Hi Asher
This is a towing hook guy. ZM aka SMYK

This a first time I have a chance to see this thread of yours - silly me
I got couple of suggestions to make


Regarding towing hook positioning

1* I have drilled holes in towing hooks bodies as a starting points
I do prefer not to drill them at all, because I can not tell where is a best position for them based on installation in the plane. If the another location is 1/2" away it is OK to drill new hole. The worst is if you need new hole drilled 1/16" from existing one.
In your case drill the set of new holes 1/4" lower and you can stick out entire hook little bit higher. There is plenty room there

ZM

Hi Asher!

I see you struggle with attaching cowls and access doors

Prime me with your mailing address again and I will get you worry free clips
They will be just perfect for a size of your tug
Did I say
WORRY FREE!


ZM

Check Accessory page for more pictures

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2qbfc/id19.html

Asher


I have noticed you have already collapsed plywood attaching your Towhook
use end grain dowels to cope with the issue
Tow hook has to be strong enough to carry 3-4 times the weight of the tug
Beside static load you got dynamic loads if you are forced to yank 40 lb glider from time to time
Larger the tug dynamics is more severe

Do not use plain nuts
6-32 and 8-32 screws are not self locking.
They will get loose quickly.

ZM

Smyk,
Thanks for the input. I didn't think about re-drilling the release, but things have progressed too far to do that now and I'm OK with the fit. I will strengthen the attachment points on the bulkhead with hardpoints as required. I am confident the system employed will support most anything I may be towing. I have used it for many years in other tugs for towing sailplanes up to 50%. The bulkhead screws will have lock-tite & belville spring lock washers to secure them.
Asher

This is probably the last post for the Decathlon until I get an engine. I have thoroughly enjoyed this assembly and the fit and finish of this plane are top notch.

I've never ganged multiple servos before so I asked a few questions on Flying Giants and got some good advice regarding some videos by Down on the Deck. You can go to the link here and follow the thread to the the videos for more specific info. Ganging servos is important on these big models, not so much for the additional torque but to help avoid flutter. I'm told a single point connect is more subject to problems than is a ganged setup.

http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=51950

The idea is to get the geometry right from the start. Equidistant linkages are a must. Leave one aileron linkage loose and measure the throw, up and down, and adjust the travel limits in the TX until equal. Undo that linkage, hook up the other and repeat the process until you have equal throws. Then, hook both up and measure amperage draw. Also, listening to the servos is a big part of eliminating binding. You should be able to get the servos to be quiet after full deflection. Notice the wings are vertical in this setup. Gravity is your enemy in ganging servos. The weight of the surface on the servo will make it sing all day. Putting the wing in a vertical position will eliminate that.
I use a Hanger9 in-line amp/volt meter for measuring the amperage. It will jump around a bit when moving the surface but look for the nuetral and several points to full deflection and a reading that is .00 - .05 in the range.

Asher,
Its been a while since you've updated this thread. I'm very much interested in one of Bill's Decathelon's but I was hoping you would get an engine and post some flying data based on your experience.

Please update me and possibly others concerning the finished flying model. I'm limited to size and the 38% I think would be a great size SD for my hanger.

Originally Posted by RoadKKing

Asher,
Its been a while since you've updated this thread. I'm very much interested in one of Bill's Decathelon's but I was hoping you would get an engine and post some flying data based on your experience.

Please update me and possibly others concerning the finished flying model. I'm limited to size and the 38% I think would be a great size SD for my hanger.

+1 on that.. very intrested in this plane.. could you please updat this thread??

This might be of interest also.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1319015

Originally Posted by Lbuff1

This might be of interest also.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1319015

Lbuff1,
Whoa! Can't imagine the SD with a 150 in the nose! Reports from those flying them with 100cc say they do a fantastic job. Thanks for the link.

Asher,
Can't wait to read your report. I finally took the 'bait' and Bill H. crossed my eyes when he set the hook!
I'm on the list for the next container so I'll be referenceing your thread here.
Let us know how the SD performs.