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sigrun -> Magpie 50 wing & undercarriage (8/6/2003 6:50 AM)
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Hi shinbone
Presumably you mean 'the supplied fixed gear' rather than "fixed retracts"? I'll presume you do.
The answer to your question is no, you don't install the pre-formed wheel wells unless you intend to install retracts. That's why they supply them as an option rather than fitted.
Just cut as necessary to fit the fixed gear, however a word of caution here from those who precede you. Unusually, the Magpie fixed gear mounts on a narrow platform and is epoxied in place rather than using the more usual lateral locating beam and screw/strap method. Once its in place, it can't be removed to bend and adjust rake, and to suggest bending it in situ is structurally risky is understatement. By now, I'm sure you appreciate how lightly built the Magpie is.
The other Magpie owners I have spoken with have discovered after the fact that the wheels sit too far aft, inciting the Magpie to tip on its nose which is exacerbated when a heavier engine than suggested is installed. Can I suggest it wise that you trial fit the gear arms and bend them forward so that the actual wheels sit at least an inch forward of their current location? I have a similar planform model (Phoenix Comet), and it came with the gear locating the wheels significantly forward of where the Magpie's are located which seems to balance and work perfectly.
Of course I am reporting second hand, as I don't actually own the Magpie. But there are now a couple of them in the club of which I've had lengthy observation and conversations with the owners about their build idiosyncrasies and flying characteristics. Gear mounting appears to be a point of weakness and poor design on all three of the CM Pro F3A series. (Magpie, Lark & Swallow EX)
I haven't received my Lark yet. It's on backorder. Model Engines (Farnan) can't supply. I was tossing up whether to go with the Swallow EX instead, but wanted to ensure I had an adequate powerplant for verticals. The fact that almost everyone who initially mounted a 2st 60 or 4 st 90 appear to be re-engineeering the SwallowEX with a larger engine ($$$) frightened me off it. I noted also its relatively heavy spec weight and thought I'd be conservative going instead with the Lark for which I already have engine flexibility. Perhaps everyone else has too, and that's why the Lark is in an "unable to supply" situation? :)
All the best for your Magpie. They fly impressively and are particularly attractive in the air with their distinctive colour scheme and shape.
Hope the above is of some assistance.
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