Also is white really EPO and not EPS ?

http://www.bevrc.com/the-king-of-fly...font_p303.html

Buy a buck's worth of something and shipping is free.

Yes, white EPO is really EPO. Remember it was white before it was black.
It's pretty thick foam, so not sure you're going to see much light coming
through though.

ian

I've flown R/C gliders for 35 years. High-start (bungies) we use are 100' of 5/16 tubing and ~200' of mono filament or other "fishing line" of 50lb test or so. This will provide about 10-15 lbs of pull after having stretching it about 30-50 paces and will easily launches gliders up to 100 oz or so to 400'. I've used bungy cord with more tension to launch smaller, faster war-bird type foamy models but I would think that about 30 feet of 5/16 tubing and 30 feet of 50' test line will easily launch an X8 if it weighs ~100oz (2.8 kilograms). As for launching rails..... monkey-business. The high-start is portable, easy to set up and use in small areas. However. I still think hand launching an X8 would be extremely easy given you have the correct CG location and if it weighs no more than 6 lbs or so. Just my opinion (and 35 years of experience) I plan to hand launch mine. I also plan to keep it light and not add a bunch of unnecessary modifications and/or equipment. As I said... JMHO.

Originally Posted by hendrix

Here is a nice video.
Unfortunately the battery moved during opening (i was in a hurry and i used double sided tape)
and CG changed giving rise to oscillations.
It is good to know this however because the two previous openings were flawless
Of course the descent rate was low enough so no damage is done.
I wasn't able to film launching which is perfect every time because i can't launch and take video at the same time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WyNx...ature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih4-g...ature=youtu.be
Chris

good job, congratulations. I also I have a parachute system in my x8

X8.wmv (2 min 14 sec)

How much weight do the parachute rigs add?

Originally Posted by bw459205

Hello,

Thought I'd share this...

I have fitted aluminium M3 threaded bushes into the base of my X8 as mounting points for equipment, batteries, etc.

The bushes are set into ply plates with epoxy, then these have been secured to the foam with UHU por contact adhesive.

I fell it adds a bit of strength to the lower fuse, and anything screwed into these isn't going anywhere!

Ben

Nice job! I am ordering one and had already planned to do what you've done. Also planning on putting in some heavy duty retracts. Once I have the X8 on my bench, I'll work out whether or not to go with electrics or air operated. "Spring-Air" type gear has the benefit of not needing battery power to operate (air up / spring down), so should be a lighter and more reliable system. I also plan to increase the size (A/R) of the winglets slightly for better yaw stability. I may also add a small vertical tail as far aft as possible allowing clearance for the prop. The aim of all this is to be able to carry a high quality DSLR on a pan and tilt mount that will be "half submerged" in the fuselage as close to the CG as possible (to allow for different cameras to be mounted). This will allow for the best compromise of maximum pan and tilt with minimum drag, and the landing gear will be out of the way of the camera's view in flight. This should be a really fun project!

Hi.
I have seen this video before Nice and clean job indeed.
Can you describe the parachute release mechanism (any photos would be very helpful)
as It looks like you are releasing the parachute from the bottom?
Also what size is the parachute (diameter or periphery) and weight?
Mine has a 120 inch periphery and weights 360g
Chris

Well my X8 is on the way to replace the ZII - really didnt like the crappy ZII foam !

so few questions:
1. does the X8 take standard size servos ?
2. you guys with retracts - how much weight do you add with electric gear ?
3. whats the distance record for an FPV X8 and with which setup ?
4. how do you guys do quick detachable mechanisms for the wings ?

im planning to use a Hacker inrunner motor i have at home which is about 1600KV with 4.4 planetery gear and 12x9 folding prop on 6S 6500mAh producing about 600W at WOT.

Of course im hoping for a 100W cruise.

1. Yes
2. I've yet to see anyone with functioning retracts (meaning, they've
actually taken off and landed using them). Just having installed them on
the plane doesn't tell you if they'll work, thus knowing the weight of
them on the plane, isn't much value, yet.
3. rsowder went over 11 miles out, and back. He's posted his setup in this thread.
4. Slide em on, tape wings to fuse.. fly.. land, remove tape, pull wings off.

1600Kv / 4.4 * 6S * 3.7 is only 8072rpm
versus the 1110kv * 3S * 3.7 = 12321rpm of a typical 3S setup
or 780kv * 4S * 3.7 = 11544rpm of a typical 4S setup.
The point I'm making is you're running lower rpm, higher torque setup, and should probably
run a larger diameter, lower pitch prop (12x9 is likely to stall at high throttle anyway).

ian

I just HATE the concept of taping them on each time... I realise the benefits so not trying to get it to a " what is better " type discussion but I want Nylon screws or similar... I'm lying in bed...trying to work it out ( if my girl would stop snoring !! )

We tape the wings on 350+mph 30lb DS sailplanes, for the same reasons.
Dunno why folks are so hung up on making things more complicated
and ultimately much more breakable. If you use nylon bolts, make em
small ones, because anything bigger than about a 6x32 will rip your
wood mounts apart (or off the wings) before they give. Tape is perfectly
suited to this particular shearing force.

ian

i dont like tape either. mainly because it means carrying one more item (tape roll) to the field.
was thinking about high strength magnets planted into the wing ribs, or even multiplex "multilocks".
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze2qbfc/id19.html

I can't remember who but it is a few pages back is using Velcro with apparently great success to attach the wings.

I use a simple small nut and bolt to hold the wings on. The nut gets hot glued on one side (fuse side) and the bolt gets a bit of medium Loctite and goes through from the wing side. I've looped and rolled and flipped it upside down on landing and the wings don't move with this simple solution. Don't know what would happen if you fly it into a tree.