Posted by lmopar69 |
Oct 09, 2012 @ 07:41 PM | 16,097 Views
Built TWO of these over the last 3 weeks for HHAEFI! Cant wait to get them out there and get some flight time on them. 100" span, about 14lbs RTF and hand launched... yes, hand launched.
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Oct 01, 2012 @ 10:11 PM | 15,897 Views
Called up old Crash Hancock a few days ago asked him to cut me out a couple motor mount on his CNC for my two new projects.
I drew it up on a piece of paper, texted him the picture, and 5 days later I have two cnc cut adjustable motor mounts that will handle up to a 50cc size outrunner! Might need a bit of reinforcement to take that power, but its big enough that it would fit.
Anyway, it was here when I got home this evening. So, I threw it together, mounted an AXI 4120 and a 15" prop and its all ready to mount on my cool new planes. If all goes well, Fireman Bill and I will be flying two identical planes out at Hodges next weekend!
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Sep 23, 2012 @ 10:03 AM | 16,182 Views
The wife took a quick video of the Cuda for me yesterday. Such a fun little plane and tough as nails.
This one, original prototype, has been abused relentlessly. Round after round of full contact combat, multiple high speed crashes, mid airs, you name it. Its also the plane I hand to people who are interested in buying one from me. More than once its come back in more than one piece. A little hot glue and its back in the air in minutes.
Setup:
1800 kv outrunner, 7x4 APC prop, Castle Creations Thunderbird 18, 3S 1300 lipo and two 9 gram servos. 200 watts and 18 amps (static).
Here is another one. This one is my night flyer with LED's
...Continue Reading
Posted by lmopar69 |
Sep 19, 2012 @ 08:49 PM | 16,055 Views
My DX-7 (original version) is getting a bit rough around the edges. Still works, most of the time, but, still rough.
Well, the wife decided that a DX7 wasnt good enough for me. Today, a big ol box sitting in my chair when I got home. Opened it up, and there was my new DX-18! Yes, 18 (and 9ch RX) This thing is friggin awesome!
Cant wait to try it out.
Thanks to my lovely wife... sure do love her!
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Sep 01, 2012 @ 08:40 AM | 15,972 Views
As of September 1st 2012 I officially have been Active Duty Army for 20 years! Its been a heck of a ride and I aint done yet. Wonder what will happen next. Only time will tell.
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Aug 23, 2012 @ 11:47 AM | 16,416 Views
Needs some cleaning still, but ya'll wanted to see the inside of my new motor home. Soooooo... here it is!
Posted by lmopar69 |
Aug 21, 2012 @ 09:00 PM | 16,096 Views
These little buggers are soooo much fun, I figured I'd build a dozen of them. Gonna take a bunch to Tullahoma in early Sep, and some more to Hodges for HHAEFI! So, save some money and buy one or two from me guys!
Planes are built and include:
Castle Creations Thunderbird 18
Suppo 1800kv motor
APC 7x4E prop
prop adapter
9 gram servos
Dubro 2/56 kwik links
Deans connectors
Just add your RX and 1300mah lipo.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Aug 06, 2012 @ 07:34 PM | 16,103 Views
I made a couple new ones. The little green forward swept wing I cut the same day I left for SEFF then built it at Hodges. I love that little green bugger! So fun to fly and looks cool in the air.
The little 29" twin I made yesterday. It flies pretty darn good too. Should be better once I get the right props on it. Then I gotta dial in some differential thrust. Should be pretty funky then.
Both run on 3S lipos, and 2208 / 12 1800kv outrunner(s) from Lukes Rc, Castle T-bird 18s and 7x4 apc E props. Awesome vertical performance and great flight times too. Speeds are probably 50-60mph ish.
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Aug 02, 2012 @ 07:07 AM | 15,848 Views
On August 9th at 0630 in the morning the Chief Warrant Officer 3 promotion list will be published. My records were reviewed and I had my "first look" for CW3. I REALLY hope my name is on that list. If for no other reason, the pay increase is significant!
This Saturday I start an "add on" to my pilots license. Im adding a private, single engine land and tail dragger to my commercial rotary wing and instrument endorsements. I figure I better get it done since my buddy (a CFII) is gonna fly me for free, and my other buddy is going to let me use his 150hp fuel injected Decathalon for free.
Next week I will move to a different job also. Leaving Headquarters, 110th Brigade and going to A Company, 212th Battalion. Instead of flying UH-60s, I have been flying OH-58s. So, I am going to the OH-58 instructor pilots course in September-November. New job will be training flight school students on warfighting skills. REALLY looking forward to that.
Oh yeah, and on Sep 1st, I will have been in the Army for exactly 20 years. Its taken its toll on me with 5 combat deployments, moving the family a dozen times, several overseas assignments and multiple other things. But, I still love it!
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Jul 21, 2012 @ 10:24 PM | 16,598 Views
Had an opportunity to go fly with the local sheriffs office this past week. We took the Ximango up for about an hour. 100hp Rotax, 57' span. Really cool side by side motor glider.
Anyway, about 7 miles from the airport at about 3500 feet, Larry (sheriffs office pilot) shuts down the engine, and feathers the prop to, well, flat I guess. Silence fell as I putted this thing through the sky at about 55 knots. A look over at the VSI showed a 100 FPM rate of decent. On occasion, we'd find some lift and climb just a bit, and of course, we found a little sink too. But, not much compares to flying this thing. I was simply awesome! Anyway, we dead sticked it into the airport from 7 miles out. I had to do some S turns to lose a bit of altitude along the way. Then, after a long downwind, base and final leg, Larry set it down on the numbers with judicious use of spoilers. All in dead silence.
AWESOME day. And THANK YOU to the Henry County Sheriffs Office for letting me get some time in the Ximango.
By the way, they run the plane off of sponsors/donations etc... Nothing in the budget for it as of yet. But, the primary use is looking for drugs, people running from the law and things like that. So, if you happen to feel the urge to give some of your hard earned money to a worthy cause, let me know and I'll get you their info. Good way to get your name/business on the plane! Yeah, they will be putting the sponsors on it.
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Jul 08, 2012 @ 10:36 AM | 18,045 Views
I saw this 1972 motorhome for sale while I was back in Nebraska and just couldnt pass it up. Dodge M350 chassis with a 413 big block.
So, it looks like I'll be putting my 78 Cobra motorhome (The Dodge Mahal) up for sale and my "new" Rectrans Discoverer 25 is gonna be my trailer hauler/SEFF ride.
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Jun 26, 2012 @ 10:21 PM | 15,372 Views
Well folks, we kinda came up with an idea. Just want to get anyone/everyone's input.
Im sure many of you remember the SRT/10 and a few of my other projects. Well, its time for me to do a new "something big".
A couple folks and me thought it might be cool to involve all of you. Something to the effect of paypal donations. $1 each (or more if you want). Then and a "cut off date". We see how much we have, and build the biggest, baddest, meanest electric airplane that we can with that amount of money.
There are already a few BIG BIG companies that have offered sponsorship for this one. So, just want to know what you all think? Can we spread the word good enough to collect enough to build something rediculous?
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Jun 04, 2012 @ 09:23 PM | 17,350 Views
Well, here is Norman! He's about 50" span, all EPP, with only elevator, rudder, throttle. I put a bomb drop door on it and we drop black and white easter eggs with streamers from him. We call them "Cow balls".
Everyone who flys Norman falls in love. I need to cut about a dozen more of them. Just hard to find the time.
Enjoy!
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
May 02, 2012 @ 06:18 AM | 17,956 Views
The beast flew pretty darn good I'd say!
Here is another video with the "not so good" launch and 2 other flights at SEFF.
...Continue Reading
Posted by lmopar69 |
Apr 17, 2012 @ 08:14 PM | 21,379 Views
Here it is! Done and flown!
I didnt edit the video, take off is at 1:05. Camera sucks too. But, it is what it is.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Apr 16, 2012 @ 11:22 PM | 18,568 Views
I have been keeping this one under wraps. This is all you get to see of my new plane until Tuesday or Wednesday when I will post the pics and video of the maiden flight.
Maiden flight info is:
2370 watts and 53 amps from a Castle Ice HV 80, AXI 5345/14, 12S 5000 lipos.
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Apr 07, 2012 @ 07:30 PM | 18,837 Views
Well fellas, how does 26.5lbs of thrust and 127 mph grab ya? Calculated numbers anyway. They are usually pretty close.
Im just about done with my latest creation. I could test fly it tomorrow (Easter) but, chances are, I'll spend the day with the family doin fun stuff.
Since I dont have a proper scale, I estimate it at about 15lbs AUW. After tonight, the only thing left is covering. I'll probably do the maiden naked. (the plane, not me) (ok, maybe both of us).
Dont even ask for details or pictures, cuz ya aint gettin em! This one is top secret! I MIGHT post pictures of it the day I leave for SEFF. I will probably wait until the first day of SEFF though.
Thats all the info ya get for now! I will let you know how the maiden flight goes once I do it.
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Mar 29, 2012 @ 06:48 PM | 20,130 Views
Figured what the heck, why dont I need a 78 Dodge Sportsman Motorhome! This thing just emits "classy" from every orifice. When coupled with my super sweet 16x8 trailer, folks will think Im a millionaire driving down the road... or the clampets go to SEFF.
See ya'll at Hodges!
Laine.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Mar 22, 2012 @ 12:43 AM | 20,351 Views
I cut this 44" span wing on my CNC not too long ago. Got it glassed and all the electronics mounted. Tossed on some covering I had laying around this evening. Figured I'd show ya'll a couple pictures of it.
I tried a few new things on this one. We'll see how it does this weekend, weather permitting. Should be over the 120mph mark easily. Not painfully fast, but fast enough to have some fun. Besides, how fast should you really go with a prototype on the maiden flight.
Maybe I'll throw some more power at it later on, maybe I'll leave it as is, maybe it will suck and I'll scrap it. Wont know till it flies!
Laine.
Edit: Covered and hinged the elevons this morning. Put some silver pin stripes on. Lookin pretty decent. Add control horns, winglets and a prop and its ready to balance and maiden.
EDIT: Well, there it is. Balanced without adding an ounce. Its all done and ready to go. BUT... a problem in the power system stopped me from doing the maiden flight. I'll figure it out.
Posted by lmopar69 |
Mar 11, 2012 @ 06:22 PM | 20,463 Views
I cut a new flying wing on the CNC yesterday put in the spars and started glassing it today. Well, thats not enough to do so I set up the machine and cut another wing! This one should turn some heads at SEFF.
Who dosnt work on 3 scratch builds at the same time?
Laine.