CY Model Lavochkin LA-7
02-22-2017, 06:18 AM
#26
We had some unseasonably warm weather in February, so I was able to get the LA-7 out for a maiden flight. The DLE-120 ran perfectly from the first time I started it up, so after a few minutes of running I put the cowl on and got ready for the first flight.
It was a nice day, with a little wind right down the runway. I fed on some power and the LA-7 jumped into the air a bit early. It was not a problem, since it seems to fly very light at 38 lbs. A couple clicks of elevator and aileron trim, and it was flying hands off. I tried to put the gear up, but it didn't want to respond. I think the angle of the gear doors was keeping them from going up. I had air after landing, so I'll need to do some work, also open up the circuit to speed up the gear and help the cause. Flying around with the gear down I didn't get a chance to check out full throttle speed, I didn't want to rip off the gear doors or something. It moved along well even at half throttle with the gear down. I had a bit too much throw on the elevator, and it was a bit hot even at low rate. The aileron rates were good, with medium being about right. I set up for landing and came in with about 3/4 flaps. It seemed to want to float a bit, and my extra elevator throw didn't help the situation. I throttle up and went back around after I lofted it a bit. On the next landing I had it settled in pretty nicely. It went over on it's nose right away due to one of the struts turning. Dropping on it's nose didn't do much damage to the cowl, and the prop will be OK with a bit of sanding on the tips.
All things considered I was happy with it. It flies really well. I'll have to get the gear issues figured out, but that's not uncommon for retracts. Hopefully once I get the gear working right it will not have the tendency to nose over on landing. I may be able to take out a bit of the nose weight to help the nose over situation, I won't know for sure until I get the elevator rate set better and do some stall testing. It didn't help that the runway was very soft and made the wheels drag like pushing through mud.
Here's a couple of photos at the field. No in-flight photos yet, but I'll have some this spring I'm sure.
It was a nice day, with a little wind right down the runway. I fed on some power and the LA-7 jumped into the air a bit early. It was not a problem, since it seems to fly very light at 38 lbs. A couple clicks of elevator and aileron trim, and it was flying hands off. I tried to put the gear up, but it didn't want to respond. I think the angle of the gear doors was keeping them from going up. I had air after landing, so I'll need to do some work, also open up the circuit to speed up the gear and help the cause. Flying around with the gear down I didn't get a chance to check out full throttle speed, I didn't want to rip off the gear doors or something. It moved along well even at half throttle with the gear down. I had a bit too much throw on the elevator, and it was a bit hot even at low rate. The aileron rates were good, with medium being about right. I set up for landing and came in with about 3/4 flaps. It seemed to want to float a bit, and my extra elevator throw didn't help the situation. I throttle up and went back around after I lofted it a bit. On the next landing I had it settled in pretty nicely. It went over on it's nose right away due to one of the struts turning. Dropping on it's nose didn't do much damage to the cowl, and the prop will be OK with a bit of sanding on the tips.
All things considered I was happy with it. It flies really well. I'll have to get the gear issues figured out, but that's not uncommon for retracts. Hopefully once I get the gear working right it will not have the tendency to nose over on landing. I may be able to take out a bit of the nose weight to help the nose over situation, I won't know for sure until I get the elevator rate set better and do some stall testing. It didn't help that the runway was very soft and made the wheels drag like pushing through mud.
Here's a couple of photos at the field. No in-flight photos yet, but I'll have some this spring I'm sure.
04-24-2017, 07:12 AM
#28
I was not happy with the geometry of the stock gear mounts, so I decided to dig into the wing and modify them. At the same time I switched to gear made for the Anderson LA-7 that has a more scale length and additional power.
I had uncover the wing and add some new structure. It wasn't that hard to do, but it took a while. I didn't even bother removing all of the old mount. Just cut some of it out of the way. This photo shows the new position in relation to the stock. By changing the angle I'll be able to get the gear much farther forward and it will still fit into the bay.
The end result pulled the wheels forward a couple inches.
I had uncover the wing and add some new structure. It wasn't that hard to do, but it took a while. I didn't even bother removing all of the old mount. Just cut some of it out of the way. This photo shows the new position in relation to the stock. By changing the angle I'll be able to get the gear much farther forward and it will still fit into the bay.
The end result pulled the wheels forward a couple inches.
04-24-2017, 07:37 AM
#29
Once I got the gear doors mounted I took it to the field for the second flight. The ground handling was much better, and my gear came up without incident. The 26x12 prop pulls it around at good speed, and it even moves out well at half throttle. I had something happen to the gear angles on landing, I'm currently working with Century Jet to get them resolved. If I can gain confidence that it won't nose over I'll be trying a 25x12 three blade instead of the two blade. Here's a couple photos of it with the new gear at the field.
07-27-2017, 10:24 PM
#36
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Hello,
I finish my own La-7 cy models, and I want to say witch blue color do you have take?
I search in the Revell and Humbrol color, but nothing fit the color.
Do you have an information for me?
Thanks
I finish my own La-7 cy models, and I want to say witch blue color do you have take?
I search in the Revell and Humbrol color, but nothing fit the color.
Do you have an information for me?
Thanks
07-27-2017, 10:32 PM
#37
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La-7 cy models gear relocation
Hello every body,
I post you some pictures of my La-7 cy models gear relocation solution. The angles are scale, I self made my struts and covers to. With this issue, there is no nose over, and the 6" Wheel help for handling.
I post you some pictures of my La-7 cy models gear relocation solution. The angles are scale, I self made my struts and covers to. With this issue, there is no nose over, and the 6" Wheel help for handling.
07-28-2017, 04:43 AM
#39
Nice job on the struts warbird 04, relocating the gear is almost a requirement on this plane if you want to minimize nose over. I put a carbon fiber 3-blade on mine, so damaging that is not fun.
The paint I found that matched is Krylon Aqua. It comes in a spray can and is a very close match.
The paint I found that matched is Krylon Aqua. It comes in a spray can and is a very close match.
07-31-2017, 04:36 AM
#41
I don't have any special number or name. If you can get Krylon, the name is as I said. Here's a link to buy it at Walmart.com.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Krylon-Co...&wl13=&veh=sem
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Krylon-Co...&wl13=&veh=sem
08-04-2017, 11:28 PM
#45
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Ok Taildragger, can you give me more info about your LA? as the full in flight weight, the prop size and the rpm (read after 15 seconds at full throttle), is the Fg84 stock or modified, and what opening have you made to escape the hot air from the motor?
Thank you that will helps a lot.
Thank you that will helps a lot.
08-05-2017, 02:25 PM
#46
Ok Taildragger, can you give me more info about your LA? as the full in flight weight, the prop size and the rpm (read after 15 seconds at full throttle), is the Fg84 stock or modified, and what opening have you made to escape the hot air from the motor?
Thank you that will helps a lot.
Thank you that will helps a lot.
love this airplane
08-05-2017, 10:45 PM
#47
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Thanks for the infos...but I am surprised that nobody weight his airplane.... The weight of an airplaine is a important point, this is the power / weight factor that characterize an véhicle or airplane capacities.
But tell me, do you have add some weight in the nose for balancing? Do you have you make some vidéos on youtube?
But tell me, do you have add some weight in the nose for balancing? Do you have you make some vidéos on youtube?
09-07-2019, 02:12 PM
#49
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Hello All, it's been great to read this thread. However, with the gear issue, did you guys change location only for scale appeal/appearance, or did you need to change the angle to prevent nose over?
Cheers
Cheers
09-07-2019, 03:09 PM
#50
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racer-mech.
I have built the Dave Anderson design LA 7 his plan had the gear in the scale location and used Sierra retacts they were also pretty close in scale. Installed them with no modifications and not have had any problems with nose overs. Powered with a DA 100 had to put 4.25 lbs up front for balance..
I have built the Dave Anderson design LA 7 his plan had the gear in the scale location and used Sierra retacts they were also pretty close in scale. Installed them with no modifications and not have had any problems with nose overs. Powered with a DA 100 had to put 4.25 lbs up front for balance..