Redrata

My Feedback: (3)

Hi Apalsson:

I have received my Pensoil Chipmunk some weeks ago (Denmark). The quality of the kit looks superb. I have to start it soon. I wonder if you have decided on the ailerons servos? I have been looking for some servos and I have the impression that Hitec 5645 MG would do the job ( at 55 usa doll). Also the Fut S9206 (at 79 usa doll) In your opinion, is it worth to spend extra money and go for the 9206?

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Redrata,

I don't think you need that powerful servos for the ailerons. I am using 5.5Kg servos for the ailerons and 645MG for rudder and elevators.
5645 are digital servos?
You will obviously get excellent response and accuracy from them in this application but they are a bit on the expensive side.

Good luck with your build

Ari

V2PLUS10

Ari,

The DHC-1 Chipmunk in RAF trainer colors is nearly there. Thought I'd post a couple of pictures. Have you flown yours by now??

Randy

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Randy,

Is that a Laser engine in your DHC-1?
Your plane looks good.

No, I have been very busy lately. As a matter of fact, I have hardly done any flying.
The Pepsi is basically finished except some minor things I need to do. I suspect I could get it all done in a day if I set out for it.

Regards

Ari

V2PLUS10

Ari,

No it is a Saito 180. A Laser would be nice, I have a Laser 70 but even it was more($$) than the Saito 180. I painted the yellow trim today and will do the black tomorrow, then a few days to cure and I'll add the decals and a matt clearcoat and then it's time for final assembly. The greenhouse canopy may be a bit of a challenge, but it will work out.

Summer in the Southern Hemisphere...Cold and foggy here in the North today. No wonder you are out and I am inside!!

Randy

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Randy,

It would be nice to see photos of the plane when you're finished. Were you happy with the quality of the kit?

Ari

V2PLUS10

Ari,

I am very pleased with the(nearly) finished model. I think you mentioned and I also found the sheet wood to be a little soft. I used all the wood in the kit though. The Cowl and canopy are outstanding and Mike has been extremely helpful. I also ordered the decal set and the Oleo type struts, and both are excellent. The silver color shows absolutely every little imperfection. I nearly gave up and painted it yellow, but now I'm glad I stuck with the original plan. I'll keep the pictures coming as things progress.

Randy

V2PLUS10

Ari,

Nearly there. I need to get my pilots dressed and attach the canopy, then we'll see how it flys......

Randy

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

HI Randy,

This looks fantastic!
I'd love to hear how she flies!

Have you send photos to Mike?

Regards

Ari

V2PLUS10

Ari,

Thanks. I really like the color scheme, I just hope it isn't too difficult to see in the air. I did send a picture to Mike. I'll post more when it's ready to fly, and I'll let you know how it goes. That silver Solartex has a nice sheen doesn't it?

Randy

V2PLUS10

Ari,

It flew beautifully!! Straight as an arrow, all that it needed was a bit of "up" trim. The Saito 180 is nearly too much power. Less than 1/2 is good for cruising and full power gives vertical-not exactly scale!

I'm very pleased with the results of this kit. Have you flown yours? Go with the recommended control throws, and program some dual rates and exponential. the roll rate on the trainer is very high, and the super has larger ailerons!

Take care,

Randy

V2PLUS10

Ari,

Forgot the pictures.....

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

HI Randy,

Great news. I love that pilot !!
No, so far, I haven't had the time to fully complete the Pepsi. I suspect it's only a day or so. Now, I really have to get it done!

I have to say the Apache kits are amongst the best kits I have built.

I might order a DHC-1 from them to have a full set

Ari

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

Randy,

How do you think the DHC-1 would be on a pumped FS1.20 or on a G26?
I have both motors laying around

Ari

V2PLUS10

Ari,

I think the 120 would be fine. I'm at about 14lbs with the 180 and an onboard glow driver, with it's own 4 cell 100ma battery pack. You could probably drop a bit of weight with the smaller engine and still have good performance. We are at 2800' above sea level so i thought the extra power would be needed, but it isn't necessary. I think when I get used to the model and adjust the CG a bit it really is going to be a lot of fun. I just may learn to use all that power!

Randy

Sheriff of Nottingham

hi randy,really pleased you have published your dhc1 build.I live in england and have very nearly completed the wing.I intend to finish my model the same as yours,having just recieved my satin silver solertex.Your picts have inspired me,could you please let me know if the exhaust on the saito is standard?Again,brill model and thankyou, FRANK FEARN

V2PLUS10

Frank,

The muffler is an inverted pitts syle from Slimline, www.slimlineproducts.com , designed for the Saito 180. I think the standard muffler would fit fine. The Saito sounds a little different with the pitts muffler though. I really think the 180 provides much more power than necessary.

Randy

ronaldh

Hello Randy,

I noted you are using the oleo struts supplied by Apache for your Chipmunk. I've been thinking of getting a set for my Canadian trainer version as the standard 6mm piano wire takes one heck of a pounding on grass or rough tarmac...the plane judders as if on stilts..and looks funny. How well do they work, especially on rough surfaces or heavy landings?

Can they be fitted to the standard piano wire gear after cutting back?

The chippie flies very well and the flaps are very effective for short landings. Can't say I like the rudder and tailwheel set-up...I modified mine to a pull-pull system and a sprung leaf spring tail wheel.

I wonder if Ari has oleos fitted on his chipmunk?

Regards
Ron

Sheriff of Nottingham

hi ron, almost ready to purchase motor for trainer version,which engine did you end up using and what do you think to its performance? thanks frank

V2PLUS10

Ron,

I only managed the one day of test flights and the weather has gone back to being winter...So far the struts seem very effective and I've noticed none of that jittering you mention, I know just what you mean as a friend had one of the original 120 powered Super Sporsters and it's wire gear jittered like crazy.

The struts fit very nicely to the 6mm bent wire gear as supplied with the kit. You cut the wire and leave about 1" to which the struts fasten via set screws. I am very pleased with the quality of the struts. Even with the exchange rate and shipping they cost about half of what Robart struts would have cost.

I did not like the tail wheel/ rudder arrangement either, but I followed the kit plans and installed it anyway. If it does not work out in the long run I'll fit a sprung steel tail wheel assy that can be connected by springs to the current setup. I actually like the idea of having the rudder driven by the tail wheel linkage rather than the other way round....keeps the rudder from being the middle man between the tailwheel and servo.

The weather may improve tomorrow so I'll see how it goes.....

Regards,

Randy

ronaldh

Hello Frank,

Originally I was going to use a Moki 180 but the plane came out so nose heavy with this option that I decided to remove an OS 1.20 (non pumped) four stroke I had in an Excitation model. Now however, I have equipped it with a Laser 150 and it flies fine with enough power to do large scale like loops etc but definitely no unlimited verticals. I guess a Saito 180 would really move it but they are very expensive and are fuel guzzlers (?) I have great fun doing 'touch and goes'

Mine came out at about 13 pounds. There are other options re motors...look at Ari Appelson thread on building re Zenoah engines.

Regards

Ron

ronaldh

Randy,

Thanks for the information on the oleo legs....I definitely will buy a set from Apache. Good luck with the flying and the weather (for bad weather you can't beat the UK)

Ron

Redrata

My Feedback: (3)

Denmark can beat everything about bad weather, trust me.....
I will keep looking at your progress, I have a 3w 28 for this plane, I think it should work fine.., hope so. Have to start building.... I guess It should work fine.

apalsson

My Feedback: (1)

My Super Chipmunk has functional oleo struts but the Pepsi has the included wire gears only.
I found the oleos to be of good quality and the 6mm wire fit snug into the units.

Ari

ronaldh

Thanks to all for the info.
One other question comes to mind....are any of you running a six volt system in you models? Do you use plug-in extention leads or cut and solder in cable for distant servos (ailerons)?

Ron