vmsguy

This is what I've been working on.

At last February's TCRC auction, I landed an unfinished GP Slow Poke 40 for a tidy $40.00.

Most construction is completed. Fuselage, wing, tail-feathers.

I've been looking at it for some time as a nice conversion project.

So when I saw it on the auction block, I said "Why not." And I got it for a good price.

So I've started the conversion process.

First, a battery hatch. I cut the top sheetnig away, then added an angled piece. This is so the hatch can swing up and out and minimize any gap needed. Second I added a radial mount firewall ahead of the original firewall and extended the lines to it.

A couple drill holes have magnets at the back of the hatch. And a simple 1/4" dowel in a hole provide a way to hold the front down. When I cover the plane, I will make sure to cover the magnets so they will have less tendency to work their way free.

MrMulligan

My Feedback: (314)

That's a good looking job. I'll be interested in the way you mount your motor, also what kind. I love Slowpokes.

nextofkin

My Feedback: (8)

I also have a Slow Poke .40 in kit form and was thinking of electric. Seen a video of one and it look like it flew very well, a 2200 mha battery 3 cell and a AXI 2826/12 motor was used, weight had to be added in the nose to balance so why not add another cell make it a 4 cell battery about 2800mha or 3000mha to help with weight and more power.
Just a thought
nextofkin

JohnShe

VMSGUY: You haven't posted for a while. What is your progress?

I am very interested because I have a SlowPoke NIB ready to electrocute myself. Right now I am doing a Pete N' Poke. It has a similar fuselage and required some modification to the nose. I put in a former in front of F1 that is tilted down and to the right 3 degrees each with blind nuts to mount the motor. I would be interested in seeing your method.

vmsguy

It has been a while...

But I finally figured out how I wanted to handle ESC mounting and cooling.

One of the distinctive features of the Slow Poke is the curved "chin" of the fuselage. I wanted to retain that look as much as I could. I have been considering a dug-out sort of arrangement, but concluded that would only work on fuselages that had flat bottom.

So, on the Slow Poke I built a channel for the ESC to sit in. Then a set of rails for a cover to cover most of the channel, still allowing air in, over the ESC, and out the back. The pictures probably show it better.

Next on the list. Engine mounting, battery mounting, arming switch mount.