THAT really is a nice job SARGE.

Here's my tip, for beginners who expect the occasional 'heavy landing'

The weak spot appears to be under the canopy, there's less foam there because it's cut away for the canopy and then some more for the fixings.

This was a repair I did to an EZ* where there was almost no intact foam in this area, I cut the edges smooth and replaced it with new EPP but instead of sticking to the old design I extended the sides all the way to the top and used a flat plate for the hatch.

This make the nose much stronger, although it gives slightly less access. the same could be done by cutting the sides off the standard canopy and gluing them to the fuselage, then attaching the top as a hatch.

Finally the whole thing is covered in strapping tape - I thought this might be overkill but apparently the bit ahead of the repair is already splitting...

Well I got the flight report. Nice, very nice. This is a much more responsive rudder than the foam one. It may be the perfect rudder, I don't know..... My EZ handled as well my old Graupner Terry (ERT plane) and without any sign of instability. I caught a couple thermals and the EZ was very responsive with the throttle chopped and did nice tight turns without losing alot of altitude. Two thumbs up.

BTW: I have a Dubro micro connecter on the EZ rudder horn. I noticed there was some slop and it was being caused by the horn hole being too big for the connector. To fix it I cut another piece of horn with a smaller hole and sanded it down and made a tiny bushing. I then CA'ed it into the existing EZ horn hole. Now the fit is nice and tight with no play at all. So keep in mind that the EZ horn holes are too big for the Dubro micro connecters.

RobinBennett,

Try the 3M criss-cross packing tape. It's tough as nails and sticks like iron.

Sarge

I noticed the same thing also with the Dubro micro connecter. Also it's very hard to get the screw turned tight and hard taking the round locking plastic on and off. Is there any place that sells easystar type connectors? I noticed other kits have those Allen wrench tightening connectors also.

I stole (borrowed) this Wheel idea from Shaun Hendricks. (Thanks Shaun.)

Here are some pictures of his and mine.

It worked very well. I have a fast brushless motor, ailerons and a larger rudder.

Having 2 wheels retained the stability that a single wheel (such as traditional glider uses) would not have given me. Rudder steered the plane fine.

A standard 6v brushed motor may not have the power to get this off thick grass, however the modification is so simple, cheap and reversable that it is could be worth a try.

METHOD -
1 - Put wire onto a couple of blocks of balsa (or CD case?) about 1/4 inch (6mm) thick to raise it off the bench and keep wire horizontal.

2 - Place Fuselage onto bench and make sure it is level.

3 - Push wire into fuselage, making sure it is at right angles to the centre line of the fuselage.

4 - Push tube over wire into fuselage.

5 - WHILE WIRE IS STILL INSERTED INTO TUBE (!) cut tube to length so that wheels will not rub against fuselage.

The rest is obvious. I chose to put wheels in same place as Shaun did - see pictures. This worked well and the plane did not nose in on takeoff.

Cheers - IP

Using a 4.4 gram servo and some thin piano wire I build a light (5 gram) and simple release mechanism for releasing parachutes from my Easy Star.

Can release 2 loads seperately.

Simply make a hook out of a paper clip or thin wire, attach it to a rubber band holding the "load" and stretch it to one of the Release points on the mechanism.

Moving the servo arm opens the release points one at a time.

Click on Photos below to enlarge them.

Cheers - IP

Originally Posted by Ian Pullar

......................Can release 2 loads seperately. .................Moving the servo arm opens the release points one at a time.[COLOR=Blue[Cheers - IP

Brilliant idea you have; and with proper servo "arm" length, strength, and stroke and spirals, you can do almost as many as you want..........

thx,
LarryR

IP,

How did you get or how did you make that cool cockpit?

Originally Posted by sargentw

IP,

How did you get or how did you make that cool cockpit?

I was given a canopy for my Easy Star by one of my trainees (thanks Douglas) and showed it on this board. Sarge asked me how it was made so I thought I’d build a new one – and some step by step instructions.

I’m aware it’s a bit overboard with the number of pictures, but it’s a bit of an experiment.

Weight of original = 8 grams
Weight of mine (ex pilot) = 12 grams
Weight of pilot = 11 grams (but he says he will be going on a diet soon.)

YOU WILL NEED:
A piece of 5mm or 6mm (about 1/4 inch) balsa, preferably light, 100mm (4 inches) wide by about 250mm (10 inches) long.
A plastic drink bottle of suitable shape, about 1.25 litres (1 quart)
CA glue
Paint
Pins (10-12)
Knife and scissors.

Cheers – IP

Now you are ready to glue the pieces together.
To get the right angles, place them in your plane and put a LITTLE CA glue in the joins.
Remove it, add some more glue then put it back into place to re-check it.

You may wish to PROTECT your plane by placing some FOOD WRAP on the plane first – so you don’t accidentally glue your canopy to your plane whilst building it(!!!),.

Final Steps

Cheers - IP

FANTASTIC IAN.

You deserve full marks for your build and photo "How To",
Now we all know how to do it. Thank you.

Cheers. Paddy.

Originally Posted by oldpilot

FANTASTIC IAN.
You deserve full marks for your build and photo "How To",Now we all know how to do it. Thank you.
Cheers. Paddy.

Ha, but I won't be able to rest until I find me some of those miniature Snoopy's......

LarryR

Brilliant!!

Now I just need to find me a Red Baron...

Cheers

Numb Thumbs

Originally Posted by LareeRudee

Ha, but I won't be able to rest until I find me some of those miniature Snoopy's......

LarryR

We have a Scottish hamburger chain here (I suspect you have it there too) that gave them away free with certain meals, some years ago. IP