Heli-NuBee

OK, I ran into just a bit of a problem today. My Dave Platt spinner backplate center hole is larger than my engine crankshaft. I e-mailed Mr. Platt and hope he has a reducing bushing available. I also ran the NGH 35 CC two-stroke engine for the first time today. The engine ran well and I think it will be a better fit for the airplane than the NGH 38GF four-stroke.

Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

Heli-NuBee

More issues, the engine vibrated the screws out of three servos during only three tank fulls of fuel. It seems as thoulgh the NGH line of engines leaves something to be desired when it comes to balancing and smooth running. The engines run well but sure shake the airplane. The tailwheel will also require some modification. I can't seem to keep the ball connector together on the tailwheel. Mr. Platt does not seem to have any bushings available for the spinner and suggests that I use masking tape to center the back plate. I already have a lot of vibration so I am reluctent to use masking tape. I guess I will have to go to one of my pals that can do machine work and make a bushing. I have to admit, this plane has been more of challenge than I bargined for. I will probably avoid the CMP brand in the future.

Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

RBean

Heli-NuBee, I got one of Platt's spinners. The hole in the back plate was too big and I didn't have a bushing that would fit. I finally found a piece of brass tubing that was just about the right size and made a bushing from that. If you can measure what you need with a micrometer, True Turn probably has what you need.

w1nd6urfa

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You'll really hate it when you see how she pulls left on the take off roll, but once you're past that I guarantee it will be a long-lasting relationship

NoFlaps

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I use an NGH35R on an 80" Wm P-51D and it runs very well with limited vibration. The engine does require plenty of proper cooling though

Heli-NuBee

OK, moving forward. I replaced one of the new Hitec 645 MG servos that went bad and put lock tight on all of the servo screws. I also ordered a reducing bushing from Tru Turn for my Dave Platt spinner. Note that the bushing cost almost as much as the spinner making the spinner assembly quite expensive. Hopefully, I will get this plane together and flying one of these days.

Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

RBean

Heli, yes the spinner is a big PITA. I don't know why the hole in his back plate is so large. It is a lot easier to make a small hole larger than a large hole smaller. Also no hole in the front of the spinner. I was very careful about centering the hole and drilling in on a drill press, but it was difficult to clamp down the spinner securely. But I balanced the prop by removing material off the back of the heavy blade (it was three blade). Also balanced the spinner by drilling shallow holes on the front face of the heavy side of the plate. Must have worked, because vibration is not too bad.

Had a chance to fly the 109 last week as it was not too windy. This is not a cross wind or gusty wind airplane, at least when trying to land or takeoff. Now have a total of eleven flights and haven't torn it up yet.

Heli-NuBee

Making a bit of progress again. I received the reducing bushing from Tru Turn for the Dave Platt spinner backplate. Tru Turn was a bit expensive but the bushing was a perfect fit so it was worth the cost and wait. I also fit the spinner to the prop and backplate using a 3/8"-24 X-long spinner adapter from Dave Brown. Now I need to paint the spinner and then get back to the engine break-in runs.

Best wishes and good safe flying.



Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

Heli-NuBee

I painted the spinner and completed another engine break-in run. The engine is running much smoother with the big spinner and a little tuning. My plane is now ready for its maiden flight.



Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

badazzgti03

My Feedback: (4)

Just want to let people know I have one of these ARF for sale on RCG. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2233551

Heli-NuBee

I had my maiden flights on the 109 Wednesday morning. The plane flew very well and the engine ran great. The only issue encountered was the tendency for the landing gear to bounce if one trys to turn the plane while at any speed on landing. Even slight corrections on the ground result in severe bouncing. I got away with it the first flight but the second flight resulted in a nose over and broken prop. I am not sure how to cure this issue except to let the plane roll out until very slow on landing. I used the retracts sold by Nitro planes for the 109 and they work well but seem a bit on the weak side for this plane. Here are some pictures of the maiden flights.



Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

BaldEagel

Just a thought on the bouncing, it may be that the wing is still producing lift at landing speed and the bounce is the result of the wing still trying to fly, if you reflex (up about 5mm) the ailerons on landing approach it will dump some of the lift and also add washout to the wings, the airframe will descend quicker and help the tips not to stall, I use reflex on all of my planes including jets it works very well.

Mike

RBean

Congrads on the successful maiden. On landing I left the aircraft come to almost a complete stop before turning. Otherwise it will drag a wingtip. We fly off grass so the landing roll is not too long.

ek123

Hi Heli-NuBee,

What retracts from Nitroplanes did you buy?
Thanks,
Eusebio

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

I have 4 CMP planes and have been always been a fan , My only issue is that feel of the squeezable glass fuselages. Am I the only one that this bothers lol , I added Flite Skin to one of the planes and loved the results but that adds up in cost , was thinking some light ply .
Anyone have suggestions in this area ? I have this plane new in box, will either go gas or eletric

Heli-NuBee

When I purchased the BF-109 from Nitro Planes, the air retracts were listed as an accessory for about $40.00.

Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the redial rabbit)

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Congrats on the maiden

The plane is quirky on the ground, as any scale 109 should be !

In the air its a real performer

paladin

My Feedback: (9)

Congratulations on the maiden, your landing picture tells the story of the bounce. You are in a three point stance, that with 20 degrees or less of flap.
If you ever read Pappy Boyingtons book, specifically the first landing he made at his AVG base he addresses this pretty well. Basically he tried to three point a P-40, in spite of the pilots manual saying “Never three point, Always wheel land this plane”.
The wing flying is what dampens the bounce from the un-dampened oleos, or wires on pavement. I’ve made that mistake a few times and not been as lucky as you.
I hope to get back to the maiden on mine soon.
Joe

ek123

Hi LDM,

Try the following link for some G-10 sheeting like Fliteskin:

http://accurateplastics.acculam.com/...heet-36-x-48-?

I have purchased from them before and the shipping to the west coast was reasonable. The only problem is they have a $75 minimum order. Not hard to spend 75 bucks though!

Regards,

Eusebio

Heli-NuBee,

Retracts OOS at Nitroplanes. I purchased some large size 80 degree metal retracts and struts from Hobbyking.

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

Thanks I used that in the past and it was great and I thought the only source was fliteskin themselves and I thought he was out of business !
Thanks that products works excellent !

ek123

Glad to hear that the product is good. I bought the 0.005" and 0.01" sheets but I actually haven't used them yet.

Eusebio

RBean

I've got about 16 flights on the 109. Not too many because I will only fly this plane when the wing is light and more or less down the runway, which around here is not often. It will fly with the DLE 20 and can do all the warbird maneuvers but you have to fly smoothly and conserve your energy. It could use a little more power. I am contemplating installing a larger engine this winter. It needs to be a beam mount gasser around 28-32 cc. I've looked and the choices seem limited. RCGF has a 26cc with beam mounts but may not be worth the trouble. There is the NGH 35cc with rear exhaust. This seems a little large. I see Heli-NuBee used the NGH. It seems a little heavy to me but I suppose you can get a proper cg by moving the batteries back. I also have a Frank Bowman ring for the DLE 20 but doubt that would make enough difference. Any suggestions on engines? I don't want to rebuild the whole front end to use stand-offs.

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Hey RBean,
I have just done the upgrade from DLE 20 to MVVS 26cc and its a perfect match to the airframe!
Test flew last w/e with 18x10 Graupner with top RPM 7500 and the difference is apparent. I plan to test APC17x10 as the MVVS max torque is at 8000 RPM, that will add some speed in straight line
Will shoot a video next time

Here's some pics of the engine bay, I had to chop off quite a bit of the chin but I will paint the muffler in RLM 04 as the shape matches the 109's curves

w1nd6urfa

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I made an air intake duct with 0.8mm alum sheet with the dual purpose of directing cool airflow on the cylinder fins and blocking the carb from sucking in debris and pressure changes from airflow in flight

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

side view