rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

I went to the LHS on my way home from work last Friday and spotted this on the wall. It looked like a good home for a recently acquired OS .32SXH ringed engine. What made this conversion so easy was that I had a couple of Quickey-type backplate mounts for the OS .32. OAL of the engine/mount was just right and the mount just barely fit the VERY narrow firewall. I reinforced the aft side of the firewall a bit, but for something intended for EP, it is pretty stout as is. With some very minor surgery on a former, a Hayes 4oz. slim tank slipped right in. The tank sits on the battery tray. It's a bit higher than I would have liked, but close enough that it should be OK. Generally speaking, I hate plastic parts on a model airplane. That said, these fit very well once cut. The cowling is fiberglass, and fits nicely. I had to cut the hell out of it for the engine, but that was expected. The whole project took 48 hours, start to finish. Dry wt. is 3lbs. 9oz. The maiden will be with an APC 9-6 since the Bowman ring in it is new. After 4 or 5 rich tanks, I'll go with the proven APC 8-8 and turn up the wick a bit. I'm shooting for a New Years Day maiden flight. Any suggestions or questions are welcome.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

WOW..! very cool project. Funny how the time flies, even with a plane that already looks mostly "done". I would never be able to make a living as an "estimater" as far as man hours are concerned.
Thanks to Mr. Bowden for keeping so many old engines alive. May he live for as long as he likes..!

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

I didn't mean to give the wrong impression about how long it took. The 48 hours was from the time I got home with the ARF to the time it was ready to fly. Actual assembly time was 10-12 hours. (I'm slow)

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

That sounds better. That isn't very much time to get any ARF ready to go.

blindfaithnogod

Looks good! Outta go like hell.

jeffk464

Why did you decide to go glow?

jeffk464

Yup, the build time in the advertisement is pretty optimistic in my book.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Why did I go glow? Because it wasn't big enough for a turbine or a gasser. Besides, I just acquired another .32SXH ringed engine and it needed a home. Could also be that I just can't stand the thought of an electric motor where a REAL ENGINE could be. As an added bonus, it's sure to piss off the few electric guys at our field. I went down to a local park today and put 5 tanks of fuel through it to seat the new ring. It runs better than I dared hope. This was a used heli engine from FeeBay for $35.00. An aircraft head, gasket set and Bowman ring turned it into something useful. This is my fourth .32SX and they are all honeys. This one is no exception. It came with a 3H carb, which was used on the .32F engines, so this thing is a real Frankenstein. Don't know why the carb was swapped out, but idle, transition and top end were flawless. Tomorrow will be the maiden. I can't wait!!!

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Well, I got in 4 flights today. I took it really easy on the engine and never let it come on the pipe. Even so, it still moves right along. A buddy brought out a Shoestring EF1 that is class-legal and pretty competitive. The Proud Bird was running faster without even being on the pipe or having the right prop. I leaned it out a bit for the last flight, but kept it off the pipe. Little guy really scoots. Once I'm convinced the ring is fully seated, the flogging will commence. I can't say enough about how well the airplane flies. It required 2 clicks of aileron trim on the maiden and that was it. It is rock-solid in the air, all the way down to touchdown speed. Very responsive without ever being the least bit twitchy. The CG is exactly as called for in the manual as a starting point. I've no intention of changing it, as I don't see how it could be improved. It's very smooth and precise and just goes where you point it. My buddy shot a very nice video of the last flight of the day and as soon as he gets it uploaded to YouTube, I'll post a link. If someone out there ( Pigg?) can give me an idea how much longer I should baby this Bowman ring, I would appreciate it. It runs great, but I'd sure hate to screw up a new ring.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

RCG..I've never run a ringed engine for speed..so IDK nuttin about dems.
I think the idea is to check the exhaust spray for dark metallic residue. Eventually the ring takes a "seat" and the liner's pores get glazed with carmelized castor oil and burnished metal. Take off the head and inspect the progress under strong light with a jeweler's loupe.
Funny how speed works. You were probably only playing with 75% power today but I'll bet your very clean plane was traveling 95% as fast as it will later when the 100% power is available.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Thanks, Pigg. You're right, of course about there not being much more speed to be had from this combo, but it sure is fun to play with. Hell, if it just stays together for 40 or 50 flights, I'll be happy. This seemed a cheap and easy way to go blasting around the pattern when I felt the need, and I think I was right. I have a purpose-built .32SX powered speedster, but the pucker-factor is far higher simply because it's not very pilot-friendly. The Proud Bird is VERY friendly.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

Try dropping the pushrod down into the 1st or 2nd hole on the servo arm and going with a taller control horn. Limit pitch control to 1/8" up, 1/8" down but be sure to have the model balanced at 25% to ensure that the small amount of elevator throw is enough. I don't see any reason why that plane can not be "point and shoot" user friendly.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Thanks, Pigg. I was at a bit of a loss, since it was quite a handful. I'll try what you said and let you know how it works. Here's a link to the video of the 4th flight of the Loud/Proud Bird. Kudos to Steve M. for shooting and posting the video. He's a hard-core pylon racer, but I talk to him anyway.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO8yX...ature=youtu.be

Got it this time.

Ernie Misner

Whew!!! one fast and proud bird!

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Wish you could have been there, Ernie. Fun day.

Ernie Misner

They had a great fly-in at Flaming Gyser today too.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

She really moves out..!
Looks like that clearing was made just for your field.
BTW, the "Wonder" would need 3/16" to 1/4" of elevator for low speed control, most likely. The 1/8" control would be something to try as your "low rate" for high speed passes.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

O.K., CP. I'll start there. That's our club field. Mount Rainier RC Society. The club owns it free and clear. I made my very first turbine flight there. If you ever get down this way, bring something to fly, we'd love to have you. I'm about the only one that still flys 1/2A's here, but the guys like to see them. Flew one today, as a matter of fact.(Herr P-51, Norvel.074)

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

It looks like you don't have any neighbors there to worry about..? Yeah, I'd love to come on down there someday. It looks like the big field down the hill from my house is going away and I'll not have any place nearby to fly speed.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

We're quite a ways from Arlington, but I think you'd like it here. Guys have flown Q40's here, but at those speeds the field gets a bit small. It's just under 90 acres. Check out www.MRRCS.org.

Ernie Misner

Wait till you see the mountain view from MRRCS.

rcguy59

My Feedback: (8)

Watch that video again and you'll see the great view we had today.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

I love that whole general area. 25 years ago I worked at an ancient power house that Puget Power was overhauling on a raging river in Kapowsin. The mountain view from there was tremendous.
One day in the main control room my buddy was sweeping up a mess he made and he bumped a huge relay that was sitting in a glass housing. He made the relay chatter. The guy who ran the control room said not to worry, that relay only effects a few thousand homes....
On 2nd thought, Kapowsin was the nearest "big" town, the actual place where the dam is located is called Electron.

Stevem9

That video turned out pretty good, cant wait to see that thing on the pipe!