Nitroplanes Pitts Model 12 20cc Build Continues

The joy continues!  The past couple of days have seen some progress. Here's some work over the pat couple of days.

 

Put the wheel struts on. These babies are some sturdy underpants. The kit comes with some really good quality upper fairings that are made of fiberglass. I wish the Phoenix Waco had come with something like these. There's some rubber tubing to use along their edges. More on that when I install them.

Sorta on her legs. Won't put the wheels and pants on for now.

This is the Pitts next to the 20cc Phoenix Waco. When the cowling goes on she will be several inches longer.

I permanently joined the lower wing halves.

On an aside I painted the tips of the Master Airscrew 15x7x3 prop I have on hand. This is the same one I use on the PulseXT with its 20cc engine. 

Aileron servos are all on their hardpoints ready to install. These generic servos are really amazing quality.

I didn't do this with the Waco, but the YouTube video of the Pitts with a 20cc engine shows the canopy popping off despite the latch. This suggests there is some kinda internal air pressure, so I decided to put a exit vent on the back underside. I had one from a previous build hanging around.

With that "popping off of the canopy" I also wanted to add a couple strong magnets to help secure it.

That's them in the corner. 

I don't have a lot of faith in wings joined with a short wood beam rather than a wing tube, because one of my PulseXT 40's folded like a diaper pulling out of an easy loop. Since then any design with that I tend to want to put a couple layers of thin fiberglass on the underside. I peeled back the cote, taped it off, sanded it (there was an epoxy sine from the joining seen here).

Sanded smooth.

I used 15 min epoxy thinned with alcohol, painted the wood with it, laid down a sheet of fiberglass cloth, layered it with more epoxy, laid the second sheet, and more epoxy. Smoothed it out.

 Letting it dry. Once it's dry enough I will cut the edges clean and pull the tape, let it dry a day or two, then cote it after a light sanding.

This is the fine fiberglass cloth I used. It is kinda hard to work with in that it un-weaves with even the slightest traction.

Today the RCGF-USA 20cc engine arrived today! I am expecting the ZYHobby fuel tank, and the rudder and elevator servos to arrive today as well, along with the voltage regulator, so I hope to make some progress. It will be a few days before the flag-and-pin switch arrives.

RCGF-USA 20cc RE Engine!

 OH! LOOKIE HERE! Look what Mr. Mailman brought me today! This is going in the Pitts 20cc build.

Quick shipping from Joe and Pam Nelson at RCGF-USA. Happy, happy, joy, joy!

What a nice looking box.

I asked Joe for some RCGF-USA Stinger stickers to use on this build, as I couldn't find them on the site. Since I have worked with him for almost a decade he kindly threw these in. The skull is going on the wing, and the scorpions on the sides. Very nice!

Always well packed. Even at this stage the the amazing quality of these genuine RCGF-USA engines is impressive. If you haven't tried them, you are missing out on the bet prices for really quality built engines that are powerful and reliable.

Look at that. LOOK AT IT! IT'S FRICKIN' AMAZE-BALLS!

Totally excited to be using this engine on this build.

Nitroplanes Pitts Model 12 20cc Build

Surfing Facebook the other day, I ran across an offer I could not refuse, and picked up a 15cc sized Nitroplanes Pitts Model 12, in the color scheme option I preferred (don't like that blue one). I decided to binge a bit, and have made a few parts purchases, making me pace myself as they come in. What I love about this plane is that its a bit bigger at 15cc sized aerobat, its a bipe, it has an ultimate wing, and a round cowl. Love this look! This model came with no manual, which from what I found online is fine as the manual was ripe with mistakes and misguidance. Its kinda fun doing this build using just my own experience and knowledge, dare I say, skills.

One version of the real plane.

This is the model's Python scheme. I am not planning on ordering the Python graphics since I don't really care if its scale, I just want to fly it. I will personalize it though! I am hoping Joe Nelson sends me some RSCF-USA Skull Logo stickers.

I started by fuel-proofing the anterior fuse. I did most of the interior, all sides, not just for the fuel proofing, but also to add some tensile strength. I use 15 min epoxy diluted out with alcohol and brush it on thinly.

After several careful dry fits and increasing the gap of the hinge slots, I epoxied in nylon Du-Bro hinges. I prefer the strength on gassers, although the provided CA hinges would work. I have never had a nylon hinge loosen, but several CA hinges, so I tend to avoid them.

Since the horizontal stabilizer could be installed either side up, I opted with the star side up. Not sure what the real Python has displayed. Here the horizontal stab and rudder are installed, all with the nylon Du-Bro hinges. I used the larger ones on the rudder since it also takes some of the forces from the tail wheel.

Installed the tail wheel. It is the standard design with the gear "tiller" end attached into a hole I drilled into the rudder providing yaw force to the tail wheel, and added epoxy support along the attachment to the rudder. There is CA in that hole securing the "tiller", and epoxy around the exposed part contacting the front of the rudder. I open the cote under that metal support, CA, then double screw: screw in the retaining screw, unscrew it and apply CA then re-insert it. That thing is secure.

Here are some of the coming parts.

ZYHobby 500ml gas tank.

Master Airscrew 15x7x3 prop. I happen to have one on hand. Painting the tips yellow with a black middle stripe. Love these props. Durable with great performance. I have a 14x7 Master Airscrew Scimitar coming that I will use to break in the engine. I also have a 2.75in aluminum 3 blade spinner coming from ZYHobby on eBay coming.

RCGF-USA 20cc RE engine.  I am a total RCGF-USA Fanboy. This plane is described as "70 class", inferring a 0.7 cu in or roughly between 10 and 15cc sized plane (0.6 cu in is 10cc). I like a little power, and another builder put a 20cc engine in the plane with excellent results. I am trying to get away from engines less than 15cc since their carbs are a pain to manage, so, bought a new engine from Joe Nelson at RCGF-USA. Always the best personal support on the best and most affordable engines that run reliably and awesomely. Really excited about this engine!

I have on hand:

Tech Aero Designs UBEC.  (Manual here). This takes power through the receiver and acts as a remote ignition cut-out switch. It also protects the receiver from any hardwire ignition noise. I don't use a mechanical ignition switch (see below).

Step down voltage regulator.  I will be using the 2S (7.4V) 5300 mA battery from the Ultra Stick in this plane. The servos are not high voltage, so it will need a step down to 6.6V. 

DS3218 Digital RC Servo Motor 20KG High Torque Full Metal Gear. This plane has 4 aileron surfaces, each driven by its own servo, which is a bit overkill, but good for a high powered aerobat. Using a 20kg high torque servo just adds more power to these surfaces. Each side will require a Y-harness to the receiver. This was a 4 pack, convenient. I have had very good results with generic servos.

Since I had to order 2 more servos (I have a throttle servo), I bought this 2 pack of high torque servos, one for the rudder (a pull-pull setup), and one for the elevator.

Spektrum AR637T Receiver.  I had bought this with other plans for it, and have had it on hand for over a year, NIB. I decided its a good fit for this plane. I will be programming the AS3X, but won't be using SAFE. The ailerons will be Y-harnessed to AIL and AUX1, each of the other servos will of course have their own channel. GEAR will be used for the Tech Aero Ignition UBEC/Cut out.

The remaining decision it the receiver power switch. I have had mechanical switches fail, never in flight, just not working one day, on a couple of occasions. I don't feel the need for redundant systems, though I appreciate their application in larger planes. What I wanted was a simple flag-and-pin style fail-on switch. I found one that was $60 (see below, from Australia), that was a simple stand alone switch, not one like DUALSKY or Smart-Fly redundancy bus systems. Why no one else makes a simple affordable switch capable of handling the battery pack voltage and amps is beyond me, I think there is a good market for one.  

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My idea had been to take one of these (Left is DUALSKY, right is Smart-Fly) as an inline on-off switch, placing it on the negative side of the battery lead. They are not designed for that, instead are designed for microamp signals to a power control system. A couple of experienced folks (Thanks Cody Wojcik and Jerry Leach) felt they probably would NOT handle the amps. The gauge of the wire isn't the issue, its the internals of the switch itself that are of concern. Bummer. Someone needs to make one that is just simple but can carry the volts and amps of the battery pack. 

This one from Australia (the ONLY place I can find one) is expensive, and shipping almost doubles the cost. Its pretty much exactly what I need, though a simple switch and LED without the expensive switch plate is more my desire. I would build one myself, but I can't find the damn switch. I want one that I remove the pin, not place one, to power the circuit. I could easily make one that plugged in to power on, I want one to power on when I remove the pin. I welcome ideas!

The wing servos are arriving today from Amazon, so I will start on the wings. The top wing is one piece, 54" in wingspan. This creates a transport problem as it isn't going to fit in my car nor my wife's SUV attached to the fuse. The bottom wing is two piece joined in the middle. I will need to remove the wings to transport it. Since the top wing is one piece, and the bottom wings two parts are joined in the middle, I plan to permanently join the two bottom halves, epoxying the wing spar in place, and putting a thin fiberglass layer on the top and bottom of the wing at the wing joint. Since I have to use a large wing bag for the top wing, I might as well make the bottom wing one piece as well. Adds strength, and makes transport a tad easier. What this leaves is a LOT of tiny screw and nylock nuts that need to be put on and taken off with every transport. I will need to carry a bag of replacements, as those damn things will disappear like chocolates at a sorority house.

I haven't heard from Horizon Hobby about my iX12 transmitter, which is there for service.  Its there, and hopefully I will hear something this week. They have such great service and turn around is really quick.

More to follow!

UPDATE: I did find this flag-and-pin switch from RadicalRC for $11 plus reasonable shipping:

I don't understand RadicalRC "generally not recommending its use in high vibration environments" since its a "single contact" switch due to lack of redundancy. All switches are single contact. These ARE used with powersafe systems as the sole switch in high vibration aircraft (ie gassers), so I don't understand why they wouldn't. I'm going to give it a shot.

Sweet Baby Pitts Model 12!

Looky what daddy is bring home!  On Facebook today when I ran across an add for this beautiful 57" Pitts Model 12., NIB, for a decent price. Short trip to pick it up tomorrow. Psyche!

Who doesn't love a Pitts? A bipe with a round cowl, two of my favorite things, in an aerobatic beast. I bought this thinking I could use one of the two 10cc engines I have, but I think this one deserves an  RCGF-USA 15cc engine, so I am saving my pennies. I have been searching for something like this, ever since I had a midair with my Eflite Ultimate (the original balsa; why the hell they went on to replace it with a foamie???). I am super excited that Todd made this available. Happy, happy, joy, joy!

My Baby is off to the shop...

My iX12 was developing some curious behaviors these past couple of weeks, and today simply quit working. 

Over a long hiatus of several weeks, I had left the transmitter off. Not in sleep, off. When I went to turn it on, nothing. Battery dead. I recharged it, and it wouldn't boot. Orange light came on, few seconds later flickered 2-3 times and turned off. Trial and error discovered that if I unplugged and replugged the battery, it would boot. This became our game. It would operate fine. Usually woke from sleep, but if I turned it off, I would have to unplug the battery. Putting off the inevitable, this lead to me putting a switch in inline with the battery to stop abusing the battery plug. Curiously it would start and operate fine if plugged into the charger. There's a clue in that.  Today it would not boot, just orange light, then flicker. Then off. Often it wouldn't even do that. If it did load, after loading Airware, it turned itself off.

So, today I am shipping her off the Horizon, most wonderful customer service by the way. Their wizards will magic it back to normalcy. Being non-flying for 2 weeks will kill me, but a boy gotta do what a boy gotta do. 

I still love this radio. This isn't a software issue, I am pretty sure it's hardware. It has behaved through Airware updates, until this last one. I too have a timer that doesn't display properly, though the audio countdown works.

2 weeks. Hmm... there's my DX7S I use for Real Flight sim... I have never actually flown with it though...

Great Flight Day!

The weather was perfect, occasionally gusty, but right down the runway North-to-South. I packed out the RCGF-USA 26cc PulseXT 60, and the newly repaired RCGF-USA 26cc Phoenix Waco F5C. Excited to get to the field, and fly, fly, fly!

Love this plane, the Pulse XT60! It flies sweet, is fast as anything I have, with power to spare!  

SO much frickin' fun!

Since replacing the sparky the  is back to her old reliable self again. What a joy to fly!

The Waco was ready to fly, and fly she did!

I flew her for a 20 min flight, getting her trimmed out. She needed a bit of nose down trim, but roll was fine. It was a bit gusty up high, but she handled it well. Take off has to be done gracefully, slow power up, just like the real Waco. She is squirrelly on the ground with a tremendous P-Factor (that's how she ended up in the weeds last year). A bit touchy in flight, but I was getting used to her and in the end was feeling very comfortable with her.

On my second take off as I was gaining speed she caught a clump of grass and tipped enough to ground strike the prop, breaking it, and flipped. This side of our field (the gasser side) is lumpy, adding to the take-off challenges. Fortunately I have another 18x10 at home, and she is already back up.

I expect to take this duo out again next flying day!