Just getting started on converting the Guillows Nieuport II 24" FF to electric. I'm not an expert builder so I'd definitely love help and advice along the way.

Here's what I'm planning:

• 3 Channel rudder/elevator (although I'm still considering adding ailerons, just too much fun to fly!)
• Full dihedral on top wing from plans
• Pull-pull
• Battery in cowl above engine. Cowl held on by fixed pins on bottom/sides, one removable on top.

The gear I've already purchased:

• Micro Xtra-300 7.4V 250mah 2S Replacement Ba
• OrangeRx R410 Spektrum DSM2 Compatible 4Ch
• TURNIGY Plush 6A /.8bec/6g Speed Controller
• Hobby King 3.7g / .4kg / .10sec Micro Servo
• GWS EP Propeller (DD-6030 152x76mm)
• 2290Kv 9.2g 3.5A 160g Thrust Outrunner

Things I still need to figure out:

• Pull pull setup
• Covering. I really like tissue but am not sure I want something that sensitive to the weather.
• Strengthening to wings?
• Strengthening to landing gear?
• Weight and suitability of motor/prop

Initially, the biggest question I have is: Is the motor/prop/batter combo I've got enough for this plane? AUW for the FF build is should be about 6oz (other conversions have ended up just above that but were using heavier gear) and the prop/motor combo I'm using is supposed to have about 5oz thrust.

Also check out my sketch of how I plan to arrange and attach the cowl/fake motor/actual motor/esc/Rx in the cowl.

Ok, well I'll start posting more photos soon but will start out slow since I'm going out of town next week. Next up is the fuse!

Thanks in advance for any help!

Oh, BTW anyone know how to change this thread from "discussion" to "build log"?? Thanks!

Originally Posted by eagsalazar

Oh, BTW anyone know how to change this thread from "discussion" to "build log"?? Thanks!

Nevermind. I figured it out. Too bad it looks like you can't delete your own posts though!

A few suggestions.
Instead of the long screws to mount the motor, I would make a box out of balsa.
The motor would be mounted to the front of the box and the battery can mount on the top.

Make the landing gear out of wire. Look at the way Peter Rake designs his.

Skip the ailerons, my little Rake N11 turns fine without them and will do a wicked rudder roll.

Make the entire cowl removable, it's easier that way. On my N11 the cowl will just make it around the prop and can be removed without taking the prop off.
I leave the battery in my Rake N11.

Not familiar with that motor but looks like it should work.

Remember to mount all the equipment directly behind the firewall. The short nose makes it tough to balance.

Glenn

Hi Glenn, thanks for the comments and thanks for tipping me off on Peter Rake. He's got a bunch of great models and build threads.

WRT landing gear, like http://static.rcgroups.net/forums/at...55%20copy.jpg?

Also, while looking through some other threads I came on this simple technique for holding on the fake rotary engine.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showp...&postcount=116

Oh and Glen, about the motor box, I was thinking that but I keep thinking I'll need to adjust the thrust angle afterward so that is what attracted me to using bolts like that. Is there an angle you think I can safely go with? If so I'd definitely do something lighter, easier and cheaper like using balsa.

Another issue is that I want to install the fake rotary engine which would probably cover the top of the motor mount. It may be the case that the cowl comes down in front enough so I can cut away the entire top half of the rotary, exposing the mount so I can mount a battery to it. Otherwise I was planning on mounting the battery to the top of the cowl itself.

Still working on this? I built a Guillows N11 as a static model about 35 years ago then enlarged the plans and built another. I flew the bigger one without ailerons and it was just fine. A real floater. It flew with micro (at the time) GWS gear and a geared brushed 350 motor. I pulled it from the shelf today to put new gear in it as I stripped it down years ago. Looks a wreck but I bet it'll still fly well.

Good luck with yours.

Mike