Tripower455

My Feedback: (2)

Well, after 8 months of beating on this airplane, I finally pranged it...... As I was pulling (pushing) out of a LOW (10' or so) inverted pass, my ultra reliable ST G90 dead sticked for the first time in it's 7 years of abuse, at about 50' above the ground, nearly vertical. Once I got the thing upright and pointed back at the field, I ran out of airspeed, altitude and ideas. She pancaked in at about a 20 degree angle, nose down. Fortunately, it had about zero airspeed, so the only damage was to the main gear mount, the tailwheel mount and the Slimline pitts muffler. I've already fixed the tailwheel, and ordered a new Bisson for the engine. The main LG mount delaminated (gotta love Chinaply) and pulled all 4 of the blind nuts through the wood. This was actually a blessing, as the surrounding structure was almost undamaged. I've got it cut out and and already made a new mounting plate. I'll get the thing all put back together tomorrow....

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. This thing is the best bang for the buck beater airplane I've ever had.......

SpinnerRow

I have to agree. I love this plane (Saito 100 & APC 15x6). Good looks, decent speed, good aerobatic capability and not that expensive. I put five flights on mine this past Sunday in the 106 degree heat!

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

And gosh-darn plain FUN to fly!

flyboy0608

I also agree tha this plane is awsome to fly. Mine has an OS 95AX with a 14X6 prop and it gives me very good speed and good verticle climb as well. Took it up for a while the other day and ended up at the park for about 3 hours straight and 1 1/2 gallons of fuel. There was no wind at all and I actually landed her without the spoilerons this time. She floated in like a leaf !!

I do have a funny, yet scary situation to tell you guys about. That same day, when i took her up for the first time, i noticed that there was a slight rpm difference coming from the engine, but i could not figure it out, so i took her up anyway,...BIGMISTAKE !!. I almost lost her. There was no power the the engine, no lift to the plane and i could barely keep her up in the air. I did one circle around and tried to land her, that's when i knew i was in trouble. I could not cut the throttle to land,..she would literally dive down. So i had to bring her in with almost half throttle. I managed to land her perfectly thank god. After inspection, I could not find anything wrong but the diference in RPM's. The only thing diferent was that i had changed to my old 14X6 prop a day before. So i went to take off the prop to put back the other 13X7,...this is when I felt stupid !!!! I then realized that when I changed to my 14X6,..I put the prop on backwards. I must have been on drugs or something that day,...lol.......What a brainfart that was !!! Thank God she had just enough lift to bring her back. Anyway,,.,,,,,check your prop directions guys every time you change props,..and if the engine sounds diferent than usual,....there is probably something wrong. Don't take her up until you figure out what's happening. I should have trusted my instincts and checked her before i took her up. LESSONLEARNED!!! Happy flying guys !!!

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

Wow. Didn't know a plane could fly at ALL with a prop on backwards. Good lesson, though. If something doesn't sound \ look \ feel right, don't take off.

flyboy0608

Yeah !!! It was a shocker to me too,...you wouldn't think they would be able to fly,...but it did,...barely,..but it did !!

mudboger07

Spinner, what are you getting on RPM's with this combo?

SpinnerRow

Mid 9K range on 25% nitro in very hot conditions. I've tried a Xoar 15x6 and the engine did not like that prop at all and wouldn't break 9K. It takes about 9930RPM to make a 15" prop rip in the air and an APC 15x6 is rippin' on a level WOT pass.

skipb

My Feedback: (6)

Flyboy0608-

That is an old free flight trick (prop on backwards) too keep the airplane flying slow to figure out what trims are needed.

Skipb

flyboy0608

Well,..I tell you what Skip

I would not ever intentionally do that again. My bird didn't have much lift or power for much lift for that matter. It scared the crap out of me. Landing her was very trick with barely much power to keep her in the air.

Anyway,.on another note, .I am selling my revolver 59. I am trying to get the Habu 32 from Horizon. Figured i already have the best of the two revolvers, really want to get myself this jet. been in love with it since it first came out. But it will run me around $800. Not cheap,...but well worth the money.

mudboger07

I have the 15-6 onmine and for some reason im not getting enough rpm's, Im going to try a 14-8 and see how it goes, im running 30% heli, i am getting right at hi 8's but it could be ive only got maybe about a 1/2 gallon on it. Im hoping the 14-8 will let it spool up alittle more till its completely broke in and maybe get alittle more [speed out if it.?

skipb

My Feedback: (6)

mudboger07-

14x8 is not enough load on the engine, stay with 15x8 check valve clearances and run 20%nitro fuel, have, run many with this set up and they love it.

Skipb

afjetmech

This is what happens when you do an incredibly cool 45 degree, crabbing cross wind landing and then say, "that was awesome, think I'll go up and try again".

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

afjetmech - really sorry to see that. That hurts. Seems like the "just one more flight..."tends to be the stinger. On the upside, it looks like it's only the fuse that's damaged. You can cut out and reuse the tailfeathers, cowl, gear. Are your wings ok? Or fixable? When I've had a similar crash, to re-use the tail, on the new fuse I use a hack saw to cut out a small section just after of the elevator opening (like an episiotomy for a plane!). That way you can slide the horizontal stabilizer \ elevator combination in from the back (instead of sideways through the opening). Then, when you epoxy in the stabilizer also epoxy back the piece you cut out. Saves you from having to remove and re-attach the elevators to the stabilizer. You'll still have to dig the rudder out from the fuse, of course.

SpinnerRow

Sure it is. I interchange the APC 14x8 and 15x6 depending if I'm in a speed mood or more into vertical performance.

mudboger07

How do you liek it with the 14-8, Im looking for just a bit more speed, and to get the rpms up some, it did ok on the 15-6 but want to try the 14-8 to try to get some more rpm's put of it. its funny though all my other saitos do great with 30% and a OSf plug? I did check the valves and the clearance is good.

SpinnerRow

Well, the 14x8 is definately faster but I usually keep the 15x6 on the Revolver for the vertical performance. I had this exact engine on a P-51 for a year or so and used the 14x8 on it for max speed. I've got about six gallons through my engine and when I recently checked the valve lash, it was perfect. One of my favorite engines.

mudboger07

ty for the info, Iguess iJust need to get some more fuel run threw them......lol

SpinnerRow

Well, I failed to mention one thing. I use a [link=http://rcspecialties.net/products.php?model=TH12X1A]Turbo Muffler from RC Specialties [/link] on my Saito. It is good for 200-300 more RPM and I love the sound!

mudboger07

lol I have the same one Ijust aint put it on yet, Actually ihad it on once before when I tried this motor on the p51 but after the tip stall took out the landing gear I took the motor out to run in the revolver while im working on the p51....lol Just aint got around to putting it on I guess i need to.....lol

CARS II

My Feedback: (7)

More building today, I tell you, this is an awesome airplane, I feel I'm cheatting on this build its so easy, really they've done it on this one. I have buildi many ARF before and by far this has been the easiest build ever, everything fits and Grate Planes has thought of everything you may need and also have done a lot of those little things you need to do.

microdon2

My Feedback: (47)

CARS II - your Revolver looks good. Is that an OS 120?

CARS II

My Feedback: (7)

microdon2

Thank you, that is a ST 90, the Rev will be her 3 airplane by now, the first airplane it pulled was a ( again a ) F-4.

flyboy0608

Cars II
Your revolver seems to be coming along justJfine. just remember to make some fo the adjustments talked about ion the threads like re-enforcing the firewall, landing gear and changing the tailgear etc. By the way,..I have some more footage of my revolver at the airfield if anyone is interested in watching. Here is the link,..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvcTYYc1QMw

CARS II

My Feedback: (7)

Thank you flyboy, I have done some of the changes by now.