I'm also running a little tail heavy so it might be best to avoid the larger diameter steel wire.

I'm sure in the end I'll be perfectly happy with the final product.

They look great

Go with the carbon push rods. They are pretty easy to install and by the time you add lead to the nose to offset the weight of the steel rods you will save at least a 1/2 ounce!

Eric

You will not save 1/2 oz maybe 1/4oz

Well, I got out my scale, which only weighs down to .1 gram so these might not be very accurate but....

a 36" long, .024" stainless push rod (without the Teflon sheath) is 2.3 grams

a 36" long, .074mm carbon push rod (without the sheath) is only .7 grams

So after you throw some weight in the nose to compensate for the extra tail weight you would probably come out with maybe 6 grams extra if you go stainless. And that's just one push rod. So a savings of 12 grams for two push rods. Not a 1/2 ounce, but close.

Yes, its 1g savings for a carbon pushrod vs. a 0.022in steel pushrod, at best. That ignores the fittings for the carbon. Carbon is stiffer and if the teflon is already installed for the 0.032in carbon go with that. You will have a very nice flying plane either way.

Originally Posted by eteet

Well, I got out my scale, which only weighs down to .1 gram so these might not be very accurate but....

a 36" long, .024" stainless push rod (without the Teflon sheath) is 2.3 grams

a 36" long, .074mm carbon push rod (without the sheath) is only .7 grams

So after you throw some weight in the nose to compensate for the extra tail weight you would probably come out with maybe 6 or 7 grams extra if you go stainless. And that's just one push rod. Verrrry interesting.

Your math is close to mine but I found the 0.032in carbon (vs. 0.029in carbon you have) to be closer to 1.1g. Per pushrod installed the difference is ~4g (1g+1g*3 for the c.g effect). I think you can save that weight with careful CA use. I still use carbon on the verticals and lately horizontals (the scratching trick Oleg mentioned is CRITICAL), but a thin steel pushrod will work fine and be slightly easier to install.

Well, I have to agree with samc99us. Either way it'll be a nice flying plane.

I had the stl rods from RC Builder which are the .018 and .014 and they weighed 4g together. I shortened them by 10+% so and with the glue to set them in place and the balsa ramps they added 5.1g to the airframe.

Using pull spring in my Validols. With an untrimmed boom took 3g in the nose to balance, trimmed is no added weight.

Love the colors!!!
More red tips!!

Jun

Originally Posted by ploof

Here's another shot

Got it all buttoned up build wise, still have to get the CG situated. I got the L-bend setup to my liking I'll get some pics together tomorrow.

Looks like it might end up right at 10 oz. I'm pretty happy all the surfaces are holding very solid I can just about play the ailerons like a tuning fork.

Got it CGed, and the throws programmed, and then Maidened. That's right I got it air born did a couple javelin throws then started letting it do what it needs to do. I could easily sense less drag, and that peg is really cozy even with my big ape fingers. I've got a table saw related scar on both fingers, and this peg was actually more comfortable then my old cylinder style pegs.

As far as my impression of the Validol that thing is a real goer upper. Holy crap even with my poor excuse for a launch its was easily surpassing my old launches

With the CG at 80mm. and the weight at 9.95 oz it flew so incredibly well for just coming out of the box. I still have to properly adjust the landing chamber to elevator mixing to my liking, and maybe put more exponential on the actual elevator controls.

This little creature is seriously smooth, stable, and fast. For it being s little gusty out this evening, it indicates very smoothly, and doesn't get knocked out of the sky it definitely likes to ride the air.

I'm really liking on this Validol. I'm uploading some video to Youtube, and later I'll try imbedding it, and posting some higher quality pics.

Ploof

Pics from today, I'll post some video as soon as it comes up on Youtube.

Ploof

Here's the video of my crappy launch, and some flying with even a little boost of lift.

Validol Maiden (3 min 25 sec)

Ploof