flite test graveyard

by midohioboarder | November 2, 2013 | (4) Posted in Just Fun

 

This is my pile of planes that have seen a better day.  Main obsticals I have been overcoming is finding the CG.  I have learned that it is best to transfer the CG markings to the top of the air frame. Then I attach a string or wire that I can hang the plane from at the CG. 

With the Cruiser, I moved the scewer that pins the nose on toward the front of the plane above the CG marks in the plans.  Then I can check the balance by picking it up by the scewer between two fingers.  The way I am holding the scewer has little affect on the apparent ballance of the plane.

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COMMENTS

swcannon on November 10, 2013
Could you comment on why the CG is an issue as the kits/plan for these planes indicates the CG placement? I just purchased the Spitfire and the Versa and stating the builds, Any comments would be appreciated.

Thnaks.
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midohioboarder on November 22, 2013
When I try to balance the plane from underneath, I can really affect the 'balance' by rotating my wrists. Hanging the plane from the balance points has given me more consistent results.
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Jaxx on November 10, 2013
Those planes look like there is still plenty of life left in them to me. You should see what mine look like when I retire them.
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sailorJohn on November 10, 2013
Ditto
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RCairforce on November 10, 2013
I agree with jaxx and sailorJohn, a little hot glue and packing tape would have your fleet back in the air in no time!
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midohioboarder on November 22, 2013
The bloodies got wet. Landed in puddles! Even though I quickly dried them off, they warped enough to make them squirrelly in the air. The cruiser was way too heavy unloaded. I had reinforced the spar with a carbon fiber rod. Completely unnecessary.
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Michael9865 on November 10, 2013
Agreed
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#3 on November 11, 2013
your versa wing looks like you had it set up as a pusher change to a tractor style and you will be shocked how easy it flyes i cannot advise on the bloody wonder as i also built 2 and my son built one and after many tryes none ever flew for more than 15 seconds the spitfire flies realy well maybe to well for a noob it goes where it is pointed and gives no help if you make a mistake
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#3 on November 11, 2013
after a second look i see you built the twin and not the spitfire it looks like it has a lot more life in it you should get some flying time on the old foggy and the ft flyer before moveing on it is ok to build and paint them all just dont fly them yet i am still learing the hard way that it is not as easy as FT make it seem to fly them
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cloud9photos on November 12, 2013
That fleet still has a few crashes left in them! You should see some of my planes!
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alibopo on November 15, 2013
Yep, I have to agree with the other comments, plenty of life left in these. Plus there's another good comment about choosing the right plane. These are all aileron planes requiring constant input to keep them level. Build one of the 'self righting' 3 channel models - I suggest the FT flyer. Super simple to build and fly. This self righting usually comes from the dihedral; either on the full wing, like the Flyer, or the wingtip dihedrals on the Old Fogey - it means that when you let go of the controls the plane will almost always come back to straight and level flight. Taking that extra control element out makes learning to fly RC a whole lot easier.
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alibopo on November 15, 2013
PS - these actually look really well built. Shame to let them go at this stage.
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midohioboarder on November 22, 2013
Thanks all for the encouragement. I am far from giving up. I have a cruiser that I have gotten many flights on. I have been concentrating on landings. It's going really well. I tried loading the bloody up with a full set of fpv gear... that didn't turn out so well. ;) fun trying though. I ended up just flying it with the eagletree pitot tube. With the 28 26 and an 8x8 prop 4s 1300mah I got it up to 54mph in a dive.
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midohioboarder

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flite test graveyard