AviationNut

The ailerons covered, installed and control rods made...

sebo

Nice job......I like the colors.

AviationNut

I fiberglassed the bottom of the hatch (top of wing inside hatch area) to make it stronger for attaching the Rx and battery (pic 1). Pic 2 shows the Rx antenna attached to a piece of scrap balsa that I hot glued to one of the ribs. I wanted to get it a reasonable ways from the battery so it has less chance of getting shadowed.

Also mounted the charge jack and switch so they are easily accessible from the top of the airplane (pic 3). I glued a piece of 1/32" plywood to the inside to double the balsa where these were installed.

AviationNut

Thanks Sebo! Much appreciated.

Engine was installed as far back as possible (pic 1), using cut-down pieces of a 2 degree thrust plate under the mounting flanges to get the right thrust correct (pic 2).

Also installed the fuel tank on the port side (pic 3). I had no choice here since the throttle linkage (see next post) was in the way behind the engine. As it turned out, though, the plane balanced perfectly laterally with the tank around 5/8 to 3/4 full in that position. You can also see in this pic that I chose to use blind nuts for the engine installation - we'll see how that works out.

AviationNut

Throttle linkage was made from a used helicopter tail control rod, using my favorite method (so far) of a heli ball link at the carb and EZ connector at the servo (pics 1 -3).

AviationNut

Phew, I made it without a disconnect

I recall someone asking which servos I was going to use, so here it is: Hitec HS-425BB's on the ailerons and elevator, Hitec HS-525BB on rudder, and Tower TS-53 on the throttle. No particular reason for any of them other than I had them laying around. I did consciously put the faster servo on the rudder, though, since I want fast response from it.

Now I just have to set all the control throws and the CG. It looks like I need to add around 1 oz to the tail for the starting point. Any suggestions for a clean way to do this?

gene6029

Thats one of the nicest Tower 51,s if seen in a while!.....Gene

AviationNut

I don't know if it's as nice as yours Gene, but thanks for the compliment!

Been pondering how to add tail weight since there is no fuse to hide it in. Haven't come up with anything though Funny that I added 1/2" to the rudder and made the ailerons slightly wider and still have to add so much tail weight. Oh well, I guess that 4 stroke is a decent amount heavier than a 2 stroke.

sebo

Cut a narrow slot in the bottom of the fuselage near the tail.....wide enough so that shotgun pellets (the smaller the better...size 7 or 8....will fit into it.
Make it reasonably deep...get the pellets at a gun shop or have a friend cut open a shotgun shell for you....this is dangerous but I have done it.
Mix up a slurry of epoxy and pellets and fill in the slot.....works for me.....hope this helps.

AviationNut

Great idea sebo! I think I will go ahead and use sticky weights until I get the CG where I want it, then do as you suggest with some shot and epoxy. I remember that there is a pocket between the left and right sheeting at the back of the fuse that would hold it nicely. Just have to remember to pick up some shot next time I'm at the range...

Tom Nied

Did you ever fly it?

AviationNut

Wow, can't believe it's been over 1 1/2 years! The Fun-51 has been ready, collecting dust for that long. I got burned-out on R/C for a while, so it hasn't flown yet. I will get her up soon and let you know how she flies.

Tom Nied

I got one still in the box for longer than that. Would like to get to mine, been thinking how I would equip it.

Tom Nied

AviationNut, from the pictures, it looks like you did a real nice job building and finishing your Fun 51. I'm sure it will fly fine, I've seen a couple and they're all over the sky. Guys who have them, have lots of fun. I do worry about that thin fuselage though. The landing gear mount is questionable, engine mount is no more than adequate. I have a hunch the plane would fly just fine with a strong 40 rather than a heavier .46 or .51. I gues what I'm thinking is that a good strong .36 or good .40 gives the builder the ability to choose a smaller tank as well require less tail weight. But enough of my aeronautical dribble. You have a great looking plane and the other guys who posted also demonstrate great building and finishing prowess. Thanks for sharing.

AviationNut

Thanks for the kind words Tom! I maidened the Fun 51 today, and it went well. The elevator was more sensitive than I thought it would be, so took it easy. I'll have to add a little more expo for the next flights. I got a video, but the camera batteries died after a few minutes Roll rate is very fast (the rolls in the video were only about 1/2 throw), it knife-edges with hardly any coupling , and it slows down really well for landing (though it was a bit windy, so the ground speed was really low), and it set down like a feather. Plenty of power with the 52 4-stroke, even though I was running it pretty rich.

Looks like this is going to be a fun plane when I get used to it/dialed-in. I'll try to get a video of a full flight soon...

[link=http://youtu.be/dEWAqPVS3iA]Fun 51 Maiden Video[/link]

Tom Nied

Awesome maiden. It was like watching a Heritage Flight where vintage military aircraft are flown with contemporary military aircraft. It went well, good for you. Great looking Fun 51. Thanks for sharing.

I have to add, she sounds great too with that engine.

AviationNut

Thanks again Tom. Yeah that turbine is actually a foamy! I was wondering how the foam doesn't melt from the heat LOL.