Yak Dude

Ok, I feel dumb. I forgot that you put your tank in the wing. I did know, just didn't remember. I covered the winglets tonight and got some quick pics. They are angled out 30 degrees. The canopy and everything forward and aft are angled in 25 degrees. The canopy was tough to build, just took windex and time to warp in the curves.

P.S. Thanks for the great comments from you guys on the servo tray.

idigrc2

I had a hard time with the canopy too. Still not 100% happy with the way it turned out

Peter_J_Weller

My Feedback: (2)

My North Star Finished Yesterday for our clubs U-Built-It Contest.

Enya 60, Spectrum Radio, Throttle Servo in the Tail, Something Extra ailerons Lightened up then sheeted, Elevator extended by half an inch. Gray and Silver on the bottom. Rudder extend 1 Inch.

Picture by RCPilot.

Yak Dude

Peter, that's a really nice plane. I love the red line for the prop ark. I would like to see a picture of the bottom. Don't forget to let us know how the first flights go.

ididrc2, I scraped the first conopy with the grain vertical on the sides, as per directions and made my own with the grain going front to back on the sides and the top crossgrain. I used all kinds of clamps and 3 screws on each side till it took shape. I temp glued bulkheads inside to make it conform, then added the extra wood in the corners. Cleaned off the top flat for the top sheeting and then sanded it out. After it was all done I took out the temp bulkheads and to some luck the canopy kept it's shape and is strong enough. I guess I could have left a couple of bulkheads in.

Peter_J_Weller

My Feedback: (2)

First flight will be last weekend in April, unless we get a couple of feet of fresh powder. So far a cold but not very snowy winter, Stock show begins this weekend so that normally drags some snow in.

No camera[sm=71_71.gif], so the bottom is solid gray.

idigrc2

Almost have the cowl done, just have to wait for the filler the dry so I can finish sanding. All that's left is building the tray for the throttle and elevator, mount the servos, glass the bottom and add weight to get the c.g right and I'll be ready for covering

idigrc2

Got a little more work done tonight. Built a sliding tray for the servo like predmech setup. Cut out the hatch to access the fuel lines. Had to put filler around the hatch to fill in the balsa that was removed when I cut the door out, getting closer.

Yak Dude

idigrc2. It's looking good. The tray is great.
I've been covering mine. Have the bottom of the wing done and all of the tail and most of the tail details done. All thats left is top of wing and all the fuselage to do. I'll get some pic's in a day or two.

hattend

My Feedback: (20)

Those winglets look pretty cool. I may have to do that on my Northstar. Provided I ever get to building again.

Don

JL636

My Feedback: (79)

Well, you guys have went and done it! After following this thread and wanting to build a northstar for a number of years, you guessed it....I've got one coming. The ideas on this thread are just over the top, gives a person alot of food for thought. Premech, where did you get the idea for the winglets and what is your theory behind 30 degrees and flight performance. Thanks joe

The kit arrived yesterday! Printed out all six pages of this forum so I can reference them during the build.

Yak Dude

well, Joe. I just liked the idea of winglets, it and the tilted in sides of the fuselage somewhat moderized the looks of the airplane. As for the 30 degrees, again started with different angles and 30 looked good. Flight performance hopefully won't change much, just a little more directional stability because they are in the back along with the fin and rudder. I now have the top covered. Will get some pictures soon.
I'm leaving end of this week for a few months overseas to support the troops, hense the screen name. Pred Mech. I'll still be able to get internet and can keep up with who all is building what. Can help and/or ideas for those who would like it.
Needless to say my plane won't quite be done to fly. Will have to wait to May or June.

Yak Dude

Here are some pictures of how far the covering has gone. Rest of it will need to wait a few months along with final balancing and flight control rigs. I fly out in the morning.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Looking good!

Yak Dude

Just wondering how everyone is doing on there Northstar's or Polaris for the last couple of months as far as building or reparing. I have about a month to go in Iraq. I brought some stuff to build with when time permitted. The plane is my design and is a 41" WS and is powered by a E-Flight .10. Test flew it on March 22 and about 4 days ago, off the water.

Deadeye

Wes, I have been repairing my Northstar after my botched maiden landing. Pics are soon to come.

Deadeye

Pics as promised. I took a hit weight wise with about a foot of carbon fiber arrow shaft and 3/4 balsa tri stock gussets, but I think it will handle the weight fine, and way stronger. Of course, I don't plan on planting it on it's ***** anytime soon like I did on the maiden. No AUW yet. But I'm guessing 3 or 4 oz more, with the added lead in the nose to compensate. Sorry for the double pic.

Yak Dude

Deadeye, your plane looks great. I just got back from Iraq on friday. It's good to be home. I'll start on finishing my plane after I settle in a few days. I'll send pictures. Wes

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Welcome home! Glad to have you back. And thanks!

Deadeye

Wes, glad you got back in one piece! Thanks you for your compliment, and a big thank you for your service to us all. I'm as nervous as heck for the re-maiden. Hopefully my next thread or post about this plane isn't in the crash forum.

Peter_J_Weller

My Feedback: (2)

First flight last Saturday in April. First flight after some high speed boat action, then motor tuned up better my Northstar took to the air. First flight was uneventful turned out that I have too much weight in the nose ran out of up elevator trim. Second flight was great got turned on to high speed low passes within four feet of the deck with a dead stick on pass number eight downwind long bost ride only lost some covering on the bottom and the balsa on the bottom of the tip floats from an early flair at mach 2. This plane will be flown again.

Pictures are first landing approach go around and first landing.

idigrc2

Mines been on the back burner now for a few months, been to busy with the remodel of are new house and have been working in Reno for the last month. Hoping to get back on it in a few weeks. Good to hear your almost done over there.

Yak Dude

Yes, I'm done and back home. I should be starting up on finishing the nose in a few days. Wes

russram

Hi9 Guy's here in NZ we are just heading into our winter months when the temp is around 5deg celus and the wind goes away for longer periods. I can get my N Star out for our flyin . I've owned 5 now built 2 and bought over the last twenty years or so the others. I see all those all those great remodeled and add on jobs you do and it gets me cranked up thinking i can do something different like a 2x N star at 88in it not much bider than my Morrey Bravo wing but i still thing it is possable to make it out of foam in three peices. I have noticed in trwling all the Nstar forum the mention of x 1.5 Nstars but nobody has gone into any detail so could i have some feedback. Like motor size performance etc these are great planes and i always get a good crowd watching wnenever i am flying mine. Cheers Russell Christchurch New Zealand

jeffo

My Feedback: (68)

Russram,
I built a 1.5 Northstar and it is quite a crowd pleaser.It is in the ARROW THREAD.It is also in the latest Midwest float fly video.There are going to be some challanges.#1 power-I have an O.S.1.6 2 stroke and I fly it wide open all the time,it loops,rolls flies inverted,but really no speed demon.I know of two other 1.5 Northstars and mine came out the lightest at 20 pounds,the others at 25 pounds.Next,how to haul it,sure the span is 88 inches,but the length will be over 120 inches.I haul mine with my tailgate down,because it is so long.
I would love to see you build it,It will be the only one out there.Goodluck-Jeffo

Deadeye

jeffo,
I'd sure like to see that thread or pictures of this monster Northstar. Please post back.