Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Well, tonight I test flew my magnum. What an ordeal!!!!! My first flight with a turbine was less stressful.
So, here's the scoop.
First of all, I haven't flown in 2 years, dad and I go to the field, me with the magnum, him with a great planes Ryan STA.
I do half a flight and land on the Ryan. Figure, ok, I'll fly the magnum now.
Fire the engine up, it's running better than ever! APC 9x7, 15% nitro (yeah, I know) and screaming.
Dad carries it to the flight line for launching.
Looks at me, I nod, ok, and AWAY WE GO!!!!!!
HOLY SHIZNIT!!!!!!!!!!!! it banks left as soon as it leaves his hands, I expect that and correct with right, but OMG!!!!! now it's right knife edge, correct left, LEFT knife edge! this thing is completely uncontrollable, I have the recommended throws with 30% expo, (but somethine else I'll let you know about in a minute)
Finally get it to a height that is, well, I think at these speeds high enough to still see it is only one mistake high.
The ailerons are ridiculous, I tell dad, flip me to my LOW rate (JR 10SXII so 3 rates, I'm on high, we go all the way to low) still nearly uncontrollable. Get into the southwest corner a little to far away, bank right to come around, I think I got to inverted, now I'm full throttle straight for the ground completely dissoriented, just as I'm about to give up, I see the black canopy (remember from another post I recovered the model and got rid of the black swoops on the wings) and I pull up, got it back, damn, ok, kill the engine and get on the ground.
Well, at about half power I realize, god, without full power it's dropping like a brick!!!!! so, get into my pattern, pull the power all the way off, NO!!!!!! it won't quit, pull trim all the way back, still won't quit!!!!!!! but, perfect landing save for a busted prop.
So, why were the ailerons crazy? My only guess is, I set them to recommended throws, but, with very close gaps, and then I sealed the gaps (I'm a pattern flier as well) and sealed gaps increase a surfaces effectiveness substantially, but also reduces chance of flutter.
I am now at 50% of recommended throw, with 60% expo on the ailerons, here's hoping that the next flight is slightly more sedate!
I think it will be a fun bird once it's controllable LMAO!!!!!!!
So, here's the scoop.
First of all, I haven't flown in 2 years, dad and I go to the field, me with the magnum, him with a great planes Ryan STA.
I do half a flight and land on the Ryan. Figure, ok, I'll fly the magnum now.
Fire the engine up, it's running better than ever! APC 9x7, 15% nitro (yeah, I know) and screaming.
Dad carries it to the flight line for launching.
Looks at me, I nod, ok, and AWAY WE GO!!!!!!
HOLY SHIZNIT!!!!!!!!!!!! it banks left as soon as it leaves his hands, I expect that and correct with right, but OMG!!!!! now it's right knife edge, correct left, LEFT knife edge! this thing is completely uncontrollable, I have the recommended throws with 30% expo, (but somethine else I'll let you know about in a minute)
Finally get it to a height that is, well, I think at these speeds high enough to still see it is only one mistake high.
The ailerons are ridiculous, I tell dad, flip me to my LOW rate (JR 10SXII so 3 rates, I'm on high, we go all the way to low) still nearly uncontrollable. Get into the southwest corner a little to far away, bank right to come around, I think I got to inverted, now I'm full throttle straight for the ground completely dissoriented, just as I'm about to give up, I see the black canopy (remember from another post I recovered the model and got rid of the black swoops on the wings) and I pull up, got it back, damn, ok, kill the engine and get on the ground.
Well, at about half power I realize, god, without full power it's dropping like a brick!!!!! so, get into my pattern, pull the power all the way off, NO!!!!!! it won't quit, pull trim all the way back, still won't quit!!!!!!! but, perfect landing save for a busted prop.
So, why were the ailerons crazy? My only guess is, I set them to recommended throws, but, with very close gaps, and then I sealed the gaps (I'm a pattern flier as well) and sealed gaps increase a surfaces effectiveness substantially, but also reduces chance of flutter.
I am now at 50% of recommended throw, with 60% expo on the ailerons, here's hoping that the next flight is slightly more sedate!
I think it will be a fun bird once it's controllable LMAO!!!!!!!
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Jeremy,
I don't remember what the manual says but my throws are about 1/8" max at low rate (high speed). Once you get used to it you will love the plane. After two years off of the sticks I'm sure that was one interesting flight. I bet new shorts are in order.
Mark
I don't remember what the manual says but my throws are about 1/8" max at low rate (high speed). Once you get used to it you will love the plane. After two years off of the sticks I'm sure that was one interesting flight. I bet new shorts are in order.
Mark
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
i did see a Magnum copy somewhat like you experianced and with the same set up as his real one it just wouldnt fly, i've got way more than 1/8th throw, and mines fine, i think -20% expo, you did make it negitive didnt you? or is is postive on JR?
it does need a bit more than a slight throw on lauch, so next time Dads on Javaline throw style just incase he wasnt before.
you might be right about your no gaps, i do have gaps so you might be over sensitive, great for low drag with small movements
once sorted its rock steady to fly, and i mean ROCK!
it does need a bit more than a slight throw on lauch, so next time Dads on Javaline throw style just incase he wasnt before.
you might be right about your no gaps, i do have gaps so you might be over sensitive, great for low drag with small movements
once sorted its rock steady to fly, and i mean ROCK!
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
1/8"???????????
My manual has serious printing issues then
It read 1/4" up, 1/4" down on elevators and ailerons, I double checked last night when I got home.
Either way, the expo was definitely the right direction + on JR and I could visually see it as well. Either way, it was a hell of a ride, and one I came back from, so I'm still happy LOL!!!!!
One thing is for sure, they don't really do what I call glide, more like a controlled fall! LOL!!!!
Well, maybe we'll try again tonight, oh, and it was a really good toss he gave it, if it hadn't of been it would have been destroyed.
My manual has serious printing issues then
It read 1/4" up, 1/4" down on elevators and ailerons, I double checked last night when I got home.
Either way, the expo was definitely the right direction + on JR and I could visually see it as well. Either way, it was a hell of a ride, and one I came back from, so I'm still happy LOL!!!!!
One thing is for sure, they don't really do what I call glide, more like a controlled fall! LOL!!!!
Well, maybe we'll try again tonight, oh, and it was a really good toss he gave it, if it hadn't of been it would have been destroyed.
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Jeremy,
This sounds exactly like the first (and only) flight of my Magnum. Only you were a little luckier and were able to save it.
When I was reading the description of the flight I thought you were describing exactly my flight.
Mine was set to the control throws exactly as per the manual too!
This sounds exactly like the first (and only) flight of my Magnum. Only you were a little luckier and were able to save it.
When I was reading the description of the flight I thought you were describing exactly my flight.
Mine was set to the control throws exactly as per the manual too!
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
I actually thought about your flight as soon as I landed, out of curiosity, what do the throws in your manual read?
I think the only thing that saved me on this one was years of experience, Jet thumbs, and a TON of luck. Even with turbines, I always want to be at least 2 steps ahead of the airplane, with this one, it was flying by the seat of my pants the whole time, but, I'm sure with the throws toned down it will be a great bird, I'm excited to fly it again
I think the only thing that saved me on this one was years of experience, Jet thumbs, and a TON of luck. Even with turbines, I always want to be at least 2 steps ahead of the airplane, with this one, it was flying by the seat of my pants the whole time, but, I'm sure with the throws toned down it will be a great bird, I'm excited to fly it again
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Originally posted by Jeremy Ferguson
I actually thought about your flight as soon as I landed
I actually thought about your flight as soon as I landed
.....out of curiosity, what do the throws in your manual read?
When I set this up I made it 8mm up and also 8mm down. I wonder if it should really be 4mm up and 4mm down for a total travel of 8mm?
The wording isn't real clear on this.
.....and a TON of luck.
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
you might not want to hear this right now, but for landing you neel all the HELLevator you can get and get the CofG back a little, they do glide, just a diffrent deffination of the word
you dont flare till your about a foot off, untill then its a misson to keep the speed up
you dont flare till your about a foot off, untill then its a misson to keep the speed up
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hmmmmmm, you're right on the wording, 8mm works out to .31" give or take, 4mm is .15" give or take. so, I know I converted to inches, but when I read 8mm up and down, I take that as 8mm up, 8mm down, from the sounds of things here, it should be 8mm total.
So now my next question is, how do you get the engine to shut off? even with the carb fully closed it wouldn't quit for landing and cost me a prop LOL!!!
So now my next question is, how do you get the engine to shut off? even with the carb fully closed it wouldn't quit for landing and cost me a prop LOL!!!
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Originally posted by Jeremy Ferguson
....but when I read 8mm up and down, I take that as 8mm up, 8mm down
....but when I read 8mm up and down, I take that as 8mm up, 8mm down
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
i agree, i wonder what mine is, cant tell till i plug it all in when its working again, but i's say its maybe as much as 8 each way
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
I do know that sealing the gaps makes a huge difference. When I flew pattern it was a WORLD of diff, and when I flew my first DF, the first 4 flights were with unsealed gaps, the next time I went out, I had sealed them, same throws, but now it was almost uncontrollable. Some airframes it makes a huge difference
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
i did the rudder and ailerons on my Cougar, MASSIVE! difference in prophang, with the elevator being top hinged, i wonder why all the surfaces wernt...
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Hey Phillybaby, do you have msn chat? I'd like to talk about the magnum a bit more with ya if you do. my msn is [email protected] if you do.
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Hi guys,
yes 8mm in total.... I only run 6!
Don't run 8 either side, I re-read the instructions and see how you got confused. Actually I wonder how I never did the same thing... pure luck I guess. Anyway, I have mine at 3mm up and 3mm down and it does 2 ro 3 rolls per second at full tilt. That is plenty of movement for flying and landing with power off is even twitchy. Am also running, exponential but can't remember how much at this stage... glad I was not the one flying it at 8mm each way, would have put me off an otherwise fantastic plane.
Like Phil says, rock solid and incredibly accurate. It's the closest thing you can get to flying a Ninja sword.
Would also, just say, my manual said 10mm of elevator. I've got nearly 20 and it's hardly enough. Not so much for inflight, just for landing and take off. You need to dive this sucker in from right above you, haul on the ele and she will glide past on the ground effect. With the extra ele throw in place it will act as a speed brake at the final flare, I was getting mine landing in the middle of the patch every time, no one could believe it....
also, throw away the plastic inner rods, they bind, go for a size smaller in metal/aluminium, I used a set out of an old Vmar Arrow, have worked perfectly (no curse or anything - strange for Vmar) also gave me the opportunity to dial in the extra throw.
Enjoy your Magnums, I'm about to buy number 3......
yes 8mm in total.... I only run 6!
Don't run 8 either side, I re-read the instructions and see how you got confused. Actually I wonder how I never did the same thing... pure luck I guess. Anyway, I have mine at 3mm up and 3mm down and it does 2 ro 3 rolls per second at full tilt. That is plenty of movement for flying and landing with power off is even twitchy. Am also running, exponential but can't remember how much at this stage... glad I was not the one flying it at 8mm each way, would have put me off an otherwise fantastic plane.
Like Phil says, rock solid and incredibly accurate. It's the closest thing you can get to flying a Ninja sword.
Would also, just say, my manual said 10mm of elevator. I've got nearly 20 and it's hardly enough. Not so much for inflight, just for landing and take off. You need to dive this sucker in from right above you, haul on the ele and she will glide past on the ground effect. With the extra ele throw in place it will act as a speed brake at the final flare, I was getting mine landing in the middle of the patch every time, no one could believe it....
also, throw away the plastic inner rods, they bind, go for a size smaller in metal/aluminium, I used a set out of an old Vmar Arrow, have worked perfectly (no curse or anything - strange for Vmar) also gave me the opportunity to dial in the extra throw.
Enjoy your Magnums, I'm about to buy number 3......
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Hi Jeremy, on the engine shut off, make sure you have your prop installed that when you flick it with the engine not running, the compression bounces it back to a horizontal setting, that way if the engine has died but is freewheeling the compression wont cost you a prop.
You will also need to check that there are no gaps whatsoever in your carby orifice (sounds rude doesn't it?) when you haul back on the throttle, even the slightest gap that would normally stop the motor in the pits will keep the engine running when the wind pressure is assisting the prop.
If you use the landing method I described above you won't need to leave your engine running to the last second to limp it in, you'll have lots of inertia to carry you.
You will also need to check that there are no gaps whatsoever in your carby orifice (sounds rude doesn't it?) when you haul back on the throttle, even the slightest gap that would normally stop the motor in the pits will keep the engine running when the wind pressure is assisting the prop.
If you use the landing method I described above you won't need to leave your engine running to the last second to limp it in, you'll have lots of inertia to carry you.
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
While we have this thread open, any ideas anyone on a good substitute tank to use in the Magnum? Mine split (i've heard this from a few people) and I have tried a couple but they've been too long or 3minute marvels...
Any specific items that I can buy brand new as a suggestion would be great.
cheers,
Geoff.
Any specific items that I can buy brand new as a suggestion would be great.
cheers,
Geoff.
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i heard a 9oz slec fits, but dont quote me on that, measure it first, that tank bay is huge as long as you get past the wing mount former.
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Hi Phil,
I was using a long cylindrical tank out of a Seagull Edge kit I upsized, it fitted great but the end hung out the back and got pushed upwards when the wing went on (wing bulges at the front). End result was a clunk that runs dry with 1/4 a tank left. Also quite a bit of fuel starvation even in turns and dives etc where the standard tank didn't. I wonder have they changed the tanks in the new kits?
I was using a long cylindrical tank out of a Seagull Edge kit I upsized, it fitted great but the end hung out the back and got pushed upwards when the wing went on (wing bulges at the front). End result was a clunk that runs dry with 1/4 a tank left. Also quite a bit of fuel starvation even in turns and dives etc where the standard tank didn't. I wonder have they changed the tanks in the new kits?
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Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
Well, Flew the magnum again today
First flight was great, I'm at 10mm throw overall, 5mm each way, with 30% expo on ailerons. I have about 20mm throw on the elevator and you're right, more would be nice hehehe.
First flight, I was having so much fun I ran the sucker dry, not a good thing, I made it over the fence by about 10 feet and it killed the plug on me.
Second flight, I was a little rich and then the damn throttle linkage (plastic clevis) broke on landing, thankfully I got the engine to shut off before touch down though, but it was a nice landing.
The plane is great to fly at speed, 30% expo is a bit to much expo still, so I'll go 20%.
The carb does close all the way, it won't go further, so why it wouldn't quit remains a mystery to me. It is rock solid at speed though, just wish it had a slightly better glide hehehe. But, that's 3 flights now with nothing damaged, I like it! next time I'll try an 8x8 on it
First flight was great, I'm at 10mm throw overall, 5mm each way, with 30% expo on ailerons. I have about 20mm throw on the elevator and you're right, more would be nice hehehe.
First flight, I was having so much fun I ran the sucker dry, not a good thing, I made it over the fence by about 10 feet and it killed the plug on me.
Second flight, I was a little rich and then the damn throttle linkage (plastic clevis) broke on landing, thankfully I got the engine to shut off before touch down though, but it was a nice landing.
The plane is great to fly at speed, 30% expo is a bit to much expo still, so I'll go 20%.
The carb does close all the way, it won't go further, so why it wouldn't quit remains a mystery to me. It is rock solid at speed though, just wish it had a slightly better glide hehehe. But, that's 3 flights now with nothing damaged, I like it! next time I'll try an 8x8 on it
#24
Weston Magnum test flight, talk about, (&^%*#(*(!#*&% well, come read :D
My engine doesn`t quit either.....
Please tell me if you find a solution. Mine seemed to burn plugs in the beginning because I was leanig it too much. But after quite a few flights, when the engine is broken in, It doesn`t burn my plugs any more...
SJ.
Please tell me if you find a solution. Mine seemed to burn plugs in the beginning because I was leanig it too much. But after quite a few flights, when the engine is broken in, It doesn`t burn my plugs any more...
SJ.
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Hi guys, have you got your low speed needle set correctly. If this is set too lean, your idle will be high and you will have to run your high speed needle at a richer setting. You will still haul ars with a magnum but may get the over run problem.
Also, are you sure you're getting an accurate seal between the carby barrel and the engine block? I have to admit, I haven't run my West Motor yet, I had been flying my Magnum on an SC.53 so these problems may not be relevant to the West, but I did find I had to cure all of them to get my motor to shut down properly.
Just kill it way high, do a big dive and flare it in, works every time. My SC motor was particularly unreliable at one stage, I became the deadstick guru, nice way to preserve props and keeps you on your toes! :-)
Also, are you sure you're getting an accurate seal between the carby barrel and the engine block? I have to admit, I haven't run my West Motor yet, I had been flying my Magnum on an SC.53 so these problems may not be relevant to the West, but I did find I had to cure all of them to get my motor to shut down properly.
Just kill it way high, do a big dive and flare it in, works every time. My SC motor was particularly unreliable at one stage, I became the deadstick guru, nice way to preserve props and keeps you on your toes! :-)