This is a collection of Tips & Tricks for the Wing Dragon/Wing Dragon 4/Begin-Air (Wing Dragon Sportster) series of planes.

If anyone would like to add to this topic, make changes, or corrections please feel free to add a post and I'll add it within this post.

Last update:

October 8, 2009 - Added parts suppliers for Great Britain, Spain, and Europe. This can be found under Other useful information:.
June 1, 2009 - Added another link to a Wing Dragon to Wing Dragon 4 modification to the Various forums where information was gathered: section. If you don't want to scroll down, here's the link:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1054345
April 7, 2009 - A new member has done a remarkable makeover of a WD4. Check it out here:
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...316#post589316
April 6, 2008 - Not specifically for these planes but I thought it could be an interesting possibility to recover a Lipo battery that's been over discharged. There's no guarantee it will work, but I thought I'd post the link anyway.
Help! Is this LIPO Dead??
April 5, 2008 - The results of bench and field tests of various props. The tests were performed on a Begin-Air.
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32853
February 17, 2008 - A discussion on various props for the Wing Dragon 4.
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28852
November 12, 2007 - The Fetchomatic 3000 is an interesting treed plane retrieval device that can be made at home and is small enough to be carried around in your flight box.
October 11, 2007 - Art-Tech E-FlyTX100B hidden feature. V-tail Mixing - by NorseWing
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=755501
September 12, 2007 - Information about crystals that will work with the Art-Tech E-Fly 100C 72 MHz 6 channel receiver can be found under Other useful information:
September 12, 2007 - My own brushless outrunner and other modifications build - by Sir Raleigh
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=362
September 6, 2007 - ALERT: Possible Problem With Art-Tech 9.6 volt, 1000 mA Batteries - by Sir Raleigh
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...76#post8128201
September 4, 2007 - A very detailed description of extensive modifications to a WD4 - by BosTom
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=352
August 31, 2007 - A list of upgraded brushless motors, ESCs, props, and batteries as supplied by WD/WD4/BA owners can be found at the end of this post.
August 29, 2007 - Can I use my Futaba 7C with my ArtTech WingDragon? - by GetterDragun https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=734719
August 28, 2007 - How to trim your plane - by NoFlyZone
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555344
August 26, 2007 - Added links to reviews in the Reviews: section for the Wing Dragon, Wing Dragon 4, and Begin-Air/Wing Dragon Sportster.
August 22, 2007 - Replace stock main landing gear with the one from the Super Cub - by flydave http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=296
August 22, 2007 - Add a steerable tail wheel for the WD4! - by herk_1
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=292
August 19, 2007 - Additional discussion and some results after setting up the ailerons as flaperons/spoilerons - by Joe2003
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698260
July 31, 2007 - Additional information about his raised outrunner motor mount - by herk_1 (Original mod post is #74) http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=281
July 25, 2007 - Added information on how to cover the wing and making it "wing like steel" - by CSI (Ken).
July 25, 2007 - Added information for replacing the hinge tape on the ailerons for the Wing Dragon 4 which could also include the Begin-Air - by BosTom
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...5&postcount=10
July 22, 2007 - Added web links in the Other useful information: section for spare parts for the Wing Dragon, Wing Dragon 4, and Begin-Air.
July 22, 2007 - Added information about the possible weakness of the aileron horns and a fix - by BosTom
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...4&postcount=76

Okay, here's some information I've gleaned from the various groups and forums.
This information can be applied to the Wing Dragon, Wing Dragon 4, and Begin-Air/Wing Dragon Sportster, except as noted.

This post will be updated/modified/corrected as additional information is obtained until I run out of things to add.

Reviews:

Wing Dragon: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=277988 by Dave Lauck
Wing Dragon 4: http://www.masportaviator.com/ah.asp...ID=166&index=0 by Francis DiNovio
Begin-Air/Wing Dragon Sportster: http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=443 by Greg Convey

Various forums where information was gathered:

Wing Dragon, using Wing Dragon 4 wing - by doggit
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show....php?t=1054345

A LiPo Brushless Wing Dragon 4 - by quorneng
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...316#post589316

Does Anyone Know Why I Should Not Buy The Wing Dragon 4 RTF Aileron Trainer? - by Sir Raleigh
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=20780

Problem building Wing Dragon 4 - by herk_1
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...ht=wing+dragon

Wing Dragon / Beginair beef up!! - by stinkweed007
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18190

WingDragon 4 upgrade to Brushless - by BosTom
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=683751

Wing Dragon Sportster Problem - daniirwan
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...ht=wing+dragon

Wing Dragon 4 Maiden... Well, sort of...
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=719468

Wing Dragon Flapperons? - by ratb
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=665921

Wing dragon aileron flaps? - by Joe2003
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=698260

A beginner's advice to beginners - by NoFlyZone
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555344

Can I use my Futaba 7C with my ArtTech WingDragon? - by GetterDragun
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=734719

Art-Tech E-FlyTX100B hidden feature. V-tail Mixing - by NorseWing
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=755501

Things to check during assembly, and some suggested modifications

There are 4 screws (2 on each side) that hold the servo tray inside the plane. These screws are rather small and can easily pull through the soft plastic of the fuselage during a crash. These should be replaced with slightly larger ones, or at least put washers under the screw heads of the existing ones.

If notch in vertical stabilizer doesn't fit, move the stabilizer back, don't cut the notch longer. There are some images here showing the problem: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...ht=wing+dragon
NOTE: The tail feathers fit perfectly on my WD4. No adjustment was necessary. The mfgr. might have fixed this problem.

If the battery is loose, use a piece of foam cut into a wedge to hold it in, then put a rubber band around the nose. Fill the nose with expanding foam then cut out a square for the battery. I attached Velcro strips on the inside with screws and nuts in the nose of the plane. The Velcro then holds the battery in like a seat belt. (Check out Images 6 & 7 in My Modifications post to see what I did.)

If the tail feathers are crooked on the boom, one problem could be that the boom twists in the fuselage.

Use #64 rubber bands as replacements to hold the wing on.

In the beginning, move the control rod to the hole closest to the servos and furthest away on the ailerons to reduce control sensitivity.
All except Wing Dragon

To help prevent the prop from biting into the wing:
1- Cut two triangles out of the wings from the trailing edge closest to the divider plastic, to the inner corner of the ailerons. See this post: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=129
2 - If you don't want to cut the notches, then installing Velcro on top of the wing tower and under the wing to help prevent the wing from twisting might be another solution. See the third image in this post for an example: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=231
3 - Clear packing tape on the trailing edge of the wing between the ailerons and wing center may be another alternative.
All except Wing Dragon

On a new tail work the rudder/elevator back and forth a few times to free them before flying the first time.

Strengthen the wing spar. Use CF rod, reinforced or clear packing tape across the bottom of the wing from wingtip to wingtip. This may require the wing halves be glued together.
One possible configuration using CF rod: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=231

Run a length of reinforced or clear packing tape along the leading edge of the wing. Center the strip of tape along the leading edge, then fold the top half of the tape over the top of the wing and the bottom half of the tape over the bottom of the wing.
On the Wing Dragon, you might want to do the same thing on the trailing edge.

Replace the plastic wing tie-down pins with wooden dowels of the same diameter. Glue retaining caps on the ends.
Here is an easy coat hanger mod for the rear wing tie-down:
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...14&postcount=3 (Image)
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...2&postcount=12 (Construction)

Another weak spot are the ailerons (at least on the Wing Dragon 4 wing). The area where the control horns are secured to the aileron may break loose. It needs to be reinforced.
BosTom talks about this and has a video and a link to his fix and can be accessed from here: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...4&postcount=76

About the ailerons again. The hinge tape should probably be replaced. Here is a fix by BosTom: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...5&postcount=10
All except Wing Dragon

If you want a really strong wing, then check out how CSI (Ken) covered his Wing Dragon 4's wing and made them "wings like steel".
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=253

Not specifically directed to the Wing Dragon series of planes but of interest is a discussion on how to trim a plane before your first powered flight.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555344

==================================================

Other useful information:

Props:
7x3SF (stock)
A discussion on various props.
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28852
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32853

CG:
Located at the plywood wing joiner, which is about 2-3/4" aft of the leading edge, or at the aft edge of the plywood, to about 1/16" behind it.

Spare parts for the Wing Dragon, Wing Dragon 4, and Begin-Air.
http://www.thegoodiesmartrc.co.uk/wi...arts-200-c.asp (UK Dealer)
http://www.nitrotek.co.uk/products.php?cat=43 (Great Britain, Spain, and Europe)
http://jaghobbies.com/rc_cars/wingdragon.htm
http://www.parkflyers.com/html/b_a_spare_parts.html
https://www.quicktechhobby.com/Airpl...rts%20List.htm
(CAUTION: Apparently Quick Tech Hobby is a problem vendor in as much as there has been one report of them taking orders but not shipping. See this post for more information.)

Steerable tailwheel for the WD4!
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=292

Main landing gear replacement
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=296
==================================================

Information about crystals that will work with the Art-Tech E-Fly 100C 72 MHz 6 channel receiver
If you would like to change frequencies these crystals have been proven to work:
Low band: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXBFL1**&P=V
High band: http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXBFL2**&P=V

Brushless outrunner motor mounts:

Stick:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...3&postcount=85
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=245

External Firewall:
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...8&postcount=74
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...9&postcount=76
herk_1 has made additional comments about possible problems with his raised outrunner motor mount. See his comments here: http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...&postcount=281

Internal Firewall:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...57&postcount=1
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...72&postcount=5
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...2&postcount=72
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...&postcount=127

Brushless inrunner installation:

http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/show...4&postcount=10 (Photos only)
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=580649 (Photos at post #23)
==================================================

A list of brushless Motor/ESC/Prop/Battery upgrades as supplied by WD/WD4/BA owners:

The information below has been supplied by:

anatoly on RCGroups.com
Motor: Tower Pro, 2408-21 (aka BP-21), outrunner
ESC: Hi-Model Economic, 18 Amp (aka Hobbywing Sword, 18A)
Prop: GWS, 7x6SF
Battery: Hi-Model, 11.1 Volts, 1700 mAh, 20C, LiPo

I don't have any photos of this, but it's a similar setup to what has already been posted since I'm using the TowerPro aluminum firewall mount. I've been very happy with this setup.
=========================

flyerdave on RCGroups.com
Motor: Tower Pro, 2408-21, outrunner
ESC: Emax, 25 Amp
Prop: GWS, 7060 Electric
Battery: Art-tech, 9.6 Volts, 1000 mAh, NiMH (until they croak)
Battery: Emax, 11.1, Volts, 1800 mAh, LiPo (still not used to it)
=========================

BosTom on RCGroups.com
Motor: Tower Pro, 2408-21T-3A, outrunner
ESC: Hi-Model Professional, 18 Amp
Prop: GWS, 7x6 EP (7060)
Battery: Thunder Power, 11.1 Volts, 1320 mAh, LiPo

More info about my upgrade on the following thread
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=683751

Newer photos of the upgrade can be seen here:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...28&postcount=4
=========================

CSI on RCGrops.com
Motor: BP12 (delta wind), outrunner. KMS aluminum mount
ESC: Castle Creations Thunderbird, 18 Amp
Prop: APC, 8x6 E
Battery: Electrifly, 11.1 Volts, 1500 mAh, 15C, LiPo
Full throttle: 12.5amps, 125 watts
=========================

pablo27 on WattFlyer.com
Motor: Tower Pro, 2409-12T, outrunner
ESC: Hi-Model fly, 40 Amp, BEC.
Prop: APC, 8x4 with adaptor
Battery: Hi-Model, 11.1 Volts, 1700 mAh, 20C, LiPo
=========================

Sir Raleigh
Motor: Tower Pro, 2408-21 (BP21), outrunner
ESC: 'Power Up', 20 Amp, 2 Amp BEC
Prop: Stock, 7x3SF, drilled and tapped for 3mm shaft
Battery: Art-tech, 9.6 Volts, 1000 mAh, NiMH
=========================

galaxiex on RCGroups.com
Motor: Dual Sky, XM2826CA, 15 turn, 1200kv, 44gr., outrunner
ESC: E-Flight, 20 Amp
Prop: APC, 7X5
Battery: Art-tech, 9.6 Volts, 1000 mAh, NiMH

galaxiex also has a very interesting and unique way of mounting an outrunner motor on the inside of the plane.
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...56&postcount=8
=========================

bajinuk on WattFlyer.com
Motor: EnErG, A28-15, 2000 RPM/V, inrunner
ESC: Hi-Model Professional, 30 Amp
Prop: Hobbico Sky Pilot, 7x3
Battery: Hi-Model, 11.1 Volts, 2200 mAh, 20C, LiPo
Power: 9.4 Volts, 22.8 Amps
RPM: 16,000
Static Thrust: 700g (24.7 oz.)
Flying Weight: 875g (30.9 oz.)
=========================

HeadMaster on WattFlyer.com
Motor: Tower Pro, 2408-21, outrunner
ESC: 'Power Up', 20 Amp, Pro
Prop: GWS, 7x6 EP (7060)
Battery: Hi Model, 11.1 Volts, 1300 mAh, 20C, LiPo
Battery: Art-tech, 9.6, Volts, 1000 mAh, NiMH
=========================

cvelozo on RCGroups.com
Motor: Towerpro, 2409-12 Delta, outrunner
ESC: Tower Pro, 25 Amp
Prop: Stock 6" (identical to Parkzone PKZ1002)
Battery: 11.1 Volts, 1300 mAh, 15C, Lipo
=========================

Lancer31 on RCGroups.com
Motor: TowerPro, 2408-21T-3A, outrunner
ESC: HexTronik Pro, 18A, BESC, 2 Amp.
Prop: GWS, EP 7060
Battery: KOKAM, 11.1 Volts, 1500mAh, Lipo.
=========================

Liquidity on WattFlyer.com

Begin-Air

Motor: SK400xt outrunner
ESC: Castle Creations Thunderbird 18A ESC
Prop: APC 7x6
Battery: Thunder Power 11.1 volts, 2100 mAh Prolite 15c/24c, Lipo
Works well with a Thunder Power 11.1 volt, 1320 mAh , Lipo if you add some weight
=========================

meesier42 on WattFlyer.com

Motor: TowerPro 2408-21T-3A brushless outrunner (firewall mount)
ESC: PowerUp 18A with 2A BEC
Prop: GWS 7035 and APC 7x5E
Battery: WowRC 11.1 volts, 1200 mAh, 15C, Lipo
=========================

More will be added as the information is received.

For reference purposes:

350 brushed/geared motor: 2.2 ounces and will produce up to 16 ounces of thrust at 8.4 volts. Using a higher voltage usually results in a very short motor lifespan.

400 brushed/geared motor: 3.3 ounces and will produce about 19 ounces of thrust at 12 volts.

Also, keep in mind that if you run LiPo batteries that they are lighter than NiMH and you'll need to add some weight to the nose to bring the CG back in line.

Wow, nicely done Bill!

Thanks.

However, there seems to be problems with some links. Specifically those going to WattFlyer.com. You can tell the bad links because they have "..." inside them.
I'm working on getting them corrected, but it's going to take a while.

You still did a great job on this thread. I think that this should be a Sticky...

Thanks.

I've got to get the links cleaned up first. It seems that less than 50% of them are working.

I think the problem is that I maintain this same post over on WattFlyer.com and I do a lot of copying and pasting between the two sites. There might be a conflict in the format of the links between the two.

I'll get it cleaned up as soon as I can and we'll see what happens then.

-Bill

Okay, the links in the Tips & Tricks post seem to be working now.

If anyone notices any problems, just let me know and I'll fix it.

Bringing this topic back to the top because of a major problem found with the Art-Tech 9.6 volt, 1000 mA, NiMH batteries.

Read the original post above and the update dated September 6, 2007 and follow the link.

here is my landing gear mod...
it's just some wheel collars and a new "axle" + new wheels, much stronger/stiffer than stock...

credit to modfly, he uses this on his Slow Stick, (me too).

Thanks for posting your wheels mod.

I don't have any LG on my WD4. I always have to hand launch and belly land. The field I fly out of is all grass. No hard surface. I've never ROG'd before and I wish I could experience it just once.

I posted this in the radios section, but it`s probably worth mentioning here as well.
I was tinkering with the tx (i allways have to see whats inside), when i discovered that
the 4ch e-flite100b has a hidden v-tail mixing switch under the sticker, just cut a hole left of the ch1 servo rev switch. You can feel that there is an opening under the sticker. Original post w. pictures: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=755501

Frode Haugsgjerd
Norway

Thanks Frode, I've added your information to the original Tips & Tricks post above.

I also tacked a note to your original post.

This thread is great Bill , anyone wo wants to start out with one of these models will find this thread a treasure trove.
Although I have only made a few alterations , mostly strengthening the wing with tape, I know what to be on the lookout for and that helps a lot.

Thanks BEX, I love this plane and hope to make it a favorite for others, too.

Be sure to check back every once in a while to see if there's anything new. I always indicate the most recent update date at the top of the post.

I just came accross this thread today....

Very good work!

I recently got involved in 'Project Globetrotter' over on Wattflyer. Which, for those that don't know, is something started by Stinkweed007.

A Wing Dragon is being send around the World to be flown by People in various Countries.
It's posted between the Countries. The pilot from each Country takes photos/videos of it in action, plus at local Land marks.

It Started and will end in Germany. It's currently in Ireland.

Anyway,

the project re kindled my interest in Wing Dragons.
I used to use one for AP before moving on to an EZ*.

After flying WG1 [as it's called] I decided to dust of my old Dragon [3 ch] and take it up for a flight or two.

It has an extended rudder, Bell Brushless motor and 3s Lipo.
When it was my AP plane, I used an Aerobird Xtreme wing, which worked quite well to smooth the way it flew.
This time I decided to try another glider wing from a plane that had long since died.

It really worked a treat!
It didn't want to come down!

I put an Aiptek video camera on for it's first flight with the new wing. If it's going to crash, I may as well get in on video!

Here's the video

The video was shot at Wisley Airfield in Surrey. If you look closely, when it lands, you can see one of the wheels bouncing off!

I had forgotten what a great little plane they are!

Paul.

Thank you.

It seems you've had some good flights with your WD. Good idea about trying other wings, too.