ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

Hey just sharing a few shots of the RCM 1/2A Scooter, have most of the stuff done for it. What a FUNNY looking plane!

AJC

Lynn S

I remember reading the issue of RCM that it was in. I may still have it.
I guess you could say it has looks only a mother could love.
Give us a picture of the side to show that it is a pusher

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

HI AJC! I didn't know you were done with the CESSNA ?! I guess I need to get caught up with some reading. Having the prop in the middle of the plane might make for some interesting aerobatics.

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

CP, the "Cessna" is really a Piper (I imagine you are referring to my Piper Seneca - that is still awaiting the VA's to get the throttles hooked up. The weather took a turn for the worse so I figured I have a few weeks before I will get a test window again).

The RCM Scooter was originally published in the December 1975 RCM. Here is a link showing some pics of the original...

AJC

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_11...tm.htm#1199279

Rendegade

I remember the Twin Scooter, and always having a hearty laugh when I looked at it.

Scoot away AJ! have fun man.

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

My first one (back about 20 years ago) didnt fly all that well. This one I hope, with micro radio gear and a strong engine (its getting either an AME 061 or a new VA MKII RC) will fly better.

Certainly built like a tank though!!

My first one was all white monokote. I think this one should get a bit more colour.

AJC

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

Today at work on my break I finished up the muffler (had to pull out the norvel end and make my own for 90 degree exhaust to the airstream) and test ran the engine. Started with a Cox Texaco head... bad. Wouldnt peak and wouldnt idle very well. I replaced the Norvel head button and head back into the engine and Wow! It runs very strong and the AP carb I fit to the engine works super. Idles real well and transitions cleanly.

Lots of thrust, I think the Scooter will enjoy the engine. Its my first plane that is getting an AME/Norvel...

AJC

(edit - forgot to post pics)

William Robison

My Feedback: (3)

AJC:

The Scooter looks like the illegitimate offspring of a Republic Seabee and the old Ace "Grasshopper" 1/2A sport plane.

Regards the muffler, with that AJC made prop extension could you not have merely reversed the stock muffler?

Bill.

matchlessaero

What a cool project! and Coholic quality construction as always too.

I think it looks a little like a boot. What is the fuse construction like?

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

Bill, if I turned the stock muffler around it hits the carb inlet

Matchless, its two formers and a lot of thick balsa... I bet I could stand on it!! Way overbuilt.... heh heh typical 1970's construction.

AJC

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

I am fighting a cold, and last night stayed home from my usual outing. I ended up covering the Scooter, and I also installed the gear and set it up. Very sinple working with 3 servos and minimal controls!

I have decided to add some wing struts, made from some small K&S streamlined tubing. I dont like the flex in the wing, I maybe should have picked up some stiffer balsa for the spar.... ? []

Anyway it will give it the customised look

I am worried only about one thing, the fuel tank (1.5 ounce sullivan square) is right under the wing, but the engine/carb is about 1" above that. I am hoping with the muffler pressure I will be OK in the fuel draw dept.... I cant do much to raise the tank otherwise.

I lent my camera to my camera to a friend for a few days, will snap some pics when I get it back this weekend. Saturday may be a nice enough day for a test flight...

AJC

PS forgot to add weight RTF is 19.5 ounces, 5 ounces under the 1975 test model weight. Winf loading is 11.5 ounces/sq. foot, which is again under the 15 ounces/sq foot test model weight. They described it flying very well and good for some aerobatics too. I am hoping it will fly well, I like the way it turned out (red, white, yellow, blue and transparent blue monokote)

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

Today I ran up the Scooter's AME 061 engine at noon and taxi'd it around the parking lot at work. It turns surprisingly well (easily) with no steerable nosewheel, probably due to the direct prop blast on the fin/rudder. The engine appears to pull the fuel just fine from the low positioned tank. You can see the fuel and pressure lines in the second picture.

Here are some pics, test flight may be tomorrow if the weather cooperates!

AJC

hotdogx

AJC,

That's cute! Nice job on the construction! I bet it will look great in the air.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

HI AJC! That turned out great! That's remarkable that it turned out so much lighter than the original. I am surprised that it steers with just the rudder, ya the prop blast has got to be pretty concentrated. It will be interesting to find out how aerobatic it is.

jboy381-RCU

I WANT ONE...

JOHN

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

Well, the plans are only $6 from RCM...

AJC

William Robison

My Feedback: (3)

Hmmm...

The airplane says "Hitec," but the tx box says "JR." Were you hoping nobody would notice?

Haw.

Plane looks nice.

Bill.

Digger-RCU

AJ, Im sorry, but I cant look at that plane without laughing. I really like it, but it makes me laugh. What will it be like in the air?


Randy (Digger) Birt

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

Dig, well, it is funny and better to laugh than cry right

Bill, the stickers - well I like stickers. I am really trying to cut back... you should see some of my other planes...[X(] The entire flight pack is Hitec (servos HS81's, reciever 555 and switch) but the tranny is JR...

AJC

What will it be like in the air? Well, we will see in about an hour and a half.... it looks nice out but cold. I will try and get out after lunch time!

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

Well, just got back from a nice mid afternoon test session... I had my 16 yr old friend Brandon with me, he also flew one of his planes and was my camera man.

The Scooter was not without a few problems. First being I whacked the fin with my hand, and cracked the glue joint. I needed to run home and grab some CA to fix it, good thing its a small town and I was back in 10 minutes...

Then I started and tuned the engine, and tried to take off. The snow was too soft and no way was it going to go. So I tried a hand launch. It immediately went hard down and even with full up elevator it descended and went into the snow fairly hard (without any damage though). I figured it must be either the wing or the stab incidence off - so I shimmed the LE of the wing with a folded over rubber band, and tried again....

This time - Success!!

I ended up putting 3 flights in on the plane, and I can get (at full throttle) 8 minutes from the 1.5 ounces according to my timer. I landed under power when the engine started to sputter and I thought it would quit. With use of throttle I imagine 10 to 12 minute flights will be possible.

The plane is quite agile, and loops and snaps nicely but a straight barrell roll is pretty slow. It stall turns well also. I have to admit I was like a kid again, but isnt that the way every time I go flying??? Yup!!!

Here are some flight shots...

AJC

William Robison

My Feedback: (3)

Andrew:

Plane looks nice, but lousy weather.

My front door is propped open, sun is shining, outside air temperature is 74.

Just getting set to maiden one of mine. For the second time. Huh??

Yes, it's the one I scattered over a 100 yard area about two years ago. Such a thorough rebuild I consider it to be a zero time airplane. The engine still has some head fins missing, though.

Hope mine is as nice as yours looks to have been.

Bill.

hotdogx

AJ,

Looks chilly there! Scooter looks great in the air. Reminds me of full scale ultralight aircraft. You need to put some skis on it! That would be fun.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

Nice work, AJC! That thing looks like a RPV from the early 1980s. The ARMY pays guys to fly RC, you know, I could put a good word in for you down at the recruiters'!

ajcoholic

My Feedback: (10)

Hey, where do I sign up... Just kidding I prefer to fly for fun

Actually, this plane really does remind me of the Challanger series of ultralights, there are two guys up here who have them. Metal rube frame, fabric covered and just the same layout as the Scooter.

I think it looks better in the air than it does up close.

As for weather, well, it was a nice day, low winds (maybe 5mph) and about -5 Celcius - as you see I wasnt wearing any gloves but I still found it cold enough to warrant wearing a hat. Still battling a nasty cold and I dont need it getting worse...

Give me two more months and the temps will be more like it... all the snow gone and warm enough to wear a light jacket and no more boots!!

AJC

flyinrog

My Feedback: (1)

thats neat AJ, 2 more months and we'll be in flip flops down here..Man thats 2 scratch builts for you since the contest started right? and one of them with custom built engines...you are the man ....I went to the field today ,but I couldnt get the norvel to start with the spring starter, too cold..after 10 minutes of flipping I gave up,, came home and hooked the starter to my motorcycle and it fired fight up,,I wont bother going back to the field without my starter...Rog