VincentJ

Thank you! First off let me say that your Reed Falcon is superb. You may be right, the next time I visit my not so near hobby shop I'll have to check out some appropriate sized pilots, With the canopy off, I can spray on some frame detail...I love the way that you painted the pilot's helmet and added that small patch of checkerboard pattern to match the planes color theme. Hmm, you've given me some ideas (and more work). LOL Well done!!!

VincentJ

No pics to post, but I thought I would write a few words on the progress...

Last night the remaining aileron was covered and the last servo wire fished through the chase. Tonight I will epoxy the aileron hinges in place before retiring for bed. The punch list is growing shorter each passing day. Here's what's left:

- Adjust throws on all control surfaces.
- Mount the spinner (still waiting for delivery) and propeller.
- Mount the IBEC LED on fuselage.
- Adjust the CG to recommended specifications.
- Photo shoot!

kenpappas

I think you should turn off others from posting and possibly re-direct them to an email to comment. We are more interested in your build that we are comments from others. My 2 cents..

VincentJ

Ken, in the posts of my threads, I have tried to show others my "building style" for that plane being built. There will always be questions from others as to the how's and why's I do things a particular way. In some cases (as just recently), viewers offer their suggestions to make improvements. The banter that is fostered between builder and viewer is very enjoyable at least for me, and is always encouraged. Our hobby has always been one of sharing and helping and to that end that is what I am trying to do. When topics start to get off the subject then I would agree with you...

VincentJ

With the ailerons now hinged to their wing, the mounting of the hardware can begin. I'm using a Du-Bro Heavy Duty Control Horn. This is where the hard point that I installed earlier gets to do its job. As the control horn is tightened down, the balsa beneath the horn has not crushed! The exposed 6-32 cap screw threads are unsightly so here's what I did to dress it up a bit...




I cut a short section of 3/16" aluminum tubing and slipped it over the threads. This does nothing more than shield the threads from view.




Now the horn can be threaded on. The horn's pivot is directly over the hinge center line.

VincentJ

My spinner still has not arrived. Being anxious to see how my plane would fare in the weight and balancing department, I put on a temporary spinner. I'm using an electronic digital weight and balance meter made by Xicoy. This tool will give me accurate information regarding the plane's flying weight, CG position and lateral balance. Here are the results...




My Four Star sitting on the scales...




There is a weight scale beneath each of the main landing gear wheels and one under the tail wheel. Note that the plane is set level, this is how she will fly.




These scales are plugged into a small computer which will tell all, the good, the bad, and the ugly...




As you can see, I was able to keep the total flying weight just under 10 lbs! This tool has the ability to also check the plane's lateral balance by comparing the weight placed on the right and left main landing gear wheels. I'm very happy with the lateral results, not worth adjusting.




Using 3-3/8" CG dimension as my target I was spot on!!! No additional weight needed...

mgnostic

Vincent, thanks for the comments on my thread. I have to say, you are the king of fit and finish.

VincentJ

Sig Four Star 60 Build Specification Sheet


Flying Weight- 9.99 Lbs.
*CG- 3-5/8"

*May change depending on flight characteristics

Engine- DLE-20RA https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXDWDW
Prop- Mejzlik 16 x 8 Carbon Fiber Mejzlik 16x8 Carbon Propeller, from Mejzlik, mej-16x8 - Chief Aircraft Inc.
Spinner- 3" Tru-Turn https://www.truturn.com/
Gas Tank- Fourtitude 8 ounce tank https://fourtituderc.com/collections...l-tank-w-mount
Fuel Line- Sullivan ProFlex 5/32" ID http://sullivanproducts.com/product/s215/
Rudder Pull-Pull System- Du-Bro 4-40 Pull-Pull https://www.dubro.com/products/2-56-...ll-pull-system
Hinges- Robart 1/8" Steel Pin Hinge Point https://robart.com/products/1-8-stee...inge-points-15
Control Horn- Du-Bro Heavy Duty Control Horn https://www.dubro.com/products/heavy...horn-for-40-91
Ball Links- Du-Bro 4-40 Heavy Duty ball Links https://www.dubro.com/products/heavy-duty-ball-links
Titanium Pro-Links- Hangar 9 4-40 x 5" https://www.horizonhobby.com/titaniu...282%29-han3557
Wheels- Du-Bro 3.5" https://www.dubro.com/products/tread...nt=27880706887
Landing Gear- Graph Tech RC https://graphtechrcshop.com/
Tail Wheel- Graph Tech RC Tiller Tail Wheel https://graphtechrcshop.com/product.sc?productId=805&categoryId=41
Covering- Ultracote True Red https://www.horizonhobby.com/product...ue-red-hanu866
Battery- Hobbico LiFeSource 2100 mAh
Cowl- Fiberglass Specialties Fiberglass Specialties Inc Catalog
Wheel Pants- Fiberglass Specialties


ELECTRONICS

Radio Transmitter- Spektrum DX18QQ
Radio Receiver- Spektrum AR9140T (9 Channels)
Servos- Savox SA-1258TG https://www.amainhobbies.com/savox-s...1258tg/p262183
Throttle Servo- Savox SC-1258TG https://www.amainhobbies.com/savox-s...1258tg/p183316
Servo Arm- SWB Mfg. 1-1/4" Half Arm Futaba Aluminum Servo Arms Tapped for 4/40 - SWB MFG
IBEC- Ultra IBEC Tech-Aero Designs Ultra IBEC - Tech-Aero Designs LLC


ADHESIVES

Wood Glue- Titebond II
Epoxy- Bob Smith Industries (BSI) 30 minute Epoxy
Finishing Resin- Zap Z-Poxy Finishing Resin

kenpappas

Hi Vinnie,

I may have missed this as I was going over your parts list but can I ask what fuel line did you use? I keep hearing all these bad stories about ethanol gas and hardening of fuel lines but I also hear there is a line out there that prevents this. Thanks!

VincentJ

Sure Ken, Nice catch! I somehow overlooked including the fuel line in my Spec List. (I have now updated the Spec list) To give you a quick answer to your question; it's Sullivan ProFlex 5/32 ID fuel line. The old yellow Tygon fuel lines you see used on most gassers work well, but the clunk line inside of the tank always hardens and is a common source of dead sticking. As long as you don't have a problem removing your tank and replacing the clunk line at the end of the flying season you're good. There is a better product though (ProFlex) , that allows you to keep reusing the line in your tank. I've been using it now for 2 years and my clunk line is still as flexible as the day I installed it.

See page #8, Post # 182 for more details on clunk replacement.

GameEngineer

Well done! I plan to start this kit myself. I was looking for some good tips on this particular kit and came across your thread. Must say you are a master at building and this thread contains so much detailed information.

VincentJ

My assortment of bevel gauges that I made.




Sandpaper was secured to the inside.


Thank you GE, this is a great kit to build and it's very reasonably priced. Good luck with your project!

TCampbell

Oh my. I have a serious man-crush on those bevel gauges...

GameEngineer

Thank you and thanks for answering my PM question. Yes of course that makes sense. Bevel gauges for the control surface beveled edge. In fact it now reminds me of the Carl Goldberg J3 kit I built 12 years ago. It came with gauges for leading and trailing edges. I'm just getting back into kit building so I am rusty on the tricks and tools. But even then you do many things I hadn't thought of. On my last build I used the eye ball gauge method on the leading edge angles. It was "ok" but not professional looking.
Are they hand made or are they available somewhere?

VincentJ

Steve I made those gauges myself, but I know that Great Planes makes an aluminum version called Easy-Touch Contour Multi-Sander. The part number is :GPMR6190.
http://www.greatplanes.com/accys/gpmr6190.php

VincentJ

Just letting everyone know, I apologize for this lengthy delay to maiden my plane, however I'm still waiting for my spinner to arrive...

mgnostic

Mmmmm, bevel gauges (Homer Simpson donut voice). Another one of those things that you didn't realize you needed until you make one. Waiting on a spinner just gives you a chance to double check every thing, although given the quality of the build I doubt that it is needed.

SA Flyer

My Feedback: (3)

Hey Vincent,



That spinner is taking a while to arrive. Tru-Turn, right?


Regarding the Graph Tech TW assembly, I would want to see how you did /setup/configure the TW. This is my first such TW.



Been looking at your photos of it, but the shadows caused by the lighting above it make it look blurry when enlarged. Looks like you did a large Z bend. But, I would like to see a little more clarity. Like how sharp are the bends? I will appreciate your reply.


Thanks.

VincentJ

Be happy to Lupe, I'm out of town at the moment so when I get back home tomorrow I'll be sure to get a better pic for you regarding the TW.

Yes, I did order the spinner from TT, still hasn't come in yet!

VincentJ

While waiting for my spinner to arrive, I've cleared my build table and decided to start my next build. If you're interested, here is the link.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/kit-...33a-build.html

VincentJ

Lupe, here is the picture of the tail wheel that you requested.

SA Flyer

My Feedback: (3)

Muchas gracias, Vincent.

How clever... two ball links.

Both links will keep the wheel and tiller (wire) in precise alignment with the rudder's deflection. Glad I did not proceed doing what I was going to do.

Graph Tech didn't provide (that I know of) instructions or an example.

Thanks for your reply.
Lupe

VincentJ

De Nada!

VincentJ

I called True-Turn today and was promised that my spinner was going to be shipped by the end of the week. Not too much longer!

VincentJ

Good news! I just received an email from Tru-Turn, my spinner has been shipped!!!