My first real speed plane
#1
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My first real speed plane
I have had the Weston Magnum on my watch list here in the RCU Market Place for some time now waiting for the right one to show up at the right price. Several used ones popped up RX ready and where local pick up only. Last night someone posted a NIB one that he would ship at what I felt was a good price. At least, I was willing to pay it. I have posted the pictures from the ad. Can someone tell me if this is the early version or the latter MagnumR? I really don't care either way, I will be happy with it.
#3
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RE: My first real speed plane
Thank you, I'm sure it will be adequate for me. Since you are familiar with the plane, do you have any tips on the construction? Do I need to reinforce anything? Any common modifications or known issues? Factory ballance point works or is there a better location?
#4
RE: My first real speed plane
Make sure the hinges are well attached, maybe even add a couple. The elevator push rod set up is a bit cheap but works. If you do it their way keep an eye on it. Get a better fuel tank, I have a Sullivan in mine and it's worked very well. Get rid of the carbon covering. It is not regular iron on, it's held on by static and will come off in flight. CG... I think it's right but I built mine too many beers ago and don't remember if I set it at the recommended point. There are some posts here about CG. Vic may have better/ more recent memory. If you can't find it I can go measure it.
#5
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RE: My first real speed plane
I apreciate the tips. I am concidering assebling this thing and taking it with me on vacation this summer when I go to Seattle and flying it with CP
#7
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RE: My first real speed plane
Stang, nice acquisition! Sessholvlaru got his dialed in pretty good last year [195 mph], I'd ask him about where he balances his. The old threads had complaints about those birds being too nose heavy. I've used Geistware to find the CG of some planes, but it's hard to decide where some lines begin and where some end..if you're off just a little with a swept and tapered wing, you're off by a lot.
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RE: My first real speed plane
I just madidened mine this weekend with the CG set at 155 mm, that is too nose heavy as the elevator required quite a bit of up trim. I'm going to re-balance with more weight in the rear before the next flight.
BTW, this thing rocks!!
Had a grin ear-to-ear the whole flight.
Less than three minutes the 6 oz tank was dry, might have to go to an 8 oz.
BTW, this thing rocks!!
Had a grin ear-to-ear the whole flight.
Less than three minutes the 6 oz tank was dry, might have to go to an 8 oz.
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RE: My first real speed plane
ORIGINAL: BiggerDanno
I just madidened mine this weekend with the CG set at 155 mm, that is too nose heavy as the elevator required quite a bit of up trim. I'm going to re-balance with more weight in the rear before the next flight.
BTW, this thing rocks!!
Had a grin ear-to-ear the whole flight.
Less than three minutes the 6 oz tank was dry, might have to go to an 8 oz.
I just madidened mine this weekend with the CG set at 155 mm, that is too nose heavy as the elevator required quite a bit of up trim. I'm going to re-balance with more weight in the rear before the next flight.
BTW, this thing rocks!!
Had a grin ear-to-ear the whole flight.
Less than three minutes the 6 oz tank was dry, might have to go to an 8 oz.
I did a graphic NP on the Magnum ages ago, and worked out the CG at over 200mm.. but I never went that far. 155 is a starting point though. For reference, if you know the significance of this, the 25% MAC point on the wing is 193mm back from the LE at the fuselage/wing junction.. [:-]
They're fun. Much more fun with wide flat fields so you can take your time on the approach and flare. Dumping them in more confined fields is a challenge.
MJD
#14
RE: My first real speed plane
what's the wing area on this bird?
i'm getting ready to design something smaller and lighter than the Patriot for a next step up into the speed realm............
i'm getting ready to design something smaller and lighter than the Patriot for a next step up into the speed realm............
#15
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RE: My first real speed plane
ORIGINAL: MJD
I used a 8 oz Jett slim bubblefree tank and it worked beautifully. Only needed a quick kiss with the Dremel on the former to clear, and bonus you don't need wads of foam.
I did a graphic NP on the Magnum ages ago, and worked out the CG at over 200mm.. but I never went that far. 155 is a starting point though. For reference, if you know the significance of this, the 25% MAC point on the wing is 193mm back from the LE at the fuselage/wing junction.. [:-]
They're fun. Much more fun with wide flat fields so you can take your time on the approach and flare. Dumping them in more confined fields is a challenge.
MJD
ORIGINAL: BiggerDanno
I just madidened mine this weekend with the CG set at 155 mm, that is too nose heavy as the elevator required quite a bit of up trim. I'm going to re-balance with more weight in the rear before the next flight.
BTW, this thing rocks!!
Had a grin ear-to-ear the whole flight.
Less than three minutes the 6 oz tank was dry, might have to go to an 8 oz.
I just madidened mine this weekend with the CG set at 155 mm, that is too nose heavy as the elevator required quite a bit of up trim. I'm going to re-balance with more weight in the rear before the next flight.
BTW, this thing rocks!!
Had a grin ear-to-ear the whole flight.
Less than three minutes the 6 oz tank was dry, might have to go to an 8 oz.
I did a graphic NP on the Magnum ages ago, and worked out the CG at over 200mm.. but I never went that far. 155 is a starting point though. For reference, if you know the significance of this, the 25% MAC point on the wing is 193mm back from the LE at the fuselage/wing junction.. [:-]
They're fun. Much more fun with wide flat fields so you can take your time on the approach and flare. Dumping them in more confined fields is a challenge.
MJD
#16
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RE: My first real speed plane
After you drink all of CP's beer you need to bring it over to the Speed Rally on the 26th and meet your Canadian brothers in speed.
No twitchy. But much better take off and landing charactaristics. If you leave it too nose heavy the plane makes a breath taking sink at launch and lands pretty hot. If you get it right you pull out nice and level and can flare nicely for a smooth landing. Be warned though it glides like a brick.
I used a stock Futaba Nicad battery pack stuffed as far back in the fuse as it would fit, yes, I cut a hole and still have .5 oz of lead stuck to the tail. Thats with a SJ.50 on the nose.
What engine are you planning to use?
No twitchy. But much better take off and landing charactaristics. If you leave it too nose heavy the plane makes a breath taking sink at launch and lands pretty hot. If you get it right you pull out nice and level and can flare nicely for a smooth landing. Be warned though it glides like a brick.
I used a stock Futaba Nicad battery pack stuffed as far back in the fuse as it would fit, yes, I cut a hole and still have .5 oz of lead stuck to the tail. Thats with a SJ.50 on the nose.
What engine are you planning to use?
#17
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RE: My first real speed plane
ORIGINAL: vicman
After you drink all of CP's beer you need to bring it over to the Speed Rally on the 26th and meet your Canadian brothers in speed.
No twitchy. But much better take off and landing charactaristics. If you leave it too nose heavy the plane makes a breath taking sink at launch and lands pretty hot. If you get it right you pull out nice and level and can flare nicely for a smooth landing. Be warned though it glides like a brick.
I used a stock Futaba Nicad battery pack stuffed as far back in the fuse as it would fit, yes, I cut a hole and still have .5 oz of lead stuck to the tail. Thats with a SJ.50 on the nose.
What engine are you planning to use?
After you drink all of CP's beer you need to bring it over to the Speed Rally on the 26th and meet your Canadian brothers in speed.
No twitchy. But much better take off and landing charactaristics. If you leave it too nose heavy the plane makes a breath taking sink at launch and lands pretty hot. If you get it right you pull out nice and level and can flare nicely for a smooth landing. Be warned though it glides like a brick.
I used a stock Futaba Nicad battery pack stuffed as far back in the fuse as it would fit, yes, I cut a hole and still have .5 oz of lead stuck to the tail. Thats with a SJ.50 on the nose.
What engine are you planning to use?
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RE: My first real speed plane
ORIGINAL: Mr67Stang
This is perhaps the best peice of information posted yet! Having load planned 100's of military cargo aircraft I know exactly what you mean here. I am suprised that at 155mm or 20% MAC you are happy with it. Does it get twitchy after that?
This is perhaps the best peice of information posted yet! Having load planned 100's of military cargo aircraft I know exactly what you mean here. I am suprised that at 155mm or 20% MAC you are happy with it. Does it get twitchy after that?
There are guys overseas flying these things at around the 190mm mark so I was told. Nobody that posts here has ever reported going back that far. No real need, but don't fly at the instructed forward point for sure unless you like ballistic landings.
MJD
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RE: My first real speed plane
Mine flies fine at 155, landing was not an issue, even with our short runway. It only slid about 8 feet after touchdown on asphalt.
Since I required about 2 mm of up elevator trim, I'm wondering it I have the aierlon neutral set properly. Since the wing has an upturn at the tips (which at first I thought was a twisted aierlon), I made the neutral point with inside edges even with the wing. This leaves the outer edges below the wing. Maybe I should make the outer edges even instead?
Since I required about 2 mm of up elevator trim, I'm wondering it I have the aierlon neutral set properly. Since the wing has an upturn at the tips (which at first I thought was a twisted aierlon), I made the neutral point with inside edges even with the wing. This leaves the outer edges below the wing. Maybe I should make the outer edges even instead?
#22
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RE: My first real speed plane
You know, Weston must have hundreds of these planes flying. So why is there so much controversy over the CG? A nose heavy plane just "feels" heavy in the sticks while it's flying and will zoom towards the canopy when you are in knife edge. If the factory doesn't have their complaint line ringing off the hook, they should if the planes are landing at punishing speeds.
It is amazing to see how well these sell, they have an eye for what works. I think the important thing to success [besides performance] is packaging and getting the word out. I've noticed how some companies make a big initial investment in very expensive advertisement to get the ball rolling, then once the product gains momentum they pull back on the ads just enough to maintain a roll.
It is amazing to see how well these sell, they have an eye for what works. I think the important thing to success [besides performance] is packaging and getting the word out. I've noticed how some companies make a big initial investment in very expensive advertisement to get the ball rolling, then once the product gains momentum they pull back on the ads just enough to maintain a roll.
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RE: My first real speed plane
Perhaps due to the aformentioned goofy wing? I'm sure that when I align the inner edges my trim is going to change. Whether it then requires any elevator trim remains to be seen.
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
You know, Weston must have hundreds of these planes flying. So why is there so much controversy over the CG? A nose heavy plane just ''feels'' heavy in the sticks while it's flying and will zoom towards the canopy when you are in knife edge. If the factory doesn't have their complaint line ringing off the hook, they should if the planes are landing at punishing speeds.
It is amazing to see how well these sell. I think the important thing to success [besides performance] is packaging and getting the word out. I've noticed how some companies make a big initial investment in very expensive advertisement to get the ball rolling, then once the product gains momentum they pull back on the ads just enough to maintain a roll.
You know, Weston must have hundreds of these planes flying. So why is there so much controversy over the CG? A nose heavy plane just ''feels'' heavy in the sticks while it's flying and will zoom towards the canopy when you are in knife edge. If the factory doesn't have their complaint line ringing off the hook, they should if the planes are landing at punishing speeds.
It is amazing to see how well these sell. I think the important thing to success [besides performance] is packaging and getting the word out. I've noticed how some companies make a big initial investment in very expensive advertisement to get the ball rolling, then once the product gains momentum they pull back on the ads just enough to maintain a roll.
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RE: My first real speed plane
ORIGINAL: combatpigg
You know, Weston must have hundreds of these planes flying. So why is there so much controversy over the CG? A nose heavy plane just ''feels'' heavy in the sticks while it's flying and will zoom towards the canopy when you are in knife edge. If the factory doesn't have their complaint line ringing off the hook, they should if the planes are landing at punishing speeds.
You know, Weston must have hundreds of these planes flying. So why is there so much controversy over the CG? A nose heavy plane just ''feels'' heavy in the sticks while it's flying and will zoom towards the canopy when you are in knife edge. If the factory doesn't have their complaint line ringing off the hook, they should if the planes are landing at punishing speeds.
As to the CG - everyone who has appeared on RCU that I have seen has commented on the nose heavy feel and high landing speeds, and those who have taken the plunge and started moving the CG aft have reported positive results. No diff for me. I have never seen a report of someone moving it so far that it got sensitive, that I recall. The thing is, it's so crazy far forward at the factory forward level that the amount of backstick needed to flare in the glide is ludicrous. Maybe if you fly from flat grass fields with a clear approach from way out, it is not so big a deal. But start adding any challenges to the approach/landing and it can be a nightmare.
When I talked to Weston directly about it on their order/complaint line, they blew it off saying it helped it to groove. Mine grooved fine at 165mm and would flare. In other words I called and registered my thoughts and was essentially ignored. In the same conversation I was also told about the 248mph flight speeds of the factory team models. From my modest exposure to hobby marketing you usually see a very small percentage of feedback at the factory level, unless the thing just doesn't work at all or shows up busted. A lot of people assume that a flashily dressed commercial product must have it;s act togeh
On top of this it is a niche applicaiton product, and I think a lot of people blame themselves with landing troubles on their first or second high speed/highish wing loading model.
MJD
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RE: My first real speed plane
Heres a question. Is a nose heavy plane better suited for speed than a tail heavy model?
Or doesn't it matter or just preference.
Or doesn't it matter or just preference.