AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
#927
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Steelie - I wouldn't worry about the struts that come with Spring Airs now. I believe it is just my set that are screwed up from being a mismatched set. I think the struts they are supplying now with the HD versions are similar to the Robart ones. Either retract will work fine, as the Robart 700's are also recommended by Alex of AKM.
Mods - This is a Deans whip antenna. Very similar to the Revolution whip. I have used these with great success in the past, so I decided to use one here. I still have to perform a range check, etc, to ensure I have a good signal. [link=http://store.xtremercproducts.com/wsd1101.html]http://store.xtremercproducts.com/wsd1101.html[/link] I think I cut my antenna wire at the 10" mark suggested in the directions. It leaves a little play for installing the Rx in the nozzle. What I did was make an access hatch from underneath the fuse, pull some string from the aft end of the plane, up through the center section to the hatch, and installed the antenna from the bottom. After I was done, I screwed the hatch in place (single screw) and sealed up the seams with covering so no oil could get in. The antenna comes white, and I used a red permanent marker and colored it red to blend in with the fuse.
Spar
Mods - This is a Deans whip antenna. Very similar to the Revolution whip. I have used these with great success in the past, so I decided to use one here. I still have to perform a range check, etc, to ensure I have a good signal. [link=http://store.xtremercproducts.com/wsd1101.html]http://store.xtremercproducts.com/wsd1101.html[/link] I think I cut my antenna wire at the 10" mark suggested in the directions. It leaves a little play for installing the Rx in the nozzle. What I did was make an access hatch from underneath the fuse, pull some string from the aft end of the plane, up through the center section to the hatch, and installed the antenna from the bottom. After I was done, I screwed the hatch in place (single screw) and sealed up the seams with covering so no oil could get in. The antenna comes white, and I used a red permanent marker and colored it red to blend in with the fuse.
Spar
#928
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RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Steelie, I had a similar problem with my spring air struts but it did not prevent my gear from fully retracting. I prefer the Spring Air mechanism becouse it has the failsafe feature of lowering the gear by "spring" action if the air pressure drops of due to a leak or line rupture. I also charged my Spring Air System a few months ago and the gear still retracted (slowly) this week - tight system.
#929
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RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
ORIGINAL: Sparhawk
This is a Deans whip antenna. Very similar to the Revolution whip. I have used these with great success in the past, so I decided to use one here.
Spar
This is a Deans whip antenna. Very similar to the Revolution whip. I have used these with great success in the past, so I decided to use one here.
Spar
#930
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Yep, the whip is removeable, and is only put on finger tight, as tight as you can get - no tools! I don't think it is necessary to remove it since it is only 6 1/2" long. Unless you are working on the plane upside down in a foam cradle, for instance. For $8, it is cheap enough to have a spare antenna lying around too.... just in case it happens to vibrate loose, but I have never lost one yet.
Spar
Mods-R-Me - if you want the lettering and the number templates, as well as the star pattern dimension file, let me know and I can zip them up and email them to you later tonight. It should save you some time.
Spar
Mods-R-Me - if you want the lettering and the number templates, as well as the star pattern dimension file, let me know and I can zip them up and email them to you later tonight. It should save you some time.
#931
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Markings are now complete! Now she looks finished.
All done in Mokokote, then sealed in with a layer of clear Monokote. The white is actually a lower temp SolarFilm, so that it wouldn't lift and bubble the blue drop shadow pieces underneath. Talk about time consuming...[:'(] but worth the effort I think. Maiden flight is scheduled for tomorrow.
Cheers,
Spar
All done in Mokokote, then sealed in with a layer of clear Monokote. The white is actually a lower temp SolarFilm, so that it wouldn't lift and bubble the blue drop shadow pieces underneath. Talk about time consuming...[:'(] but worth the effort I think. Maiden flight is scheduled for tomorrow.
Cheers,
Spar
#932
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Hoorah!!! Another Flanker gets some wind under its wings!
Out to the field this morning, hot, and a sign of winds picking up.... bloody 90 degree crosswind too [>:]. Not impressed, but my buddy Al, who is a smokin pilot said he'd take it up and ring it out. So, I let him. I did a once over of all the linkages, etc, and with the Dean's antenna, performed a good range check and I stopped walking after 100'. It performed flawlessly. I am sold on those antennas. Back to the maiden. I fueled her up with some 15% Cool Power Heli formula that I had, primed the engine, and hit her with the glow power. She sputtered a bit then died. Opened up the carb a wee bit more and spun her up. She caught and held her own, then I set up the high needle. Low was fine as transition was bang on and instantaneous. Time to fly. Tracking on takeoff could have been better, but I saw that Al had the rudder on high rates. It took zero, and I mean zero, trim. CG was dead on, but a bit hard to tell with the winds we had, so it needs flights in calmer days to say so for sure. Fast, but the 12x6 may not be the best prop as it had to be flown in the upper 25% to really move, so I am going to try a 12x8 and see how that does. Set up for approach and greased her in. Gear held up, except I forgot to flat file the same set screw on both mains and they twisted outward. Fixed it at the field with a file. I thought I covered everything, but it goes to show you that you can always forget something!
So, she looks bloody good in the air. Tracks great and is not bad for a propjet. I am glad I went with this scheme, but it's a scheme I wouldn't recommend to anyone due the work involved. The guys were impressed with it though, so I am pretty pleased with her overall. I did have some video, but the camera guy screwed up his camera and deleted the file later in the day ... We will try again later in the week to get a good flight video done. Here are a few pics, of a few pose shots, the Flanker just breaking ground on takeoff, one in the air and a landing pic.
Now go fly something fast!!!
Out to the field this morning, hot, and a sign of winds picking up.... bloody 90 degree crosswind too [>:]. Not impressed, but my buddy Al, who is a smokin pilot said he'd take it up and ring it out. So, I let him. I did a once over of all the linkages, etc, and with the Dean's antenna, performed a good range check and I stopped walking after 100'. It performed flawlessly. I am sold on those antennas. Back to the maiden. I fueled her up with some 15% Cool Power Heli formula that I had, primed the engine, and hit her with the glow power. She sputtered a bit then died. Opened up the carb a wee bit more and spun her up. She caught and held her own, then I set up the high needle. Low was fine as transition was bang on and instantaneous. Time to fly. Tracking on takeoff could have been better, but I saw that Al had the rudder on high rates. It took zero, and I mean zero, trim. CG was dead on, but a bit hard to tell with the winds we had, so it needs flights in calmer days to say so for sure. Fast, but the 12x6 may not be the best prop as it had to be flown in the upper 25% to really move, so I am going to try a 12x8 and see how that does. Set up for approach and greased her in. Gear held up, except I forgot to flat file the same set screw on both mains and they twisted outward. Fixed it at the field with a file. I thought I covered everything, but it goes to show you that you can always forget something!
So, she looks bloody good in the air. Tracks great and is not bad for a propjet. I am glad I went with this scheme, but it's a scheme I wouldn't recommend to anyone due the work involved. The guys were impressed with it though, so I am pretty pleased with her overall. I did have some video, but the camera guy screwed up his camera and deleted the file later in the day ... We will try again later in the week to get a good flight video done. Here are a few pics, of a few pose shots, the Flanker just breaking ground on takeoff, one in the air and a landing pic.
Now go fly something fast!!!
#934
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RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Spar, that is great news. Congratulations on the maiden. Those are some good looking photos. I'll post them soon on my web site with the other SU-27 Flankers (http://iflyrc.hypermart.net).
The flats on the landing gear is the only thing left to do on mine. I will keep you all posted on my maiden to take place in the next two weeks.
The flats on the landing gear is the only thing left to do on mine. I will keep you all posted on my maiden to take place in the next two weeks.
#936
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Thanks guys, but I also have to thank everyone else here, that has provided tips, mods, and recommendations, etc, that made this plane a success. Not just mine, but for anyone that is currently building one. With a forum such as this, it is great to have a place where ideas and experiences can be shared. Success rates are much better because of it and it shows!
If I can get a decent video done, I will post it, so stay tuned!
Spar
(Bob - I just may have to cough up the $ for a real engine one of these days...)
If I can get a decent video done, I will post it, so stay tuned!
Spar
(Bob - I just may have to cough up the $ for a real engine one of these days...)
#939
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RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Took the flanker to do the maiden today. The good news is I brought it home just like I took it out. The bad news is, we did not fly because the engine would not run properly with the exhaust extension I put on the tuned pipe.
To make a long story short, I broke in the OS 91FX with the tuned pipe but I did not use any deflector or extension on the end of the pipe. In order to direct the exhaust residue out the bottom of the plane, I added an extension that ran from the end of the pipe, through the fake engine intake and out the bottom of the plane. I used a large diameter blue silicon tube. It obviously caused some back pressure issues as we could not get a consistent transition to the high end - engine cut off at half throttle.
I may try to rig something up to allow the use of the pipe but I think I will just buy a Jett mufller and be done with it. Quite disappointing for me and the guys at the field.
To make a long story short, I broke in the OS 91FX with the tuned pipe but I did not use any deflector or extension on the end of the pipe. In order to direct the exhaust residue out the bottom of the plane, I added an extension that ran from the end of the pipe, through the fake engine intake and out the bottom of the plane. I used a large diameter blue silicon tube. It obviously caused some back pressure issues as we could not get a consistent transition to the high end - engine cut off at half throttle.
I may try to rig something up to allow the use of the pipe but I think I will just buy a Jett mufller and be done with it. Quite disappointing for me and the guys at the field.
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RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Vic,
I thought you tried it with the extension on the bench ?
try bending up something like that from thin-wall alumium tubing - see if it works any better.
When you bend the silicone a bit, it tends to flatten out and choke off the cross-section - gets tighter.
Bob
I thought you tried it with the extension on the bench ?
try bending up something like that from thin-wall alumium tubing - see if it works any better.
When you bend the silicone a bit, it tends to flatten out and choke off the cross-section - gets tighter.
Bob
#941
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Sorry to hear of your troubles Vic. I am sure you will get them sorted out then you will really enjoy this plane.
I attended a large event in Eastern Canada this weekend (Great Atlantic Fun Fly), but turnout was not very good due to the heavy winds on Saturday. This plane flies on the Jett pipe like there is no tomorrow. I changed up to an APC 12x8 and it rocks! I might even try out a 12x10 to see what it will do, but I definitely like the 12x8. The sound from the pipe is very sweet and everyone at the Fun Fly commented on how it sounded... quiet! Tracking on the ashphalt was steady and presented no problems. High speed passes from a few hundred feet verticals was solid when doing passes at 6' over the runway. No signs of flutter at all. My upgrades to 1/8" wire on the stabs is solid. I am very, very, happy with this plane and setup. There were two TV crews doing some taping and video, so maybe it might show up in video sometime. RCTV was one of the crews.
They made us line up the planes on the runway for a photo session, and my Flanker got front row center for the cameras! Here are a few shots I managed to grab before they were dispersed.
Spar
I attended a large event in Eastern Canada this weekend (Great Atlantic Fun Fly), but turnout was not very good due to the heavy winds on Saturday. This plane flies on the Jett pipe like there is no tomorrow. I changed up to an APC 12x8 and it rocks! I might even try out a 12x10 to see what it will do, but I definitely like the 12x8. The sound from the pipe is very sweet and everyone at the Fun Fly commented on how it sounded... quiet! Tracking on the ashphalt was steady and presented no problems. High speed passes from a few hundred feet verticals was solid when doing passes at 6' over the runway. No signs of flutter at all. My upgrades to 1/8" wire on the stabs is solid. I am very, very, happy with this plane and setup. There were two TV crews doing some taping and video, so maybe it might show up in video sometime. RCTV was one of the crews.
They made us line up the planes on the runway for a photo session, and my Flanker got front row center for the cameras! Here are a few shots I managed to grab before they were dispersed.
Spar
#944
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
ORIGINAL: Sparhawk
Hoorah!!! Another Flanker gets some wind under its wings!
Out to the field this morning, hot, and a sign of winds picking up.... bloody 90 degree crosswind too [>:]. Not impressed, but my buddy Al, who is a smokin pilot said he'd take it up and ring it out. So, I let him. I did a once over of all the linkages, etc, and with the Dean's antenna, performed a good range check and I stopped walking after 100'. It performed flawlessly. I am sold on those antennas. Back to the maiden. I fueled her up with some 15% Cool Power Heli formula that I had, primed the engine, and hit her with the glow power. She sputtered a bit then died. Opened up the carb a wee bit more and spun her up. She caught and held her own, then I set up the high needle. Low was fine as transition was bang on and instantaneous. Time to fly. Tracking on takeoff could have been better, but I saw that Al had the rudder on high rates. It took zero, and I mean zero, trim. CG was dead on, but a bit hard to tell with the winds we had, so it needs flights in calmer days to say so for sure. Fast, but the 12x6 may not be the best prop as it had to be flown in the upper 25% to really move, so I am going to try a 12x8 and see how that does. Set up for approach and greased her in. Gear held up, except I forgot to flat file the same set screw on both mains and they twisted outward. Fixed it at the field with a file. I thought I covered everything, but it goes to show you that you can always forget something!
So, she looks bloody good in the air. Tracks great and is not bad for a propjet. I am glad I went with this scheme, but it's a scheme I wouldn't recommend to anyone due the work involved. The guys were impressed with it though, so I am pretty pleased with her overall. I did have some video, but the camera guy screwed up his camera and deleted the file later in the day ... We will try again later in the week to get a good flight video done. Here are a few pics, of a few pose shots, the Flanker just breaking ground on takeoff, one in the air and a landing pic.
Now go fly something fast!!!
Hoorah!!! Another Flanker gets some wind under its wings!
Out to the field this morning, hot, and a sign of winds picking up.... bloody 90 degree crosswind too [>:]. Not impressed, but my buddy Al, who is a smokin pilot said he'd take it up and ring it out. So, I let him. I did a once over of all the linkages, etc, and with the Dean's antenna, performed a good range check and I stopped walking after 100'. It performed flawlessly. I am sold on those antennas. Back to the maiden. I fueled her up with some 15% Cool Power Heli formula that I had, primed the engine, and hit her with the glow power. She sputtered a bit then died. Opened up the carb a wee bit more and spun her up. She caught and held her own, then I set up the high needle. Low was fine as transition was bang on and instantaneous. Time to fly. Tracking on takeoff could have been better, but I saw that Al had the rudder on high rates. It took zero, and I mean zero, trim. CG was dead on, but a bit hard to tell with the winds we had, so it needs flights in calmer days to say so for sure. Fast, but the 12x6 may not be the best prop as it had to be flown in the upper 25% to really move, so I am going to try a 12x8 and see how that does. Set up for approach and greased her in. Gear held up, except I forgot to flat file the same set screw on both mains and they twisted outward. Fixed it at the field with a file. I thought I covered everything, but it goes to show you that you can always forget something!
So, she looks bloody good in the air. Tracks great and is not bad for a propjet. I am glad I went with this scheme, but it's a scheme I wouldn't recommend to anyone due the work involved. The guys were impressed with it though, so I am pretty pleased with her overall. I did have some video, but the camera guy screwed up his camera and deleted the file later in the day ... We will try again later in the week to get a good flight video done. Here are a few pics, of a few pose shots, the Flanker just breaking ground on takeoff, one in the air and a landing pic.
Now go fly something fast!!!
Looks real nice
#945
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
In case anybody is curious as to what happened to mine. I bought the kit around the date I started this thread. Was to give me something to do "between jobs." After a few months i went back to work and had less time to spend on it. Darn thing was about 80% done and now it's sitting in the corner. Then I lost interest in it but at least all you guys are getting something good out of all this,
Later.
Later.
#946
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
I "borrowed" [8D] these pics from another site, but figured they deserve to be shown here. I am still trying to track down other pics.
Spar
Spar
#947
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RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Okay guys I think that maybe on my Flanker I'm banking it too steeply and thats why the nose drops. From the looks of the posted photos it is only banked half as much as I did mine on its second maiden (after repairs)[:@] Or do you guys think that I still have a nose heavy problem. I do have an eighteen oz. tank in mine do you think I don't need that much fuel? And dry it still balances out how the plans say with about 1/2 bls of lead in the rear and a 1500 ma battery pack "D" size sanyos in the tail cones.
#948
RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
nchrome, I am not sure how far you are banking the plane, but as you can see in the second pic, it is banked at close to 80 degrees. There was no sign of the nose dropping in the turns. Perhaps you did not have enough speed on? The wings are swept, so you need to fly this baby, not nurse it around the sky. I ran it up tonight at the field and I am getting a measurement of 12,500 rpms with the APC 12x8 prop and a slightly rich setting to give a visible trail in the sky. I am using a 16oz Great Planes fuel tank, and my battery is a 4 cell AA 2500mah NiMh pack in the port nozzle. Balance is on the front retract screws.
Spar
Spar
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RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
I'll try to rebalance at the point that you mentioned and see what happens the next time I fly her. I'll also see if I can get a little more speed out of her. You think that maybe I should go with a 12/6 or even a 12/10 prop? I'm flying with a ST 90 stock muffler of course later I plan on one of those Max headers.
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RE: AKM SU-27 Flanker-Does Look Good
Sparhawk,
the rpm/prop you noted is perfect for that setup. 12.5K at launch (slightly rich) is likely around 13,000 peak. I wouldnt change a thing
the rpm/prop you noted is perfect for that setup. 12.5K at launch (slightly rich) is likely around 13,000 peak. I wouldnt change a thing