Posts: 179
Joined: 12/31/2004 From: newburgh,
NY, USA Status: offline
N1EDM,
It was fairly muggy, but only about 75 degrees. I fly first thing in the am, around 830 - 900 am, if at all possible. The winds were about 10-15 mph, from the south. Upon lift off, the wings just kept tetering, like a seesaw. She just would not gain speed and i could not stop her from rocking from side to side. When i tried to turn down wind she just dropped from the sky. I almost recovered, but needed about 10 more feet to pull out.
thanks,
bull
< Message edited by bull51 -- 7/2/2008 12:35:31 PM >
Posts: 179
Joined: 12/31/2004 From: newburgh,
NY, USA Status: offline
I dont wish that type of luck on anyone, but it is somewhat comforting to know I'm not alone here. I'm ready to patch the covering back together. As soon as i patch her up, she'll be ready to go! Not sure if I'll ever be ready, but Im gonna face the music sonner or later. I think I'll go with a smaller diameter/larger pitch prop, like Mustang said. We'll see.
Posts: 1157
Joined: 11/30/2003 From: Cadillac,
MI, USA Status: offline
Go for it, Bull.
I ordered the last of the items for mine today, taking of advantage of Tower's discount structure with two different orders.
I really liked the idea of the Saito 150, but after comparing it in detail with the OS 120 AX, I went with the 120. It's about 8 oz lighter, and offers a little more thrust, about the same speed, and the same fuel consumption as the 150, as it is a very slow turning engine. (about 9K). I'll be using a 15x10 prop, which should be good for close to 90mph and about 14# of thrust.
The only decision left to make is coloring. I can't make up my mind. The latest two candidates are shown.
Posts: 179
Joined: 12/31/2004 From: newburgh,
NY, USA Status: offline
Keep plugging along, Mustang. I think both those color schemes are sharp.
Well, I think my stang is ready for another flight. All back together and re-balanced. Just waiting for my new props from Tower. LHS in the area didnt carry any props longer than 12". While on the topic of props, is there a prop labeled as 16x6-8? Thats the way it reads in my manual. I took that to mean 16 inches long, by 6, 7 or 8 pitch.
Posts: 1157
Joined: 11/30/2003 From: Cadillac,
MI, USA Status: offline
Bull: the wind has been the big block to flying here, too. I don't think we've had more than four days where it didn't blow 20-30 mph since late April.
Since I can't fly, I've been making a little progress on the Mustang every day. The tip blocks are on, and the ailerons fitted and hinged. One block is shaped and sanded. I'm going to give it a coat of thinned finishing epoxy before I shape the other one, so that it won't get dented or chipped or busted, as shaping tips requires that I put one wingtip on the table, then sit in a chair with the tip I'm working on in my lap. This thing is a lot bigger than I expected it to be.
New color scheme. I think I'm going with this one. I like the green/gray camo, the RCAF markings, and I especially like the yellow leading edges. I'm going to make them come a bit further aft, top and bottom, than the prototype, for better visibility. I want to cover the cowl and air scoop, so I ordered the fiberglass pieces from
Posts: 1157
Joined: 11/30/2003 From: Cadillac,
MI, USA Status: offline
Felt lucky last night and cut out the first flap. Came off real nice.
The OS 120AX arrived this am. That monster fits nice within the cowl, but the slimline Q muffler is too wideand would have required too much butchery, so I'm exchanging it for a macs muffler and one of the extensions, so I can mount the engine inverted with the exhaust sticking out the side.
Think of the 120 as a cheaper (by about $230) Saito 150. Same props, same rpms.
Posts: 361
Joined: 9/11/2005 From: Splendora,
TX, USA Status: offline
Hey Bull... I realize hind-sight is 20-20, but when your plane is barely managing to stay in the air (wing tips trying to stall out on you, making it rock back and forth) one should NOT try to turn the plane! The best course of action is to keep straight and (if you have any altitude at all) put the nose slightly down and try to get it back on the ground in as few pieces as possible. You can't turn when you're barely flying.
Also try doing some high-speed taxing before your next maiden. Get a feel for it running on it's mains with the tail up and level. Take the entire runway and run it end to end, as fast as it'll go without actually taking off. It helps to get a feel for how the plane will handle when you do take off, IMO. Also helps to build up confidence levels.
Posts: 179
Joined: 12/31/2004 From: newburgh,
NY, USA Status: offline
Michael,
Well, you are a mind reader. I was out at the fied sunday to do just what you suggested. A few high speed runs on the mains. Then put her up! But, the wind was so bad I was afraid one of the gusts would put her in the air unexpectedly or blow her off the runway.
As for the maiden, I would have loved to keep her straight and nose down a little, but I think the trees at the end of the runway would have done just as much damage and I had no ladder to get her down if she got stuck in one. I hand no other option but to try and turn. If the wind was from the north that day, I would not have had any issues regarding trees, but, sadly winds were from the south....and we know the rest. I Thanks for the tips!
Posts: 361
Joined: 9/11/2005 From: Splendora,
TX, USA Status: offline
quote:
the wind was so bad I was afraid one of the gusts would
Ok well, know when not to fly then. LOL!
I'm not a fan of gusty winds. I'd rather take my aircraft back home in 1 piece than risk flying in weather conditions that are ugly. It's just not worth it, IMO. Especially for a maiden flight... I won't maiden an aircraft until I get ideal weather conditions!
Sorry your flying field has such obstacles at the end.... my club's field is a full 50 acres of nothi
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RE: Top Flite 1/7 P-51 Build - 
