Kit Built Kadet Senior Sport
04-02-2015, 06:29 AM
#428
The source of rubber bands can also make a big difference. I only buy from SIG or Hobbico and I prefer the SIG rubber bands. Also pay attention to the recommended size. I always put the bands on, crisscrossing every other layer, then pick up the airplane by the wing tips and shake it up and down to see if the wing leaves the cradle. If it does I add two bands and check again. I like having an extra set on to be safe. I'll store them in a ziplock bag of baby powder between flights and never use them more than a single summer most time less if I fly a lot. Like the man said bands are cheap. I haven't loss a wing yet.
04-02-2015, 07:11 AM
#429
Tom, I'm probably a couple of weeks away from my maiden also. Temps here in the Southwest have been in the mid eighty's. I just need to add the decals, windows and that scary windshield. Remember, I'm doing the kit, not the ARF. The first Pic shows it covered in China Coat dark yellow, and It complements the Shell decals very nicely. I didn't want it to be an exact match, but just give it some contrast with a different shade of darker yellow. The China Coat might not be as good as Ultra Coat, but it's at least as good as Monokote, and I like it very much. It's about $9.50 for a 5 meter roll from HK. That's over 16 feet guys. I bent a longer set of LG struts to allow my 15" electric prop to clear the ground, but I don't like them. While they might be fully functional, they look too spindly. I need ideas from you guys on how to make them look more realistic ? I will even consider pre bent Duraluminum. Who is that guy who custom bends them ? The second Pic shows how nice the battery hatch came out. Both the 4s, 4000 mah battery and ESC are accessible from this hatch. This morning I ran it up on the back porch, and it pulls like a mule. It came out at 6.5 pounds fully loaded, and ready to fly. I fabricated that tray holding the receiver and two servos to slide back and forth in the cabin and achieve balance. It balances perfectly right where you see it located in the Pic.
That's about all that I have for now. I would like to hear some ideas from you guys on how I might cover those steel struts and make them look better ? I bent them from 5/32" music wire, the same diameter that is supplied in the kit.
Ed
That's about all that I have for now. I would like to hear some ideas from you guys on how I might cover those steel struts and make them look better ? I bent them from 5/32" music wire, the same diameter that is supplied in the kit.
Ed
Larry/Instructor
04-03-2015, 06:45 PM
#430
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Thanks for that Instructor Larry, but I discarded the bent wire idea, it just didn't look right. Instead I have ordered a custom bent aluminum gear from TNT. http://www.tntlandinggear.com/ This however, it's going to set back my launch date by at least two weeks.
Ed
Ed
Last edited by Ed; 04-03-2015 at 06:56 PM.
04-03-2015, 07:55 PM
#432
Hi Ed,
The landing gear from a Four Star 120 work perfectly on a Kadet Senior. You might find some from a fellow hobbyist or rob one from a kit. Or you could order it from Sig too. I have a set on My Kadet in my gallery if you wish to look
Hope this helps
Carlos G
The landing gear from a Four Star 120 work perfectly on a Kadet Senior. You might find some from a fellow hobbyist or rob one from a kit. Or you could order it from Sig too. I have a set on My Kadet in my gallery if you wish to look
Hope this helps
Carlos G
04-03-2015, 09:35 PM
#433
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" I have ordered a custom bent aluminum gear from TNT. http://www.tntlandinggear.com/ "
Last edited by Ed; 04-03-2015 at 09:41 PM.
04-04-2015, 03:14 AM
#434
Thread Starter
TnT should do a ice job on your landing gear. I've used them in the past.
Since I had it, I used the Kadet Senior Sport landing gear. I used the Sport's LG mounting block, too. It fit perfectly into the Kadet Seniors fuselage, with no modification to either the block, or the fuselage.
Since I had it, I used the Kadet Senior Sport landing gear. I used the Sport's LG mounting block, too. It fit perfectly into the Kadet Seniors fuselage, with no modification to either the block, or the fuselage.
04-04-2015, 03:15 AM
#435
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Hey Ed, I hope I'm wrong, but if not it may take longer. I've ordered from TNT three times now and never got anything inside of a month from them. The first order took a month and a half. They also probably won't answer the phones when you call to inquire, or emails for that matter. In the end, you will get your gear, just not quite in the time specified. And yes, I do still continue to order from them, I just expect it to take a month. I'm sure that's not what you want to hear, but I'm also sure you'd rather be expecting it. Who knows, maybe you'll have a different experience.
04-04-2015, 03:56 PM
#437
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The nice TNT lady on the phone said 10 - 14 days, so I gotta respect that. So if it takes a little longer, I'll just fly something else. Gear from another plane might have worked fine, but I wanted to insure that my 15 inch prop had adequate clearance, and made the legs a little longer, and I feel comfortable doing it this way. Matching the correct prop size and motor are very critical in electric, not only to insure performance, but to avoid smoking the motor, ESC, or battery.
So here it sits without legs; I guess that I could do a little more trimming .
So here it sits without legs; I guess that I could do a little more trimming .
04-04-2015, 04:18 PM
#438
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Just didn't want you to be surprised IF it took longer. Hopefully it won't. Im sure your excited to get that beauty in the air. Hey, you can always hand launch and belly land. Lol.no, really, looks nice.
04-05-2015, 07:33 AM
#441
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04-13-2015, 12:53 PM
#444
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Well the TNT gear did arrive in under two weeks, so I'm happy about that. The gear is now hanging outside painted and drying. While I am waiting, let me ask you all a question ? What kind of "Ready to Fly" all up weights have you been ending up with, using about a 45 to 50 size engine, or equivalent size electric motor ? That's with a full tank if glow or gas, and ready to fly ? I'm looking to keep my electric version under 7 pounds RTF, does that sound reasonable ? ? ?
Ed
Ed
04-13-2015, 01:07 PM
#445
Thread Starter
I seldom weigh my models. They weigh what they weigh. LOL
I think the AF Kadet Sport weights 7 pounds. I would think it would be difficult to keep the kit built version in that range.
I'm assembling a Kadet Sport ARf right now. It's definately lighter than my kit built model.
I think the AF Kadet Sport weights 7 pounds. I would think it would be difficult to keep the kit built version in that range.
I'm assembling a Kadet Sport ARf right now. It's definately lighter than my kit built model.
04-13-2015, 02:49 PM
#446
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" I'm assembling a Kadet Sport ARf right now. It's definately lighter than my kit built model " - Tom
Tom, not having any experience with the ARF version, I don't understand. They are the same dimensions, aren't they ? Why should that be ?
Ed
Last edited by Ed; 04-13-2015 at 05:27 PM.
04-14-2015, 03:42 AM
#447
Thread Starter
The ARF is built lighter, with a more modern design.
Initially, the construction method looks the same, but after you look into it, you notice that the ARF has jig lock construction, using thinner wood.
Initially, the construction method looks the same, but after you look into it, you notice that the ARF has jig lock construction, using thinner wood.
04-17-2015, 02:45 PM
#449
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Senior maiden ed today 4/17/2015. Final RTF weight is a scooch under 7 pounds. Turnigy G-46, 420 KV motor, 4S 4000 mah LiPo for 10 minutes plus. I was concerned about those little 3" Golden Age wheels that I found in my junk box, but they were absolutely no problem. It exceeded all of my exportations. Thanks for all of your help here in this thread for making it happen.
Ed
Ed
Last edited by Ed; 04-17-2015 at 02:56 PM.
04-17-2015, 03:05 PM
#450
Thread Starter
Congrats on the maiden, Ed ! I'm glad that your model flew better than you had envisioned.
I had planned to maiden mine today, too. I started the day by performing the maiden on my Ace 4-40. It flew well, powered by an OS .52 4 stroke. I got it dialed in, and put in 4 flights.
I spent the day with the 4-40, so the Kadet never took to the air.
Here are a few pics of the 4-40.
I had planned to maiden mine today, too. I started the day by performing the maiden on my Ace 4-40. It flew well, powered by an OS .52 4 stroke. I got it dialed in, and put in 4 flights.
I spent the day with the 4-40, so the Kadet never took to the air.
Here are a few pics of the 4-40.
Last edited by TomCrump; 04-17-2015 at 05:42 PM.