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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/8/2013 12:26 AM

adreliable661

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Thanks for your post. Re speed, better to be slow & deliberate, straight & plum. Now for the finish of the fuse

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/13/2013 2:35 AM

adreliable661

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OK. Time to start putting the components together.

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/13/2013 2:41 PM

jleblanc

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That looks awesome! I really want to take a step from helicopters to build a trainer of my own.. what would be a good first build plane for someone that's familiar with helicopters and surface RC, but I def want to build my first plane, any suggestions? Anyway I def look forward to seeing more of your build!

thanks

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/17/2013 2:08 AM

adreliable661

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My first plane was a Sig Kadet Sr. ARF and my first kit build was a Great Planes Big Stik 60. Either of those would be a good start. I'm sure others have other ideas but that is my only experience. See pics.Also am posting the progress on latest of the Contender. Thanks for the kind comments!

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/17/2013 7:28 AM

oldtyme

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Now you're getting to the good part.........

I almost went insane working with the cowl sides and the "chin". In the end it was ok but it drove me to drink.............that night.........

Andy

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/17/2013 8:58 PM

adreliable661

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Yes, the first one I did was a chore, esp. chittling out the inside for the engine fit. The biggest mistake I made on that was to build the cowl before the maiden flight. After, I had to build in some right and down thrust (lack of experience) so it ended up looking like a broken nose from a fist fight

. based on that I have already built in the anticipated thrust, however will wait for the maiden flight to confirm.
In my first post I mentioned I was going with a lighter engine (the evolution .60 is 3.5 oz lighter than the .61 and just as powerful) because it was nose heavy and wanted to avoid having to counterbalance with extra weight. This has worked well but still needed to move some weight to the rear, therfor you see the hatch that I built just on top of the flap. I ncluded the last picture because I did not allow enough clearnce for the flap control arm. Therefor I simply made some adjustments to the battery saddle and moved it back. So the picture is not accurate. Works and balances outstandingly.

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/18/2013 9:14 AM

sevillious

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Wow, you are moving right along. I am still working on the wing. I got sick for a week so it slowed me down a tad. When I
finished shaping the trailing edge, I noticed an ever so slight twist at one end of the wing. It's barely noticeable, but it's there. I
am thinking when I add the shear webs and the wing is FLAT when I install them, it will take it out. I hope so....

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/19/2013 5:09 PM

adreliable661

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Thanks for the post. re your wing, is it tip or....? Is it warped or is it the spaping? Anyway retirement makes progress so much easier. Starting the covering

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/21/2013 8:56 PM

adreliable661

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More progress on the wing covering

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/22/2013 9:10 AM

sevillious

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Looking good man. My wing is now straight. The end just had a little droop at the end. I just tweaked it up at one end and glued
in the shear web and poof! STRAIGHT. I am not quite retired yet (lol), so hours to spend on the contender are few and far between.
I am finding that although slow, kit building is very soothing to me. I have lots of arfs, but it is just nice to go to the shop and build
knowing that I don't have to rush. Looking forward to seeing your finsihed product!!

More to come...

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/24/2013 11:45 PM

adreliable661

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Thanks for the comments and glad to hear your wing is fixed. My first 2 planes are ARFS, but I must say that I love to build and enjoy flying what I build much more than an ARF. I guess some just get their kicks from flying. What ever cranks your tractor. Here are some more pics on the finish

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/26/2013 6:48 PM

adreliable661

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And moving right along..........

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/27/2013 8:16 PM

adreliable661

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These pics just before the maiden flight. Cowl waiting for the check out of the thrust, just in case I need to move it. Flew beautifully! All checked out. Now on to the cowl and finish details

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 2/28/2013 8:55 AM

sevillious

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Very nice looking Contender!! I am almost done with the wiing on mine. Control surfaces are finished. Just need to add the
tips & shape leading edge. Then on to the fuse. Still slow going but, thats ok. Being my first kit, I get excited just seeing things
line up after I finish!! Please give us a flight report when you get a chance to wring her out a bit. I am still deciding on the engine/
prop choice. I see you have a 60. I was thinking just a 46, but I don't want it to be underpowered. Hmmmmmm....

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/1/2013 11:19 PM

adreliable661

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Look forward to seeing your progress. No experience with the .46. As it is this now weights in at exactly 6lb dry. Balanced perfectly with no weight added. Now for the finishing touches. Note that I put magnets on the cowl. Countersunk them and applied with medium CA. hope it holds. I am not comfortable gluing to the firewall and then having to deal with an immovable cowl if and when I need to make adjustments on the motor. If this is your first build, take your time and make everything straight and plum! As mentioned earlier in this thread, setting the battery back on top of flap helped a lot with balance. The instruction give no information on adjusting for thrust on the fire wall. You might want to give that some thought. If you're a club member, you might check with some of your buds on that. A lot of ARFS have the thrust already built into the firewall.

On another note. I have been trying to load the progress and pics of the final product for 2 days now. Is there something wrong with RC Universe or what. All I get is an error 500. Cannot find "resource" or something to that effect.

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/1/2013 11:45 PM

GaryHarris

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http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11340956/anchors_11340956/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#11340956

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/2/2013 12:16 AM

adreliable661

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Thanks for the info Gary. I will try to figure that out. Slightly more computer illiterate than you

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/2/2013 12:24 AM

adreliable661

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Let me try just 2 pics at a time. Although usually it will tell me the file is too large rather than give me the Error 500 message.

Nope. Same problem. Guess I will have to give Gary Harris' idea a try, but will have to figure it out later. Brain is scrambled

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/2/2013 1:11 AM

GaryHarris

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Youll get it. Very nice build BTW!

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/4/2013 8:09 PM

adreliable661

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Going to try this again. OK. Looks like I'm in. Some of these pics are a little belated now, as time has past. I think I mentioned that I countersunk magnets in the cowl and firewall and set with med CA. Taken to the field one of the magnets let loose so I reattached with JB weld. Someone also suggested using clear hing tape as reinforcement so as not to lose it in flight. Will try that as well. More to come if RCU doesn't give out on me.

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/4/2013 8:27 PM

adreliable661

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OK. I want to get the final product loaded while server is working. this has been fun. Thanks for following along!

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/6/2013 8:52 AM

sevillious

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Looks great. Have fun with it. Whem mine is done, I will put up pics & flight report. I see both of your Contenders have the
Miller theme. Did you work for them or do you just love beer? Or both lol?

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/16/2013 6:12 AM

LawnDartMike

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Subscribed! I just ordered a Contender today! I built an Uproar that flies great and figure the Contender would be a good second build.

One question - The ailerons look kinda tiny. Can I make them straight (instead of tapered) out to the wingtip without impacting its flying characteristics? I love a quick rolling bird...

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/16/2013 4:09 PM

adreliable661

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They are very small. Just took it our for its 2nd and 3rd flights yesterday. Awesome flyer. Rolls plenty quck for me. Not much into experimental yet and do not do 3D. So I do not know how to respond to your question. Hopefully someone else would know the answer to your question. If you enlarge the ailerons, let me know how it works out. Either way please send pic of the finished product. Thanks for the post

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RE: Top Flite Contender Kit Build - 3/16/2013 4:20 PM

WacoNut

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I have over 100 flights on mine and love it. I would not change the aileron's. They look small but they are very effective. I am not using all the available throw and they are responsive enough for my taste.
Anthony

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