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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/27/2004 8:01 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		Here are some pictures of finished Focus-2. We flew today - AMEN - So far no mixes :-)

Four screws on canopy

side view

Os 1.60 in cowl

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/27/2004 8:03 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		Sorry I got a bit crossed over on the picture uploads

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/27/2004 8:06 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		Finished plane after test flights...

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/27/2004 7:35 PM   
pminmo


 

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Status: offline 		I'm getting ready to mount my engine. Took some measurements on the engine mounting box as it came with the ARF versions of the Focus 2, and I'm coming up with over 4 degrees of thrust offset. Is that right?

Phil

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/28/2004 8:41 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		I got this note in my e-mail, but "reply" do not work??

"Eric, I noticed that you put Temptation wings on your Focus II's, could you tell me the difference? "


Here is my reply:-

I did not put Temptation wings on my Focus-2, although I did change the covering a little.

My Focus-1 had Temptation wings and stabs. This was for two reasons. I already had a Temptation and liked the way the wing worked. My Hydeaway used Temptation wings and gave same results.

I also fitted two different wings to my Focus-1. The second wing was a 3-D wing with 5" wide full span ailerons. It also had a Temptation stab with counter balanced elevators. I had the wings and stab made by Dave Guerin.

The normal Temptation wing has the ailerons out to the tips and this seems to stop the snap rotation more predictably. Also the Focus-1's had heavy wings so having lighter ones made for me made sense. Got my Focus-1 down to 10 lb 1 oz.

My latest plane is a Focus-2 and has the ARF supplied Focus-2 wings. They are just about the same as Temptation wings. They are nice and light. My Focus-2 pair weigh a combined total of just under 2 lb, including the CF wing tube.

I also converted this stab to have counter-balanced elevators.

If you look real close you can also see that my Focus-2 wing adjusters are in the wing panels. This allows me to swap in the 3-D wing without resetting the wing incidences. It also made field tuning a doddle...

Regards,

Eric.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/28/2004 2:43 PM   
fishgod



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quote:

My throws may also have a bit more down than up when flying the Masters routine, for the spin. I do not use ailerons to get a spin.

ELevator is 15 degrees up anmd down with about 40% expo.
Ailerons ar 12 degrees up and down with about 15% expo.
Rudder is about 2" each way.


Eric,
Were these your high rates?


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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/28/2004 5:18 PM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		Michael,
I don't use rates. I do use 40% expo to soften the elevator and rudder for normal maneuvers.

For extreme throw maneuvers, like spins and snaps, you go full deflection and go right through the expo curve to the stops.

Regards,

Eric.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/29/2004 2:10 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		My latest info is that it is Ultracote Deep blue.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/29/2004 3:45 AM   
mups53


 

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Status: online 		Eric I have a theory about too much expo. I think the way you setup the expo leaves the plane too sensitive in the middle of the stick on the pitch. I leave the expo at 20% up and 15% down. The plane is more sensitive at center but less prone to jumping if I'm a little off. I like the feel of the plane as it is. If extreme is needed I assign all 3 controls on 1 switch for dual rate. I use the dual rate on the spins and snaps. But hey that's what I think works. Mike

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/29/2004 5:01 PM   
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Status: offline 		I still like my Focus II after four more flights yesterday, did my first rolling circle ever (Real high, but still a rolling circle!). BUT!!!, I had both wing adjusters come off on one side in flight. I noticed that once in a while the plane would respond funny, brought it in and found them popped off and the wing could be moved about 1/2" up or down. I had CA'd them to the plywood plate per theinstructions, but they just popped off. Coulda a been a disaster. Probably epoxy and a screw this time.
Jeff

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/29/2004 5:56 PM   
mups53


 

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Status: online 		Man Jeff your lucky you still have a plane. Mike

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 3/29/2004 6:06 PM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		I have been e-mailed that some guys are putting counter-sunk screws, through the fuselage sides, from the outside into blind nuts.

Glad you saved it.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/5/2004 1:08 AM   
Jeff-RCU


 

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Status: offline 		At Toledo, I found some Nylon, 6-32, socket head capscrews for the canopy. Save some serious weight (relatively speaking) over the steel ones I was using.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/5/2004 2:30 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		Nylon will work, Be careful to not strip out the hex heads. (been there!)

The FOCUS-2's were given a good outing this weekend at the Green Sea pattern contest. Myrtle Beach SC). It was a bit windy and 45 to pure cross both days. The Focus-2's took 1st and 2nd in Masters at the hands of Mike Hill and Dave Guerin who beat out Gary Harris into third place, (with his new Temptation). Engines used were YS 1.40L, Webra 1.45 and YS DZ respectively.

Lee won FAI with his new Focus-2 and mine was third after it logged its 14th flight. My position was really only a 3rd out of 3, but I mention it because the plane allowed me to compete in FAI with no practice. I had actually practiced Masters on Friday as I dialed in the plane. It let me fly an unfamiliar routine in hostile wind conditions and not be last in three of the rounds.

As I posted earlier, I think that a lot of people will do well with this plane and will enjoy the way it helps them fly. If you have an old Focus-1 you will see a positive difference. If you have a Focus-2 for the first time you might just simply like the way it flies.

Sorry if this sounds too much like a commercial, but I really do like the performance for the price that it offers to all pattern pilots. New and existing can't help but benefit when a plane encourager's more pilots to become contestants.

The only problem I have now is persuading my body to go back to NJ ;-)

< Message edited by Eric.Henderson -- 4/4/2004 6:33:39 PM >

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/6/2004 9:06 PM   
Jeff-RCU


 

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Status: offline 		OK, last night I put some tapered head screws through from the outside with bolts to hold the wing adjusters in place. One more popped off when I was drilling the holes, so I epoxied all of them at the same time. I also put a bigger control arm on the rudder servo and now I have full throw (about 1/4 from touching the elevator halves). I have to thank Steve Maxwell for supplying the extra hardware. Now it's ready for competition!

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/11/2004 9:20 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		Ref. "Eric I have a theory about too much expo. I think the way you set up the expo leaves the plane too sensitive in the middle of the stick on the pitch. I leave the expo at 20% up and 15% down. The plane is more sensitive at center but less prone to jumping if I'm a little off. I like the feel of the plane as it is. If extreme is needed I assign all 3 controls on 1 switch for dual rate. I use the dual rate on the spins and snaps. But hey that's what I think works. Mike"

Mike,
I have read this several times and I don't understand the note. I would like to. I am gessing that you might be talking about what happens somewhere between neutral and the extreme end of the stick travel?

With my 10X I use the "curve" option and there is no "jump". Even at 40% or 60% expo the transition on the graph and the control surface is not violent. Also, the throws within the soft part of the higher expo rates perform all of the maneuvers except the snaps and spins.

Did I guess right?

Regards,

Eric.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/11/2004 4:01 PM   
mups53


 

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Status: online 		Eric again I'm sure you have it right. I'm going to do the same thing with the curves on my 10X. Thanks for the heads up. Also many people don't realize that when you use a control arm off of a servo that it has built in reverse expo. Have you ever explained this in your MA articles? Us mode 1 guys have to stick together you know. We're a dying breed. Happy Easter to all, Later, Mike

< Message edited by mups53 -- 4/11/2004 7:02:28 AM >


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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/12/2004 3:10 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		Mode-1 has advantages that we will keep to ouselves (VBG).

A trick that I will share is that you can use expo to make the rates all appear to be the same in normal stick usage, For example, around the first 1/4 of stick movement. What this means is that you can have more throw selected but still have the same smooth behavior around the positions where your sticks are used the most.

Take the case of the elevator. First of all set your three rate throws, e.g. Low, medium and high.

Then with the expo option do the following:

- Move the stick to 1/4 defection (It can be more or less according to taste, this being just an example)[There are graduations on most stick gimbals to show you how much the stick is deflected]

- Set your expo for the low rate, say 25%
- Switch to next rate and add expo until the elevator throw is the same at 1/4 stick deflection
- Switch to next rate and again add expo until the elevator throw is the same at same stick
deflection.

You will get numbers Like 25%, 38% 56% or whatever.

Now you have a plane that will fly the same at any rate you select. Usefull for such things as landings and take-offs etc. It will have different and desired behavior at greater stick deflections.

Another way of saying this is that high rates do not have to mean a more twitchy plane to fly.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/12/2004 3:29 AM   
Pugsley-RCU



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Status: offline 		Jeff....

Glad to hear you are liking the Focus. I miss mine. Hopefully you and Steve will do well this year!

Later,

Pugs


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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/12/2004 5:58 AM   
Pro pattern



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Status: offline 		That is a very good tip, Eric.
Thanks for sharing it with us.


Danny

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/12/2004 7:31 AM   
mups53


 

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Status: online 		Thanks E. I'll do it just the way you stated. Thanks for your insite. Mike


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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/17/2004 8:17 AM   
Don Szczur



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Status: offline 		Yawn....

Wheel pants complete. Put a 1/32 piece for larger surface area inside the pants. Next put in a 1/4 inch block for the screw head to fit into. I drilled it 1/8 inch so it snug in there and keeps the wheel pant secure. A drop of CA to strengthen the wood where the screw head recesses and then mounted the wheel pants. The screws (supplied as axles) buldge out the wheel pants a bit to straighten them with respect to (making them more vertical). They look fairly aligned.

Mounted header and cleared cowl hole for one of the new Central Hobbies headers. Its similar clearance to the old central hobbies wrap-around header, but its more square clearance hole that is about 1/2 inch forward of where the standard cutout is on the old wrap-around style. Not as much cutout needed behind this, because the new header is shaped kind of like a Z and gets out of the way quickly without the need for a long cutout for cowl clearance.

Night.

Don

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/17/2004 11:48 PM   
Derek.Koopowitz


 

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Status: offline 		I noticed that there are 2 pieces of plywood with 2 holes drilled in them labeled D27 - what are these for? The pieces are 7/8"x7/8" aprox. in size.

Also, could someone post some pictures on how they mounted their throttle servo and fuel tank?

Thanks.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/20/2004 4:01 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		My order for ultracote finally came into my local hobby store. I can now confirm that the ARF blue is indeed Ultracote DEEP BLUE and not Midnight blue as posted earlier.

Regards,

Eric.

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RE: FOCUS II ARF construction by-the-numbers - 4/20/2004 7:40 AM   
Eric.Henderson



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Status: offline 		Hey Don,
I flew and dialed the 3-D version this weekend. I still had the FOCUS special wing that Dave Guerin made, I believe that you have one as well. The 5" wide, almost full span ailerons give a fantastic roll rate when going vertical. Too fast to count. At low rates the plane would fly the routine and came out of snaps straighter than the regular wing!!

It was a blast to fly. Will you configure yours with two types of wings??? I can't wait until you fly "yours", ("yours" being the regular Focus-2), to see if you find the version 2 differences to your liking. It does a great 4 of 8 entry into the 1st P-05 maneuver....

Regards,

Eric.

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