Posts: 281
Joined: 6/8/2005 From: Xenia,
OH, USA Status: offline
This thread will outline my build of the first gas prototype, 80-inch Hybrid Fusion from OMP. This is the second "fattie" prototype whereas the first was powered by an O.S. 1.60 and had a narrower hybrid fuse. First, let me tell you that I don't work for OMP but do live close to the two guys who operate the business: Mr. John Drake and Mr. Mike Pilkenton. When Mike asked me if I would be interested in doing a prototype with gas power I said, "Oh-yea!" I have been building planes since I was a kid and that makes me a builder for the past 35 years as I am now in my 40's. I am your typical weekend pilot and love the challenge and excitement of building a new plane, fitting it with all the components, and engineering solutions.
To get started I want to point out that I am building this prototype with the perspective that the plane has to be as low cost without sacrificing reliability or performance. Therefore, I will skimp a little on some things and go overboard on others. The prototype has to be as rugged and durable as the 67" Fusion. A lot of the this depends upon Mike since he is the designer and a good one at that. For those who have flown the 67" they know how incredible that plane flies and how durable it is. The 80" Hybrid has to be that good.
The components I have picked out are the following:
Engine: Brillelli 26cc SSR. I chose this because of its low weight, low cost, and high performance. I wanted to get as close to a O.S. 1.60 as I could in power and weight.
Exhaust: ES Composite Carbon Fiber Pipe: Okay, I went overboard on this but I felt that $170 was worth the gain in rpm and the reduction in weight.
Servos: Hitec 5955TG all-around. This servo is now in the $80 price range and at that price it is a no-brainer to use it.
Ignition Kill: Here is a new one for me. I decided to go non-optical and chose the Rcats RC100X for ignition kill.
Power: Still undecided here as whether or not I will use a regulator for both Rx and Ignition. If I use regulators I will use Lipos or Li-ions.
At anytime ask some questions and I will do my best to answer them. If you have advice post it or pm me; I can always use some criticism. By-the-way, Mike told me that he is still not sure that a Hybrid will go into production unless there is sufficient evidence to prove it will sell. So, if you want one chime in here so that OMP can take it into consideration.
So, let me show you where I am at on the project: I have the tail feathers all done and I am just waiting on Mike to complete the fuse so that I can start on the wings. The only major change on the wings are the root rib and the next outboard rib as both the rib-root angle and spacing are different from the slab design. I do have most of the ribs cut out and ready to go.
< Message edited by plasticman -- 10/3/2007 1:14:28 PM >
Posts: 239
Joined: 11/14/2005 From: Salem,
OR, USA Status: offline
I'll be watching closely.
An Edge Hybrid was my build project last winter. I'll be watching to see if this "hybrid" will be this winter's project. I have a relatively new Fusion67 and like it except that the motor mount was not properly glued in China. It flys well... but not nearly as well as did my Edge Hybrid (shattered left wing following an untimely engine quit).
Improvement areas of the Edge Hybrid build that would have helped me were those related to providing for elevator servo wire and RX antenna routeing within the fuselage as it was being built. (It's difficult to get large hands inside of the Hybrid fuselage.) As a rookie builder, I failed to perform those tasks during the build. (I had almost as much trouble with siteing the exits for the pull-pull cables for the rudder.)
I'll also be interested in seeing how you install your Brillelli engine. I was going to put a Brillelli 60 in my Edge Hybrid but went with an Evolution 58 with its rear carb since I could not envision an installation with a carb protruding out of one side of the hybrid fuselage and the exhaust equally being a "wart" on the other side. I was conserned that the carb adjusters might end up in an awkward position.
This should be an interesting project for sure. We'll be showing the 80" Fusion Profile version as well so folks can see and vote on both versions. So Dave, "a little overboard" on that pipe?..........ya think! but it sure will be cool.
_____________________________
Mike (Salmon) Pilkenton, Chief Slab Designer Ohio Model Planes, Team OMP Captain
Posts: 499
Joined: 6/23/2002 From: Garland,
TX, USA Status: offline
Just wondering, but why a "Hybrid" box-type fuselage at the 80-inch wingspan point? The reason I am speaking up is I just finished the Hybrid, and dealing with the tight spaces in the fuselage and motor box areas was really a pain.
I have extensive experience with the Giant Edge and Yak profiles, and found them to be perfectly adequate structurally as regular planks. I can see why a box fuselage becomes a necessity at the 92in wingspan, but at the 80in point this just adds a lot of complexity (And I suspect no weight savings)
Put another way, the beauty of the profile designs is keeping everything in plain sight and easy to install and service. At the 12-13lb range, put me down for a foam-core slab every time. (I eagerly await the availability of the Fusion version )
Curious to see how this project works out. Looking forward to your posts.
< Message edited by martyg -- 10/8/2007 3:17:13 AM >
Posts: 281
Joined: 6/8/2005 From: Xenia,
OH, USA Status: offline
Good questions and thanks for the input. I won't disagree that it would seem that we are missing the premise of profile plane construction. But, to defend the idea of a hybrid, I would like to point out a couple of things:
A hybrid allows for the concealment of plumbing, electronics, etc. This allows one to move the CG around as well as other components to meet a wide range of modelers equipment.
A hybrid has great lateral strength for gas engine mounting; for one that uses conventional stand-off mounts.
A hybrid is middle ground for those that would love a profile but just can't get used to the "slab" look.
About the weight and engine selection: This hybrid should hopefully be no more than 11-lbs. That is 30-40cc range but as I stated before my design goal was to stay within the specs of a OS 1.60 in weight. That would be hard to do with a 30cc in weight. A DA-50 on this would be mind-blowing in performance but it is not the right choice for both physical and financial balance. My own desire is to have a plane that performs like the 67" Fusion but burns gas. I hate to clean up glow fuel. That's all I want.
When I first considered doing a 80" Fusion I debated over doing a hybrid fuse as I've coined the term, or doing the traditional slab design. We did the hybrid version for the Toledo show, then I did a profile version just recently for the NashBro show. Dave is doing a modified Hybrid version which will be better suited for the small gas engines. We just love to scratch build stuff here around OMP!
_____________________________
Mike (Salmon) Pilkenton, Chief Slab Designer Ohio Model Planes, Team OMP Captain
Posts: 281
Joined: 6/8/2005 From: Xenia,
OH, USA Status: offline
A little work tonight on the wing: spars and ribs are set, sheeting is half done. Should get one wing completely finished tomorrow night and perhaps started on the other.
Posts: 281
Joined: 6/8/2005 From: Xenia,
OH, USA Status: offline
Marty,
Thanks for asking. I started back on the build this week. I got sidetracked by a few personal items I had to take care of the past couple of weeks and I started back to school which knocks out every other weekend. Nevertheless, I almost have both wings built and I'll post some pictures tomorrow night, or is that later on tonight since its after mid-night and I am still on-line.
Also, I forgot to mention, that I built one wing and it did not come out straight enough for me to accept so I had to scrap it. When I took it off the board it was twisted and I just could not live with it. So, that delayed me a little as well.
Also, I forgot to mention, that I built one wing and it did not come out straight enough for me to accept so I had to scrap it. When I took it off the board it was twisted and I just could not live with it. So, that delayed me a little as well.
David.
Dave was drinking heavily that evening!
_____________________________
Mike (Salmon) Pilkenton, Chief Slab Designer Ohio Model Planes, Team OMP Captain
Printable Version
All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Profile and Fun Flying Planes >> OMP - Ohio Model Products Support Forum >> Giant Fusion - Prototype Build (Hybrid) 
Giant Fusion - Prototype Build (Hybrid) - 
