Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Yes, Thanks Mike!
So a little more progress on the Songbird...I have all control surface servo's set, throttle servo's set on #1 and #2 engines. Mechanically they are exactly the same so on engine run up they should be pretty close with only slight tweaking needed. Electric rear works perfectly...no cross talk...But the biggest revelation and one of the top things I was worried about...the CG...it is very close. Once I put the cowls, props and hubs on, it will be very close. I had visions of it being very nose heavy so I moved the elevator and rudder servos to the rear of the fuselage. Turns out that was a good move! Hopefully next week I can do a wet test at the field to check all the systems in operation with engines running! Starting to get nervous already!
M

crknispel

My Feedback: (13)

where where you able to find fiberglass nose and engine nacilles your masterpiece ismaking me want to spend a couple of winters and try to build one myself also what size is wingspan and engine size if you can replywould be great charles

WARBIRDRCER

My Feedback: (22)

Charles,

There is a person I can put you in contact with that has a full wood kit, robart gear, plans, and glass parts and wants to sell. PM me and I will connect you with him. I wanted to buy, but was not able to meet the price, which really would not be bad for what he has.

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Well, I think she will fly! I took the Songbird out to a paved road near my house, tied her to a lamp post (Hopefully this is the last time she will be tethered by rope or gravity)! Ran the engines and they performed perfectly! Well, that is after I got the ignition turned on…both engines run at very close to the same RPM at ½ to full throttle… I adjusted each throttle servo for a solid idle with the trim at neutral…high for safety and low will kill the engines…although each has its own kill switch. Taxied her for a block or 2, everything held together! Just love that twin engine sound! No RFI although I didn't do a range check this time. Cowls, prop hubs and hatches are back on. I think the CG is quite close but will double check along with a lot of other stuff before the first flight. Next Saturday, weather permitting, I think she will fly!
M

rhsmrt50

......All I can say is "BEAUTIFUL"..........simply beautiful.............great job Murphey!!!!

Rich.

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks Rich! I think she's ready to fly...and I think I'm ready to fly her as well! And that part has been as much a process as anything! The fun part is that it takes 2 trips to the field...first the wing and then the fuselage, and 2 trips home! I'll post some pics post flight!
M

WARBIRDRCER

My Feedback: (22)

Looks great Murphey,

Keep us posted.

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Well guys...she's not a Hangar Queen any longer! With the help of a friend we took the Songbird out to the flying field early this morning. I ran the motors, had to lean out #2 engine just a bit, but that meant removing the cowl...so 20 minutes later did a range check and taxied out to the runway. I was planning to do a couple high speed taxis and on the 2nd one, well, she just wanted to fly! The G26's are just the right power, she tracked right down the runway and lifted off and climbed for the sky! I didn't retract the gear...I honestly forgot about it! I needed several clicks of left aileron but that was about all! She lands like a dream. No tendencies to tip stall or other bad habits! I set up for the landing, gave her a bit of throttle to flatten the decent, she leveled out, pulled the power back and she floated down like a feather! I'll post some photos shortly...gotta calm down for a while!
M

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Here are a few photos. I have a video I will post to YouTube...that is when I figure out how to do it!
M

WARBIRDRCER

My Feedback: (22)

Thanks for sharing Murphey, Good show

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Here is a link to the landing of my first flight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL68ANTy208

M

dauntlessuk

Murphey,
This is great news. Congratulations on the very successful first flight. Your model looks great in the air and does you credit. So that's another T-50 on the airworthy register! Looking forward to news of other models making their maiden flights this summer.
My project is on hold as the new workshop is not ready yet. One day it will get started though. I'm still thinking about engines. Glow or gas? 2 stroke or 4 stroke? Or should I go electric?
Too many choices.
David

Murphey

My Feedback: (11)

Thanks David! So get that shop finished! In the decision making matrix for engines, the Songbird weighs 32 pounds and was powered by Zenoah G-26's swinging 18 X 6 props at about 7,800RPM. The runway is 6000'ASL. Having the experience of now 1 flight...I think these engines provided about the right power but is deffinately not overpowered. I had about a 100ft takeoff roll gradually adding throtle to full power. It easily climbed out and I felt like I could have made a banked turn right away with no fear of a stall. So Glow, Gas or Electric are all worthy power sources, just make sure there is enough.
M

dauntlessuk

Thanks Murphey,
I would like to use Saito FG-21 gas four stroke engines but I have heard quite a few negative comments about these 4 cycle motors - so I'm not sure. I do have 2 x Saito 115 F/S and 2 X Saito 150 F/S motors already. So I'm reckoning on using one or the other. I feel the 150's will be too much power and use too much fuel. The 115's are light and powerful (rated at 2.1bhp) so I'm tending to think I'll use these.
On the other hand, electric would be a guarantee that 1 motor wouldn't stop go dead in flight! But I don't have any and I don't have the required Lipo batteries either.
Too much choice is a bad thing sometimes.
David

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

You could covert the 150s to ignition, not gas, but spark ignition on alcohol and save about 25% in fuel consumption as well as pickup a few RPMs.

SpaceRanger

Looks like RC Universe has changed the forum software on us. My old link to this forum did not work.

WARBIRDRCER

My Feedback: (22)

RPRC and WARBIRDRCER T-50 Bobcat update:

WARBIRDRCER

My Feedback: (22)

Forgot to mention the aircraft is covered in Stits light fabric using Doug Stewart's, Stewart Systems water base glue. This is a great way to apply fabric without the fumes that come with most fabric glues and dopes. Doug also has a water born paint line and can supply you with military colors.

dauntlessuk

Hope everyone's doing well this summer. I have had more flights than for some time - mostly been flying my Vought Kingfisher.
Any news of other T50 flights this summer?
WarbirdRcer's super model looks like it is progressing fast. Is it near completion now?
Any more flights Murphey?
Regards
David

pipes396

My Feedback: (10)

Hey guys. Check out RCU. I bought this package last year to start over the winter. Plans changed and I have to let it go. Anyone who is looking to build a T-50 can pick up a nice full kit, retracts, and a cockpit kit at almost a 30% discount.

jdhughen

My Feedback: (1)

Just thought I give this thread and additional bump. It's been silent for some time. I see Murphey has been flying but don't see anything from Rich since early July. Hey Rich, you still with us ???
Thinking you might be close to done by now. Dying to see the finished product.

Joel

WARBIRDRCER

My Feedback: (22)

Paint is going on:

dauntlessuk

It's looking very good Warbirdracer! Should be ready for next spring I guess?

I've decided to go electric with my T-50 project (when I get started that is). Seen some very convincing big electric models recently and it will avoid the "one engine out" worry.

Any news on other T-50 models?

And finally.... Happy Christmas to all of you who read this thread and all the best with your building projects.

David

WARBIRDRCER

My Feedback: (22)

dauntlessuk, Thanks for the compliment. I also painted the wing, but still need to take some photos. Also, spring is my plan for flying it.

Electric would be a good option. I converted a couple 60 size warbirds for a friend to electric and I was impressed with the performance, not to mention the convenience. The Hanger 9 P-47 has a E-flight Power-60, while the Top Flight kit built P-40 has the P-90. Both are operated with 80 amp speed controls and 5000mah Li-Pos.

Nots ure about the other T-50 builders here. Hopefully this conversation with spark some post from them concerning their projects.

Merry Christmas to you and all,

WARBIRDRCER

My Feedback: (22)

Still painting. Going for this look.