Posts: 78
Joined: 6/22/2004 From: Howland,
OH, USA Status: offline
Well, winter doesn't seem to want to let go of Ohio so I haven't been able to maiden the Saphir yet...might as well get the other Winter acquisition ready.
Modeltech Calypso I scored a couple of months ago on the auction site. In a lot of ways similar to my Saphir, but a bit smaller and simpler. I'll be taking a different approach here. Although I'm using the same control setup as I put in the Saphir (2 aileron servos, 2 elevator servos, pull-pull rudder), I'm going in a different direction for power. I went old school on the Saphir with a YS 60. This thing is getting a Tower 75 I had laying around. Should be ballistic.
The challenge with these built-up, sheeted ARC airframes is getting the control system installed if you are using other than pushrods. I got 'em in, but once again it wasn't fun.
Also, the instructions describe the installation of either 1 or 2 aileron servo systems. They say that the channel is precut for the servo wire if you are installing them in the wings. Uh, no. Poked all around...no channel. No big deal really, I just made my own. I used a pair of JR 321's from a (RIP) sailplane from last year mounted on plywood covers.
Anyway, enough bs, here's some pictures of the early stages.
Posts: 78
Joined: 6/22/2004 From: Howland,
OH, USA Status: offline
The black bits by the elevator tube exits are pieces of cf tube that will be exit guides for my rudder cables. Modelltech supplied a piece of semi-rigid fiberglass to line the tuned-pipe tunnel...I probably should have glued it in before I glassed the center section but I didn't, so I had to go over it again. I never would have had the kind of confidence my flying style is going to demand in this thing. They also supplied a similar piece to create the part of the tunnel in the fuse bottom forward of the wing. This was pretty straightforward.
Posts: 148
Joined: 11/9/2007 From: Transylvania,
LA, USA Status: offline
My old MT Calypso mono gear weighs, IIRC, somewhere around 6.75 pounds. That's with 5 servos, an old style OS 90 4 stroke, one center wheel and a piano wire outrigger skid near each tip.
Posts: 78
Joined: 6/22/2004 From: Howland,
OH, USA Status: offline
Something new for me. I decided to try screwing the firewall in. This seems plenty secure and I have access to the tank compartment from the front. I have had more tank problems in the past than I care to admit and shoving this one in from the back really looked nasty. We'll see how it works out.
Posts: 78
Joined: 6/22/2004 From: Howland,
OH, USA Status: offline
Retract installation. Framing in the gear pockets and sevo compartment pretty straightforward stuff. I'm using some mechanicals that were included in the auction with the kit. They look to be Great Planes but had a different name on the box - probably the same gear before Great Planes bought them. I'll try to find the box.
Posts: 78
Joined: 6/22/2004 From: Howland,
OH, USA Status: offline
I'm done....just haven't got the pictures up yet. I got it covered and ready to fly with the Tower 75 and I waited and waited for my header from Macs. Finally I gave up and cobbled up a workable piece out of one designed for an OS SF 61. Then I had so much trouble getting the motor to idle and transition that I gave up on it. A lot of guys have had great results with this engine but the carburetor seems to be a common problem. Mine is still way fat with the low end needle all the way in. The advice is to contact Tower and they'll supply a new carb...problem is they don't have any. They've been back-ordered for months. So I acquired a YS 60 FS on the auction site. I have 3 FR's and love them so this was a no brainer for me. However it did put me back in the header-hunt game. Thankfully though, Macs had the one I needed in stock and it only took 2 WEEKS to send it to me. Anyway, maiden is soon and I'll get some pictures up.
P.s. - If you haven't started yet I would love to borrow your cowl to make an impression of the right side. I have a much bigger hole than I need from the Tower 75 and would love to mold a patch. I would pay shipping both ways and guaranteed you'd have it back in a week absolutely unhurt.
Posts: 78
Joined: 6/22/2004 From: Howland,
OH, USA Status: offline
Here's the Tower 75 and some other misc. shots. I'll try to get some more up later. Build is pretty straightforward. My only advice is to avoid monocote at all costs. Ultracote (oracover) is a far superior product and makes covering almost enjoyable.
Posts: 1035
Joined: 2/15/2003 From: Cartersville, GA, USA Status: offline
Just one thing...In this photo I notice how much nyrod you have protruding...You may do this all the time and have done it for years..I dunno???
But I have seen that stuff "kink" when it's extended outside the housing like that...I personally have a habit of using threaded rod from the exit to the control horn and very little nyrod will protrude beyond the exit...
Looks like your using the bigger version which may be strong enough not to kink?? (edit: I scrolled back up and see you are indeed using the Blue Housing Large NyRod...So maybe it's All Good???)
Just a friendly observation...Not trying to change your building style...
Chuck
< Message edited by Atlanta 60 -- 5/7/2008 3:29:21 AM >
_____________________________
"A Superior Pilot uses his Superior Judgment to avoid using his Superior Skills." - astronaut Frank Borman
Posts: 78
Joined: 6/22/2004 From: Howland,
OH, USA Status: offline
I was a bit concerned about the entire nyrod setup on these elevators because I really couldn't anchor them as many places as I'd have liked due to the fuse being fully sheeted when I got it. I must say however, that the whole thing is much stiffer and more positive than I would have imagined. Each nyrod is only driving half of the elevator...I don't know, you may have a point, maybe I'll replace those last couple of inches with metal. Or maybe I'll just fly it and see how it feels in the air.
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