed for older and heavier batteries. It was very difficult to achieve the desired center gravity, but I have to admit, that I was not using the provided landing gear. I was planning to use the aircraft as a belly lander, and had used transparent duct tape to protect the bottom against skidding damage. In my spare parts box, I had a lump of the modeling clay that GWS provides with many of its model kits. It took about three quarters of that stick of clay to balance the model.

The aircraft was also three channel, with no working rudder. This was the first time I had flown an aircraft with this control set up. To be honest, I did not like it very much. Using role to correct direction at low altitudes turned out to be problematic for me.

Taken together, I did not fly the aircraft very much.

I decided to change that, if I could. If not, I will be harvesting the electronics and motor for use in a scratch built aircraft that is lighter in weight. So, yesterday, I added a working rudder to the aircraft. I decided to go VFR-direct with the installation.

I hope I get a chance to fly it today and will return and report when I do.

I've been restoring a 1980s Goldberg Eagle I that was crashed long ago and never repaired. It belonged to the recently-deceased father of a co-worker, who asked if I wanted it.

It had been cartwheeled... repaired... crashed... and put on a shelf.

The main structures are done and I'm starting to stuff the airframe with the systems.

Some of us a supporting a proposal to create a Forum for 3-vies and Scale Drawings of the "Real' "prototype" deal.

The proposal is HERE

I'm thinking out loud here...

STICKY 2 --

Title: "LOOKING FOR 3-VIEW DRAWINGS? POST YOUR REQUESTS HERE"

This forum is designed to give everyone a single location to announce your needs; hopefully, preventing them from getting lost in the clutter.

If you cannot find the 3-view or scale drawing of that aircraft, component, bomb, weapon, or cockpit... ask away!

Some of us a supporting a proposal to create a Forum for 3-vies and Scale Drawings of the "Real' "prototype" deal.

The proposal is HERE

I'm thinking out loud here...

STICKY 1 --

Title: "FORUM GUIDELINES -- PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING"

This forum is intended to provide a single location for the gathering of three view and scale drawings of aircraft, aviation engines, and equipment attached to aircraft.

It should not be a location for the posting of information about flying models of those aircraft.

Before creating a new thread, take the time to search the forum to see if a thread already exists for the aircraft, engine, or equipment you wish to add.

If there is an existing thread please add your contribution to the existing thread.
If nothing exists, or if you're not sure, please create a new thread in the forum and use the following guidelines.

In the first post please make the title of the thread clear and as simple as possible, consisting of two pieces of information.

First, type the name of the manufacturer. It is okay to use commonly accepted abbreviations, but if you have any doubt, please type the full name, such as "North American".

Second, type the name of the aircraft, engine, or equipment. This could be a type designation, such as "P-51," or a type name, such as "Mustang," or both.


In the body of the first post, please repeat the name of the manufacturer and the type name or designation. Then, if

...Continue Reading

Here's a new version of my Excel spreadsheet.

I changed some of the numbers affecting how motor efficiency affects power output based on a series if bench tests with 7 motors using both 2- and 3-S batteries.

Photos from a December 2008 trip to the Air and Space Museum....Continue Reading

I thought folks might like this....Continue Reading

My fingers had been itching to do some sculpting. I love working in stone and have several blocks of limestone that have been patiently awaiting my attention. So in between my work on the Carl Goldberg Eagle, I decided to start a limestone piece. I chose to work on a Celtic cross. It's actually not going to take too much work, even with me committing to using hand tools. I handcuffed the slab for the base and the cross itself, and have started work. I just like making things.

I've been working with my spreadsheet.

I've added a couple of pages.
I went through the entire website of Heads Up RC and LopriceRC and documented their motors.

The Headsup page includes conditional formatting to emphasize motors fitting the Kv and Amperage ratings of the "Calc" page

Sopwith Mike and I are planning to switch off the "Contest Director" job for a twice-annual contest in the Balsa Builders Forum.

We are going to draft the rules here.

===== TEARLINE =====

"BBCC 2" -- 2nd Balsa Builders Conversion Contest Thread

POST #1

Goal: Build and fly a radio controlled model aircraft, constructed predominantly of balsa, based upon a kit or plans not originally designed for radio control.

See the answers to Frequently Asked Questions in Post #3, below, for additional information.

Significant Dates:

Contest Announcement:.....01 MAR 2013
Formal Contest Start:.....01 APR 2013
Entries Close:............30 APR 2013
Contest Ends:.............31 AUG 2013
Polling Ends:.............30 SEP 2013

Judging Criteria:

Best Build – this title will be voted on by RCG members in the month following the Contest End. The Contest Director will create a separate thread containing a poll and links to each thread to facilitate the voting.

Prizes:

A brand new plane, the work of your own hands.
Satisfaction in your efforts.
Recognition from your peers.

And whatever we can get from generous donors.

How to participate:

1. Decide your subject.
2. Announce your subject and intention to participate in this thread.
3. The contest director will add your information to the list of participants, below.
4. Create (or rename) a Build Thread for your subject. Name the thread in conformance with the following standard: BBCC 2 – YourSubjectName – YourUserName.

...Continue Reading

I'm working on writing a proposal, during the evenings, this past week. For the past 5 days, I've been working at my company site adjacent to the future warehouse location. A 4-acre square that is kept like a lawn, pending the start of construction.

I get to use it to fly!

The weather has been cooperating and I've taken a couple of planes each day, for 2 or 3 flights during the dinner break.

Monday was too windy.
Tuesday was the UMX MiG 15 and the BAE Hawk.
Wednesday was the UM P-51 and the UM Stryker.
Thursday was the Blackburn Skua and the MiG.
Today was the Slowly, Champ and UM T-28

It was great!

I have a co-worker who is not a RC aviator but, whose late father was. My friend told me of an "RC plane" discovered in the garage after many years of storage. Not wanting to see this reminder of his father thrown away, he asked me if I wanted it. I agreed.

I received the plane, today.

It seems to be a Carl Goldberg Eagle I... flown, crashed and repaired and seemingly, crashed again... and awaiting repairs since.

I think I can repair it... electrifiy it... and have it fly again. If it flies as well as Goldberg Eagles are supposed to fly, I'll offer it back to my friend with some training.

I've become enamored of this light transport and intend to begin a long-term project to create a sport-scale model of the aircraft.



From Wikipedia
Only 18 were built.

I found a partial plan for a 37-inch CL, twin .049 powered model on Outerzone HERE



The Outerzone-provided plan shows a fully-sheeted balsa structure that probably needs the twin .049 engines.

I'm thinking a lighter, stiff-winged model with ailerons and perhaps, flaps, given the glider-inspired, high aspect ratio wing.

I'm going to be letting the idea roll around in my head as to the size I want to build, and whether foam, balsa or some composite of the two would be best.

My preliminary thinking imagines an electric-powered model in the 48- to 50-inch size range with removable wings for transport.

I will probably hand draw my own plans.

.. then life and children crowded upon me.

Now, with children and career winding down, I might have to try again; in spite of my new love for RC.

Starting over is fun!

Living in an apartment, and subject to the need to move, occasionally, I started building boxes to protect my scratchbuild models.

I disassembled (unfolded) the box for my PZ Champ and made a worksheet to help me build a box for any internal dimension.

I cut out the pieces, position them, tape them on one side with packing tape (like flying surfaces), glue the two major sections together, fold the box, and tape the outside "hinges".

A nearby retail outlet for beds and mattresses kindly donated a King-size bed box to the cause and, after two builds, I can say it works pretty well.

In the Worksheet, major panels are labeled with a Letter and the flaps on the sides of the panel is indicated with an accent (A "prime") etc.

Each "lettered" section represents a major assembly that can easily be cut from a single piece, and scored for easy folding.

I finished up the repairs on the Skua and took her out. It was cold, windy and beautiful.

Blackburn Skua from Earl Stahl plans - 3rd Flight (3 min 35 sec)

VX-57 "Terrell’s Dragoons" 1/17/2013

Active

1. T-28 “Lil-28” (UM, ParkZone)
2. T-28 “Big-28” (PF, PZ)
3. BuzzBomb 100 (UM, Stevens Aero)
4. Carbon Cub (UM, EFlite)
5. Champ “FrankenChamp” (UM, HZ)
6. MiG-15 (UM, EF)
7. Slowly “VinFizz” (PF, Scratch)
8. Cartoon C-119 (PF, Scratch)
9. Polaris.Mk.2 (PF, Scratch)
10. Blade mCX2 (Heli, EF)
11. Blade 120SR (Heli, EF)
12. Night Vapor (UM, PZ)
13. Nieuport 17 (UM, Flyzone)
14. Mosquito Mk 4 (UM, PZ)
15. Rufe (PF, Bash of GWS Zero)

InWork

1. Blackburn Skua (PF, Scratch RC Bash of Earl Stahl's FF in April 1942 MAN FF)

Plans and/or Kits “on deck”

1. Mini A-1 Skyraider (PF, FMS)
2. BAE Hawk (PF, Skyangel)
3. 1928 Pietenpol Air Camper (UM, SA)

Plans and/or Kits in Storage (“The Stash”)

1. 1918 Hergt Monoplane (UM, SA)
2. Andy's Avro Vulcan (PF, Scratch.)
3. Big P40 (RC, Black Horse.)
4. Fly Baby Bipe (UM, SA)
5. FredE (UM, SA)
6. FredE1.5x (PF, SA)
7. GyroChamp (UM, HZ bash twin-rotor autogyro)
8. LNB-4 (UM, SA)
9. P-40 Warhawk (PF, GWS)
10. Pinkus (PF, Scratch)
11. Spirit (3D Profile, TechOne Hobby)
12. Wot Next (PF, Scratch)

Kits Collection

1. 29’er (FF, Sig)
2. Aeronca K (FF, Comet)
3. Curtis Robin (FF, Comet)
4. Dayton-Wright Racer (FF, Jetco)
5. Ercoupe (FF, Comet)
6. P-38 (FF, Comet)
7. Piper Cub (FF, Comet)
8. SPAD (FF, Comet)
9. Sparky (FF, Comet)
10. Taylor Cub (FF, Comet)
11. Taylorcraft (FF, Comet)

Retired

1. Champ “Greenie” (UM, HobbyZone, Damaged)
2. Polaris.Mk.1 (PF, Scratch, Destroyed)