Contender balance/weight
06-26-2005, 02:49 PM
#1
Contender balance/weight
I just started building a Top Flite Contender. Working now on the fuselage. This fuse looks heavy as it is 1/8 balsa from front to back and large 1/4" solid balsa dorsal fins. Looks to have plenty of wood and the wood supplied is medium or med heavy grade. Is this fuselage strong enough to stand some lightening holes? Plan is to mount a Fox .46ABC and install the flap so I would like to save some weight where I can. Any thoughts on saving weight with this kit?
06-26-2005, 07:41 PM
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RE: Contender balance/weight
I just finished a Contender a few weeks back. It certainly is a 'sturdy' plane. One thing I did to lighten it up was to hollow out the nose block under the cowl. I used a 61FX and didn't even have to put the battery as far back as I could have to balance.
06-27-2005, 06:18 PM
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RE: Contender balance/weight
Badger5964,
I have a contender with a OS 50sx and I had to place the battery pack up front under the fuel tank to balance the plane. With that done it balanced perfectly. If you were to lighten the tail section a few ounces the battery pack might need to be moved back close to the cg or perhaps located further back where the directions indicate. Believe me when I say the contender flys very well. Mine weighed exactly as the plans indicated. I also added 1/32 sheet over the bottom and top fuselage to aid with the covering (Micro ounces added). I think you will enjoy the Contender if you stay in the weight range indicated on the plans. Your 46 should do a great job. One tip, use blind nuts on the nose wheel bracket in place of the wood screws provided. A rough landing could pull the screws out and you would be left with big holes where the screws should go. Do it before you cement the nose blocks on. Good luck & let us know how you are doing. By the way the tank the plans indicate that you should buy turns out to be square and not as pictured on the plans. I purchased one like the plans so I would not have to modify the fuselage to get the tank in properly(10 OZ.)
Sledge_78
I have a contender with a OS 50sx and I had to place the battery pack up front under the fuel tank to balance the plane. With that done it balanced perfectly. If you were to lighten the tail section a few ounces the battery pack might need to be moved back close to the cg or perhaps located further back where the directions indicate. Believe me when I say the contender flys very well. Mine weighed exactly as the plans indicated. I also added 1/32 sheet over the bottom and top fuselage to aid with the covering (Micro ounces added). I think you will enjoy the Contender if you stay in the weight range indicated on the plans. Your 46 should do a great job. One tip, use blind nuts on the nose wheel bracket in place of the wood screws provided. A rough landing could pull the screws out and you would be left with big holes where the screws should go. Do it before you cement the nose blocks on. Good luck & let us know how you are doing. By the way the tank the plans indicate that you should buy turns out to be square and not as pictured on the plans. I purchased one like the plans so I would not have to modify the fuselage to get the tank in properly(10 OZ.)
Sledge_78
