MJD

My Feedback: (1)

Progress again - it fell dormant July - early August due to summer fun, airshows, bla bla.

Shot top clear coat and the bottom gloss black with KlassKote last week, that shined it up some.

Just a bit of equipment work to go.. battery and Rx mounting (got to be pretty solid in this thing) then yeehah. My buddy is making launch rails. I have 50' of 1/2" x 3/4" latex tubing for the bungee launch. That's give 5-6g off the launcher easily with moderate stretch. Test flight within 2 weeks.

MJD

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p.s. yup, the engine is likely crooked - the nuts are only finger tight on the back at the moment..

combatpigg

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I like the proportions. It looks good from every angle.

Jim Oliver

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Do you have dogs and buns??

dbacque

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Wow, that is gorgeous!

And the pipe makes a convienent handle for launching.

Dave

aspeed

I can hear it already.

Pond Skipper

Here is one for your preliminary enjoyment, so per schedule in just 2 wks we get to see Mikes do a burn out on the ramp


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RmEtfQ81zA

Pylonracr

I thought my junk was fast. Mike: be sure to get your eyes checked before you fly this thing.

MJD

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It's the brain cells behind the eyeballs that worry me!

Visually probably about like a Demon at 190+ I'm guessing. We'll see about that however.

Pond Skipper

Good nights rest two low dose aspirins healthy breakfast with a few cups of coffee two pairs of underwear check check and two field shots of bourbon on the ready after the test flight followed by a cold compress.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

The scariest part for me to watch was the low angle launch.

Pond Skipper

You have two sounds coming from the engine, the front reeds and the rear pulse the reeds are cycling over 24k on most passes and the rear pulse is around 13k
This one is doing 249mph / 13.2lbs of thrust. It would be nice to have a fuel valve servo controlled and a on board igniter just in case.

MJD

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The fuel pump is proportionally controlled - the curve is set up for 0 throttle until 25%, then from 25-50% ramps up quickly to the lean side, ramps slowly from 50%-100% towards the rich side/static flameout. On board ignition can be done - Jorg Vogelsang did it in 1984. The ignitor circuit from a $20 HK starter can be removed and made compact (and shielded..). Already looked at that but not likely on this guy, maybe later.

The job over the next evenings is balance and battery install. Need another pound or so up front, then the NiCads ( 2 x 1900mAh 5 cell) go on ply plates that extend forward as far as possible but bolt down in the radio compartment.

I wonder if I'll be able to float it in and catch it like the Gentle Lady I flew last week.

Jim Oliver

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"I wonder if I'll be able to float it in and catch it like the Gentle Lady I flew last week."

Gonna need your high speed sneekers to do that

MJD

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And a clean up crew..

Pond Skipper

Yea bring it in and grab it by the pipe as it floats on by like a gentle delta.

MJD

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The forecast is crappy, but they’re often wrong and the chance of precipitation tomorrow is the same as the other day that Crosscheck came up and it was great. Anyhow, I am busting my but to have the Virus ready to maiden tomorrow afternoon. Looking good, did weight and balance today, only $1.80 of pennies and epoxy to balance.. Installed the twin 5-call 1900 SCR Nicad packs up behind the copper custard noseweight. Tucked the air trap (made from an 8oz clunk tank so it fits the wing) in tight with Goop, and bonded in the receiver foam mounting base just before cooking pork schnitzel for a late dinner. Back to the shop for the last push now, just mounting the Rx and fuel pump ESC. Then last step is connecting the plumbing, running fuel line to the motor, and a couple of neon green stripes on the bottom outer panels for now.

Tomorrow morning I'll be rigging up teh bungee launcher - 1/2" x 3/4" latex tubing, will get 100-125lb pull easily for 6-7g at release. Twang.. help!

MJD

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4am.. All done except the hatch screws.

Pond Skipper

WTG MIKE!!

Must get some vid of the start up, launch and the maiden flight

MJD

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Today is truly crappy outside, but the pilot and ground support/heckling crew are forging ahead, it;s one of those days where it is grey and overcast and intermittent rain but enough clear spots. The winds are high, gusting 25mph. The Virus will just knife through it, but I can only be so cavalier on the maiden flight before I'm being reckless. I do err on the "let 'er rip" side though. I am quite happy with the integrity of the installed systems, and I had fun using Al tape as gaffer tape to lock all the wires down. The Rx floats on a 3/4" slab of foam, the ESC sits on a little pillar of Goop, etc.

MJD

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The official test schedule is now Tuesday evening. Given the cancellation yesterday, I was able to spend some quality time on the bungee launcher and get that all rigged up in the relative peace and quiet of the shop.

Tonight will be an opportunity to ground run at home instead of at the field. (better call the neighbours first..)

MJD

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https://youtu.be/lF_i7jEyJ6o

Launcher seems to work okay. The dummy model is 2x6 and 1/2" plywood.

8 steps = 100%.. easy.

My wife was safely off to the side here, but the possibilities for entertainment are endless. "Honey, grab this for a sec can you..?"

Pond Skipper

Wow two strands sent that mock up moving out fast should be plenty for the Virus.

Down to drum roll time beep beep.

Pylonracr

Well???

Pond Skipper

Crickets chirrrp chirrp....

Mike did you get a chance to fly it Tuesday or maybe over the weekend?