E Flite AT-6 Texan Convert to GLOW!
03-25-2013, 02:11 PM
#176
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RE: E Flite AT-6 Texan Convert to GLOW!
I have flown it! Over the weekend, I made 4 flights on it. Sorry no pictures,yet. The engine runs great, no cooling issues. The old Rhom- Air and Robart air retract set up holds air for days. I did have to add a little more nose weight to tame down the pitch control (1 oz.)
The main issue is the ground handling. Wow is it squirlly! I tried to bring the wheel location back some, but then they would not go in the wells. So I am afraid I'll have to live with it. I will have to put some small skids on the trailing edge of the wingtips, so they will not get ground down. There is one other issue about the stall characteristics. This thing really snaps! And if held, will spin very tightly. So no really tight turns or getting too slow!
If you thought the fuse was crowded before take a look at how it finally wound up. Stand by for flight pics.........
The main issue is the ground handling. Wow is it squirlly! I tried to bring the wheel location back some, but then they would not go in the wells. So I am afraid I'll have to live with it. I will have to put some small skids on the trailing edge of the wingtips, so they will not get ground down. There is one other issue about the stall characteristics. This thing really snaps! And if held, will spin very tightly. So no really tight turns or getting too slow!
If you thought the fuse was crowded before take a look at how it finally wound up. Stand by for flight pics.........
03-28-2013, 08:17 PM
#177
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RE: E Flite AT-6 Texan Convert to GLOW!
Flight pictures!!! Thanks to Jeromy (Hellcat Ace) I flew, he took the pics. Late in the day today, and a little cloudy.
Only one pic per post allowed
Only one pic per post allowed
A find job indeed.
03-31-2013, 08:19 PM
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RE: E Flite AT-6 Texan Convert to GLOW!
Thanks guys! Ive got 9 flights on it now and the test phase is over. My rear pilot came loose and I had to fish in there with a few tools to glue him back down with shoe goo. That's all all I had in the shop that would work well. I added some metal skids under the wingtips for the groundlooping. I still am developing the skills to safely take off. That is the worst part. With the flaps down it really comes in slow. It has a very bad snap stall, so down the road I hope I never get it too slow. I was thinking about bringing it to a local scale contest, but at medium to low cruise speeds the wings rock with any breeze. But at higher speeds it is stable and does manuvers with precision. The final weight is 5.75 lbs. To me it feels light, and it is lighter than the old Jemco T-6. The construction is very light, with soft balsa and thin structural members. The glassed skin helps, but in a crash this thing will explode. This concludes another ARF bash. New for me was making rivets for the first time. The building board is cleaned off, now to move on to the next project!
And remember "It does not have to be GIANT to be scale"
And remember "It does not have to be GIANT to be scale"
04-02-2013, 06:00 AM
#190
RE: E Flite AT-6 Texan Convert to GLOW!
The issue I'm having with my Texan is the airspeed required for landing. Normally that wouldn't be an issue however, we do not have a tarmac landing strip and with the plane being so small (and more fragile then I'd like - as you stated) it doesn't take too kindly to the bumps we have on our landing strip. I'm going to install the flaps and see if it'll help but, a rough landing strip just doesn't play nice with this sized Texan. But you are right, landing the AT-6 requires a keen sense of stall awareness because there is no forgiveness if and when it happens on landing (ouch!).AT-6: School Marm With an Attitude (http://www.airbum.com/pireps/PirepT-6.html)
"Every time I get ready to land a Six I can feel my mouth start to turn to dust, a trait experienced Six drivers say is good. At least I'm not over-confident (an understatement), since most of the Six's reputation for being cantankerous comes from the landing phase."
"Every time I get ready to land a Six I can feel my mouth start to turn to dust, a trait experienced Six drivers say is good. At least I'm not over-confident (an understatement), since most of the Six's reputation for being cantankerous comes from the landing phase."
"Actually, the only assumption you can make about a T-6 at all is that it is going to swerve one way or the other and you can't be sure which way. So you plan accordingly, getting your nerves and feet ready to handle whatever it dishes out."
