RPG Owners - Page 2

Norfolk Flyer · Jun 26, 2009, 01:05 PM

Hi Guys,

"An RPG at any stage" you say? OK here's my contribution. These pics also appear on my build log. Hope to have it flying soon.

John

Mud Duck Bill · Jul 01, 2009, 01:33 AM

Mike : after some frustrating time with my BINFORD 500

I decided to ask Rich to send me a set of RPG plans.

They arrived Monday

and I am going to start gathering materials tomorrow. I have lots of parts from the Binford so I will start the build soon and post my progress as I go.Weather is bad here so I foresee time in the cellar to be constructive.

Bill Oops I got this posted in the wrong Section but I do like you work and will be back from time to time . Bill

Mud Duck Bill · Jul 01, 2009, 01:45 AM

Mike : after some frustrating time with my BINFORD 500 I decided to ask Rich to send me a set of RPG plans. They arrived Monday and I am going to start gathering materials tomorrow. I have lots of parts from the Binford so I will start the build soon and post my progress as I go.Weather is bad here so I foresee time in the cellar to be constructive. Bill Oops I got this posted in the wrong Section but I do like you work and will be back from time to time . Bill

Boneswamped · Jul 01, 2009, 02:55 AM

Hello Bill,
Great news to hear you've aquired a set of RPG plans!

I'll be looking forward to your build, and willing to help in any way I can. Build to the plan, resist the urge for any "redneck engineering" modifications

, and she will fly great when you're done! Welcome to the family Bill.

Regards,
-Mike

Mud Duck Bill · Jul 01, 2009, 03:29 PM

Hi Mike : Hey red neck is good when all else fails. Raining cats and dogs here in the Empire State so the best place to be is in the cellar where it's cool glue is the next step. Bill

SafeLandings · Jul 01, 2009, 05:02 PM

Nice work Bill..thats the hard work done!!!...I hope thats lite ply and not birch ply?

Regards Rich

Mud Duck Bill · Jul 02, 2009, 10:12 AM

Rich: educate me and maybe others too whats the difference in the plywood's and the end results ? Bill

SafeLandings · Jul 02, 2009, 11:24 AM

Bill,
Birchply is far superior in quality and its normal use would be for firewalls, dihederal braces and other rienforcment tasks in constructing a model, the down side is it is realatively heavy, expensive and hardish to cut (scroll saw or equivelant).
Lite ply is a cheaper grade of plywood that has less ply's (normally 3) is really easy to cut (I use a scalpel and take about 3 cuts to get through), is far lighter than birch ply, and when a model is constructed it can produce a very strong airframe which can have lightening holes added to help with the weight.

If you did build one from Birch ply it would probably be too heavy to fly!!!...when I had done my first drawings for the RPG it was designed around one 300mm x 1200mm sheet of 3mm lite ply, 2 sheets of 6mm balsa, 2 sheets of 5mm balsa and varying thicknesses of birch ply for the 'stressed' parts like the head pieces. Basically this is what I had to hand at the time of constructing the prototype

Hope this helps

Regards Rich

FALCON-FLYER · Jul 02, 2009, 12:57 PM

Hi Rich and fellow RPGer's this is Jim from Connecticut. My RPG is at the covering stage, still working on the head assembly. Now if I could only figure out how to post pics I will do so. Rich, thanks for the plans, it came out great with a few little modifications.

Norfolk Flyer · Jul 02, 2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud Duck Bill

Rich: educate me and maybe others too whats the difference in the plywood's and the end results ? Bill

Bill,
I have weighed 2 pieces of same size ply, both 3mm thick, one "lite" ply and the other birch ply. The "lite" ply weighed 58% of the birch ply, so the same parts constructed of birch ply will be nearly twice as heavy!

John

Mud Duck Bill · Jul 02, 2009, 08:03 PM

WELL That Stinks:

with more than 1/2 the build done it looks like I may have the wrong material

SOOOO I think I'll have to make it into SWISS CHEESE to lighten the load!

So what would the ideal all up weight be with motor battery servos and landing gearand rotors ect. I will weight it just before I cover it. Down in the dumps Bill

Boneswamped · Jul 03, 2009, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mud Duck Bill

WELL That Stinks:

with more than 1/2 the build done it looks like I may have the wrong material

SOOOO I think I'll have to make it into SWISS CHEESE to lighten the load!

So what would the ideal all up weight be with motor battery servos and landing gearand rotors ect. I will weight it just before I cover it. Down in the dumps Bill

Hi Bill,
Sorry to hear that you have encountered some material selection issues.

I would get the light ply and start over rather than try to continue with the birch ply. You could probably get enough holes to loose the weight, but at what structural cost?

As far as completed weight; read a few of the RPG build threads, but generally 4 lbs or less. Hang in there Bill

You'll be very happy with your RPG when it's finished. Again, stick to the plan and avoid adding variables that may cause you problems.
Regards,
-Mike

Lenwing · Jul 03, 2009, 07:09 AM

Hi Bill, My second RPG comes in at 4 1/2 pounds and flys just fine.. Power AXI 2820/10 , on four A123 cells, prop APC electic 12 x 8 ,Jeti 40 Amp speed control none Bec.. So dont scrap it make the tail end as light as you can. My second one has a 1/8 balsa fuz lower sides , but needed 5ozs lead on the nose, and this with the RX battery up in the nose and A123s as far forward as I could get them.. So do a bit checking before you start again .. cheers Len.

imsofaman · Jul 03, 2009, 07:56 AM

Len.....I was asking Rich about your set up yesterday! Thanks so much for chiming in mate! I did not realize you were using a 2820 for your motor. The A123 cells, I knew you were using them and I am very excited that you have been doing so. I have many of them and currently need to solder up some 4 cell packs.

Hey....do you have some video footage anywhere? I would like to see how the A123s work out.

Thanks again for your input!!!

Dave

Lenwing · Jul 03, 2009, 11:34 AM

Hi Dave , yes I have been useing the AXI 2820/10 ,, but it is getting near to its limits on four A123s watch your amps.. something like 38Amps on this setup.. I have used an 8 cell sub c pack which is very heavy but it flew at 4.3/4Ibs. It was windy day and the ceiling was limited but it flew.. Also have used the scorpion S-3020-12. about the same specs as the AXI 2820.. But the best alround`motor is the AXI 2826/10 on four A123s turning an APC 14x7 current draw is about 39 Amps.. Glad to see you are thinking of useing A123s , you will only get 4min flights with good throttle management but you can charge and be flying again in 12 mins.. Don,t forget my RPG is flying at 4 1/2Ibs a lighter model would fly on less throttle, also A123s when going down go down fast..As soon as you start to loose power be in a good position for a landing this will come 10 secs later always good practice.. And never use bec always use a RX battery..With regards to vidios I am looking into getting a cam.. At the moment I am on with another RPG for a small four stroke I need 20 min flights.. THE TROUBLE WITH AUTOGIROS IS ADDICTION cheers Len.....

Jun 26, 2009, 01:05 PM	#16
Norfolk Flyer Suck it and see Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Cromer, North Norfolk Coast, UK Posts: 380	Hi Guys, "An RPG at any stage" you say? OK here's my contribution. These pics also appear on my build log. Hope to have it flying soon. John Attached Thumbnails 219.7 KB · Views: 56 148.3 KB · Views: 53 73.9 KB · Views: 65

Jul 01, 2009, 01:33 AM	#17
Mud Duck Bill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Up State New York , USA Posts: 155	RPG Build Mike : after some frustrating time with my BINFORD 500 I decided to ask Rich to send me a set of RPG plans. They arrived Monday and I am going to start gathering materials tomorrow. I have lots of parts from the Binford so I will start the build soon and post my progress as I go.Weather is bad here so I foresee time in the cellar to be constructive. Bill Oops I got this posted in the wrong Section but I do like you work and will be back from time to time . Bill Last edited by Mud Duck Bill; Jul 01, 2009 at 01:41 AM.

Jul 01, 2009, 03:29 PM	#20
Mud Duck Bill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Up State New York , USA Posts: 155	Hi Mike : Hey red neck is good when all else fails. Raining cats and dogs here in the Empire State so the best place to be is in the cellar where it's cool glue is the next step. Bill Attached Thumbnails 55.6 KB · Views: 82 Pressto 76.2 KB · Views: 88

Jul 02, 2009, 08:03 PM	#26
Mud Duck Bill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Up State New York , USA Posts: 155	WELL That Stinks: with more than 1/2 the build done it looks like I may have the wrong material SOOOO I think I'll have to make it into SWISS CHEESE to lighten the load! So what would the ideal all up weight be with motor battery servos and landing gearand rotors ect. I will weight it just before I cover it. Down in the dumps Bill Attached Thumbnails sso Now what? 68.0 KB · Views: 42

Jul 01, 2009, 01:45 AM	#18
Mud Duck Bill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Up State New York , USA Posts: 155	Mike : after some frustrating time with my BINFORD 500 I decided to ask Rich to send me a set of RPG plans. They arrived Monday and I am going to start gathering materials tomorrow. I have lots of parts from the Binford so I will start the build soon and post my progress as I go.Weather is bad here so I foresee time in the cellar to be constructive. Bill Oops I got this posted in the wrong Section but I do like you work and will be back from time to time . Bill

Jul 01, 2009, 02:55 AM	#19
Boneswamped Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: DeRidder LA. Posts: 875	Hello Bill, Great news to hear you've aquired a set of RPG plans! I'll be looking forward to your build, and willing to help in any way I can. Build to the plan, resist the urge for any "redneck engineering" modifications , and she will fly great when you're done! Welcome to the family Bill. Regards, -Mike

Jul 01, 2009, 05:02 PM	#21
SafeLandings Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stourport on Severn ,Worcestershire, United Kingdom Posts: 2,142	Nice work Bill..thats the hard work done!!!...I hope thats lite ply and not birch ply? Regards Rich

Jul 02, 2009, 10:12 AM	#22
Mud Duck Bill Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Up State New York , USA Posts: 155	Rich: educate me and maybe others too whats the difference in the plywood's and the end results ? Bill

Jul 02, 2009, 11:24 AM	#23
SafeLandings Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Stourport on Severn ,Worcestershire, United Kingdom Posts: 2,142	Bill, Birchply is far superior in quality and its normal use would be for firewalls, dihederal braces and other rienforcment tasks in constructing a model, the down side is it is realatively heavy, expensive and hardish to cut (scroll saw or equivelant). Lite ply is a cheaper grade of plywood that has less ply's (normally 3) is really easy to cut (I use a scalpel and take about 3 cuts to get through), is far lighter than birch ply, and when a model is constructed it can produce a very strong airframe which can have lightening holes added to help with the weight. If you did build one from Birch ply it would probably be too heavy to fly!!!...when I had done my first drawings for the RPG it was designed around one 300mm x 1200mm sheet of 3mm lite ply, 2 sheets of 6mm balsa, 2 sheets of 5mm balsa and varying thicknesses of birch ply for the 'stressed' parts like the head pieces. Basically this is what I had to hand at the time of constructing the prototype Hope this helps Regards Rich

Jul 02, 2009, 12:57 PM	#24
FALCON-FLYER Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 193	Hi Rich and fellow RPGer's this is Jim from Connecticut. My RPG is at the covering stage, still working on the head assembly. Now if I could only figure out how to post pics I will do so. Rich, thanks for the plans, it came out great with a few little modifications.

Jul 03, 2009, 07:09 AM	#28
Lenwing Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Halifax West Yorks UK Posts: 19	Hi Bill, My second RPG comes in at 4 1/2 pounds and flys just fine.. Power AXI 2820/10 , on four A123 cells, prop APC electic 12 x 8 ,Jeti 40 Amp speed control none Bec.. So dont scrap it make the tail end as light as you can. My second one has a 1/8 balsa fuz lower sides , but needed 5ozs lead on the nose, and this with the RX battery up in the nose and A123s as far forward as I could get them.. So do a bit checking before you start again .. cheers Len.

Jul 03, 2009, 07:56 AM	#29
imsofaman Viva Juan De La Cierva Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 4,818	Len.....I was asking Rich about your set up yesterday! Thanks so much for chiming in mate! I did not realize you were using a 2820 for your motor. The A123 cells, I knew you were using them and I am very excited that you have been doing so. I have many of them and currently need to solder up some 4 cell packs. Hey....do you have some video footage anywhere? I would like to see how the A123s work out. Thanks again for your input!!! Dave

Jul 03, 2009, 11:34 AM	#30
Lenwing Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Halifax West Yorks UK Posts: 19	Hi Dave , yes I have been useing the AXI 2820/10 ,, but it is getting near to its limits on four A123s watch your amps.. something like 38Amps on this setup.. I have used an 8 cell sub c pack which is very heavy but it flew at 4.3/4Ibs. It was windy day and the ceiling was limited but it flew.. Also have used the scorpion S-3020-12. about the same specs as the AXI 2820.. But the best alround`motor is the AXI 2826/10 on four A123s turning an APC 14x7 current draw is about 39 Amps.. Glad to see you are thinking of useing A123s , you will only get 4min flights with good throttle management but you can charge and be flying again in 12 mins.. Don,t forget my RPG is flying at 4 1/2Ibs a lighter model would fly on less throttle, also A123s when going down go down fast..As soon as you start to loose power be in a good position for a landing this will come 10 secs later always good practice.. And never use bec always use a RX battery..With regards to vidios I am looking into getting a cam.. At the moment I am on with another RPG for a small four stroke I need 20 min flights.. THE TROUBLE WITH AUTOGIROS IS ADDICTION cheers Len.....