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Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
NY, USA Status: offline
Well, I just have to tell all you "AJ Extra"fanatics out there in RCU land that, as an OLD Dinosaur Grandpa, I am really surprised that all of you Young GUN 3D flyers have not thought to do a build thread. Soooooooooo, I am just going to have to do it, right here and now!!!!! Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........Yeahhhhhhhhhhhh! Now, ARE YOU ALL READY..........OK......THEN LET`S GET IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First of all, let`s get something straight right from the get go......FLITON is pronounced as follows: FLIGHT - ON and thank you for your attention to this factoid. Now, I incourage any of you AJ guys to jump in and give an old dog some assistance any time that you have something to add. I`ll start with some basic photos tomorrow and we should have some fun and learn a bunch from each other, all right.......let`s go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
< Message edited by papajeff -- 6/28/2007 2:17:43 AM >
Posts: 360
Joined: 10/30/2006 From: Liberty Township,
OH, USA Status: offline
My first tip is to replace the wing tube. I witnessed a failure this weekend where the tube buckled about an inch inside the fuselage. The pilot was pulling out of a dive but it was not dramatic. Thirty degree downline then pull to horizontal - SNAP! Finished.
Examining the tube afterwards, I was shocked at how thin-walled it is. I didn't have calipers with me but if the tube-wall was thicker than a soda-straw I'd be surprised. It's a really nicely made airplane but I think this is one place they should not have tried to save a few grams.
Posts: 422
Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
NY, USA Status: offline
I did see TAILDRAGGER726, which I found very interesting, but I just thought to do the "traditional" build with photos and such to elicit the other AJ guys to jump in as their build experience would be invaluable and make the thread a lot of fun. If there is another build, please direct me to it and I will cease and desist or maybe add to it.
Posts: 422
Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
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pappy35,
Thanks for the heads up on the wing tube! I will check my AJ and let you know if the tube is as thin as your friends was. See, we've started to accomplish something positive already and this thread has hardly started. I'm just waiting to hear from airraptor again to find out where that other RCU build thread is so I don't step on anyone's toes by continuing on this one. If you know where it is, please inform me. Thanks again for your tip!
< Message edited by papajeff -- 6/28/2007 2:18:55 AM >
Posts: 422
Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
NY, USA Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: pappy35
My first tip is to replace the wing tube. I witnessed a failure this weekend where the tube buckled about an inch inside the fuselage. The pilot was pulling out of a dive but it was not dramatic. Thirty degree downline then pull to horizontal - SNAP! Finished.
Examining the tube afterwards, I was shocked at how thin-walled it is. I didn't have calipers with me but if the tube-wall was thicker than a soda-straw I'd be surprised. It's a really nicely made airplane but I think this is one place they should not have tried to save a few grams.
Well, I did check the wing tube on the AJ that I just received and found that it is a carbon fiber tube with a wall-thickness of 0.011", ID of 0.440" and OD of 0.451". It sure seemed strong enough to withstand any series of 3D manuevers. Has your friend contacted Fliton regarding this issue?
Posts: 422
Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
NY, USA Status: offline
quote:
ORIGINAL: airraptor
its now on page not sure if a build thread but it does have 90+ posts
I checked again with a search of all forums for the AJ Extra 330S and found no build thread, yet I did see Taildragger726 from this past Feb with about 90 posts, as you had mentioned. I'm going to forge ahead and wecome any of those guys to jump right in and I believe that it will make for a very interesting and informative thread. We shall see, right???
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Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
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It may seem simplistic, but every model has to be packed properly in order to be shipped somewhere. And, when the Fliton AJ Extra box was opened......the packaging looked like a great deal of thought was put into getting this excellent model to the Hobbbist in perfect condition. Just take a look!!!!!
< Message edited by papajeff -- 6/29/2007 3:51:40 AM >
Posts: 422
Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
NY, USA Status: offline
I would personally like to thank #63,whomever #63 may be, because every part that was individually bagged had the number 63 on it. This would make anyone receiving this model extremely confident that someone took a lot of effort to make sure that everything is complete and in proper condition. This was certainly the case with my AJ Extra!
Once all the parts were checked to make sure that none were missing, using the construction manual as a guide since there was a complete parts list, it was noticed that the manual was very organized, informative, logical, easily understood, and contained numerous photos of each and every construction step, and even included a Table of Contents! This is unusual, to say the least, but very welcomed.
Now, there's this little package of lasercut parts that looks like a jigsaw puzzle and goes together like one, and it's the Fliton signature "EasyUp" motor mount. I just could not resist........so let's start with the little puzzle-motor mount.
Oh, one more thing, I could not help this either.........I had to..... kind of .......you know......place the parts together......just to see what it would look like......eventhough I have seen dozens & dozens of photos of the AJ Extra over the past several months!!!!!!!
< Message edited by papajeff -- 6/29/2007 4:43:07 AM >
Posts: 422
Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
NY, USA Status: offline
At this point it might be wise to give some basic specifications for the AJ Extra 330S, so keeping in line with FLITON'S current motto:
"WELCOME TO THE NEXT LEVEL"
Designed by: Andrew "the Animal" Jesky to be the best large-scale parkflyer available to execute 40% size performance! Wingspan: 50.40" Length: 49.60" Wing Area: 465"sq. Weight w/o battery: 29-30oz. Flying Weight: 46-50oz. Skill Level: Int.-Adv. Recommended: 4 Ch radio w/4 micro servos Brushless outrunner motor Brushless ESC LiPo battery 6 Ch receiver
Posts: 422
Joined: 8/25/2004 From: Rochester,
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Hey Chaz, I'm pleased that you are interested in the AJ build and I hope to stimulate involvement from other RCU members who may have some experience with this fine model. We'll try to make it fun too!
It is a little out of the order suggested by the construction manual, but let's do the motor mount first. The lasercut ply pieces do fit like a little jigsaw puzzle and is Fliton's signature "EasyUP" motor mount. It is light weight, yet strong enough to properly support a high performance brushless motor with right thrust built in. Take your time and lay out all the parts as shown below because the photos in the instruction booklet are a little faint. It is also suggested that you dry fit all the parts together first, as shown in the instructions. You may need to use a little sand paper (an emery board works great) if some of the parts fit too tight as some of mine did.
Now, if all is in order, it is suggested to tack the motor mount together using (ZAP) regular CA, but use the CA sparingly because you really want to use a 5 minute epoxy (Z-POXY) on all the joints and edges to insure a strong and stable "cage" assembly. Several thin layers of epoxy is much better than one thick Glop (a technical term), also it is recommended to avoid Gorilla glue because it can be a mess when it expandes as it dries! Don't we all know it??????
< Message edited by papajeff -- 6/30/2007 4:30:25 AM >
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Joined: 1/28/2004 From: N Ft Myers,
FL, USA Status: offline
Cool papajeff,looks like you are doing it right! It will be interesting to see what you do with the landing gear attach blind nuts and tailwheel. I have two FG edition AJ Extras coming from Fliton and will incorperate all kinds of cool stuff learned from these threads. I saw a really neat mod, the rudder servo was mounted in the bottom of the fuse, at the rear with a direct pushrod.( like the Mini-Inspire) This allows you mount your battery a little more foward,,,, so your Deans connectors can be accessed through the bottom of the cowl. No need to remove the hatch to plug in batteries. Think about that.
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FLITON - AJ Extra 330S "Build thread" - 
I have two FG edition AJ Extras coming from Fliton and will incorperate all kinds of cool stuff learned from these threads. I saw a really neat mod, the rudder servo was mounted in the bottom of the fuse, at the rear with a direct pushrod.( like the Mini-Inspire) This allows you mount your battery a little more foward,,,, so your Deans connectors can be accessed through the bottom of the cowl. No need to remove the hatch to plug in batteries. Think about that.