Originally Posted by tupeloflyer

I'm assuming CTH doesn't include build instructions right? It comes with laminate, but do you use the extreme tape also? someone help a newbee please! Thanks...

Written (non-video) instructions are on the web site. The problem with the videos is that Lee and company (to their credit) are constantly finding ways to make the wings more durable, so the construction methods change, and the video's get out of date. The problem with the PDF instructions is that some of the pictures are too small and lack detail. Wouldn't it be wonderful to click on a picture in the PDF and see the picture full resolution on the web? (Hint, hint, Lee).

Still, my friend, who had never built an RC airplane in his life, followed the written instructions for a Hercules (considerably more complex than an Assassin), and it flew beautifully its first flight.

Yes, you have to buy Extreme Tape, either at Home Depot, or on-line depending on where you live.

Originally Posted by michaelingp

Written (non-video) instructions are on the web site. The problem with the videos is that Lee and company (to their credit) are constantly finding ways to make the wings more durable, so the construction methods change, and the video's get out of date. The problem with the PDF instructions is that some of the pictures are too small and lack detail. Wouldn't it be wonderful to click on a picture in the PDF and see the picture full resolution on the web? (Hint, hint, Lee).

Still, my friend, who had never built an RC airplane in his life, followed the written instructions for a Hercules (considerably more complex than an Assassin), and it flew beautifully its first flight.

Yes, you have to buy Extreme Tape, either at Home Depot, or on-line depending on where you live.

Thanks! have a Home depot, and I'm not new to RC plane builds, just wings, not really worried, just want it to fly well. main concerns are weight & CG

Yeah, just follow the instructions on the website. They'll include recommended AUW, and accurate CG

Wife says "a grown man shouldn't get so excited about a toy". Everyone is right...the Widowmaker is a blast!

Got to the big field too late to see the crew today but threw it up into 8-10 knot breeze anyway. Zero wind effect. Flew to altitude, no trim required. Very happy with the low rates (60%/50%, aleron/elevator of 1cm total travel). Great aerobatics and great glide even at a porky 18 oz. auw. Almost caught it once. I swear it will thermal! Maybe 15 minutes of fun @ mostly 1/2 - 3/4 throttle. No noticable heat from motor, battery or ESC.

But...the last of about 6 nose dorking bounces damaged the 1800 mAh LiPo. The cells have shifted and one may be puffed. Ok, it's definitely puffed. All three cells were 4.08 v and it took only 208 mAh to charge it completely. I don't think its dangerous but will watch it closely. I may try to use carbon rod inserted and glued in the first four inches of the nose because it definitely bends (folds) 45-60 degrees on impact. That's how the LiPo cells got shifted. Of course you engineers out there will say then it will bend at 4 1/2 inches and the rest of you will say "just learn to fly it and stop dorking it".

Now I'm getting Assassin fever!

Originally Posted by Backyard

Wife says "a grown man shouldn't get so excited about a toy"........snip

Give her a diamond ring and watch her squeal . Then ask her who over-reacts

Originally Posted by whirlcap

Give her a diamond ring and watch her squeal . Then ask her who over-reacts

Haha there is a cheaper method. Give her a FAKE diamond ring and watch her squeal... or get her a pair of shoes/boots/high heels

We update most instructions every few months. We have started putting them on our website as PDF files so they are easy to download. you can print them what ever size your bifocals need to read them or just follow them off the site.

This is one of my favorite videos of Todd hitting the soccer goal. I like it not just because of the video but listen to the voices in the background. By the way, my glasses got knocked off my face and stepped on and broken at the end of the video.

Flying wing meets soccer goal (6 min 19 sec)

Here is another one with the same flyers.

Bet you can't hit me (1 min 1 sec)

Here is another one from years ago.

Limbo with RC planes (3 min 33 sec)

and another with Reapers.

Boys will be Boys (4 min 0 sec)

Got another one. No hits but pretty close. this is from the camera on the Assassin, trying to make Popwing confetti I was a little worried about the camera but really wanted some air to air shots.

RC Combat, Attempted Assassination (2 min 2 sec)

Originally Posted by whirlcap

Got another one. No hits but pretty close. this is from the camera on the Assassin, trying to make Popwing confetti I was a little worried about the camera but really wanted some air to air shots.
http://vimeo.com/58322854

awesome video there whirlcap.

Originally Posted by Backyard

Wife says "a grown man shouldn't get so excited about a toy". Everyone is right...the Widowmaker is a blast!

Got to the big field too late to see the crew today but threw it up into 8-10 knot breeze anyway. Zero wind effect. Flew to altitude, no trim required. Very happy with the low rates (60%/50%, aleron/elevator of 1cm total travel). Great aerobatics and great glide even at a porky 18 oz. auw. Almost caught it once. I swear it will thermal! Maybe 15 minutes of fun @ mostly 1/2 - 3/4 throttle. No noticable heat from motor, battery or ESC.

But...the last of about 6 nose dorking bounces damaged the 1800 mAh LiPo. The cells have shifted and one may be puffed. Ok, it's definitely puffed. All three cells were 4.08 v and it took only 208 mAh to charge it completely. I don't think its dangerous but will watch it closely. I may try to use carbon rod inserted and glued in the first four inches of the nose because it definitely bends (folds) 45-60 degrees on impact. That's how the LiPo cells got shifted. Of course you engineers out there will say then it will bend at 4 1/2 inches and the rest of you will say "just learn to fly it and stop dorking it".

Now I'm getting Assassin fever!

1800 is a little large and that's why yours is a little porky, and also why it does more damage when it hits. My favorite battery is the 1500mah 3s Zippy Compact that HobbyKing usually stocks at the US warehouse. 113g and fits in a nice, narrow slot on its edge. I flew one battery until my fingers hurt on Saturday, came back Sunday and still had 11.2v, attached a LiPo beeper, and flew it again until I got bored - beeper never signaled! Had another battery next in line but never got to it.

Thanks Viper. Looks like the 1500 Zippy is out of stock for the moment but I'll keep checking.

I was wondering, in the building instructions one of the first steps is glueing the wing halves together. it says to use low temp hot glue, gorilla glue or shoe goo( never heard of it) In ya'lls opinion which of these glues is the best? can you use med CA and activator?

Originally Posted by tupeloflyer

I was wondering, in the building instructions one of the first steps is glueing the wing halves together. it says to use low temp hot glue, gorilla glue or shoe goo( never heard of it) In ya'lls opinion which of these glues is the best? can you use med CA and activator?

I think Welders is better than any of those! I'd go for Gorilla Glue next; it expands into all the little holes and crevices.

John

I used Goop. Same as Shoe Goo. My thoughts are that it's a flexable bond and nose in impacts will not split the wings at the nose. So far this has been true with my Assassin with many lawn dart impacts, no damage at all.