iflircaircraft

Can someone measure the length of the wing struts and the landing gear? I have a kit built Topflite Cessna 182 (60) which needs a rebuild.

Tom

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I have both the kit built version and the ARF version in my shop right now and I can tell you for sure they are not the same. The landing gear from the ARFcould be made to workwith the kit version and the wing struts could probably also be made to work. I have compared the wings and they have a different cord length. Tomorrow I will measure the length of the ARF wing strut and let you know. I do not have the struts for the kit since they are built up and have not beenbuilt yet. The kit belongs to a friend who comes over and works on it when he has time. It is interesting to have both in the shop to compare.

iflircaircraft

Much appreciated Kap

spacefanmick

My Feedback: (1)

Lots of posts about the Top Flite a cessna 182 ARF. How many of you recieved the kit with wrinkles over the entire airframe?

bgoyos

Hi spacefanmick : No, nothing. The Top-Flite quality is almost perfect. Ok. you have to use your iron to blench some imperfections, but just 20 minutes. Have you found some problems on your Cessna 182?

spacefanmick

My Feedback: (1)

Yes ggoyos. My entire airframe was covered in wrinkles. Hundreds of them. Mostly small wave like wrinkles. I returned it to Tower and they refunded my money promptly. I want to order another. Was just feeling out the waters,see if it was a common problem. Read through hundreds of posts. And I feel confident mine was an anomaly.  I tried the heat gun and iron,with and without the sock. And the things just did not want to come out. And since it was over the entire airframe,I was worried about other things. Glue joints warping etc. but I think I am confident enough now. To order another. I've been building and flying for 40 years. And the covering job was the worst I had ever seen. And that includes my first Goldberg Falcon 56 back in the 70's. lol. I think the ARF must have suffered through some kind of heat related incidence. Going to order another,see how it goes. Thanks

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I believe Top Flite has had issues with quality control recently. I've read about their Corsair and I've got a P-51, both have lots of wrinkles in the covering. That being said, I just completed assembling the P-51 and a friend of mine is now assembling the P-47 and the airframes on both seem to be ok. The only issues other than wrinkles on boththe P-47 and the P-51was the fit of the fiberglass parts was not very good.
If you do decide to buy another one be sure to read post #1164 concerning the flap instellation.


iflircaircraft - I'm sorry, I completley forgot to measure the length of the struts. I'll try to remember to do it tomorrow.

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I remembered to measure the struts today. They are 18" overall and 17 1/8th" from hole to hole.

Pascal1909

Hey guys,
I'm also flying this nice cessna. Bought it last year, build it and have flown it for one time. My rudder is flapping, will move the rudder servo to the rear hopefully flapping will stop.

I mounted a Zenoah G20 with default exhaust and electric ignition. Very niceflightcharacteristics:-)

Pictures will be uploaded after mounting the rudder servo..

iflircaircraft

Thanks Kap

bearcatt1

My Feedback: (1)

There is some info on post #1083 #1079 and throughout this article about Rudder Flutter on this aircraft design. I followed their advice and change mine to a pull pull system for greater control. Good luck!

Check out my flight on my YouTube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGAEAPBHJHQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player

bgoyos

Thanks for sharing your video. Nice flight. Your DLE responses very well. Wich prop are you using?

bearcatt1

My Feedback: (1)

Zoar 15 x 8 or APC 15x 8

spacefanmick

My Feedback: (1)

I recieved my replacement Cessna 182 today from Tower Hobbies. This ARF arrived in great condition. There are only a few wrinkles( comman type always expected in any ARF ) The difference in this kit from the one I got a few weeks ago is night and day. And I'm very glad I returned the very wrinkled first kit. I want to commend Tower,they gladly refunded my money. And as I requested the warehouse opened the second kit and inspected it before shipment (ok I have to assume they did Either way I am very pleased with the plane,the quality and Tower Hobbies customer service. THANK YOU. Now I can't wait to get started..

handyman 220

My Feedback: (54)

Towers customer service is second to none in my book. I have never had any problems they did not resolve to my satisfaction.

cstevenpeterson

My Feedback: (21)

Same here. I just did the same with the TF P-40 ARF. The new one is on it's way. I have no reason to buy from anyone else.....

Steve

Pascal1909

Hey guys,

all problems like rudder flatting and the front gear installation had been fixed. The Zenoah G20 settings are perfect, so i made the flights from 2 to 6. Very nice plane! Love it to fly.

- Engine is a Zenoah G20 with electric ignition (3 Cells NiMh) and default muffler.
- Fuel/Oil mixture: Super 95 with Bel-Ray 1:50 (acutally 1:40 for break-in)
- Takeoff weight is about 7kg (15,43 lbs)

I did some modification:

- to eliminate the rudder flatting i moved the servo from the front to the rear and changed the linkage to a ball-head system
- the front gear linkage was changed to a direct connection and a separate micro servo also with a ball-head system at one side
- i installed a dual-power system (powerbox evolution) for the servos, with this, currents up to 10A are possible. This is required because 7 digital servos are mounted and need a lot of current.
- 2 lipos with each 7,4V for the powerbox
- no cockpit installed

Have a look at the pictures and enjoy the second takeoff at the video.

regards from germany,
Pascal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLjnzMUIWEQ

spd101

Mine just came in. Going with a Saito 100, hitec 425bb servos on 6volt system 2000mah, and a 750mah on r/c switch. If i remsmbsr dight ond of the magazines did a review on this a while back, does anybody remembsd what magazine and issue? Thanm you all for making this new bird better by your experience

spd101

very few wrinkles in mine

spd101

The review for this is in the September 2009 Model Airplane News, mine is coming along really well. I had no problem setting up the flaps per the instructions, i added milled fiberglass in the epoxy for the rudder bearing and the part that goes into the rudder. I ended up using hitec 585 hb servos 89oz @6 volts, the servo speed function on my 9303 makes the flaps look feally cool

Mikael-OEMF

I bought me a Topflite Cessna 182 ARF from a clubmember who has given up flying. He never got around to assembling this kit. I just glued the wing together with epoxy. And isn't it nice. I got my servo tester and a freshly charged battery to zero the servos. Attached it to the connector for the wing tip light and one isn't working. Port side got no light. Starboard light works.

How do I go about changing the bulb without cutting in the wing? And where do I get another of these bulbs?

best regards

Mikael

KaP2011

My Feedback: (17)

I believe you're going to have to replace the wingtip. I don't know that you can replace just the light bulb.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXVZC3&P=Z

spd101

someone in a earlier post had the same thing happen, i hooked all mine up several times to make sure they worked, best bet might be to replace the tip as just mentioned

Mikael-OEMF

Ok. Thank You guys

spd101

how is your assembly going Mikael?