Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
#26
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Part of my order arrived today. "I has a haul!"
The Spektrum A6020 servos come packaged very nicely and you end up with some nice re-closable, stackable plastic boxes.
I installed the elevator servos into the fuselage. It's a very good thing I reinforced the servo mounting area, because when I was using my finger drill to start pilot holes for the screws, it quickly went through the balsa-ply layer that the fuselage is made from. On the other hand, my fiberglass reinforced plywood doubler was a lot tougher to drill through and the mounting screws got a real good bite into it.
I had installed my pilot figure, temporarily, into the cockpit. He is held with a single 1/4-20 nylon bolt. The whole cockpit interior deck is one piece of balsa, or maybe that balsa-ply wood. And it flexed a lot. So I reinforced it from underneath with some plywood strips. Now it is rock solid.
Checking out the firewall from inside the fuselage, I noticed there was no triangle stock at the base of the firewall. There are two short sections of it on the sides. I don't think this is strong enough, especially for the radial, and I will be reinforcing it by adding triangle stock and epoxy.
Anyone know of a good, strong servo horn for the Spektrum A6020 servo? I think I counted 23 splines, but it sure is hard to see 'em!
The Spektrum A6020 servos come packaged very nicely and you end up with some nice re-closable, stackable plastic boxes.
I installed the elevator servos into the fuselage. It's a very good thing I reinforced the servo mounting area, because when I was using my finger drill to start pilot holes for the screws, it quickly went through the balsa-ply layer that the fuselage is made from. On the other hand, my fiberglass reinforced plywood doubler was a lot tougher to drill through and the mounting screws got a real good bite into it.
I had installed my pilot figure, temporarily, into the cockpit. He is held with a single 1/4-20 nylon bolt. The whole cockpit interior deck is one piece of balsa, or maybe that balsa-ply wood. And it flexed a lot. So I reinforced it from underneath with some plywood strips. Now it is rock solid.
Checking out the firewall from inside the fuselage, I noticed there was no triangle stock at the base of the firewall. There are two short sections of it on the sides. I don't think this is strong enough, especially for the radial, and I will be reinforcing it by adding triangle stock and epoxy.
Anyone know of a good, strong servo horn for the Spektrum A6020 servo? I think I counted 23 splines, but it sure is hard to see 'em!
#28
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
I learned that the Spektrum servo has 23 splines, and uses JR servo horns. I shopped around, and found some. Unfortunately, the USA sellers want about 5 times as much as the typical overseas seller. I had to order from overseas, will get here in about two weeks.
#29
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
I went to Lowe's today looking for some hardwood triangle stock. They had some 'half-round' lengths of wood, and I bought a piece of pine. I could have also bought oak. I figured pine was good enough. Certainly better than the balsa triangle I had on hand, lol.
I had to cut two pieces in order to be able to fit each piece down through the lightening holes in the middle floor plate so that they could be glued at the base of the firewall. I used 30 minute epoxy mixed with milled fiberglass. I then added a single long piece to the intersection of the middle floor plate and firewall.
A camera tripod came in handy for tilting the plane up so that the epoxy would stay in place while curing.
I had to cut two pieces in order to be able to fit each piece down through the lightening holes in the middle floor plate so that they could be glued at the base of the firewall. I used 30 minute epoxy mixed with milled fiberglass. I then added a single long piece to the intersection of the middle floor plate and firewall.
A camera tripod came in handy for tilting the plane up so that the epoxy would stay in place while curing.
#30
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
I worked on one of the wings servo mounts today.
The servo mounting blocks are ply, and pre-installed. I am using Spektrum A6020 servos, which are categorized as "standard" size.
The servo did not fit between the blocks. Trying to get the servo to lay in flush, caused the mounting plate to bow out. So I had to take an Xacto knife to the blocks and trim them up a bit.
The servo plate, like the rest of the airplane, is made from balsa plywood material. It is sort of flexible. I decided to add some reinforcement to the mounting blocks by gluing in a 1/2 x 3/8 square piece of poplar.
I mounted the servo on the plate and it feels pretty rigid.
Now I am wondering about the plate being secured to the wing by only four #2 screws into 3mm thick balsa-plywood. Is that really "secure"? I would hat to see that plate get ripped out!
On a .40 size airplane I would not even have thought about it. But this is a 28% scale sized airplane. It's my first giant scale, so these sorts of things I question.
What do you 'giant scaler's' have to say on that subject?
Thanks!
The servo mounting blocks are ply, and pre-installed. I am using Spektrum A6020 servos, which are categorized as "standard" size.
The servo did not fit between the blocks. Trying to get the servo to lay in flush, caused the mounting plate to bow out. So I had to take an Xacto knife to the blocks and trim them up a bit.
The servo plate, like the rest of the airplane, is made from balsa plywood material. It is sort of flexible. I decided to add some reinforcement to the mounting blocks by gluing in a 1/2 x 3/8 square piece of poplar.
I mounted the servo on the plate and it feels pretty rigid.
Now I am wondering about the plate being secured to the wing by only four #2 screws into 3mm thick balsa-plywood. Is that really "secure"? I would hat to see that plate get ripped out!
On a .40 size airplane I would not even have thought about it. But this is a 28% scale sized airplane. It's my first giant scale, so these sorts of things I question.
What do you 'giant scaler's' have to say on that subject?
Thanks!
#33
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Based on recommendations as well as my own gut feeling, I made some plywood triangle blocks to reinforce the wing servo mounts. I epoxied them in with 30 minute glue, and I also added one more piece of ply to each servo plate to brace it just a little bit more.
I will use #4, 3/4" long screws and washers instead of the 2x8mm screws included in the kit hardware.
I will use #4, 3/4" long screws and washers instead of the 2x8mm screws included in the kit hardware.
#34
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
I got the blocks all glued in yesterday. Today so far I have cut the threads for the #4 screws. I also was looking at the top inside of the fuselage at the back of the firewall and did not think it had enough glue. Well, actually it didn't look it had any! lol...
So I mixed up a batch of epoxy and milled fiberglass and smooshed it around at the joint area, then set the planes tail upside down on a tripod and let it cure.
Here is a pic of the comparison between the kit supplied screw and the #4:
So I mixed up a batch of epoxy and milled fiberglass and smooshed it around at the joint area, then set the planes tail upside down on a tripod and let it cure.
Here is a pic of the comparison between the kit supplied screw and the #4:
#35
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Hi Pilots!
I have gotten a lot of work completed over the past few days. Had to wait for parts to trickle in first, though. So in the meantime I coated the equipment tray in the fuselage with finishing resin to strengthen it a bit. I also coated the backside of the firewall to help with fuel proofing.
I have permanently mounted the landing gear now and backed up the bolts with Nylok nuts. I have mounted the landing gear spats too.
Next, I have connected servo extension leads to the elevator servos and aileron servos. I am trying something new, to me, for the first time. Those plastic 'safety clips' that keep the extension wire plugs secure. I normally just use heat shrink tubing but I wanted to try these.
I did not want the long elevator leads flopping around inside the fuselage and I needed a way to secure them. I could not find anything appropriate, in the hardware guides so I ended up making my own 'tie-wrap supports' from wood and then glued them to some fuselage formers.
After hardening the servo mounting screw holes with CA I re-installed the elevator servos. Then I moved to the wings, and connected the servo extension leads for them and pulled the leads through the wings, and then temporarily set the servo plates back into place. I am still waiting for the heavy duty control horns to arrive.
I tapered the wing locating dowels on one side and then epoxied them into the wings.
I cut out all of the openings in the covering for all the wing stuff, in the sides of the fuselage. That would be the big aluminum spar tube, the locating dowels, the servo wire ports, and the wing hold down bolts. Then I trial fitted the spar tube, centered it, and drew some lines on it with a Sharpie.
In the construction manual, it does not mention to glue this spar tube into the fuselage. Shouldn't it be glued into place??
Next, I mounted the engine for trial fit purposes. After drilling the bolt holes for the engine mount I hardened them with CA. I have a decision to make now. I can either install blind nuts into the backside of the firewall, or just use Nylok nuts. I am leaning toward the Nylok's.
It's looking like I might have to modify the fuel tank mounting, from the kit supplied version.
That's all for now.
I have gotten a lot of work completed over the past few days. Had to wait for parts to trickle in first, though. So in the meantime I coated the equipment tray in the fuselage with finishing resin to strengthen it a bit. I also coated the backside of the firewall to help with fuel proofing.
I have permanently mounted the landing gear now and backed up the bolts with Nylok nuts. I have mounted the landing gear spats too.
Next, I have connected servo extension leads to the elevator servos and aileron servos. I am trying something new, to me, for the first time. Those plastic 'safety clips' that keep the extension wire plugs secure. I normally just use heat shrink tubing but I wanted to try these.
I did not want the long elevator leads flopping around inside the fuselage and I needed a way to secure them. I could not find anything appropriate, in the hardware guides so I ended up making my own 'tie-wrap supports' from wood and then glued them to some fuselage formers.
After hardening the servo mounting screw holes with CA I re-installed the elevator servos. Then I moved to the wings, and connected the servo extension leads for them and pulled the leads through the wings, and then temporarily set the servo plates back into place. I am still waiting for the heavy duty control horns to arrive.
I tapered the wing locating dowels on one side and then epoxied them into the wings.
I cut out all of the openings in the covering for all the wing stuff, in the sides of the fuselage. That would be the big aluminum spar tube, the locating dowels, the servo wire ports, and the wing hold down bolts. Then I trial fitted the spar tube, centered it, and drew some lines on it with a Sharpie.
In the construction manual, it does not mention to glue this spar tube into the fuselage. Shouldn't it be glued into place??
Next, I mounted the engine for trial fit purposes. After drilling the bolt holes for the engine mount I hardened them with CA. I have a decision to make now. I can either install blind nuts into the backside of the firewall, or just use Nylok nuts. I am leaning toward the Nylok's.
It's looking like I might have to modify the fuel tank mounting, from the kit supplied version.
That's all for now.
#36
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
I ordered heavy duty Dubro hardware, without ever seeing it in person. Only photos on the internet. I went to install it today. The pull-pull for the rudder worked out OK, albeit overkill for this plane. The ".91 and up" size HD control horns for the elevators and ailerons were just too massive though! Really huge!! I could not use them.
I decided to go to my local hobby shop, even though they specialize in smaller electric planes. I didn't really expect to find what I needed, but thankfully they have a really good assortment of Dubro hardware and I found everything I needed to complete the control horns for the elevators and ailerons.
I also needed a way to connect up the springs for the tailwheel. I opted for some Dubro 1/2A control horns, which were just the right size.
Dubro instructs that the linkage must be centered on the control surface's hinge line. This means cutting short and re-drilling the link arm in necessary. Well it was necessary for me to do that. Was not hard, just measured and marked where to drill the new hole, and then cut off the excess end and then rounded it off with a sanding bar.
I decided to go to my local hobby shop, even though they specialize in smaller electric planes. I didn't really expect to find what I needed, but thankfully they have a really good assortment of Dubro hardware and I found everything I needed to complete the control horns for the elevators and ailerons.
I also needed a way to connect up the springs for the tailwheel. I opted for some Dubro 1/2A control horns, which were just the right size.
Dubro instructs that the linkage must be centered on the control surface's hinge line. This means cutting short and re-drilling the link arm in necessary. Well it was necessary for me to do that. Was not hard, just measured and marked where to drill the new hole, and then cut off the excess end and then rounded it off with a sanding bar.
#37
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Hi Tom
Its been great reading the thread and to me you have all the boxes ticked. The servos you have are more than enough for the job and beefing up the firewall was a good idea, same with the servo mounts at the back.
Regarding the servo arms i would personally have used the arms that came with the servo as they should be more than up to the job. My pacer (which for those who dont know is also radial powered) is using standard arms on all but the ailerons as i needed more throw. For the horns i use these http://www.horizonhobby.co.uk/aeroon...rns/e85im7.jpgon alot of my models. you can get them from horizon hobby and there are i think 4 different sizes.
Again just for those who have not seen this video on Kmot's radial thread this is my radial powered beast!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4H0mOyUP8A
Its been great reading the thread and to me you have all the boxes ticked. The servos you have are more than enough for the job and beefing up the firewall was a good idea, same with the servo mounts at the back.
Regarding the servo arms i would personally have used the arms that came with the servo as they should be more than up to the job. My pacer (which for those who dont know is also radial powered) is using standard arms on all but the ailerons as i needed more throw. For the horns i use these http://www.horizonhobby.co.uk/aeroon...rns/e85im7.jpgon alot of my models. you can get them from horizon hobby and there are i think 4 different sizes.
Again just for those who have not seen this video on Kmot's radial thread this is my radial powered beast!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4H0mOyUP8A
#38
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Hi Jon,
Thanks for the post!
In regards to the servo arms you have, HH UK has a completely different catalog of choices compared to HH USA: http://www.horizonhobby.com/
I really like some of the products you can choose from, and I wish they were available here as well.
http://www.horizonhobby.co.uk/aeroon.../e85horns.html
Anyway, the stock plastic servo horns looked too wimpy to me. So I ordered the heavy duty metal horns. We shall see. I can always fall back on the Dubro heavy duty plastic horns.
Love your Pacer airplane!
Thanks for the post!
In regards to the servo arms you have, HH UK has a completely different catalog of choices compared to HH USA: http://www.horizonhobby.com/
I really like some of the products you can choose from, and I wish they were available here as well.
http://www.horizonhobby.co.uk/aeroon.../e85horns.html
Anyway, the stock plastic servo horns looked too wimpy to me. So I ordered the heavy duty metal horns. We shall see. I can always fall back on the Dubro heavy duty plastic horns.
Love your Pacer airplane!
#39
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Its strange that HH has different stuff over here, i cant imagine why that is. Although i know that saito and dubro are imported by other companies over here so perhaps they have a different line for that reason. Either way, use whatever hardware you feel happy with, the last thing you want is a failure. The only reason i mentioned over engineering the thing was beucase you can get caught in a trap and end up making it really heavy for no reason.
One thing i would suggest its comparing the flying weight on the box with the flying weight it ends up at. Also when doing the c/g do it from each wing tip. The reason i say this is because you want to make she the ali wing joiner is upto the job with the higher auw. you may have to sub a corbon spar or fill the current one with balsa block to prevent it deforming. its unlikely to be a problem, but its worth checking.
One thing i would suggest its comparing the flying weight on the box with the flying weight it ends up at. Also when doing the c/g do it from each wing tip. The reason i say this is because you want to make she the ali wing joiner is upto the job with the higher auw. you may have to sub a corbon spar or fill the current one with balsa block to prevent it deforming. its unlikely to be a problem, but its worth checking.
#40
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
I've got a problem. If I run the elevator linkage so that it is at the ideal square position, it runs afoul of the rudder linkage. [:@]
It looks like I am going to have to have some sort of an angle in it.
I also discovered hangar rash. I had some clamps bundled together on my work table and I must have lowered the fuselage down onto them at some point. Punctured a triangle tear into the bottom and also have another sharp crease, almost broken through. And, Hobby People does not carry any replacement sticky back covering for these VQ models. Ugh! [&o]
I needed a little inspiration, so I dry assembled it with the wings for the first time. I have noticed the covering starting to get saggy on the fuselage. It is not heat shrink covering, unfortunately. But the manual does say it can be tightened slightly, with a hair dryer.
It looks like I am going to have to have some sort of an angle in it.
I also discovered hangar rash. I had some clamps bundled together on my work table and I must have lowered the fuselage down onto them at some point. Punctured a triangle tear into the bottom and also have another sharp crease, almost broken through. And, Hobby People does not carry any replacement sticky back covering for these VQ models. Ugh! [&o]
I needed a little inspiration, so I dry assembled it with the wings for the first time. I have noticed the covering starting to get saggy on the fuselage. It is not heat shrink covering, unfortunately. But the manual does say it can be tightened slightly, with a hair dryer.
#42
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
That engine looks fantastic.
I don't think you would want to glue the wing spar in the fuselage? I can't see that gluing would add much structural strength and it would be hard to straighten it if it bends slightly. Might also excacerbate structural damage in the event of an accident. I would have also thought it would make transport and storage of the plane a little more difficult than necessary.
I don't think you would want to glue the wing spar in the fuselage? I can't see that gluing would add much structural strength and it would be hard to straighten it if it bends slightly. Might also excacerbate structural damage in the event of an accident. I would have also thought it would make transport and storage of the plane a little more difficult than necessary.
#43
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Hi Mercer, thanks for your post.
I had not realized, previously, that there were 'stop rings' inside the wings. That prevents the spar tube from vibrating out of one side and into the other. I was worried about that before, but now I know all is okay.
I had not realized, previously, that there were 'stop rings' inside the wings. That prevents the spar tube from vibrating out of one side and into the other. I was worried about that before, but now I know all is okay.
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Nice work Tom, making that servo output arm shorter will also allow more torque to the surface and thats always good thing.
As for the plastic covering its a nightmare on the vq and other viatnamese models that use it. In my experience the adhesive will go all sticky and horrible around the edges where the glow fuel/oil gets on it. Isuggest finding some paint or fuelproofer that wont attack the colour and painting it over all of the seams to seal them. its going to be a pain in the backside, but better than a model with sticky peeling covering! also note that if you are flying in the cold that covering becomes a little brittle and can burst if you bash it
As for the plastic covering its a nightmare on the vq and other viatnamese models that use it. In my experience the adhesive will go all sticky and horrible around the edges where the glow fuel/oil gets on it. Isuggest finding some paint or fuelproofer that wont attack the colour and painting it over all of the seams to seal them. its going to be a pain in the backside, but better than a model with sticky peeling covering! also note that if you are flying in the cold that covering becomes a little brittle and can burst if you bash it
#47
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
True, but if it was it could be even $150 more in price. If after a while you fancy a recover then the hobbyking own brand film is very good and costs nothing. i managed to cover both the Pacer and the Jayracer (that used to have the radial in it)for about $35!! but its tough (very) easy to apply and takes heat well. Its not always easy to get it round complex shapes but its no worse than any other film i have used. just be aware however that different colours need different heat settings. For example the black needs less heat than the red and blue, and the white needs loads!
#48
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Good to know. I actually have a few rolls of HK film that I bought when I started a Senior Kadet recover project.
Further work is slowly being accomplished. Being that I am on a tight budget I had to order many supplies from the Far East and they take a long time to arrive. In the meantime I shot my Xmas gift cards wad on Dubro stuff ($75) to get some hardware and it as you may know costs around five times as much as the equivalent Asia made stuff but you do get it right away. And I have even had to spend another $30 cash so far. Wow, I am not able to keep up with inflation! [X(]
Yesterday I measured and marked the firewall for the throttle cable to line up with the throttle arm on the radial engine. I am pleased that I scored a bullseye. My earlier thoughts about lowering the fuel tank have been dashed however, as of course the throttle cable needs to run in that area, which is just off center of the firewall by about 1/2". With the fuel tank support plate installed, the throttle linkage has clearance but of course the tank is higher than the center of the carb. But I suppose I will just have to deal with that.
I am using Dubro 4-40 rods for the control surfaces. One end is threaded. I measure the length needed and then cut off the excess. I have a very expensive tap and die set that I bought when I was a working mechanic, so I always have a good tool to cut my own threads. So yesterday I measured and cut the elevator rods.
I am anxiously awaiting my aluminum servo arms to arrive. Once they do, and hopefully they are the right length, I will be able to set up my aileron linkages.
Further work is slowly being accomplished. Being that I am on a tight budget I had to order many supplies from the Far East and they take a long time to arrive. In the meantime I shot my Xmas gift cards wad on Dubro stuff ($75) to get some hardware and it as you may know costs around five times as much as the equivalent Asia made stuff but you do get it right away. And I have even had to spend another $30 cash so far. Wow, I am not able to keep up with inflation! [X(]
Yesterday I measured and marked the firewall for the throttle cable to line up with the throttle arm on the radial engine. I am pleased that I scored a bullseye. My earlier thoughts about lowering the fuel tank have been dashed however, as of course the throttle cable needs to run in that area, which is just off center of the firewall by about 1/2". With the fuel tank support plate installed, the throttle linkage has clearance but of course the tank is higher than the center of the carb. But I suppose I will just have to deal with that.
I am using Dubro 4-40 rods for the control surfaces. One end is threaded. I measure the length needed and then cut off the excess. I have a very expensive tap and die set that I bought when I was a working mechanic, so I always have a good tool to cut my own threads. So yesterday I measured and cut the elevator rods.
I am anxiously awaiting my aluminum servo arms to arrive. Once they do, and hopefully they are the right length, I will be able to set up my aileron linkages.
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RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Sounding good. And i would not worry about the tank being a little high. Its better that than a little low when running this engine (in my experience anyway). as for the cost of hardware i understand totally. The covering for the pacer and jayracer (total of 20m or approx 60ft) cost about $36 (plus shipping) from HK. The same would have cost me about £270 ( $434 ) had i bought profilm/oracover here in england. thats an insane difference!
#50
RE: Hobby People's VQ-Global 28% Fly Baby ARF
Its too bad VQ uses that sticky back stuff still. The other Viet Nam manufacturer, Black Horse uses a fairly good film on their planes, except a few of their trainers and sport planes. You should be able to get a few good flying seasons out of it before you have to deal with a recover job, though.