Pilot Dolphin Review and Build
#404
The problem was mostly with the nose gear strut. I actually have all three retract units, two main struts, main wheels, tires, and brakes. The only thing I don't have is the nose gear strut and wheel. Tony has nose strut and tire, I bought one from him for $134.
The brakes work okay but if you need to stop really fast like I do they will not be good for you. If you are still interested I'll let you have all three retracts, controller, and the two main gear struts with wheels and brakes for $200. Even getting the nose strut from Tony your still in for less than half of the price for a new set.
The brakes work okay but if you need to stop really fast like I do they will not be good for you. If you are still interested I'll let you have all three retracts, controller, and the two main gear struts with wheels and brakes for $200. Even getting the nose strut from Tony your still in for less than half of the price for a new set.
#406
My Feedback: (120)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Traverse City,
MI
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The dolphin is coming along. The kit included a pair of fins that look like the fins on the bottom rear of and F-16. Has anyone else used these? Where do they mount? Haven't seen them in a dolphin before.....
#411
My Feedback: (120)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Traverse City,
MI
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Assuming they are not there, are there any measurements, re..distance from the very back, distance between them....anybway I can figure out where to mount them? What is their purpose? It seems the early kits did not have them.
#412
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If anyone is having issues with the air brakes not working well the correct O-Ring is 3/16 CS by 15/16 ID. I had an early model with a O-Ring that did not work that well when I tested them recently. (I changed my original air retract over to Lado many years ago and these worked well) Recently tested the original O-Rings to use in another project, did not perform well. The O-Ring referenced works very well.
#415
Hi all, just got a second hand dolphin, the turbine ready version. Its going to be my first jet.
I've got a merlin 140 for it, would 45 mm from the cone on the turbine to the beginning of the pipe be the correct distance?
I have enlarged the stab with 50 mm each side, and I have the Igyro 3E coming. Planing 12 degrees take-off flaps, and 30 degrees landing flaps, no elevator compensation.
I'm planning to run the gyro with 25/35/45% gain on normal flight/take-off/landing. I'll run trippel rates on the gain rates, letting me go half of sett gain, or gyro off.
I'll be running recommended c/g, or maybe 10 mm in front of it.
Any comments to my setup?
Its been said alot in this thread about how bad the included struts are. Have anyone found reasonably priced replacement struts that work better? I'll be flying off a somewhat rough grass strip, so might as well get something better right away.
I've got a merlin 140 for it, would 45 mm from the cone on the turbine to the beginning of the pipe be the correct distance?
I have enlarged the stab with 50 mm each side, and I have the Igyro 3E coming. Planing 12 degrees take-off flaps, and 30 degrees landing flaps, no elevator compensation.
I'm planning to run the gyro with 25/35/45% gain on normal flight/take-off/landing. I'll run trippel rates on the gain rates, letting me go half of sett gain, or gyro off.
I'll be running recommended c/g, or maybe 10 mm in front of it.
Any comments to my setup?
Its been said alot in this thread about how bad the included struts are. Have anyone found reasonably priced replacement struts that work better? I'll be flying off a somewhat rough grass strip, so might as well get something better right away.
#416
45mm would be too large, even with the short cone Jets Munt I wouldn't go greater than 35mm
if your flying on rough grass you need to open the wing and brace the wood mounts, we have seen the gear come out on rough asphalt, the mounts are light ply and really not up to anything but short hole free grass.
with the iGyro and enlarged tail you can run the stock balance point.
if your flying on rough grass you need to open the wing and brace the wood mounts, we have seen the gear come out on rough asphalt, the mounts are light ply and really not up to anything but short hole free grass.
with the iGyro and enlarged tail you can run the stock balance point.
#417
My Feedback: (120)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Traverse City,
MI
Posts: 254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used a set of second hand GJC gear from one of their vipers....perfect fit, and much stronger. The nose strut lifts the nose slightly, which, from reading this thread, is a good thing.
#418
Thank you both for your reply. IŽll set the distance turbine to pipe to 35 mm.
I will be strengthening the U/C mounts with carbon cloth or fiberglass, but I donŽt think IŽll open the wing up before flying. Although our field is somewhat rough, it has no holes or things that tend to rip the gear out. ItŽs just not very smooth under the grass.
IŽve been looking at the xicoy struts. Reasonably priced, and I could go 135 mm on the mains and nose with a 65 mm nose wheel. That would lift the nose 7.5 mm compared to stock, and I think it would fit in the gear bays in the wings, and it will fit no problem in the nose.
Any comments on the gyro rates? Any comments on the flap rates, and starting out with no elevator to flap mix?
Thanks again!
I will be strengthening the U/C mounts with carbon cloth or fiberglass, but I donŽt think IŽll open the wing up before flying. Although our field is somewhat rough, it has no holes or things that tend to rip the gear out. ItŽs just not very smooth under the grass.
IŽve been looking at the xicoy struts. Reasonably priced, and I could go 135 mm on the mains and nose with a 65 mm nose wheel. That would lift the nose 7.5 mm compared to stock, and I think it would fit in the gear bays in the wings, and it will fit no problem in the nose.
Any comments on the gyro rates? Any comments on the flap rates, and starting out with no elevator to flap mix?
Thanks again!
Last edited by authomassen; 12-02-2016 at 10:18 PM.
#419
The larger Dolphin flies ok with the bigger tail area and no gyro, so I would think you will run less gain, but servo spec and manufacturer will change settings. So you need to fly and adjust, no surprises
all your figures will be less
all your figures will be less
#421
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Made these this weekend out of Nylon. Great material for chemical and heat resistance. I also make them in black. All 6 pieces slip together, weighing in at only 13 oz. the center section bolts together and then bolts to the rails just ahead of the turbine.