Glide Test

VID 20170221 2227401 (0 min 16 sec)

Rev 1 taught me that I had an issue with the interior room in the the fuselage, and pointed out a few fitment issues.
I adjusted the plans, and cut out rev 2

Instead of designing nacelles right now, I am fitting the nacelles from my dearly departed UMX A-10

Made some progress on the design, and bashed out a first try kit to see what I missed.
Looks sorta Viking-esque

I have to get some weight out of her, and figure out the nacelles, but we should be able to have something in the air soon....Continue Reading

Here is a couple of hours work getting the basics on to one sheet of Adams RediBoard (DTFB)
Still lots more work to do

Old_Pilot shared his plans, and insights into his 40"ws twin 64mm EDF Viking S-3A.
I am attempting to convert into Corel Draw, scale down to UMX, and add in his solutions for the issues with the first model
I will be using the guts of UMX A-10 #1

First night: Scalled the wing down, and added more wing cord at the tips to add wing area.

Second night: I have done a quick adjustment to the tail feathers. Scaled down, Alignment tabs & slot adjusted back up for Adams Readyboard (DTFB) and control surfaces set for single cut.

Issue #1 I have a pair of 28mm fans, the scaled down fan is 34mm fan, I may have to think about going down to a smaller scale to improve the power to weight ratio. Looks like that would correctly scale down to an 18.11" wingspan, but man that would be small

So,... As many of you know, I had some damage to the Lil' Hog. After extensive research, with liberal use of the black box, and a computer generated recreation (over and over again) the root cause analysis points to a loose operating nut.

I gave it a couple of weeks to let a nice scab form on my heart, and then into the workshop we go.

A couple of hours, and even a blind old man with shaky hands can repair one of these...

Venom vs Babble Batt
First we will test the Venom 2s30C 430MAh Lipo pack

UMX A-10 Thrust Test 1 Venom 2s30C 430MAh (0 min 30 sec)

Next we will test the Babble Batt 2s30C 850MAh Lipo pack

Static Thrust Test 2 Babble Batt 2s30C 850MAh Lipo pack (1 min 26 sec)

...Continue Reading

Just picked her up at the Local Hobby Shop (3 more @ J&M in San Carlos)

She looks good, couple of little bubbles in the finish

One rudder seems to need a little trim (eh)

a couple of small cosmetic things that others have mentioned.

I did notice that in the nose, opposite of the lipo velcro, there is no tape, need to address this.

All and all, very happy

Static Thrust Test

UMX A-10 Static Thrust (0 min 31 sec)

Indoor flight at the warehouse

UMX A-10 Indoor Flight (0 min 52 sec)

...Continue Reading

It says Bind N Fly, so we bound it.
Took the extra step of removing the gear.
and now it's time to fly.
Very rainy out tonight, so we will attempt to fly her in the warehouse.

UMX A-10 Indoor Flight (0 min 52 sec)

Found this on the web here --> http://www.vexacontrol.com/fast_airplane_details.html
I hadn't seen one listed on the group, or at my local field.

Stats:

Wing span - 24 inches.
Model weight - approximately 150 grams (no electrics, no paint).
Flight weight - approximately 475 grams (differs based on electric components).
Build time - approximately 4 to 8 hours.
Includes:

Foam - 6mm polystyrene foam, precision computer-cut.
Wood - 1/8" x 1/4" basswood (for spar and stiffeners), 3/32" plywood (pre-cut firewall).
Gear - 3/32" steel, pre-bent
Instructions
Requires:

Motor - 370 to 400 size brushless.
Receiver - user preference.
Servos - 3 (2 for elevons and 1 for rudder).
Battery - 3 cell, 1000 to 1500 mah.
Propeller - 8 to 9 inch.
Adhesive - user preference (make sure it is foam safe).
Wheels - 3" lightweight.
The Fokker D.VII is a fun cartoon airplane that looks and flies great. It is definitely a crowd pleaser.

So I sent an email, and got a speedy reply. So I ordered her.

Video of one in action --> https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...4/FoKKeR-1.mp4

As soon as I can clear my builds, I will put together a build review.

Silly Question:
I buy a lot of batteries. Venom, eflite & several Turnigy brands.
I had standardized on the turnigy products, because of price and listed specs.
Please note, if a battery gets through the first charge and flight with no issues, I consider it my problem.
On 2 occasions, I had issues with smaller venoms. call support, and it's taken care of.
On 1 occasion I had a problem with an eflite battery. call support, and it's taken care of.
I recently purchased 4 more 2s 300mah 35c lipos. these are a good size, and according to the manufacturer have a higher C rating than anything else available.

One of them was bad. so I go to the HK website, and file a warranty claim (not easy, but not horrible) It says take a picture, so I take a picture and stick it in the claim.

I get a fairly immediate response telling me to add a different picture, but the website will not allow that. I post questions to the return, but there are no answers forthcoming. I wait a few days, and try to start a new return,... nope can't do that. I contact chat from the website and they were very helpful, but they do not like my picture, because it does not show the warranty tag, batch code, and issue in the same picture.

The warranty tag sticker is wrapped around the balance wires, and stuck to itself. I attempt to cut it free and it does not survive the process. Oh well.

If you want me to believe that HK is committed to their customers, this is not the way to do it.
We are...Continue Reading

She flies.
Got in two flights this morning, shortly after the rain stopped. The crown of the field was fairly dry, and there was a little sun here and there. I only had to share the field with 2 hawks looking for breakfast, and a pilot trying to figure out his new multi-rotor off in the corner.

First flight.
Launched into the wind, full throttle, at a steep angle (just in case)
my concern seemed to be unfounded, as she tracked very nicely with a slight tendency to the right (I probably put in a little too much right thrust). I got her trimmed up for left/right, and noticed that she seemed to like to climb, 2 clicks of down and we are in business, and flying on rails at full power.

a couple of rolls, a little vertical, and a very large loop, and I was ready to play with the throttle. Into the wind, 7/8 throttle maintained level flight, downwind, i thought she was just starting to sink. 3/4 throttle has a visible sink downwind, an the hint of a sink crosswind.

Landing into the wind (call it 7 mph) at just a little north of half throttle seemed to produce my desired results. I cut the throttle about a foot of the grass, and nudged in a little flair for a soft landing in inch and a half grass.

Second flight.
Full throttle, launch into the wind, normal angle.
Wow, like a cheetah late for lunch, she tore off in the direction I tossed her, and did not waver till I hit the sticks. I got a little over confident and let her get pretty far away as I was making my pylon course laps, but a little nudge on the stick, and she is right back over daddy.

This is a very quick little plane, and I can't wait for the first good wind day to see how she does. I'm thinking that penetration will not be an issue.

All in all, extremely happy with my work in the butcher shop.
Very quick.
Very responsive.
looks good in the air.

My lil'P-47 met with an unfortunate end, due (in no small part) to an issue with the brain/thumb interface. Thanks to modern technology (and GE II Bath & Kitchen Caulk) we can rebuild him.

I happened to have on hand a tiny umx T-28 that no longer had the horsepower to lift itself into the air.

After reading Blaze0021's Blog, I had all the data I needed. I have made a few changes to his very fine adaptation, because quite frankly I am a reformed balsa butcher, not an artist.

about 2 hours of work the first night, followed by 2 hours of work the second day and I believe we are there. If there is a break in the rain before the game, we shall see if Franken-plane...Continue Reading