Don Smith A-26 Build
03-04-2018, 07:13 PM
#251
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FWIW, I don't plan to have all the detailing done for the maiden. No gear doors on the mains, no paint detail, limited decals, etc. There's another couple of months of detail finish work to do. But I want to get it in the air, see how it flies before investing in the final stages.
03-06-2018, 07:10 PM
#252
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Took a detour to complete and mount the top turret. After cutting the plastic to shape, I filled the turret with foam, epoxy, and a balsa block to mount the guns. Then covered with aluminum. The guns are 3D printed plastic. They needed to be sanded smooth and painted before being glued in. Finally 2 dowels glued into the turret secure it to the top of the fuselage.
03-23-2018, 10:11 AM
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Well guys the aluminum covering is _finally_ on. Still needs more weathering and more rivets, but the covering is at least on. Dang, that was one hell of a job to put that all on. Here's what she looks like now.
05-05-2018, 09:11 AM
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Today was a major milestone. Checked the CG 4.125" - great. Weight: 32.75 lbs - great. Started and ran both engines for the first time. All worked well. Started adding some decals, just the nose art so far.
05-08-2018, 05:33 PM
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Fill the groove on the back of the prop with a mixture of epoxy and micro-balloons. Then you will be able do drill it.
05-25-2018, 06:32 AM
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I have been conducting engine tests and a little taxi testing in my front yard. Systems look to be working OK, so plan to take her to the field on Monday May 28 for high speed taxi tests, range tests, brake tests, ... tests.
06-17-2018, 01:05 PM
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Judgement day is near!!!
Ground testing is now complete. Taxi tests, range tests, engine tuning, control surface settings, etc. Just need a day of good weather. Here's some picts of how she looks now.
07-01-2018, 07:07 PM
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3 years, 7 months after starting the A-26 she took to the air for the first time. Flew for about 8 minutes and landed, mostly uneventfully. A couple of things showed that will need some adjustment. First the springs holding the nose gear doors open are not strong enough. During the takeoff, the doors closed against the strut due to wind pressure. The nose wheel jammed against the doors as it retracted. The mains retracted fine as there are no doors there yet. Second the Twinsync is over controlling the 2 engines in flight and causing the plane to yaw around somewhat.
Takeoff was made without flaps. Slight back pressure was required for the plane to rotate and it climbed out with authority. The twin DLE-35's with 16x10x3 props provide enormous power. The amount of torque generated is quite significant. Rolling into a left turn with the plane, the rate of roll is FAST. It is noticeably slower to the right. 7 click of right aileron 2 clicks of down were required for level flight.
Landing was straight forward. On 1 pass before landing I put in takeoff flaps(15 degrees) and put the gear down. Confirmed that all 3 were down. On downwind put in landing flaps (50 degrees). No pitch changes was noted in either flap setting. Approach was made a little fast. One bounce and on the second touch she stayed down.
I'll make a few changes and hope to get the next flight later this week. I will try and get a video.
Takeoff was made without flaps. Slight back pressure was required for the plane to rotate and it climbed out with authority. The twin DLE-35's with 16x10x3 props provide enormous power. The amount of torque generated is quite significant. Rolling into a left turn with the plane, the rate of roll is FAST. It is noticeably slower to the right. 7 click of right aileron 2 clicks of down were required for level flight.
Landing was straight forward. On 1 pass before landing I put in takeoff flaps(15 degrees) and put the gear down. Confirmed that all 3 were down. On downwind put in landing flaps (50 degrees). No pitch changes was noted in either flap setting. Approach was made a little fast. One bounce and on the second touch she stayed down.
I'll make a few changes and hope to get the next flight later this week. I will try and get a video.
07-29-2018, 03:28 PM
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With 3 flights completed, it's time to complete more of the details. First up, make the bomb bay useful! 
I've installed Wingspan Models electronic bomb controller. 4 bombs in the bay, set to drop 2 at a time. First switch toggle will drop the 2 on the left side, then the second toggle will drop 2 on the right side.
Looking forward to trying it at the field.
I've installed Wingspan Models electronic bomb controller. 4 bombs in the bay, set to drop 2 at a time. First switch toggle will drop the 2 on the left side, then the second toggle will drop 2 on the right side.
Looking forward to trying it at the field.
03-30-2020, 01:05 PM
#273
3 years, 7 months after starting the A-26 she took to the air for the first time. Flew for about 8 minutes and landed, mostly uneventfully. A couple of things showed that will need some adjustment. First the springs holding the nose gear doors open are not strong enough. During the takeoff, the doors closed against the strut due to wind pressure. The nose wheel jammed against the doors as it retracted. The mains retracted fine as there are no doors there yet. Second the Twinsync is over controlling the 2 engines in flight and causing the plane to yaw around somewhat.
Takeoff was made without flaps. Slight back pressure was required for the plane to rotate and it climbed out with authority. The twin DLE-35's with 16x10x3 props provide enormous power. The amount of torque generated is quite significant. Rolling into a left turn with the plane, the rate of roll is FAST. It is noticeably slower to the right. 7 click of right aileron 2 clicks of down were required for level flight.
Landing was straight forward. On 1 pass before landing I put in takeoff flaps(15 degrees) and put the gear down. Confirmed that all 3 were down. On downwind put in landing flaps (50 degrees). No pitch changes was noted in either flap setting. Approach was made a little fast. One bounce and on the second touch she stayed down.
I'll make a few changes and hope to get the next flight later this week. I will try and get a video.
Takeoff was made without flaps. Slight back pressure was required for the plane to rotate and it climbed out with authority. The twin DLE-35's with 16x10x3 props provide enormous power. The amount of torque generated is quite significant. Rolling into a left turn with the plane, the rate of roll is FAST. It is noticeably slower to the right. 7 click of right aileron 2 clicks of down were required for level flight.
Landing was straight forward. On 1 pass before landing I put in takeoff flaps(15 degrees) and put the gear down. Confirmed that all 3 were down. On downwind put in landing flaps (50 degrees). No pitch changes was noted in either flap setting. Approach was made a little fast. One bounce and on the second touch she stayed down.
I'll make a few changes and hope to get the next flight later this week. I will try and get a video.
Hey there, sorry to dig up an old thread, but do you think if built light enough, this model would fly well on a pair of four stroke .91s? This is the best model I have found in my preferred size range but a little hesitant because of the weights I've seen these are built to. I'd most likely glass mine in 1/2oz or monokote, and only have the retracts and small cockpit details. Do you also think a 25lb or less target weight is achievable? thanks
10-08-2020, 05:13 PM
#274
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Hey there, sorry to dig up an old thread, but do you think if built light enough, this model would fly well on a pair of four stroke .91s? This is the best model I have found in my preferred size range but a little hesitant because of the weights I've seen these are built to. I'd most likely glass mine in 1/2oz or monokote, and only have the retracts and small cockpit details. Do you also think a 25lb or less target weight is achievable? thanks
