Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
04-18-2009, 05:56 PM
#51
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Cowl now has paint...... Came out pretty good I feel for never have using an airbrush before.....
Ready to cover now....
Ready to cover now....
04-25-2009, 05:32 PM
#53
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
No updates for awhile as I've been covering it.
As this is an experimental type plane I didn't want to do anything too exciting for a scheme...... Well that got squashed in a hurry.
I'm really happy with the way it turned out though. I'm still deciding whether or not I whould put some epoxy on the edges of the covering to ensure it won't come off.
Just need to install the gear, rudder/elevator hinges, install cockpit and canopy then we should be good to go.
As this is an experimental type plane I didn't want to do anything too exciting for a scheme...... Well that got squashed in a hurry.
I'm really happy with the way it turned out though. I'm still deciding whether or not I whould put some epoxy on the edges of the covering to ensure it won't come off.
Just need to install the gear, rudder/elevator hinges, install cockpit and canopy then we should be good to go.
05-01-2009, 03:04 PM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
IT FLIES.....!!!! WooHoo...!!!!! [8D]
Took it to the field today with intentions of only running a couple of tanks through the engine. MVVS engines are known for long break-in time so I was quite surprised at the transition I was getting on only the second tank. Since there were only three of us there and the weather was pretty much perfect (light breeze - 15 degrees C) I couldn't resist.
I kept it to a very short flight (only about five circuits) so a full flight report will have to wait till I get some more time on it but I am VERY happy. That was easily my best landing so far this year. I couldn't be happier.
Couple pics at the field and a couple of my fleet of Ultrasports.
Took it to the field today with intentions of only running a couple of tanks through the engine. MVVS engines are known for long break-in time so I was quite surprised at the transition I was getting on only the second tank. Since there were only three of us there and the weather was pretty much perfect (light breeze - 15 degrees C) I couldn't resist.
I kept it to a very short flight (only about five circuits) so a full flight report will have to wait till I get some more time on it but I am VERY happy. That was easily my best landing so far this year. I couldn't be happier.
Couple pics at the field and a couple of my fleet of Ultrasports.
05-01-2009, 04:26 PM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Great to hear...!
Congratulations!
Looks like a nice fleet you've got started there...
Hopefully your next flights will be just as rewarding.
Congratulations!
Looks like a nice fleet you've got started there...
Hopefully your next flights will be just as rewarding.
05-05-2009, 12:08 PM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Got another short hop in on Sunday.
Had an issue with the muffler coming loose though. Same thing happened when I started breaking it in, next time I'll use some loctite and that should solve the problem.
As far as the handling goes I couldn't get much more testing done but so far the role rate is very impressive, much quicker than either of the other ones. So far I am very impressed with how easy it lands, had some strong 90 degree crosswinds and it didn't seem to notice them very much. Slowed down really nice and just settled in for a very nice 3-point landing.
Still have to dial in the CG, I think I may be a bit too far aft as it seems to mush through turns but other than that I'm very happy.
I'll see what I can do about video as I don't have a camcorder but I'm sure someone else in the club should.
More flight testing to come.......
Had an issue with the muffler coming loose though. Same thing happened when I started breaking it in, next time I'll use some loctite and that should solve the problem.
As far as the handling goes I couldn't get much more testing done but so far the role rate is very impressive, much quicker than either of the other ones. So far I am very impressed with how easy it lands, had some strong 90 degree crosswinds and it didn't seem to notice them very much. Slowed down really nice and just settled in for a very nice 3-point landing.
Still have to dial in the CG, I think I may be a bit too far aft as it seems to mush through turns but other than that I'm very happy.
I'll see what I can do about video as I don't have a camcorder but I'm sure someone else in the club should.
More flight testing to come.......
05-06-2009, 01:07 AM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Hi Cdallas,
Great looking model you have there, and an interesting modification you have made.
In post #4 it looks like you may have the servo mounting eyelets upside down in two of the servos. My understanding is that the rounded side of the eyelet should be against the servo rail. This allows you to tighten the servo mounting screws without the eyelet biting into the wood and crushing the rubber grommets. If the grommets are crushed they cannot do their job of insulating the servo from vibration.
My apologies if all this is old news.
Happy flying,
Dave H
Great looking model you have there, and an interesting modification you have made.
In post #4 it looks like you may have the servo mounting eyelets upside down in two of the servos. My understanding is that the rounded side of the eyelet should be against the servo rail. This allows you to tighten the servo mounting screws without the eyelet biting into the wood and crushing the rubber grommets. If the grommets are crushed they cannot do their job of insulating the servo from vibration.
My apologies if all this is old news.
Happy flying,
Dave H
05-06-2009, 08:17 AM
#63
RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
ORIGINAL: gerryndennis
My understanding is that the rounded side of the eyelet should be against the servo rail. This allows you to tighten the servo mounting screws without the eyelet biting into the wood and crushing the rubber grommets.
My understanding is that the rounded side of the eyelet should be against the servo rail. This allows you to tighten the servo mounting screws without the eyelet biting into the wood and crushing the rubber grommets.
05-06-2009, 10:04 AM
#64
RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Back in the 90's there was one manufacturer saying that the eyelet flange should be on top so the sharp end could dig into the servo tray and help lock the servo into position.
So my old ones are done that way and I have not changed them. I have never had any trouble with them.
However, in the last ten years I have been putting the eyelet flange on the bottom. No problem with that either.
So my old ones are done that way and I have not changed them. I have never had any trouble with them.
However, in the last ten years I have been putting the eyelet flange on the bottom. No problem with that either.
05-06-2009, 03:54 PM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
I've done it that way for eons and never had a problem but if you look closely one of the other servos has them on the bottom. I don't think it really matters, what does matter though is they are not overtightened and squished. That would be bad.
05-07-2009, 04:25 AM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Hi Cdallas,
Yep I did notice that one of the servos was the other way round. I think you hit the nail on the head, as long as there is no squishing you'll be fine.
W8ye, I remember a manufacturer having it the other way round as well. I could never work out how the sharp end digging in a bit would make the servo any more secure than having a great big screw through the eyelet would, so I just went with what the other manufacturers were saying.
Minnflyer, Thanks for the diagram, makes what I was saying more obvious. Thanks also for the great Ultra sport threads, you have inspired me to take the plunge. I have the RCM US 60 plan and Great Planes canopy to match.
Anyway I don't want to hijack the thread any further, Cdallas have you managed to do any more flying with the swept forward Ultra sport? Have you noticed any differences? Did you need much nose weight to balance with the changed CG? Is a Moistened Bint, lobbing a scimitar, a basis for a system of government?
Yep I did notice that one of the servos was the other way round. I think you hit the nail on the head, as long as there is no squishing you'll be fine.
W8ye, I remember a manufacturer having it the other way round as well. I could never work out how the sharp end digging in a bit would make the servo any more secure than having a great big screw through the eyelet would, so I just went with what the other manufacturers were saying.
Minnflyer, Thanks for the diagram, makes what I was saying more obvious. Thanks also for the great Ultra sport threads, you have inspired me to take the plunge. I have the RCM US 60 plan and Great Planes canopy to match.
Anyway I don't want to hijack the thread any further, Cdallas have you managed to do any more flying with the swept forward Ultra sport? Have you noticed any differences? Did you need much nose weight to balance with the changed CG? Is a Moistened Bint, lobbing a scimitar, a basis for a system of government?
05-07-2009, 09:43 AM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
No more flying yet. We have a fun-fly this weekend so I should get some more in then.
The CG seems to be a bit further aft than I had planned but further flight testing will sort that out.
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
The CG seems to be a bit further aft than I had planned but further flight testing will sort that out.
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
05-07-2009, 10:48 AM
#68
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
HI everybody,
I really like the mods and I wish to do exactly the same. I have three Ultrasport 60 kits. Where would I move the CG to for the 60 size (I could probably figure it out but I am being overly lazy). CDallas, where is the CG currently on the 40 size Ultra? Great looking plane!
Happy flying and soft landings!
I really like the mods and I wish to do exactly the same. I have three Ultrasport 60 kits. Where would I move the CG to for the 60 size (I could probably figure it out but I am being overly lazy). CDallas, where is the CG currently on the 40 size Ultra? Great looking plane!
Happy flying and soft landings!
05-07-2009, 06:56 PM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
Not at all, they could be carried. A swallow could grip it by the husk.
No flying here this weekend, forecast is for gale force souwesters and snow to low level. Luckily I got some flying in yesterday.
Also luckily I am working this weekend in Fiji.
Good luck with your flying
Not at all, they could be carried. A swallow could grip it by the husk.
No flying here this weekend, forecast is for gale force souwesters and snow to low level. Luckily I got some flying in yesterday.
Also luckily I am working this weekend in Fiji.
Good luck with your flying
05-18-2009, 09:09 PM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Updated flight testing......
Alls well and I couldn't be happier with the results. I had some issue with flutter on the 4th flight but afterwards was found to be my error (didn't pin the hinges) rather than the plane itself.
I now have 7 flights on it and I'm now going to go into a trimming program. I originally thought the CG was too far back but after further flights I've decided to leave it where it is. It requires very little down elevator while inverted.
It handles basic maneauvers with easy and suprisingly snaps and spins pretty well. Stall turns are very nice (that huge rudder sure helps) and I'm still very suprised at how easy it lands compared to my other Ultrasports. Was looking at it's slow flight charectristics today as well and I was very impressed. During stall it would just sort of mush down rather than having any kind of seperation.
My daughter took some flights pics today so I included some of them. It's only a Nikon point-n-shoot so it's hard to get much better than we did.
<hr />
Who's that?
Must be a King.
How do you know?
He's not got ***** all over him......
Alls well and I couldn't be happier with the results. I had some issue with flutter on the 4th flight but afterwards was found to be my error (didn't pin the hinges) rather than the plane itself.
I now have 7 flights on it and I'm now going to go into a trimming program. I originally thought the CG was too far back but after further flights I've decided to leave it where it is. It requires very little down elevator while inverted.
It handles basic maneauvers with easy and suprisingly snaps and spins pretty well. Stall turns are very nice (that huge rudder sure helps) and I'm still very suprised at how easy it lands compared to my other Ultrasports. Was looking at it's slow flight charectristics today as well and I was very impressed. During stall it would just sort of mush down rather than having any kind of seperation.
My daughter took some flights pics today so I included some of them. It's only a Nikon point-n-shoot so it's hard to get much better than we did.
<hr />
Who's that?
Must be a King.
How do you know?
He's not got ***** all over him......
05-18-2009, 09:13 PM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Oh...
Yes the cowl did depart today. The littlehatch latchfell off. I have more thankfully, so I'll just epoxy on another one.
06-29-2009, 04:41 PM
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RE: Ultra Sport 40 Kit Bash
Just an update.....
I now have 25 flights on this bird and I must admit it flies better than I could have ever hoped. It's as fast (or a tad faster) than my standard US40 w/retracts, tracks very well and handles crosswinds better than anything I've ever flown.
I did end up moving the CG ahead a little bit, it's now at 33% MAC and that's where I think I'll leave it. I'm now trying some mixing as it tends to push and roll in knife edge. For your average sport flier this is not necessary but I would like to fly pattern in the future and it's really helping with my rudder skills.
It's a lot of fun and people are very impressed with how it flies.
Looking forward I'm thinking of doing a 60 or 90 size with retractable trike-gear.
I now have 25 flights on this bird and I must admit it flies better than I could have ever hoped. It's as fast (or a tad faster) than my standard US40 w/retracts, tracks very well and handles crosswinds better than anything I've ever flown.
I did end up moving the CG ahead a little bit, it's now at 33% MAC and that's where I think I'll leave it. I'm now trying some mixing as it tends to push and roll in knife edge. For your average sport flier this is not necessary but I would like to fly pattern in the future and it's really helping with my rudder skills.
It's a lot of fun and people are very impressed with how it flies.
Looking forward I'm thinking of doing a 60 or 90 size with retractable trike-gear.