Archive for April, 2015
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Yup, one of those nagging little voices tried to tell me something important and I ignored it.
This past Sunday, I had the Thunder Tiger Bearcat with me along with some other models.
I never really trusted the bizarre factory aileron hinges which consisted of decidedly unsticky clear tape across the tops of the wing and ailerons.
Meh. Should be fine. Checked the controls, lined up for takeoff, gave it the gas...
WHAM.
It came around hard left and crashed into the flight line. Upon removal of the tape, it was barely sticky enough to lift the paint and yes, those horrible quality factory strips were all that were serving as hinges. The motor mount broke, the cowl was crushed, the propeller broken, there were surprisingly few and clean breaks in the fuselage with no crushing and the right horizontal stab was snapped off.
A quick assessment of the damage showed me that it was repairable, so out came the epoxy, CA and paint and an old metal pushrod cut into reinforcement spars when I got home. I was even able to pop the cowl back in place and tape it from inside. I'll replace it soon if Pegasus Hobbies has it in stock. For now, it's doable.
I picked up some E-flite park flyer CA hinges yesterday and I properly hinged the ailerons this morning. I also found that the thin plastic plates atop the ailerons which were supposed to hold the torque rods in place were held down by little more than some weird, brittle glue.
The Testors Insignia Blue Model Master acrylic paint I used is at least a close match to the factory finish, if slightly darker. The prop should arrive at the hobby shop later today. In the meantime, the end result is nicely repaired, cosmetically acceptable and perhaps most importantly, the ailerons are properly hinged with the torque rod plates epoxied in place.
If I'd listened to that nagging voice telling me to re-hinge the ailerons, I would have saved myself from a lot of work.
Now all that's left is to fly it. Properly.
This past Sunday, I had the Thunder Tiger Bearcat with me along with some other models.
I never really trusted the bizarre factory aileron hinges which consisted of decidedly unsticky clear tape across the tops of the wing and ailerons.
Meh. Should be fine. Checked the controls, lined up for takeoff, gave it the gas...
WHAM.
It came around hard left and crashed into the flight line. Upon removal of the tape, it was barely sticky enough to lift the paint and yes, those horrible quality factory strips were all that were serving as hinges. The motor mount broke, the cowl was crushed, the propeller broken, there were surprisingly few and clean breaks in the fuselage with no crushing and the right horizontal stab was snapped off.
A quick assessment of the damage showed me that it was repairable, so out came the epoxy, CA and paint and an old metal pushrod cut into reinforcement spars when I got home. I was even able to pop the cowl back in place and tape it from inside. I'll replace it soon if Pegasus Hobbies has it in stock. For now, it's doable.
I picked up some E-flite park flyer CA hinges yesterday and I properly hinged the ailerons this morning. I also found that the thin plastic plates atop the ailerons which were supposed to hold the torque rods in place were held down by little more than some weird, brittle glue.
The Testors Insignia Blue Model Master acrylic paint I used is at least a close match to the factory finish, if slightly darker. The prop should arrive at the hobby shop later today. In the meantime, the end result is nicely repaired, cosmetically acceptable and perhaps most importantly, the ailerons are properly hinged with the torque rod plates epoxied in place.
If I'd listened to that nagging voice telling me to re-hinge the ailerons, I would have saved myself from a lot of work.
Now all that's left is to fly it. Properly.
Today was just one of those days which felt good. I got some stick time this morning with some recent review subjects, namely the HobbyKing DC-3, FMS/Diamond Hobby P-40 and the Nitroplanes Dynam Bf-109.
I think I have the tail wheel situation nearly dialed out on the DC-3. Still a bit wobbly, but taking off with flaps lowered allowed it to track much better. However, the flap switch is in a terrible position above the throttle stick. Trying to raise the flaps nearly caused a crash since I was having to really grope for the switch without taking my hands off of the stick at the same time.
I'll be mixing the flaps and the retracts on the radio before I take it up again.
That P-40 is one screaming fast bit of foam. The batteries are now somewhat seasoned and the punch is just incredible. Chalk up a winner to DIamond Hobby and Predator batteries!
Maybe I'm just spoiled after blasting the P-40 at nearly 100 MPH, but the Bf-109 feels, well, slow. That's with a Master Aircsrew prop on an otherwise stock bird. It flies beautifully and with no bad habits whatsoever. So, the perceived lack of speed isn't a problem. I just have to remember not to fly it after low passes o'er yonder runway at triple-digit speeds with the P-40.
Just got through watching "The Ten Commandments," something of an Easter tradition for my wife and I. Cecil B. DeMille was a genius.
Happy Easter, all. Christmas may get the hype, but this is the holiday which matters most. Back to work tomorrow!
I think I have the tail wheel situation nearly dialed out on the DC-3. Still a bit wobbly, but taking off with flaps lowered allowed it to track much better. However, the flap switch is in a terrible position above the throttle stick. Trying to raise the flaps nearly caused a crash since I was having to really grope for the switch without taking my hands off of the stick at the same time.
I'll be mixing the flaps and the retracts on the radio before I take it up again.
That P-40 is one screaming fast bit of foam. The batteries are now somewhat seasoned and the punch is just incredible. Chalk up a winner to DIamond Hobby and Predator batteries!
Maybe I'm just spoiled after blasting the P-40 at nearly 100 MPH, but the Bf-109 feels, well, slow. That's with a Master Aircsrew prop on an otherwise stock bird. It flies beautifully and with no bad habits whatsoever. So, the perceived lack of speed isn't a problem. I just have to remember not to fly it after low passes o'er yonder runway at triple-digit speeds with the P-40.
Just got through watching "The Ten Commandments," something of an Easter tradition for my wife and I. Cecil B. DeMille was a genius.
Happy Easter, all. Christmas may get the hype, but this is the holiday which matters most. Back to work tomorrow!
