FenderBean

Okay folks does anyone have nice safe way to test a control horn to make sure it will not pull out during flight. Anything will pull out with enough force so i was wonder if a certain weight can be applied to give u safe horn? I thought about attaching my pull scale to get a certain weight, any suggestions?

schroedm

My Feedback: (1)

Yup, horns need to be longer and with a greater angle of rake

FenderBean

Okay after a LOT of work all the controls are connected and set. This would have been much easier with correct size control horns, less cutting would have been required for sure. Anyway everything is in and ready for final setup!!! Some building notes, the flap control rods are to long by about 1 inch and I had to cut two small oval shaped grooves to allow for the flap to move to the proper down angle. I will be taking a slight break to clean and reorganize the hobby room so I can assemble the jet for a video run down on the controls. I have a couple videos uploading at the moment showing some this and more. Tanks mounts are going in next followed by the turbine, im going to use one of my K170s just for now to get everything setup and ready for the turbine I will use.

FenderBean

Okay so I started getting all the wires cleaned up and sorted after the hobby room cleaning instead of the tank work. I really like the stuff I got to use instead of zip ties simple and clean, the best part is the roll I have will last me a life time LOL.
Anyway I noticed something tonight when I put the jet on the table and assembled it, has anyone that has one of these actually looked at the angles on the elevators, rudder and wings? I have one elevator at a different angle than the other and the rudder is not perpendicular to the wings/fuselage. I don't know what else to say about that
Here is a few pics of the cleanup inside

In the Haze

I put mine together as soon as I unpacked it and checked that, it seems ok. My toys would have been thrown out long ago if it was not.......

FenderBean

Mine was hard to see, but once I noticed it you can tell its off

FenderBean

Okay so I fixed the play issue in the bolts that hold the elevators on the fuselage by filling the holes and re-tapping them. I also added a bolt to the back rudder mounts, as it comes the forward is the only one that is used but this will make a much more secure rudder. I then cut a small hole on top where the rudder mounts to allow for the servo lead to enter the fuse as well. There is nothing on top in that area to hit so placement of the hole is up to you. With these items done the only thing left is the tanks, turbine and pipe items. Should be finished soon, but with Turkey day coming I will not be able to finish until after that.

FenderBean

Also for people who have delt with Skymaster over the years whats the trick to getting a scale project right? I have been struggling with simple things like decals, do they not research the schemes they offer? I would like to know for future projects and to help other folks who may come along as well. I would think with the internet and the VAST amounts of high quality decal kit pictures and photos of real jets this would be a real easy thing. Just wondering not trying to bash or start anything, I will have a project to send soon so this will help with that project as well. Thanks and if anyone missed it i am doing videos as well they are just on my youtube channel and the link is in my signature.

Oh and who do you guys contact for improvements? I have always heard SM listens to folks on improvements and I have a few so far that from other people seem to be across the board. Anton doesn't seem to respond anymore?

Cheers!!! and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

M3Baker

Keith,
you're doing a great job on the big Avanti. I'm enjoying your videos. Can't wait to see the F-14 build.

FenderBean

Thanks bud, If I get "the shirt" I think I will start a thread on this jet and collect data from everyone who has built one and submit a recommendation for a few improvements to Skymaster. Its a great jet but like all new jets could use a few simple changes to make it perfecto!

schroedm

My Feedback: (1)

Fender, for any scale model in the past I've put the work in my end. As you say, the Internet is full of info so it's best you do the research, not them. They won't out the time in you would.
I generally produce a several page word document outlining every aspect; close up of decals, paint codes, placements, pictures etc etc.
The less they have to think, the more likely you'll get what you want. This approach has worked for me with JetLegend, FeiBao and Skymaster.

FenderBean

Thanks, Im Learning

FenderBean

Well checked the tanks for leaks and all is good there, total useable fuel is about 8.2 liters so just just over 2 gallons
I may end up dropping to one tank once I start flying and see how much I get thats like 11 mins of flying lol

Trial fit the turbine looks nice and roomy, I do have a mode I will be doing to the elevators which I will post once done. I will be out of town till Sunday so till then everyone have a good Thanksgiving, be safe!

M3Baker

Keith,
Congratulations on your shirt! LOL
Paul

schroedm

My Feedback: (1)

Fender, is your bellmouth pre-fitted to the thrust tube? Instructions say glue on with silicone! Not sure I'd do that. Do you have the pipe mounting former too? Final question, how are you fitting the wing fences??

FenderBean

My pipe is attached with bolts like normal, the front a mount will have 4 L brackets holding the pipe to the front mount. The aft mount will be glued in and the thrust vector mounts to it. Im not going to install the wing fences, but it looks like you just glue them on. Im sure you could make them removable very easy like.

Thanks Paul glad to be part of the team!

In the Haze

Just wondering how much should we trust the 140mm distance from top of pipe to top of rear fus section (as per photo in instructions) to get the pipe centred to the turbine outlet? Looks like using different size pipes would make this general measurement pretty useless. Will need to resort to more "scientific" measurement methods to achieve this I think. Also cannot finalise this either as I do not have the proper size vector nozzle yet, it's on it's way, so do not know how far the pipe must stick out at the back yet....................

FenderBean

Haze, none of the measurements listed have been useable. The rod ends used in the instructions are not the same ends I received. My flap rods were not 80mm like the linkage pack states,normally measurements are a starting points and will vary slightly per build and equipment used. If you looking to figure out on how to center the pipe on the turbine I normally install the turbine and then align the pipe to a hard mounted turbine that is aligned. I will do a video and take a few extra photos on this part of the build since its a bit trial and error due to pipe sizes. The aft mount can only be glued in one location due to its size, unless you sand it small. The alignment to of the aft pipe will be based on the thrust vector pipe since it will be aligned to the rear of the jet which can be easily marked.
This picture shows how i plan to align the thrust vectoring pipe and rear ply mount.

I have a question, how does the strut oil/tank kit work? if I need to increase the the strut pressure to match my weight do I just pump air in since it it has oil or is it used to just add more oil?

In the Haze

Yes looks like the nozzle in the pic is what I am waiting for. The one you have is very different as it's the same as the one I was supplied which is too big for my size pipe.

If you check on Skymasters site, somewhere they have instructions on how to do the whole undercarriage oil/air system. I have done it on my big Hawk and just top up the air every now and again when the struts sag a bit. I pressure to 120psi on the Hawk which seems fine for me.

FenderBean

Yeah the way you mark the for the mounting was more what I was trying to show. with the design of the jet fuselage you can just simple align both sides of the thrust V pipe with the side. Nice they come to point which helps for alignment to the fuselage itself since my back bracket is already marked for the vector pipe mounts it takes some of the guess work out of it.
I will check the site for the strut service instructions! Thanks

Also for those who may be wondering I you get the 50ish pound thrust pipe you also get the 2nd tank, this gives you over 2 gallons of fuel which is a 11+ minutes of flight. Dangit this whole holiday is getting in the way I wish I was back home building LOL heck with the turkey I eat ham anyway LOL

In the Haze

http://www.skymasterjet.com/oleolegs.htm

FenderBean

Yeah i found it, it looks like i just need to add air since they have oil in them. Once i have it completed I will add air to give the struts some shock for landing, im hoping they can be fully extended while static. Any idea what kind of oil they use, mine has a red oil in it.

rc4flying

My Feedback: (21)

I was told to use Transmission fluid in my Skymaster Hawk gear.

FenderBean

Thanks That's What It Looked Like.

In the Haze

I used the oil the R/C car guys use in their shocks, it's the same stuff I believe.