DAN AVILLA

My Feedback: (12)

My fields taxi ways are real rough. After 2 days of flying I notice the rear main flex plates are cracked. When the plane is full of fuel and smoke it puts a lot of stress on them. Has any one doubled the rear plate? I know it I go off the runway it might crack the wing. Thanks Dan Avilla BVM rep

Andrew Bird

I've doubled up the rear plate and it works great. I always fly off grass with it and am yet to have cracked the main plates.

Dave Wilshere

You[X(]. You mean I loaned you my BARF (suitable large rental fee) and it has doubled up rear plates!

This BARF has been flying since 2006 and I added a second plate across the top of the retract rail, rear only. I didn't want to make it too strong and damage the wing, by doubling the rear it stops the unit going through the top skin. We have several like this in the UK and the worst it does is brake the cover plate...and that was a guy who did a really bad arrival...

Dw

Andrew Bird

I used the same tactic on my Super Bandit and it also worked very well (although I'll admit to stealing the idea for that from Geoff White).

bidrseed2

My Feedback: (2)

Why only the rear, why not both plates?

AFTERBURNER1

My Feedback: (80)

Or just get an Ultra Flash and a set of pro links and never worry bout those plates again...[X(]

Sorry Danjo,,,, couldn't resist!!

KFX450

My Feedback: (30)

What about on the MK2. If you double up the plates will the doors still have room to close??? I would like to see some pics, if anyone has em, as I am just finishing the wings on my MK2 now..

Dave Wilshere

Frank, as I said, it could be too strong, the single flex plates are fine on 99% of landings, my reason for only doubling the back was just to stop the possibility of the unit going back and up if they both broke. The BARF wing structure is not as tough as the C SB.

D

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

BARF flexplates DO have doublers. You mean adding one more? I would not double the area around the plate mounting bolts, I would want it to break as designed. I broke the hardwood frame on mine because I had doubled up and it wasn't a fun repair.
Replacing flexplates is easy compared to repairing the frame they attach to.

David

DAN AVILLA

My Feedback: (12)

Doug just send me yours. I can pm you with my address. LOL Dan PS Thanks to all for the info.

Dave Wilshere

No, no doubler.Just two long plates sandwiched to make a "bi plane"with the retract unit between.

Dw

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

Yes, but are you using the BVM furnished doubler? You do need that one.

Dave Wilshere

I built the model 5 years ago, I don't remember, but it never broke a plate in hundreds of flights...
Probably it had them, it was one of the very first batch of BARFS released.

Dw

Andrew Bird

It's got the doubler - it was there when I took the old gear legs out and put the trailing links on for grass ops.

Interestingly enough, I bought the BVM Barf main gear door upgrade for the plane. They supply it with balsa blocks to go under the main flex plates, presumably to strengthen the area and stop the gear puncturing the top wing surface if things go wrong. I think Dave's solution is a good one though. The plates are only doubled up on the rear plate, allowing the front to fail first and the gear to pull back and out of the plane, rather than up and through the wing skin. I've got a fair few flights on the plane now and have yet to have had to touch the plates, so it seems to work very well.

FalconWings

My Feedback: (57)

Good for you guys. My Bandit learning curve consisted if several flex plates at each location. Learning to land it in 450ft proved to be a challenge for me. Now I can land it in 200 ft and with landing gear up. :-)

Andrew Bird

I've managed to munch my way through a couple of sets of front plates though

ravill

My Feedback: (11)

Cause then He'd have a flash instead of a REAL airplane Dougie. That's why!

Dan, even with pro link struts, are you breaking flexplates? I haven't broken a flex plate since I've switched to prolinks.

Raf

AFTERBURNER1

My Feedback: (80)

Yup,,,, I've had two of em... C'mon Raffy boy!!!! Let's go runnin and pullin in the corners and see who makes it around the bend without da clappasarus!!! Doooooohhhhhhhhh. To boot. The new Ultra flash flys all day long as good as the bandito for half the jack... Oh yeah,,, did I mention two bolts to fasten the wing????