Sbach 10cc Build Day 2

I finished the wings, will post a pic tomorrow, just forgot to take pics. I decided not to go with all of the stock stickers as I really don't like them and I am certainly not going for scale! Have a couple stickers coming in the mail and when they are on will post pics.

The damaged corner came out okay. The cote they use is heavier duty so it takes more heat to shrink it back, and if I am not careful the lighter Monocote wrinkles. A couple of layers of Monokate helps.

The patch on the dented leading edge using lightweight spackle.

Like new. 

The kit comes with a bunch of epoxy servo extensions with were about 0.5 cm longer than the special blue aluminum ones I had, so I used my blue ones on the ailerons. On the two elevator servos (its dual servo on the elevators), I remembered I had these long red aluminum ones I ended up not using on another project. I chose the middle attahment, but think I will move it to the closest one, still a bit longer than the stock epoxy extension. The range of motion is incredible so the resolution will be a bit low and she would be quite twitch as small control moves would lead to big elevator pitch changes. I want range, but better resolution, so I will go with the closer attachemenst.  I think they expected micro servos on the elevators, standards on the wings. I had to cut the openings a bit larger, but there is a lot of room forward of the stock opening and this was no thang.

The epoxy rudder control horn was pretty much the same size as this Tactic stock long bar, so I uses it. Good range of motion with it, a bit unbalanced at the servo (more left than right) which I can adjust in programming travel on the DX8.

I had some frustrating CA runs putting the CA hinges in, even though I had dammed up the sites to prevent it. That super thin CA just goes everywhere. I decided I didn't want to futz with Du-Bro plastic hinges and just use the CA one. The lower half of the rudder was the only part that didn't stay where I put it so there is a small gap there. I will use hinge tape, its a small gap.

This frame is built for electric... its not very robust, though they sell it as electric/glow. There is no place for the fuel tank. I am going to have to build it up, and it will likely be a bit further from the engine than I like. I may be able to get it forward, but there will be a lot of weight foreward of the CG.

Sbach 10cc Day 1

This evening I opened the box with the 70 inch Sbach. The box had been damaged, which given its thickness took some doing. Turns out something penetrated the box and damaged both wings just enough to be annoying.

Very nice parts package. I sanded down the epoxy control horns and am painting them gloss black.

Damage to the proximal end of the right aileron. Cracked internally.

Something penetrated the box while USPS had it... Had to be strong force given the thickness of the box.

The proximal end of the left leading edge took a dent too.

Cracked all the way through when the trailing edge got nailed. This is reduced and thin CA'd. Some sanding and spackle. I don't have this red... Letting it dry overnight.

Opposite side of the same break.

Leading edge uncoted.

While the repairs were drying and the spackle setting, I made and installed the vortex generators using L-styrene. I discussed them in an earlier post.

Cut into 1 cm lengths.

Pointed one end.

5 pairs and one end fence, just because. I put down a piece of Scotch Tape in case I don't like how they work. Roughly an inch apart on center. I didn't stree precision. I guessed where the boundary are wound be, its suppsed to be about 1/16th of the chord.

I did the other leading edge the same way.

There is no manual, maybe one online, but this isn't my first rodeo.

I was going for perfect...

I got pretty darn good!

A few days ago I lost the hatch to the Pulse XT 60 in flight, lost in an inaccessible forest off the field proper. Irrecoverable. Horizon won't sell just the hatch, I would have to buy the entire fuse for $139.  I decided I needed to try to build one. I have repaired wings, fuses, but I haven't built a substantial part like the hatch. I think I did pretty good. I made a few decisions that I wouldn't next time, but all in all, I did good.

The baseframe. I chose a wider piece of wood than was optimal for the sides, and they were a bit unmatched in the angle when glued in, but I went with it. The hardest past was going to be the curved surfaces, but that turned out to be easy. Used the fuse as the template and jigsawed the pieces, then sanded them down.

Three stingers.

In the front end I used a 4mm bolt as a peg to fix the front to the firewall.

Thin moldable basswood sheet in two halves. I did this becasue I wasn't sure I  could fold a large piece over the frame. This concern made no sense. I would use one full piece next time. Used 30 min epoxy and let is stay clamped overnight.

SHeeting the other half.

Fit perfectly! after sanding. There was no hump, smooth,contoured. 

Inside after sheeting.

Outside after sheeting.

Perfect cote work! 

I wanted to do something besides a soring loaded latch, so I used a pair of helicoter control rods. There are two wood pins inside the aft corners to prevent lateral movment.

Sweet. After a bit in certain light there is a small hump at the middle of the fore end. The there is a small gap on this side at the back corner. All in all though, I did good!

Well this sucks...

Well as I mentioned yesterday, the hatch came off in flight and will never be seen again...

And Horizon Hobby told me they don't have one without buying the fuse. Read that as, "we won't pull one off for you".

That just sucks.

I guess I will see if I can make one, but I am not optimisitic. I am going to give it a try and see if I can build something decent. A challenge. Though honestly, I would rather have bought one for $25.

Best Wx Eva'!

Goodness, we could not have asked for better conditions. Where the hell was everybody? I ran into Dennis Delisle flying his helis when I got there just before noon, and later Clarence showed up for the second time today.

I took the Sukhoi 10cc and the Pulse XT60 with its sexy new spinner and 3 blade prop up.

She flew well with this prop but issues with pulsing of the engine once in the air made for some cowl removing fine tuning, later it turns out her muffler was coming off and the loss of compression was likely causing the problems, since she was running just fine before this. This new 14x7x3 prop wokrs very well and did provide some more clearance. Had to take her home to drop the engine and tighten the muffler with some blue.

At one point I was hauling ass and she was off a bit aways. She suddenly flipped over her CG, I am talking ass over tea kettle, and came out of it levle flight.i have no idea what that was, as she flew just fine control wise, but she threw her top hatch into the deep inaccessible forest below. Great, just great. If my early search is any clue, the only way to get a hatch is to by an enitre fuse.age for $139. I have an inquiry in to Horizon Hobby asking about just getting a hatch. I don't have a good feeling about this. It had shown a tendency to come loose with the cowl off during tuning, so I had a piece of tape on it. I took it off yesterday thinking the cowl would help hold it in place. Great idea.

Everyone should have to walk to the fence that lines the field at least once. I went hoping against hoe that maybe it came off near the fence. I knew it was hopeless but I had to try. Waaay up there on the top of the hill is the field. I am sure I return covered in poison ivy... the fence keps critters out so I don't expect any ticks.

The Sukhoi is a b it tail heavy I think, and on landing she likes a high alpha. This makes the tail land first and the front wheels come down a  bit hard. In the past they break off, but recent repairs hardened it, so now it just bent! I consider that progress. Will need to take it home and put it in the vise.

Dennis flying.

Dennis Delisle and his 700.

Prop Day

Amazing day to fly! Took the Pulse XT60 and the Waco, first flight of the season for her.

Had to retune the low needle again, kept cutting out on run up from idle to WOT. Running great now. Clean at WOT, a bit sputtery in the mid-range. Way powerful. Flew amazing!

This engine, an RCGF 26cc with a Vulcan 18x7 CF prop, has always run perfect. The Waco is difficult on the ground, really wants to ground loop. Practiced take offs trying to get a clean roll out, flipped her a couple of times spinning around. Learned that she has a lot of P-factor so I have to bring her up slowly and let her run up and lift off. Got the hang of it.

But not before breaking the Vulcan CF prop.

She is sooo over powered, and the 18x7 likes to tip cut the grass and ground strike stall. So I took advantage of having a 17x7 APC. I think once I find she flies well with it I may keep it for a while. I will get a Master Airscrew Classic 18x6 after that unless I can find another black 17".

The three blade Master Airscrew 14x7x3 came in today for the Pulse, which was flying a 15x6.  The 3 blade aluminum spinner from eBay arrived a couple of days ago. Wow. Look. At. That. LOOK AT IT! That is beautiful!

Can't wait to fly it.