MX2 Mystery Unfolds...

I started work on rebuilding the MX2 this afternoon. I immediately noticed a combination of problems that may have been the cause of the funky flight characteristics and the final spin to crash. I had just added CA hinges as the plastic miniature hinges were failing one by one. While I had tested control surfaces before flight after the repair, today I found the range okay, but they were difficult to move. I worked them loose. I subsequently found the elevator servo and one of the aileron servos had stripped gears at center. They would move the surfaces but slipped about center. Curiously, I also found the rudder servo with the same center stripped gears that still moved the rudder, but I didn't put any CA hinges on the rudder and it moved freely. There is no damage to the surfaces that might indicate crash damage, so I suspect the gears stripped trying to move the surfaces in flight.

The repairs moved along fairly easily.

The servo mount board for the elevator and rudder. This piece keeps me from using spars as I will have to slide the ends together side to side, instead of being able to push them together end to end. I will likely run spars crosswise instead lengthwise.

I replaced both 9gm aileron servos even though only the right one failed. The cover for the wires is glued into place and at first I didn't think I could slide extensions I don't have down the wing. I wasn't even sure if there were extensions in the wing already I could plug in. It didn't matter, I like soldering the wires anyway. I installed TP 90MG digital servos and plan to replace the rudder and elevator servos with TP MG19 digital servos. Digital all around, ordered from HeadsUpRC.

BananaHobby's website says the servos are all 9gm, but as can be seen here, the one on the left, the elevator and rudder servos, (one shown here) are clearly larger. They are as big as the MG19's I ordered. The TP 90MG is in the center, the right one is the stock aileron which is a 9gm.

Better seen from the top.

Silvering the tips.

Two soldered and covered with heat shrink.

All 3 leads soldered and shrink wrapped.

While the servos are the same size, I had to cut a little out on the fuse side to fit the tabs in the wing. 

Post cutting the fuse end.

I also had to cut a little from the rotor end to give just a little more space.

Aileron servo glued into place all 90'd up.

I glued the forward fuse halves back together as they were parting and the firewall was loose. I used epoxy to secure the firewall and the wheel base wood to the fuse, and to bind the larger section below the wings together, and foam safe CA for everything else. I dry fit the ends of the fuse together and as I noted above, it won't be possible to easily place spars between the glued parts. I have to think about that a bi, but I think I will go widthwise. I am also trying to decide if I should use the Beacon 3-in-1 glue I have very reliably used with the Cubby, or if I should use epoxy, which might add a bit of weight aft of the already aft CG. Waiting for the MG19 servos and a new prop adapter to arrive (ordered today) from HeadsUpRC before I join the fuse as it is easier to replace the servos into the plate before it is installed. I will need to use an standard 3 blade spinner as the original one is damaged, and requires a custom prop shaft (the original bent). I have written BananaHobby a couple of times (in regards to the MX2 and to cancel another order) and they are selective about responding. The decal and paint on the MX2 peels so easily that anywhere I put packing tape to hold the fuse together will have to have the tape on it permanently or it will pull the paint and decals. Its already looking a bit ratty, and I truly hope it doesn't become another Cubby with funky flight characteristics after these repairs...

Jerry's pics of me at MCRCC

Jerry Gollot caught me at MCRCC yesterday!

Happy me, working the Stearman over.

Flame soldering bullets on the Suicidal Cubby in our clubhouse.

Thanks, Jerry (and Sandy too!)!

Stearman Returns!

Today was a good day at BMF! I flew the Alpha for a couple of packs, hovered the Cubby in the pit lane before deciding she'd lost her mind again and for some reason, though she flew fine yesterday, today she's a pig that flips on her back on takeoff... geez. I hate that thing...

But the good news is, I held my breath for 8 minutes and took the Stearman up! It was the first time I flew her since the first time I flew her and lost her in the woods. My takeoffs still aren't pretty, and I am coming in way to hot on landings, but in the air, wow, she flies marvelously! The first takeoff wasn't too bad, and the first landing rocked, but I had issues with the subsequent takeoffs and landings. I bent the right gear slightly and bent the leading edge corner of lower wing (nothing a little tightening with the sealing iron won't fix). I fixed the gear in the field, twice. But I am not longer afraid to fly the Stearman, though I say that now...

Today was Meeting Sunday at BMF! We had a great showing, made a few final plans for the Fly-in coming up next Saturday. Saw a couple new faces. I met Mike, who has been by before but was too quiet! Today he brought his foamies, and next time we are sure to get him up on a trainer!

Taking tomorrow off from flying to work on my helis and the MX2. Have to make some decisions. Looks like I bent not just the prop shaft but the motor casing is rubbing, so that motor is toast. The problem with these cheap foamies is that getting parts support is dismal from Nitroplanes and Banana Hobbies. Its hit and miss. I can't even tell what size the motor is, so am making decisions based on what I would put in there, while I wait to see if BH will answer my email with questions about getting a new motor and spinner.  Cubby sucks, and I think I am done farting around trying to get her to be consistent. She's wasting my time and money. I think I am going to strip her down to her foamie undies and give her a thorough retrofit. After that I will be done with her. Promise.

Looking at my next planes. Considering replacing the Cubby with the Eflite Cub from Horizon Hobby, but I think I may delay that and get the Eflite Ultimate 20-300. Tony had one he was flying today, the older version (the new one is expected in July, hopefully having addressed the battery space issues on the original). It was a nice looking plane and it flew great. But then, Tony was a pretty sharp pilot. Yeah... I'm thinking the Ultimate...

13 Minutes

Hey, got 13 minutes to waste? I've got 13 minutes of unedited video flying around Bob Miller Field! The camera is set up oddly in that the video runs sideways (when you see it, you'll understand). At the end there's a live pic of Dickie's heli after it inexplicably bound up and imploded. The video is kind of a rollercoaster ride, so put your monitor left side up and enjoy the ride!

Caught on film...

Still from aerial video I shot from the Alpha 450. I am on the left, Paul Verger on the right. In the video you could see my plane overfly Paul's foamie Thunderbolt. Very cool, like aerial combat film!

MCRCC Bob Miller Field

Harrison County RC Flying Field, Bob Miller Field, Gulfport, MS.

Home of the Mississippi Coast RC Club

Luke, Raul and Mr. Ron!

Today I brought my 12 yo son and his 12 yo friend Raul to BMF. Ron Johnson, teddy bear that he is, offered to take the 4 kids who were there up in a trainer on a box. Neither of them have ever flown before. Luke and Raul overcame their jitters and stepped up! Each of them flew for several minutes getting "Ronned" the whole time, and they both came away with unwipeable grins and a determination to come back! They were going to fly again, but lightening struck nearby so we wrapped up for the day. Luke wants to do some sim time and come back tomorrow!

A special thanks to Ron Johnson and MCRCC for supporting the interests of youth in our wonderful hobby!

Ron and Luke

Ron and Raul

Raul, Ron, and Luke with the MCRCC Trainer they flew!