RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread
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RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 4/27/2006 11:20:29 PM

Maudib

Posts: 5833
Joined: 7/16/2002
From: Ashland, KY, USA
Status: offline

Since I was leaving the gear off so I could belly land it in my yard... I opted to flip the servo and linkage above the wing so they wouldn't be catching and either strip the servo or rip out the control horns...

Good eye my friend...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pistolera

J. David Johnson..I noticed you put the aileron servo with the arm and links ontop of the bottom wing. Any reason why? It does kinda clean up the belly, but would make it difficult to remove the arm from the servo if needed.

Great pics BTW

Earle

(in reply to Pistolera)

Post #: 51

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 4/27/2006 11:36:33 PM

Pistolera

Posts: 37
Joined: 4/27/2006
From: Berkeley Springs, WV, USA
Status: offline

Ah ha....good idea. I tore them of my GP Flatout CAP 580 in the grass, so I may do the same on my RC Universe. I'd love to figure out a way to have a nice removable gear set on this bipe. Maybe use hollow CF tube for the front wing braces and have gear legs that slid up into them???

I have discovered that the CF rod used for the gear legs (and front diagonal braces) will slide into the CF tube used for the wing spars....just gently taper he rod a little and with a firm twisting motion you can slide it into the tube.

My plan now is to use the same diameter TUBE for the front diagonal wing braces, and grinding them off flush with the wing bottom. I'll shorten the gear leg rods appropriately to put the bipe at the correct height/angle on the ground. Based on the firmness in which the rods twist into the tube, I don't think any other securement or indexing will be needed, but we'll see.

I'll try and post a picture when it's done.

< Message edited by Pistolera -- 4/29/2006 3:51:56 PM >

(in reply to Maudib)

Post #: 52

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 4/30/2006 10:32:04 PM

haz

Posts: 204
Joined: 2/2/2002
From: rio rancho, NM, USA
Status: offline

Does anyone know What the built-in thrust angle is on the front of the fuselage? I think i sanded the front fuselage flat.

(in reply to Pistolera)

Post #: 53

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 5/11/2006 8:31:53 PM

ssnyder

Posts: 10
Joined: 10/20/2004
From: , MD, USA
Status: offline

I just got my second flatout and this time I chose the RC Universe Bipe. I noticed something strange when building the lower wing and I was wondering if anyone else has the same problem or if I'm just cazy

. The inner most hinge on the bottom wing is about 2 inches away directly inline with the hole for the wing brace. I think the hinge should be much closer to the control horn and have a cutout for the retaining rings. Did any one else notice this on thier plane? I call Great Planes but thier tech support was useless, I don't think the guy I got has ever build an airplane in his life. I know he had never built or seen a flatout kit because I asked him and noone thier could help me. That's just wrong.

Thanks in advance for anyones help.

Steve

(in reply to haz)

Post #: 54

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 5/11/2006 8:51:50 PM

Pistolera

Posts: 37
Joined: 4/27/2006
From: Berkeley Springs, WV, USA
Status: offline

Yea, I saw that when I built mine, although realize that the control horn is ALSO a hinge point. I just cut out a small rectangle of foam inboard of the hinge to allow room for the CF rod support (wing brace), which I butted up to the innermost retainer ring on the wings rear CF spar. Earle

< Message edited by Pistolera -- 5/11/2006 8:53:14 PM >

(in reply to ssnyder)

Post #: 55

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 5/15/2006 3:41:45 PM

Pistolera

Posts: 37
Joined: 4/27/2006
From: Berkeley Springs, WV, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Pistolera

Yea, I saw that when I built mine, although realize that the control horn is ALSO a hinge point. Earle

My mistake...the control horn is NOT a hinge point on the bipe. I was looking at the hinges and horns on my GP Flatout Cap580, which are. And I just discovered this fact this AM when I whacked it into the grass, breaking both ailerons just infront of the control horns.....DUH. Earle

(in reply to Pistolera)

Post #: 56

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 5/15/2006 4:07:38 PM

ssnyder

Posts: 10
Joined: 10/20/2004
From: , MD, USA
Status: offline

Ok, I know what your talking about it was the same way on my old Flatana before if re-kitted it

!. On my RCU Bipe I just cut another hinge slot about 1/2" from the horn on the bottom wing. I also notched the slot to accomidate the retaining rings. Worked out fine as a matter of fact I flew the RCU bipe for the 1st time this weekend and it flies great. It's a much more stable and much smoother flying plane then the Flatana ever was.

(in reply to Pistolera)

Post #: 57

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 7/22/2006 6:15:07 AM

pache11

Posts: 94
Joined: 9/10/2003
From: Naperville, IL, USA
Status: offline

I noticed the same problem with the bottom ailerons on my RCU Bipe as well. I cut the clip out of the wing brace area, removed the two retaining rings from the bottom wing, and cut a slot on each bottom aileron next to the control horn. Pretty much just made the bottom wing match the clip placement for the top wing. I contacted customer support and they said no one else has had a problem with this plane. I hate lying vendors!!! Everything now works well, but cutting out the two clips takes some of the visual appeal of the bottom wing away. Will maiden this weekend.

(in reply to ssnyder)

Post #: 58

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 5/9/2008 2:48:27 AM

cjshaker

Posts: 135
Joined: 6/29/2006
From: Bend, OR, USA
Status: offline

Finally got back to working on the RC Universe Biplane. Working on it made me very mad and irritated. The poor quality of the plastic fittings irritated the hell out of me. Didn't work on it for a couple of months. Got it finished today, and flew it twice in my front yard. Ripped the gear out of the wings and cracked the fuselage foam near the aileron servo on my second landing, in grass.

I built it with the recommended Rimfire motor, Hitec 55 servos, recommended 640 mAh 3S Lipo. It still seems heavy. Flies well, but sure isn't sturdy at all. I'm flying it in my yard, which is at 4,200' elevation. Thin air. Was fun hovering around between the trees. Was fun until I landed it. I don't think this is an appropriate model for a beginning 3D flyer. Too fragile.

The instructions for this kit are not very good. They seem to be wrong, in terms of the aileron attachments and horns. I ended up with a couple of extra carbon pieces that don't seem to be described in the manual, or else I just missed them. One of them is going to be used to create a keel down the bottom edge of the airplane after I repair it. Where does the manual describe the use of the zbends A2? I ended up using A2s instead of A1s for the linkages to the servos, because there were no where near enough of the A1 z-bends.

After flying my buddy's Challenger RC foamy, made from 6 mm depron, and the Aerocat that I used to have, I much prefer
the simple tape hinges and wire control rods those models use. MUCH quicker to build.

Chris Shaker

(in reply to pache11)

Post #: 59

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 5/9/2008 4:22:00 AM

FlyerBry

Posts: 449
Joined: 9/12/2003
From: Washington, IL, USA
Status: offline

My RCU Bipe is already history and I have to agree the hinge system is just way too overengineered. The tiny plastic clips break too easliy and I agree the instructions are hard too follow. Having now flown 3D foamies for three winters I will say the RCU Bipe is a decent flying foamie. It hovers fairly easily but for indoor flying it isn't the easiest to fly because it is a bit too large and heavy. The landing gear really isn't made to land in grass so you pretty much have to make a perfect harrier landing to pull that off without damage. The real problem is common to all foamy biplanes... They are fragile. If you are just starting out a biplane isn't the best choice. If I had to make a recommendation to a new 3D flyer it would be one of the Hangar 9 foamies that are designed to take the variable pitch prop setup. The one I have in mind is their Extra 260. I say this from experience... When you are starting off you need a 3D plane that takes some abuse and the 260 is overbuilt with lots of carbon fiber. The nose in particular has extra carbon fiber to withstand the torque of a variable pitch prop so a normal prop setup means the extra carbon fiber is overkill. Now I'm not saying this is the best flying or lightest 3D foamy available but for starting off you will definitely spend more time learning than fixing!

Good luck!

FlyerBry

(in reply to cjshaker)

Post #: 60

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 5/9/2008 7:03:49 AM

cjshaker

Posts: 135
Joined: 6/29/2006
From: Bend, OR, USA
Status: offline

FlyerBry:

I love flying the RC Universe biplane on RealFlight G4... Too bad the real
airplane isn't as sturdy as the model is!

Thanks for the recommendations. Didn't know that Hangar 9 made foamies.
Will check them out.

I've got a Charger RC foamy to build. I've flown my buddy's, and it is a nice
airplane to fly.

I've been flying a Typhoon2, which is a lot of fun. Currently have a brushless
outrunner screwed on the nose. Now that I'm not replacing parts on it very often,
it is a lot of fun to fly.

Chris Shaker

quote:

ORIGINAL: FlyerBry

My RCU Bipe is already history and I have to agree the hinge system is just way too overengineered. The tiny plastic clips break too easliy and I agree the instructions are hard too follow. Having now flown 3D foamies for three winters I will say the RCU Bipe is a decent flying foamie. It hovers fairly easily but for indoor flying it isn't the easiest to fly because it is a bit too large and heavy. The landing gear really isn't made to land in grass so you pretty much have to make a perfect harrier landing to pull that off without damage. The real problem is common to all foamy biplanes... They are fragile. If you are just starting out a biplane isn't the best choice. If I had to make a recommendation to a new 3D flyer it would be one of the Hangar 9 foamies that are designed to take the variable pitch prop setup. The one I have in mind is their Extra 260. I say this from experience... When you are starting off you need a 3D plane that takes some abuse and the 260 is overbuilt with lots of carbon fiber. The nose in particular has extra carbon fiber to withstand the torque of a variable pitch prop so a normal prop setup means the extra carbon fiber is overkill. Now I'm not saying this is the best flying or lightest 3D foamy available but for starting off you will definitely spend more time learning than fixing!

Good luck!

FlyerBry

(in reply to FlyerBry)

Post #: 61

RE: RC Universe Profile Biplane (Flatout) Build thread - 6/19/2008 8:26:04 AM

hellblastervolly

Posts: 205
Joined: 3/24/2004
From: Lancaster, PA, USA
Status: offline

Chris.

Actualy what FlyerBry mean with hangar 9 foamy is that horizon Hobby have foamy but they are by E-flite. I did have the RCU Bipe and I did also Ripped the gear out of the wings and the fuselage on my first landing. I just left it with out the gear and just land it with the tail first. Belive it or not it was my first electric plane, first variable pitch prop and first 3Der. I flew it until his expiration day came.

Fernando

_____________________________

" A Pilot Has To Do What A Pilot Has To Do To Fly "

(in reply to cjshaker)

Post #: 62

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