Nodd
Posts: 350
Score: 115
Joined: 2/1/2012
Last Login: 6/19/2013
From: Fairfield, CT, USA
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Here's a list of stuff I used to complete my Apache...
Consumables
thin CA glue
thick CA glue
5 minute epoxy
30 minute epoxy
microbaloons
3/4oz fiberglass cloth
scrap covering material
silicon caulking
double-sided pressure tape
Materials
2mm x 11mm rectangular CF
CF ribbon
1/8" x 1/4" spruce
Kevlar tow
3oz fishing weight
spider wire fishing line
Hardware
small full-range receiver, 4 channel minimum
BEC
4 x Hitec HS-55 servos
Turnigy nano-tech 850mah 2S LiPo battery
2 x short servo extensions
2 x micro push-rod hardware & control horns (for ailerons)
3 x spare servo arms (for pull-pull wire guide & control horns)
Airframe
Apache DLG
Radio Setup
I used a Spektrum DX7s transmitter bound to an AR600 6 channel full-range receiver. This allowed me to program in the usual goodies like exponential, differential & some mixing here & there. Here's my current settings although I suggest you don't follow these. There's some great info out there on good DLG setups. I'd look to those first but here's what I have for now...
Ailerons - 12mm up, 7mm down, 50% expo
Elevator - 7mm up, 7mm down, 50% expo
Rudder - 11mm left & right, 50% expo
Mixes & Switches
Aileron to Rudder - 30%
Throttle to Aileron (crow) - both ailerons 7mm up
Trainer button - elevator 3mm up for launch
I plan to setup modes for cruise, thermal, etc, just haven't gotten around to that yet.
Launching
As you've probably seen from the video, I'm no expert at discus launching. Although I may have picked up the basics in short order, I have a LOT still to learn. That said the Apache seems nice & docile while on her way up. Her airfoil limits the speed some, so you're not going to see F3K competition launch altitudes. Compared to other DLGs I've seen, the Apache seems to launch in slow motion, perfect for a noob like me. She takes her time going up, plenty of time to get your hand on the right stick. Depending on the quality of my tosses, she tracks plenty straight with the occasional tendency to roll left a bit perhaps. Mark Drelas' peg design felt great, after three days worth of launches my fingers were fine. I can't say the same about my right arm though, that's pretty sore.
In the Air
Once trimmed she floats around like she's on rails. In fact, when I flew her the other day in dead calm winds, I literally could have put the transmitter down, she was that solid. As expected for a plane of this size & weight, once the wind does pickup, she tends to get tossed around a fair bit. The controls are crisp & responsive though & as long as you're on your game & have airspeed, she's fine in light to moderate winds. Stalls are extremely soft & straight ahead. I've not tried any aerobatics yet so can't comment on that other than to say the roll rate isn't super high. She turns beautifully, with no tendency to either tighten up or fall out of the turn. Once banked you only need hold a smidgen of elevator to maintain the turn. I need to experiment more with the spoilerons (crow) but for the most part they do the trick.
Thermalling
At the time I'm writing this I've scored what I'd consider three real thermals & maybe a dozen or so small bubbles of lift. Its abundantly obvious when you hit any turbulence, the Apache signals loud & clear. If like me, you're used to larger/heavier sailplanes & electric gliders, you'll be impressed at just how little lift it takes to keep the Apache aloft. Her ability to turn on a dime also means you can work really small stuff right down to ground level. My other sailplanes feel like driving a bus in comparison.
Conclusion
So what do we think of the Apache overall? Well the build took a lot of time for something billed as an ARF. Then again I did monkey around with a lot of stuff. The total lack of instructions is unforgivable. Anyone buying one of these as a first or second plane would be utterly lost. Hopefully this build log will help with that though. The quality of the parts is excellent although the wings have a quirky tendency to forget their shape. I've had to use the heat-gun on them several times now to remove warping. That stuff is soon forgotten once she's in the air though. For an entry level, built-up balsa, el-cheapo, DLG she flies like a million bucks. Don't expect to win many F3K events competing against composite ships but down at the park on your lunch break, the simple fun-factor of this pretty little bird is hard to beat.
If you're thinking of giving DLG a try or if you want a competent practice/backup rig the Apache might be for you. Cheap, well made, fair performance, fun.
< Message edited by Nodd -- 7/25/2012 12:15 AM >
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Nodd
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All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> RC Gliders, Sailplanes and Slope Soaring >> Apache DLG - Mods 
Apache DLG - Mods - 
