Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

The prop makes a big difference too.....I find APC are among the heaviest, and wood props, the lightest.....a Master Airscrew, in the middle.
Then again, I can get the most reliable, slow idle, with a slightly heavy prop.

Too many variables.....change one thing.......then it effects something else. lol

HAL9KPCM

Thought I had the remaining bits and pieces to finish building, but I'm waiting on some cable pushrod for the nose wheel and throttle.Little bits and pieces behind the CG are slowly working out the balance with the servos almost all the way back and the battery just in front of the servos. For a little while, I was thinking something looked different on this plane and then it hit me, it's not much, but the nose is about 3/8" longer. On my first Komander, I recessed the mount into the firewall to cram the 4 stroke in there. This time, I mounted the motor to the firewall normally and built the cowl out a bit further to make up the difference. Weather is supposed to be crappy until next weekend, so still a chance for a maiden before the snow comes.

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

That's why your C.G. is bias forward!

DGrant

My Feedback: (4)

That's one sweet looking Komander right there!

I'm still wanting to work on mine, I've just been playing with giant planes lately, and those are tough to get away from... very addicting.

The smaller classics like this are a great challenge to bring back to life and hone skills with though. Winter is coming, and I might just break out my Komander again.

Thanks for sharing and good luck with it. Please post up fully finish pics and a report on the maiden flight.

HAL9KPCM

Thanks. Decided to change up the colour scheme from my previous one. I made templates of all the parts while I was building this one with the intent of creating a full plan sheet so I'll never have to hunt down a kit again. I still have another kit, really thinking about doing a bit of bashing and putting it together with retracts and big barn door flaps. and ailerons.

As for your Komander, just build it, they go together quick.

While on the Sig nostalgia kick, I wasn't specifically looking for it, but I ran across a Sig Komet on eBay with a starting bid of $100, Buy it Now for $130. I couldn't resist and grabbed it.

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

I was seeing the Komet asking prices $400.00 a few years ago......
$130.00 is a no brainer.

HAL9KPCM

I just finished tinkering with the engine to hopefully do the maiden tomorrow (was hoping today, but way too windy) and I think this Komander came out lighter. On the first one, full throttle, hold the nose up, it just felt really light in the hands, not enough power to pull straight up. Flying it, it still did large loops from level flight. The new one, same engine (OS FS-52), same prop (APC 12x5), I held the nose up full throttle, it wants to climb! Not a huge power climb, but I held the back of the fuse steady and the leading edge of the wing raised my hands, it goes up. 5lbs, 8oz without fuel.

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

If you want to go even lighter, Kavan wheels weigh about the same as foam wheels......compared to the rubber Dubro tires.

HAL9KPCM

My mains are foam already, the nose is rubber.

HAL9KPCM

Maiden flight today. Weatherman lied. Was supposed to be only 4'C, but it was 11, that's fine, wind was supposed to be 14Kmph gusting 18, it was more like 25Kmph gusting 35. I said the heck with it, I was out there and I'm familiar with the flight characteristics of the plane and took it up. Couldn't trim it worth a damn with the rough air, but it flew fine and I got it in the air before winter. Going to try again tomorrow, it's SUPPOSED to be nice out.

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

2 thumbs up!

skylark-flier

Two more thumbs up!!

Congrats on the maiden!!!!

DGrant

My Feedback: (4)

Great looking plane HAL!

HAL9KPCM

Well, Sunday was probably the last good day of flying for my flying season. I got out there early and flew all day long. It was fun with the plane coming out a bit lighter. I still remember people telling me that the OS FS52 would be disappointing performance. Not so sure about that, as soon as it would break the ground, Full up for a 80' nose up climb out to about 100 feet or so before leveling off. Spring can't come soon enough.

robbtennis

skylark-flier

Looking good so far.

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

What is more fun? Sanding, or gluing your fingers together with CA glue?

robbtennis

Bahahaha neither!

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

Are you going to use 2 part Automotive Paint?
I saw a King Kobra build, with 2 pack paint.....super glossy! Now I'm torn between glassing and painting my KK, or using the Ultra Cote I already have......iron on is quick and no mess and less weight, but, a nice paint job, just looks soooo nice.

robbtennis

While iron on would be cheaper, easier and lighter I'm going to paint her with a 2 part polyurethane product that will likely outlast her functional life span. Let me know your thoughts if any, thanks!

https://www.systemthree.com/products/wr-lpu-polyurethane-topcoat

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

From: https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...ng-Kobra/page9

Red7fifty

My Feedback: (73)

I have no experience with S3....you will have to tell us how it comes out.
I've used DuPont, PPG, etc.....btw, I have a friend that has a paint booth and shoots cars......maybe I'll glass my King Kobra and paint too?

robbtennis

Same here. I plan to paint her in a buddy's booth with car equipment. I just have to nail him down. I'll let you know how that goes when she's completed.

HAL9KPCM

LMAO, me and thin CA are NOT very good friends. I always end up gluing myself to myself and to everything around me.

robbtennis

I'm actually in Lake Louise Canada right now but when I get home to sunny Socal I'm gonna paint my fairweathered girlfriend in the way she was originally meant to be. Pics and videos to come.