RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think  
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RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 7/17/2008 5:27:06 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19640
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: online 		What should the CG be? Since I got it pre-built, i just had to guess (made for a REALLY interesting maiden!)

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Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Groucho Marx

(in reply to Deadeye)
       Post #: 51

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 7/17/2008 6:36:16 PM   
woopie


 

Posts: 88
Joined: 8/24/2002
From: Clarksburg, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		My CG is marked at 2 & 7/16" in front of the main gear block wire center line. Another way to measure would be from the rear wing spar (where the ailerons are hinged) and measure forward along the wing & fuselage joint to just about 16".

(in reply to MinnFlyer)
       Post #: 52

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 7/17/2008 6:43:39 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19640
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: online 		Wow, my CG is only about 3/4" forward of the main gear - but it flies nice

_____________________________

Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Groucho Marx

(in reply to woopie)
       Post #: 53

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 7/17/2008 9:38:35 PM   
Lamoilleriver


 

Posts: 88
Joined: 12/1/2005
From: fairfax, VT, USA
Status: offline 		My CG measures 16" from the trailing edge of the wing, NOT the aileron, plans show CG at 15 3/4" from edgw of wing. I think I'll try taking a " wee" bit more weight from the nose. Do not have any downthrust and the plans show 1 1/2 degrees down, will add that also. Litttle by little I'll get the bugs out of the Northstar. Have always loved the Northstar from the time I first saw it on the cover of RCM in the late 1980's, Laddie has sure come up with some pretty cool designs.

(in reply to MinnFlyer)
       Post #: 54

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 7/18/2008 8:47:05 AM   
russram


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 6/11/2008
From: Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Status: offline 		on the wingrocking read my earlier write up about it on this thread. also i have now flown my latest model which i bought s/hand and in the 4 flight i got no wing rock and the tip float have not been modified. this model is quite old and the wing covering is very loose wether that got any thing to do with it. I know that a few years ago i was playing around with banner towing and to stop my banners from flapping i used wind break messing so that there was a balance preasure on both sides of the banner when towing them my latest banner is 8mtrs X 1mtres and it follows around a steady as a rock keep the chating up chaps saves building cheers Russell NZ

(in reply to Deadeye)
       Post #: 55

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 7/18/2008 2:43:05 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19640
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: online 		What I find interesting is:

Since my Northstar is second-hand, I guessed at the CG. It flew great, but it was about 1 1/2" behind where it should have been. Last night I added about 3oz of lead to the nose. The CG was still back from where it should be, but it flew well in the other location. so I knew I was safe.

The wing rocking disappeared, but it was so sluggish in the pitch axis that I eventually removed 2 of the 3 ounces of lead.

The wing rocking has subsided a bit, but it's much more responsive in the pitch axis. But like my first Northstar, it could still be more responsive to elevator input.

I am thinking (like I wanted to do on my first one) about adding a canard to the front to give that big nose some lift.

_____________________________

Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Groucho Marx

(in reply to russram)
       Post #: 56

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 7/18/2008 5:36:47 PM   
Falcon6667



Posts: 137
Joined: 9/27/2007
From: Elberton, GA, USA
Status: offline 		MinnFlyer
What are you running for power? Whats the up weight? Whats is covered with?
Falcon

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Be who you are, say what you want those that mind dont matter an those that matter wont mind.

(in reply to MinnFlyer)
       Post #: 57

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 7/18/2008 5:47:44 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19640
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: online 		OS 46FX I got two rolls of The same color Towercote with it, so I'm assuming that's what it's covered with. Don't know AUW

_____________________________

Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Groucho Marx

(in reply to Falcon6667)
       Post #: 58

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 8/27/2008 2:30:55 PM   
knifeedgeyak


 

Posts: 33
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Salinas, CA, USA
Status: offline 		Hello All,


There has not been any action on this thread for a little while so I thought I would post progress on my Northstar. It is getting close. I only have 3 weeks or so before my clubs first fall float fly. Here it is. I have to cover the top of the wings and put in the radio. I can't wait.


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(in reply to MinnFlyer)
       Post #: 59

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 8/27/2008 3:08:27 PM   
MinnFlyer



Posts: 19640
Joined: 4/22/2002
From: Willmar, MN, USA
Status: online 		Sweet!

_____________________________

Mike B.
AMA# 42400 www.gettingairborne.com

"Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." - Groucho Marx

(in reply to knifeedgeyak)
       Post #: 60

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 8/28/2008 8:34:14 AM   
russram


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 6/11/2008
From: Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Status: offline 		That.s looking great sure looks easy when you are doing it you will love flying it they are a dream cheers Russell NZ

(in reply to knifeedgeyak)
       Post #: 61

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 8/28/2008 4:24:06 PM   
knifeedgeyak


 

Posts: 33
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Salinas, CA, USA
Status: offline 		That is not me. I wish I was that good. That is my buddy Dale. He is teaching me the way of the covering. We got it finished last night. I will take some photos and put them up soon. It has been along process. Glassing and painting the hull took a while but it payed off. I won't have to worry about my covering coming off.

(in reply to russram)
       Post #: 62

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 8/29/2008 3:08:15 PM   
knifeedgeyak


 

Posts: 33
Joined: 5/2/2007
From: Salinas, CA, USA
Status: offline 		These are bad pictures. I will get some better ones when I have a chance. All I have left is the engine and radio. It will be maidened on Sep 20th. I am pretty happy about how it came out. It is only the second plane I have built from a kit so there are some flaws but all in all it turned out pretty nice.


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(in reply to knifeedgeyak)
       Post #: 63

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 8/30/2008 11:43:26 AM   
russram


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 6/11/2008
From: Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Status: offline 		Well you have done well have you got a weight as it is should be 4>5 lbs but heavier will not worrie the flight much just the sink on landing forget mowing the back lawn and get on the water soon cheers Russell NZ

(in reply to knifeedgeyak)
       Post #: 64

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 9/2/2008 7:45:19 PM   
Deadeye



Posts: 3690
Joined: 7/16/2002
From: Conrad, MT, USA
Status: offline 		Ok, phase 1 of wing is done. I am at the stage in the fuselage where you start sheeting from the step back. After fitting the wing on, I thought more about sliding the whole tail assembly forward. I could slide the part 21 clear to the TE of the wing, giving me about an 1 1/2 inches of gain. The only thing I can see getting in the way, is the TE of the wing and the control rod. This looks like an easy fix.

Whadda ya guys think?

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Randy Rossmiller, proud husband of Terrorist Hunter www.shannenrossmiller.com

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       Post #: 65

RE: Northstar mods - Tell me what you think - 9/3/2008 6:43:21 AM   
Deadeye



Posts: 3690