Dragon question
#26
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RE: Dragon question
Some pics:
I had some Problems to solve:
All steering surfaces are a little bit too long. So you have a problem, when you want to mount for example the Elevator to the fuselage. The same problem with the lenght of the flaps an ailerons. So i had to shorten al little bit...
The wood for the turbine installation in the fuselage is not exact in center (1cm out of centerline)
The Cockit details are awesome. but you have to modify the cockpit to fit in the fuselage...
The amplitude(?) for the steering surfaces are too small. You have to modify a little bit..
Hope you can unterstand my bad english...
I had some Problems to solve:
All steering surfaces are a little bit too long. So you have a problem, when you want to mount for example the Elevator to the fuselage. The same problem with the lenght of the flaps an ailerons. So i had to shorten al little bit...
The wood for the turbine installation in the fuselage is not exact in center (1cm out of centerline)
The Cockit details are awesome. but you have to modify the cockpit to fit in the fuselage...
The amplitude(?) for the steering surfaces are too small. You have to modify a little bit..
Hope you can unterstand my bad english...
#27
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RE: Dragon question
Some pics:
I had some Problems to solve:
All steering surfaces are a little bit too long. So you have a problem, when you want to mount for example the Elevator to the fuselage. The same problem with the lenght of the flaps an ailerons. So i had to shorten al little bit...
The wood for the turbine installation in the fuselage is not exact in center (1cm out of centerline)
The Cockit details are awesome. but you have to modify the cockpit to fit in the fuselage...
The amplitude(?) for the steering surfaces are too small. You have to modify a little bit..
Hope you can unterstand my bad english...
I had some Problems to solve:
All steering surfaces are a little bit too long. So you have a problem, when you want to mount for example the Elevator to the fuselage. The same problem with the lenght of the flaps an ailerons. So i had to shorten al little bit...
The wood for the turbine installation in the fuselage is not exact in center (1cm out of centerline)
The Cockit details are awesome. but you have to modify the cockpit to fit in the fuselage...
The amplitude(?) for the steering surfaces are too small. You have to modify a little bit..
Hope you can unterstand my bad english...
#29
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RE: Dragon question
ORIGINAL: Osnabruecker
Some pics:
I had some Problems to solve:
All steering surfaces are a little bit too long. So you have a problem, when you want to mount for example the Elevator to the fuselage. The same problem with the lenght of the flaps an ailerons. So i had to shorten al little bit...
The wood for the turbine installation in the fuselage is not exact in center (1cm out of centerline)
The Cockit details are awesome. but you have to modify the cockpit to fit in the fuselage...
The amplitude(?) for the steering surfaces are too small. You have to modify a little bit..
Hope you can unterstand my bad english...
Thanks for the pictures, the cockpit looks awesome ! I have the same scheme coming.
Thanks
Albert
Some pics:
I had some Problems to solve:
All steering surfaces are a little bit too long. So you have a problem, when you want to mount for example the Elevator to the fuselage. The same problem with the lenght of the flaps an ailerons. So i had to shorten al little bit...
The wood for the turbine installation in the fuselage is not exact in center (1cm out of centerline)
The Cockit details are awesome. but you have to modify the cockpit to fit in the fuselage...
The amplitude(?) for the steering surfaces are too small. You have to modify a little bit..
Hope you can unterstand my bad english...
Thanks for the pictures, the cockpit looks awesome ! I have the same scheme coming.
Thanks
Albert
#30
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RE: Dragon question
Just got my Dragon, I'm very happy with the overall quality. There's a few minor things to work out but nothing major. What are you guys using for operating the gear door ? BVM switch ?
Thanks
Albert
Thanks
Albert
#31
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RE: Dragon question
I just purchased my Dragon, used, from a friend. Powered by a 160sx, I flew it last weekend and burned about 9 gallons of fuel. This is my 3rd turbine jet and I am very impressed with how well it flies. I was comfortable enough after the third flight to do entire flights of touch and goes on grass. Grass is what I fly on 99% of the time. The original (upgraded) struts have been replaced by Dream Works Pro Links (for the Reaction) and these seem to take the abuse of grass field runways well. I survived a couple of rough bunny hops while learning to get it slow enough on landing without damage to airframe. I feel the knee action design of this type of gear really helps here.
Balance, weight placement, center of gravity: I have two 4000 mah LiPos (rx) and one 3700 Lipo (for ECU) up front (in the nose) along with a pretty large chunk of lead. The balance is right on the wing spar but it feels like it can be moved back a bit. I really slowed it down with no tendacy to snap or even begin to wobble. Most of my landings were too hot but I did manage to get here stopped where I was standing on about 3 occasions. My landing flaps were set at about 70 degrees (the recommended 90 degrees looked scary) but I did dial in a bit more (about 85 degrees) later on the second day. I'll have to make some linkage adjustments to get a full 90 degrees.
I had a flame out on day 2 and did not feel rushed to get it on the ground. There was plenty of time and stability to set up for a nice landing and get the gear/flaps down without incident. I suspect a air bubble got me caused by my defueling procedure the day before.
On day 2, there seemed to be a problem with the rudder servo. The tail appeared to move back and forth at high speed. I slowed it down and had no issues with landing. Not wanting to take any chances, a new servo and rx have been installed. Testing will continue tomorrow.
I'm still new to turbines (about 13 months now) and feel really comfortable with this setup. The Bobcat is collecting dust every since making the purchase. I feel there is still much to learn about this aircraft and hope all Dragon owners will post their lessons learned here.
One of the things I really like about this airframe is the howl emitted by the airframe at high speed. I've heard it is created by not running the front wheel door. It's a awesome sound and enough to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
One of the things I want to make improvement to is the cable steering. I think the thick grass I'm flying on is causing a delayed effect on steering inputs. It's not unmanagable, but does require you to be on your toes (or left stick) while making the take off run. We tried tightening the cables a bit but this caused the front gear not to lock in the down position. If anyone has done a modification to make this a direct steering (servo mounted to front gear), I'd sure like to see it.
Here are some pics. I hope others with the same plane will add to this post as there does not appear to be much info available on the forums/youtube for this aircraft:
John
Balance, weight placement, center of gravity: I have two 4000 mah LiPos (rx) and one 3700 Lipo (for ECU) up front (in the nose) along with a pretty large chunk of lead. The balance is right on the wing spar but it feels like it can be moved back a bit. I really slowed it down with no tendacy to snap or even begin to wobble. Most of my landings were too hot but I did manage to get here stopped where I was standing on about 3 occasions. My landing flaps were set at about 70 degrees (the recommended 90 degrees looked scary) but I did dial in a bit more (about 85 degrees) later on the second day. I'll have to make some linkage adjustments to get a full 90 degrees.
I had a flame out on day 2 and did not feel rushed to get it on the ground. There was plenty of time and stability to set up for a nice landing and get the gear/flaps down without incident. I suspect a air bubble got me caused by my defueling procedure the day before.
On day 2, there seemed to be a problem with the rudder servo. The tail appeared to move back and forth at high speed. I slowed it down and had no issues with landing. Not wanting to take any chances, a new servo and rx have been installed. Testing will continue tomorrow.
I'm still new to turbines (about 13 months now) and feel really comfortable with this setup. The Bobcat is collecting dust every since making the purchase. I feel there is still much to learn about this aircraft and hope all Dragon owners will post their lessons learned here.
One of the things I really like about this airframe is the howl emitted by the airframe at high speed. I've heard it is created by not running the front wheel door. It's a awesome sound and enough to make the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
One of the things I want to make improvement to is the cable steering. I think the thick grass I'm flying on is causing a delayed effect on steering inputs. It's not unmanagable, but does require you to be on your toes (or left stick) while making the take off run. We tried tightening the cables a bit but this caused the front gear not to lock in the down position. If anyone has done a modification to make this a direct steering (servo mounted to front gear), I'd sure like to see it.
Here are some pics. I hope others with the same plane will add to this post as there does not appear to be much info available on the forums/youtube for this aircraft:
John
#33
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RE: Dragon question
ORIGINAL: racer8297
John,
You said you used the Prolink Reaction LG. Did it drop right in? Are you using it for the nose as well?
Thanks,
Jim
John,
You said you used the Prolink Reaction LG. Did it drop right in? Are you using it for the nose as well?
Thanks,
Jim
Yes, it is a drop in. I only changed out the mains............the nose gear holds up well. Failed to mention that I went with solid tires and used Dreamworks wheel/tire/brake combo. Part numbers:
Struts: PST Reaction ARF Main Strut= PL-33400 $180.00
Intairco 3" Main wheels/tires/brakes= IAC-3004 $209.00
You could use the Skymaster wheels/tires with a little material removed from the bottom of the strut where the brake hub attaches. I have the same setup on my BVM Bobcat using the BVM stock wheels. It too did require some minor modifications to mate the wheels to strut. A local machinist did mine in about 20 minutes for the cost of a 12 pack of his favorite brew.
#35
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RE: Dragon question
Thanks John for all the info, I should have mine done in a week or two. I got the wings, stabs and vertical fin hinged and servos are in. BTW thanks for the pictures !
What do you think of the power with the 160 ?
Thanks
Albert
What do you think of the power with the 160 ?
Thanks
Albert
#36
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RE: Dragon question
ORIGINAL: racer8297
Thanks John. Do you think I can squeeze a 3.5'' main wheel in there? Also, What is the length of the front strut? I want to know so I can order the right one from Dreamworks.
Jim
Thanks John. Do you think I can squeeze a 3.5'' main wheel in there? Also, What is the length of the front strut? I want to know so I can order the right one from Dreamworks.
Jim
I just came in from completing 4 more flights and have the fuselage tied down in my trailer. Will try to get you a length of the front strut tomorrow. Are you starting from scratch? (no struts at all)
John
#38
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RE: Dragon question
ORIGINAL: as722
Thanks John for all the info, I should have mine done in a week or two. I got the wings, stabs and vertical fin hinged and servos are in. BTW thanks for the pictures !
What do you think of the power with the 160 ?
Thanks
Albert
Thanks John for all the info, I should have mine done in a week or two. I got the wings, stabs and vertical fin hinged and servos are in. BTW thanks for the pictures !
What do you think of the power with the 160 ?
Thanks
Albert
Hopefully I can get some video in the next couple of days.
I need some advice in this area: If anyone has shifted the c/g back from the recommended wing tube position, I'd like to know the magic number. I'm of the impression it is nose heavy by the amount of down elevator required while inverted. I've also flown by at 3/4 stick, pulled up at about a 45 degree angle while rolling inverted and the nose does tend to go toward the ground. It is not unmanagable but I don't won't to flirt with snapping it while slow and down wind.
#39
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RE: Dragon question
ORIGINAL: racer8297
John,
No, I do not have the landing gear yet.
And thank you for all the great info!
Jim
John,
No, I do not have the landing gear yet.
And thank you for all the great info!
Jim
#42
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RE: Dragon question
ORIGINAL: racer8297
John,
Thanks for the pictures of the main gear. Don't forget to measure the length of the nose gear when you get a chance.
Jim
John,
Thanks for the pictures of the main gear. Don't forget to measure the length of the nose gear when you get a chance.
Jim
6-1/8" from retract mount to center of axle (uncompressed...on the stand)
4 more flights logged this morning. Winds 10-20 mph.............solid is the word I would use to describe the experience.
#44
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RE: Dragon question
Andre,
Omtrent so +/- R15K kompleet. Bly om te sien jy wil weer vlieg.
Groete
Morne
Hier is my Dragon: http://www.xtremehobby.co.za/page76.html
Omtrent so +/- R15K kompleet. Bly om te sien jy wil weer vlieg.
Groete
Morne
Hier is my Dragon: http://www.xtremehobby.co.za/page76.html
#47
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RE: Dragon question
Dankie, dis nie so erg nie...
Hoe lank is die wagtyd?
Hoe lank is die wagtyd?
ORIGINAL: MNModels
Andre,
Omtrent so +/- R15K kompleet. Bly om te sien jy wil weer vlieg.
Groete
Morne
Hier is my Dragon: http://www.xtremehobby.co.za/page76.html
Andre,
Omtrent so +/- R15K kompleet. Bly om te sien jy wil weer vlieg.
Groete
Morne
Hier is my Dragon: http://www.xtremehobby.co.za/page76.html
#48
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RE: Dragon question
ORIGINAL: as722
Thanks for the video John. Does the trim change much from start to end of the flight since the fuel is mostly ahead of the c.g. ?
Thanks
Albert
Thanks for the video John. Does the trim change much from start to end of the flight since the fuel is mostly ahead of the c.g. ?
Thanks
Albert
Have been flying all day. Let me get unloaded, downloaded, yard moved and my thoughts together and I'll share what I learned today.
John