Phoenix Models Waco

As soon as I can find one, this is likely my summer build. The Phoenix Models Waco (PH152). I think I would build it with an RCGF 20cc gas engine.  I love her classic lines and history, much like my love for all things Stearman.

Back to Two.

I have flown her more with the 3 blade prop than with 2. She seems a bit mushy with the 13x8x3. Today flying she didn't have the thrust I needed when I needed power , although she flew amazingly. So I have changed her back to the 2 blade 14x8, and we'll see how I feel.  I love the look of the 3 blade! I need to find a black prop...

Today was a very good day.

Made it out to the SNHFE field in Merrimack today.  I brought out the MX-Bach having changed the old red Sbach Thunderbolts to green to match the MX-2 color scheme, the 10CC Sukhoi, and the new Great Planes Twinstar.

For a long time I have wanoted to change the red bolts and make the wings match the fuse, I finally bought some thicker self adhesive flourescent green cote and traced out the bolts. I used some lime green cote to edge it for comtrast.

I have some work to do learning how to fly her, and my other large scale planes. She flew well, despite me. Now she looks awesome!

First flight in her new colors!

Just before the maiden of the new Twinstar. She flew tail heavy despite her being on CG, so I had to make some adjustments. She is amazingly fast! Flying her 4S.

The RCGF 10cc Sukhoi 26 flew well, also despite me. On both her and the MX-Bach, and I suspect the 30 cc MXS-R, I have to figure out what the DR and Expo settings are that work best for me. I love this plane, and how that RCGF engine sounds. Others loved it too, and asked me about it. Hope I developed some more fans!

Kenny, Bobby, Tommy and new guy Dennis, working on Dennis' Kaden glow. Dennis got it free. He's worked a lot of RC cars and trucks, but is new to flying. Tommy and Bobby put it together for him and "maidened" it for Dennis. Hopefully Dennis will get to learn on her, and fly her soon.

It was a bit gusty, and the winds were from the north making the 36 Runway necessary, with its challenge of coming in over the Ents of the South. All in all it was a great day of flying.

My Hanger 9 Power Pro Starter has always had a twitchy switch. Hate it for that switch. I had taken it apart to try to fix it, which require disassembling the whole damn thing. It finally gave out completely today. Having nothing to lose, I bought a push button switch at Radio Shack and replaced the switch. It's fixed... there is still something not quite right about it, but it's working again. If it fails again, screw it, I'll get a different one.

Good-bye Ol' friend...

Last week, in a moment of loss of orientation, I killed my Eflite Ultimate 20-300. She had never crashed*, per se, but has taken a beating over the years. She was one of my first planes, and was a favorite flyer. She would do whatever I asked and was incredibly predictable.

*(Umm.. on reviewing my posts apparently I did smash the motor box once and had rebuilt it)

Today I mustered up the courage and canabiblized her parts... It was harder than I expected, emotionally.

My old address and cell number from Biloxi, MS.

Its a shame she is discontinued... this Eflite Ultimate was an awesome aircraft.

Here are links to her history on my blog.

Good-bye, ol' friend...

Phoenix Spitfire MKII Build - Parts Ordered

A while back I purchased my Phoenix Spitfire MKII 60 a few months ago on a special from  Tower Hobbies.  Today I ordered the parts I need.

I plan on using Tactic TSX-47 Digital metal gear servos on ailerons, rudder, elevator and throttle. I saved $50 by using Hitec HS-485HB karbonite gear servos on the flaps that I have on hand. I prefer metal gears on my gassers, but I think this is safe and appropriate.

I will use the RCGF 10cc gas engine, the newest one with attached carb and a choke, and attach a mini-tachometer.  It will have a 4 20cc gas tank. It will have an RC EXCEL optical remote cut-off I install on all my gassers. I will install a Star dual power switch, and Kazu fuel dot and vent. I purchased two 6V NIMH reciever/ignition packs from Hobbyking. I plan to use a Master Airscrew 13x8 3 blade prop I have on hand, and ordered a Dubro 3 blade 3 inch Spinner.

I had purchased electric landing gear retracts from HK as well. I bought them as a pair, but can't find them. They weren't very expensive, I think less than $20  a pair. I just don't trust mechanical retracts.

The parts will start to arrive over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

Twinstar 2 is Ready!

It was a quick build. Checked CG today with a 4S battery, and she is ready to maiden as soon as the wind calms.

Fun, friends and an Ultimate crash

Banner day at the SNHFE field in Merrimack! It started a bit rough but ended good. Nice crowd out this afternoon, and they were good company.

I crashed the Eflite Ultimate finally. Took 5-6 years. She was that plane that I could always depend on to be predictable, (unlike the Eflite Stearman who will tip stall into a death spin so kuchbasnlook at you). The gray skies were causing us problems keeping the orientation bubble going. I thought I was going to hit another plane (not his fault) and looked away from mine. When I looked back I could not make out her orientation. She was just a black silhouette. I called out that I had lost orientation, and moments later I flew her right to the scene of the crash.

I crushed the front and broke the right lower leading edge. I just don't care enough to rebuild her. While she has never crashed she has taken a beating and its time to let her go. First flight of the day...

I flew the Eflite Stearman with a 4S. She had more power than she needed but flew kinda sluggish; she doesnt like the extra weight. I landed and changed out to a 3S and she performed much better. I did a couple of touch and go's, flew some piggish aerobatics (single surface ailerons, unlike the upper and lower on the Ultimate) and on the last landing the prop must have touched. Prop cam loose and the motor went out of phase. Usually I can simply stop and restart the motor and she will find her phase again, but this time she just wouldn't, even with a hard restart. So that was the end if her flying day, and will be until I sort that out.

I then tried to take the 10cc Sukhoi up. Tried, for as I picked her up her engine would quit. Recall the last time I flew her and went vertical, she quit and I deadsticked down. It was so bad all I had to do was move her and she would quit. Ron listened and told me she was running rich. 

Me, Steve, and Ron

Ron and Steve were willing, so we started trouble shooting. We ended up field stripping the engine. In the end they left, and I spent the  next couple of hours tweaking the needle valve on the single needle RCGF 10cc. She just kept quitting if I moved her. Near 5pm I finally got her where she wouldn't quit in idle and when moved. I took her up and flew around, simple flight, and landed. On roll out, a bit bumpy even with the Geotex runway, she quit. Tweaked a bit more, and finally found the sweet spot. Flew around, did simple aerobatics. Idled in flight, flew fine. Taxied to the gate, and... She quit when I stopped her in idle. 

Not sure what's going on.

While I was working on her, Kenny Pappas stopped by and we had a nice chat. I got him.to share the adventure of trying to get a flying field up and running in Tyngsboro at River Bend.

I wrapped up, headed home, and took the Big Dobbie to Outback, and then Castro's for a cigar.

Tonight I have some work to do.

Happy Easter Bunny day!