Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
08-16-2006, 06:26 PM
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Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Seems like few if anyone has attempted to nitroize a Rogue even though the new stylish ARF from Fliton comes with a .15LA motor mount set-up. I just received mine from the LHS after a six month wait (LHS fault not Fliton). I’ve had a near new Norvel .15 sitting around for a while and figured what-the-heck I’ll try it. I’ll share the experience here for those who may be interested.
Out of the box the kit is pure Fliton, attractive, well engineered, well put together and LIGHT. I also immediately confirmed two of my suspicions’. 1) The .15LA motor option was just an after thought. This is a pure electric airplane any gas application would be more of a conversion. 2) It’s more an F3A model, not 3D. I guess they felt they needed to call it “3D” for marketing.
Even though this is a .25 size model I’m going to resist the urge to over power or over prop it because of it’s light weight and I don’t need or want another 3D plane.
Seems like few if anyone has attempted to nitroize a Rogue even though the new stylish ARF from Fliton comes with a .15LA motor mount set-up. I just received mine from the LHS after a six month wait (LHS fault not Fliton). I’ve had a near new Norvel .15 sitting around for a while and figured what-the-heck I’ll try it. I’ll share the experience here for those who may be interested.
Out of the box the kit is pure Fliton, attractive, well engineered, well put together and LIGHT. I also immediately confirmed two of my suspicions’. 1) The .15LA motor option was just an after thought. This is a pure electric airplane any gas application would be more of a conversion. 2) It’s more an F3A model, not 3D. I guess they felt they needed to call it “3D” for marketing.
Even though this is a .25 size model I’m going to resist the urge to over power or over prop it because of it’s light weight and I don’t need or want another 3D plane.
08-16-2006, 08:42 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
EDH13
Even as I sit here at the computer, my 15FP (predecessor to the LA series) is in front of me and my Rogue is in its box behind me, just waiting to meet each other
I have ordered up two 4oz fuel tanks, a Sullivan flexible and a Hayes to try to fit in the area directly behind the motor. No idea which one, if either, will work. I spoke to a guy from Horizon Hobbies, who by the way claims that they will be carrying Fliton, and he said that one of their guys stuck a Saito .30 in one, but that it was way too much.
Glad I'm not the only one to try this!
Sandy T
Even as I sit here at the computer, my 15FP (predecessor to the LA series) is in front of me and my Rogue is in its box behind me, just waiting to meet each other
I have ordered up two 4oz fuel tanks, a Sullivan flexible and a Hayes to try to fit in the area directly behind the motor. No idea which one, if either, will work. I spoke to a guy from Horizon Hobbies, who by the way claims that they will be carrying Fliton, and he said that one of their guys stuck a Saito .30 in one, but that it was way too much.
Glad I'm not the only one to try this!
Sandy T
08-18-2006, 06:28 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Hey Sandy glad to share my pain...
The built-up wooden beam type motor mount went together okay and it is notch mounted to a sub firewall. I of course coated everything in epoxy. That’s about it as far as instructions go. The fuel tank, throttle servo, linkage, exhaust and how to attach the motor mount / firewall assy. to the acft are all left up to your imagination. And you better have a pretty good imagination. With the light weight laser cut ply construction full of “lightning holes” there is not much meat anywhere to attach fuel tanks, throttle servos, receiver packs, switches etc.
The built-up wooden beam type motor mount went together okay and it is notch mounted to a sub firewall. I of course coated everything in epoxy. That’s about it as far as instructions go. The fuel tank, throttle servo, linkage, exhaust and how to attach the motor mount / firewall assy. to the acft are all left up to your imagination. And you better have a pretty good imagination. With the light weight laser cut ply construction full of “lightning holes” there is not much meat anywhere to attach fuel tanks, throttle servos, receiver packs, switches etc.
08-18-2006, 06:35 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Fuel Tank: Used a Hayes slim type 4oz. I had to remove the rear 2 sections of the longitudinal ply crutch webbing in order to get the tank in. Getting the tank in, rotated and slid fwd into position was like a puzzle they use for chimp training. I’ll replace the structure I had to cut out with a ply servo tray for the throttle.
08-18-2006, 09:43 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
I was hoping not to have to cut up all those pretty laser-cut parts to mount the tank, but you have given me some courage. Although I think I may wait until yours is done to see if it holds up haha.
Sandy
Sandy
08-20-2006, 01:33 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Motor Mount: I just epoxied the sub firewall to the nose of the ship. It looks like right and down thrust are built into the mount assy. (or it’s just crooked?) The .15LA bolt pattern starter holes in the beams don’t work. If you use those, the back of the spinner will be a half inch in front of the cowl. Had to notch the mount and relocate the holes after some math.
08-21-2006, 07:43 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
I went electric with mine and it is awesome. It will hover at 1/4 stick...if you like that kind of thing. It has unlimited awesome vertical! Floats like a butterfly when landing.
Mine stays nice and clean too.
Mine stays nice and clean too.
08-21-2006, 08:48 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
It'll be interesting to see how it turns out, when these were first released, I saw the motor mount listed in the ad for them, and emailed Fliton numerous times asking about the plane with a Nitro motor in it, only to be ignored and never getting an answer. I doubt I'd buy a thing from them now, knowing the level of support I can exect to receive, but it'll be cool to see how yours comes out. A glow bipe in this size would be a lot of fun.
08-23-2006, 12:58 AM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Yea, not many cool small nitro bipes out there. This one is cool and small but "nitro" may be a stretch. We'll see.
Exhaust: Since I’m not aware of a Pitts type muffler for a Norvel .15 the exhaust routing is pretty hokey. It required some shaving and notching of the fues side and lower firewall to clear for the muffler. This is because you are forced to mount the engine 90 degrees only. If you could rotate it a little farther you could get the muffler to run down the center of the lower fues. The hot exhaust obviously will have to be diverted out side of the fues. I used a Dubro exhaust extension backwards to reach a lighting hole on the side of the fues behind the landing gear mount.
Exhaust: Since I’m not aware of a Pitts type muffler for a Norvel .15 the exhaust routing is pretty hokey. It required some shaving and notching of the fues side and lower firewall to clear for the muffler. This is because you are forced to mount the engine 90 degrees only. If you could rotate it a little farther you could get the muffler to run down the center of the lower fues. The hot exhaust obviously will have to be diverted out side of the fues. I used a Dubro exhaust extension backwards to reach a lighting hole on the side of the fues behind the landing gear mount.
08-23-2006, 03:40 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
this is one sweet build thread edh13 and i cant wait to see more! i was on the fence about getting this too for the nitro conversion and it looks like a lot of fun... I think i'm sold. fliton models are by far the best (imho) and i love my extra mini by them to.
ncrego, you should call them. i thought the same too but got right through when calling and they have been helpful with parts/qeustions, always.
cant wait to see more guys, thank you .
ncrego, you should call them. i thought the same too but got right through when calling and they have been helpful with parts/qeustions, always.
cant wait to see more guys, thank you .
08-25-2006, 08:11 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Thanks “lunatic”. I feel bad about noting all the little problems on this thread because I really like this plane! But I’m just trying to make it a little easier for the next guy.
Flight Controls: I’m using HS55’s on 6v. The aileron servos need to have the ply frames glued on to serve as spacers, otherwise the bottoms will poke out of the covering on the other side of the wing. I didn’t use them at first and felt pretty silly when I turned the wing over. The pushrod wire is pretty small gauge it my be okay for the ailerons as they are pretty short. But the elev and rud pushrods I will reinforce with CF rod. The hinge material provided is very scary I’m doubling the size. There is plenty of room in the current hinge slots, I didn’t have to widen them any. I figured out what the little square pieces of ply were for in the "You-guess-it-little-bag-o-parts". They are control horn back plates. They are not drilled so drill pilot holes or it will split in half. The instructions only show wood screws thru the control horns into the control surface. We all know thats a no-no.
Flight Controls: I’m using HS55’s on 6v. The aileron servos need to have the ply frames glued on to serve as spacers, otherwise the bottoms will poke out of the covering on the other side of the wing. I didn’t use them at first and felt pretty silly when I turned the wing over. The pushrod wire is pretty small gauge it my be okay for the ailerons as they are pretty short. But the elev and rud pushrods I will reinforce with CF rod. The hinge material provided is very scary I’m doubling the size. There is plenty of room in the current hinge slots, I didn’t have to widen them any. I figured out what the little square pieces of ply were for in the "You-guess-it-little-bag-o-parts". They are control horn back plates. They are not drilled so drill pilot holes or it will split in half. The instructions only show wood screws thru the control horns into the control surface. We all know thats a no-no.
08-25-2006, 08:23 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Speaking of instructions: They are very pretty and well illustrated... And that's all I'm going to say about them... Really...
Okay they're useless. Like most all ARF’s the only reason to open the manual is to check the CG location. But even that is wrong, they inserted a supplement… that is also open to interpretation!
Did I mention the quality paper...?
Okay they're useless. Like most all ARF’s the only reason to open the manual is to check the CG location. But even that is wrong, they inserted a supplement… that is also open to interpretation!
Did I mention the quality paper...?
09-07-2006, 04:37 AM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
For the one or two guys that seem interested in this build thread, sorry but the build is in hold. Boeing decided my presence in Japan was more important. So I'm stuck here for a week or two...
Stay Tuned
EDH13
Stay Tuned
EDH13
09-15-2006, 05:44 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Hi edh13,
Get back from Japan! I'm undergoing the same conversion as yourself, just a few steps behind you, and I'm powerplanting with a saito .30 fourstroke instead. Thought I'd try out the e-flite version of Hitec's hs55s as well. How would you go about "guesstamating" the right and down thrust? Since I'm forced to use my own motor mount (glass filled) I don't have the luxury of having it predetermined for me.
Hoping you'll be back at your bird soon.
P.S. I had NO IDEA what the little ply squares were for. Now I'll go back and intall them like you've shown. LOL! Also, are you putting any sort of tail wheel on the bird?
Thanks,
Jesse
Get back from Japan! I'm undergoing the same conversion as yourself, just a few steps behind you, and I'm powerplanting with a saito .30 fourstroke instead. Thought I'd try out the e-flite version of Hitec's hs55s as well. How would you go about "guesstamating" the right and down thrust? Since I'm forced to use my own motor mount (glass filled) I don't have the luxury of having it predetermined for me.
Hoping you'll be back at your bird soon.
P.S. I had NO IDEA what the little ply squares were for. Now I'll go back and intall them like you've shown. LOL! Also, are you putting any sort of tail wheel on the bird?
Thanks,
Jesse
09-24-2006, 04:45 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Okay I'm back. Yep, I was thinking hard about using a glass filled mount but once I noticed the offset in the built-up mount provided I went with that. I'll get a scale and take some pictures and measurements to try and give you an idea about thrust angles. For the tail wheel, I couldn't find what I needed at the LHS so I made my own out of a half of a large scale pinned hinge. I also made up a throttle servo tray and installed. Pretty straight forward.
09-25-2006, 07:59 AM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Hey Ed,
Welcome back. I'm just about done, you know how it is when a bird's on the workbench, just begging to be completed. Here's a couple of pics. For the landing gear i just used the stock set-up, but added a carbon fiber re-inforcement rod about 1 inch above the axle locations. I also hardened the inside of the axle locations with a thin epoxy layer. This in combination with screwing AND expoxying the individual landing gear sides to the fuse gives me a landing assembly I can count on. I used a 1/32 piece of ply sanded down smoothly to give a "touch" of right thrust. I've got a buddy that used a saito .40 fs, and he didn't even add any thrust angle and says the plane flies like a dream. Finally, a few small pieces of ply that are custom cut and sealed provide a no access zone for fuel to get into the fuse. The throttle assembly fit into the fuse with a microscopic Z bend on the throttle, and a nice gentle bend through the firewall to the throttle servo. Nice a light. What do you think?
Welcome back. I'm just about done, you know how it is when a bird's on the workbench, just begging to be completed. Here's a couple of pics. For the landing gear i just used the stock set-up, but added a carbon fiber re-inforcement rod about 1 inch above the axle locations. I also hardened the inside of the axle locations with a thin epoxy layer. This in combination with screwing AND expoxying the individual landing gear sides to the fuse gives me a landing assembly I can count on. I used a 1/32 piece of ply sanded down smoothly to give a "touch" of right thrust. I've got a buddy that used a saito .40 fs, and he didn't even add any thrust angle and says the plane flies like a dream. Finally, a few small pieces of ply that are custom cut and sealed provide a no access zone for fuel to get into the fuse. The throttle assembly fit into the fuse with a microscopic Z bend on the throttle, and a nice gentle bend through the firewall to the throttle servo. Nice a light. What do you think?
09-26-2006, 10:38 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
hi guys, thanks for continuing this thread! my buddies and I think it is extremely helpful in putting ours together. what size prop is that you are using?
i know the manual is not the best but it is good to see that their new Inspire Mini has a greatly improved manual. (I guess our talks worked!). the manual is in photo format now with covering color info, throw info, recommended setups... very nice! i bought this plane too for a spare hacker a20:20l i had around and after i saw the great quality of the Rogue.
cant wait to see more and some flight reports!!!! thx
i know the manual is not the best but it is good to see that their new Inspire Mini has a greatly improved manual. (I guess our talks worked!). the manual is in photo format now with covering color info, throw info, recommended setups... very nice! i bought this plane too for a spare hacker a20:20l i had around and after i saw the great quality of the Rogue.
cant wait to see more and some flight reports!!!! thx
09-28-2006, 02:21 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Hello Gentlemen,
Here's some photos of the completed product. Saito .30 fs with e-flite micros all around. 270mah receiver 2/3 A pack, and she's ready to rumble! Weather pending, she'll have her maiden flight tomorrow out at Buder Park in St. Louis, MO. I'll keep you all posted. I ended up going with a APC 10x6 which really appears to give a lot more pull to the motor. She tries to climb out of my hands pretty strong at full throttle aimed vertical. Just what I wanted, throttle authority.
Happy building,
Jesse
Here's some photos of the completed product. Saito .30 fs with e-flite micros all around. 270mah receiver 2/3 A pack, and she's ready to rumble! Weather pending, she'll have her maiden flight tomorrow out at Buder Park in St. Louis, MO. I'll keep you all posted. I ended up going with a APC 10x6 which really appears to give a lot more pull to the motor. She tries to climb out of my hands pretty strong at full throttle aimed vertical. Just what I wanted, throttle authority.
Happy building,
Jesse
10-05-2006, 09:12 AM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Hey Guys,
Still no maiden flight, weather has been way too windy. The CG ended up at 2.5 inches from leading edge of top wing.....a small note here, a buddy of mine ended up with his CG at almost 3 inches back before he was happy with flight. I'll let "yall" know how she does once she's seen the air.
Jesse
Still no maiden flight, weather has been way too windy. The CG ended up at 2.5 inches from leading edge of top wing.....a small note here, a buddy of mine ended up with his CG at almost 3 inches back before he was happy with flight. I'll let "yall" know how she does once she's seen the air.
Jesse
10-23-2006, 02:29 PM
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RE: Fliton Rogue 3D nitro?
Hi to all.
I have been back to work on my OS FP-15 powered Rogue. It is basically finished, but with the weather here in central Illinois, I don't know if it will get flown this year [
]
Here are some spec's and modifications:
AUW = 29 oz.
CG = 3.75" (battery all the way forward)
Servos: Futaba 3110's all around
Receiver: GP Electrifly 4Ch
Battery: 350Ma. NiMH
Strengthened landing gear mount.
Used 2-56 blind nuts on LG.
Carbon fiber strip on elevator connection.
Carbon fiber servo rods.
Dubro ball-end servo connections.
Dubro micro tail wheel.
Right now I have a tiny 2 oz. tank, because it fit without having to modify the fuse. I may have to go bigger to get reasonable flight times - we'll see. The Futaba servos seem fast and strong.
Here's a few pix.
Sandy T
I have been back to work on my OS FP-15 powered Rogue. It is basically finished, but with the weather here in central Illinois, I don't know if it will get flown this year [
]Here are some spec's and modifications:
AUW = 29 oz.
CG = 3.75" (battery all the way forward)
Servos: Futaba 3110's all around
Receiver: GP Electrifly 4Ch
Battery: 350Ma. NiMH
Strengthened landing gear mount.
Used 2-56 blind nuts on LG.
Carbon fiber strip on elevator connection.
Carbon fiber servo rods.
Dubro ball-end servo connections.
Dubro micro tail wheel.
Right now I have a tiny 2 oz. tank, because it fit without having to modify the fuse. I may have to go bigger to get reasonable flight times - we'll see. The Futaba servos seem fast and strong.
Here's a few pix.
Sandy T