Shark XV Build Thread
09-23-2008, 06:10 PM
#26
RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Dave,
As the proud pilot of one of the smaller Shark's, this bigger brother is a really beautiful airplane. One the smaller one, I finally got the bugs worked out of my BigMig 0.049...now getting 19,000 RPM out of it with a Cox rubber duckie prop! It just sings.
On a related note, my 0.049 version is unthrottled, and I found a trick for making hand launches a bit easier. I trim the airplane for a steady but defined climb off the handlaunch. However, as the readers will know, were I to leave it this way, the plane will want to climb dramatically as it picks up speed. Rather than re-trim, I programmed in nose down pitch trim with increasing throttle. That way, my left stick becomes a separate trim slider. The nice thing is that when the power quits, all I do is pull the left stick back to idle, taking out the mixed elevator, and I'm trimmed pretty nicely for landing.
Can't wait to buy a couple S-XV kits....
Frank
As the proud pilot of one of the smaller Shark's, this bigger brother is a really beautiful airplane. One the smaller one, I finally got the bugs worked out of my BigMig 0.049...now getting 19,000 RPM out of it with a Cox rubber duckie prop! It just sings.
On a related note, my 0.049 version is unthrottled, and I found a trick for making hand launches a bit easier. I trim the airplane for a steady but defined climb off the handlaunch. However, as the readers will know, were I to leave it this way, the plane will want to climb dramatically as it picks up speed. Rather than re-trim, I programmed in nose down pitch trim with increasing throttle. That way, my left stick becomes a separate trim slider. The nice thing is that when the power quits, all I do is pull the left stick back to idle, taking out the mixed elevator, and I'm trimmed pretty nicely for landing.
Can't wait to buy a couple S-XV kits....
Frank
09-23-2008, 07:36 PM
#27
RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Frank, brilliant!!! I love that idea and I'm going to give it a try. Glad you like the S-XV.
My Solartex arrived today, so no excuses for not finishing up the project.
I might build a second one for this little gem. HB .15:
David
My Solartex arrived today, so no excuses for not finishing up the project.
I might build a second one for this little gem. HB .15:
David
09-23-2008, 10:19 PM
#28
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RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Dam Dave,
I've got a couple of Enya 15's and 19's looking for homes too, so I guess my son and I will need a couple of the SS XV's too.
Stewart
I've got a couple of Enya 15's and 19's looking for homes too, so I guess my son and I will need a couple of the SS XV's too.
Stewart
09-30-2008, 02:18 PM
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RE: Shark XV Build Thread
This is the translucent Solartex, right? Is Solartex the same as Coverite 21st Century iron-on fabric? My LHS has some of that but I have never used it before. Who did you order the Solartex from?
edited: Also, while I'm at it, what is Micafilm, made by Coverite? Anyone used it before and with what results?
Tim
edited: Also, while I'm at it, what is Micafilm, made by Coverite? Anyone used it before and with what results?
Tim
09-30-2008, 06:51 PM
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RE: Shark XV Build Thread
ORIGINAL: exocet-RCU
This is the translucent Solartex, right? Is Solartex the same as Coverite 21st Century iron-on fabric? My LHS has some of that but I have never used it before. Who did you order the Solartex from?
edited: Also, while I'm at it, what is Micafilm, made by Coverite? Anyone used it before and with what results?
Tim
This is the translucent Solartex, right? Is Solartex the same as Coverite 21st Century iron-on fabric? My LHS has some of that but I have never used it before. Who did you order the Solartex from?
edited: Also, while I'm at it, what is Micafilm, made by Coverite? Anyone used it before and with what results?
Tim
-Bill
09-30-2008, 11:38 PM
#35
RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Yep, it's translucent Solartex (they call them Vintage colors). They make opaque colors, too, but they're slightly heavier. And as Bill mentioned, I got it from BUSA.
https://www.balsastore.com/store/pro...ge_Meter_rolls
David
https://www.balsastore.com/store/pro...ge_Meter_rolls
David
10-03-2008, 11:56 AM
#36
RE: Shark XV Build Thread
It looks like I'll have it ready to fly tomorrow. I've installed the servos and push rods. I'm using a Futaba 250mah square pack. The plane balances dead on the main spar which is the 33% point. It weighs 24ozs without the bottom hatch over the servos.
By putting the servos behind the wing I was able to get short and straight push rod runs. No slop or flexing.
David
By putting the servos behind the wing I was able to get short and straight push rod runs. No slop or flexing.
David
10-04-2008, 12:07 AM
#39
RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Thanks cp! I went with a lighter NiMH pack and lost a little over an ounce. With my building methods it would be hard for me to do much better than this weight (23.8ozs).
I might build one without the rudder servo, no landing gear, use contest balsa and my Norvel .074 and I could maybe get under 20ozs. But, we'll see tomorrow how this one flies.
David
I might build one without the rudder servo, no landing gear, use contest balsa and my Norvel .074 and I could maybe get under 20ozs. But, we'll see tomorrow how this one flies.
David
10-04-2008, 08:02 AM
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RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Great work RD - The color scheme is outta sight! 24 oz is an amazing weight considering you have landing gear! Let us know how it flies.
I'm guessing you put the servos et all behind the wing so that it balanced properly? Putting a .15 on the nose does add a serious amount of weight, and a fully dressed Magnum .15 weighs nearly 4oz more than a Norvel .074. Yikes!
If you have a moment please post a picture of your radio gear access hatch.
EG
I'm guessing you put the servos et all behind the wing so that it balanced properly? Putting a .15 on the nose does add a serious amount of weight, and a fully dressed Magnum .15 weighs nearly 4oz more than a Norvel .074. Yikes!
If you have a moment please post a picture of your radio gear access hatch.
EG
10-04-2008, 06:37 PM
#45
RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Dave
First, great pics from the reedie races - always enjoy the stories.
Would you run thru how you apply trim with that covering, particularly the striping you have on the fuselage. It looks great.
andrew
First, great pics from the reedie races - always enjoy the stories.
Would you run thru how you apply trim with that covering, particularly the striping you have on the fuselage. It looks great.
andrew
10-04-2008, 11:02 PM
#46
RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Thanks everyone.
Here's the flight report. It basically flew off the board, meaning it didn't need but a couple of clicks of rudder trim to fly straight and level hands off. That was because in my haste I didn't get the engine perfectly straight in the mount when I drilled and tapped the holes, so, there's a tiny bit of right thrust. I'll correct this by putting washers behind the right side of the mount.
It flies very much like a Sure Shark, but, to me, seems even more solid and smooth. It is very easy to fly. It feels a lot like my Venus 40 arf, just a lot smaller. It is fairly quick with the FP .15 and APC 8x4, but not a rocket. I will try a 7x4 next time to get the revs up a bit. The power-off glide is about the same as the Sure Shark which surprised me.
I tried a few basic maneuvers like loops, rolls, Immelmanns, and 1/2 reverse Cuban eights. They were all easy to do and given my flying skills looked pretty good.
I made three attempts at knife-edge flight. It didn't maintain altitude, but that might be due to airspeed and/or the CG location, plus the fact that rudder was on low rates (I forgot to switch to high).
I let BSARGE (who did the maiden honors) and av8rsodt fly it, too, and they seemed to like it. I'll let them post their impressions if they want.
Honestly, it flies better than I expected. I'll be taking it to the field with me every time I go. I'm very happy with it. BTW, the tiny wheels are not much good on my grass field. On my last landing I hit a clump and the plane nosed over. But, no damage.
EG, here are photos of the battery/servo hatch. I did have to move the servos back to balance. But, it also means that there is now no problem with aileron torque rod clearance inside the fuse.
Andrew, I covered the lower section with orange first. Then, I cut 3/8" strips of blue, red and orange covering with a long straightedge and ironed them on, blue first, then red, and finally the orange strip. Then I took 2 1/2" wide strips of blue and ironed the lower edge along the top edge of the orange strip. Once that edge was straight I worked the covering towards the crown of the fuselage. So, there are five strips of covering per side: the wide orange at the bottom, the 3/8" blue, red and orange strips, and the 2 1/2" blue strip at the top. This way there are no double layers of covering.
David
Here's the flight report. It basically flew off the board, meaning it didn't need but a couple of clicks of rudder trim to fly straight and level hands off. That was because in my haste I didn't get the engine perfectly straight in the mount when I drilled and tapped the holes, so, there's a tiny bit of right thrust. I'll correct this by putting washers behind the right side of the mount.
It flies very much like a Sure Shark, but, to me, seems even more solid and smooth. It is very easy to fly. It feels a lot like my Venus 40 arf, just a lot smaller. It is fairly quick with the FP .15 and APC 8x4, but not a rocket. I will try a 7x4 next time to get the revs up a bit. The power-off glide is about the same as the Sure Shark which surprised me.
I tried a few basic maneuvers like loops, rolls, Immelmanns, and 1/2 reverse Cuban eights. They were all easy to do and given my flying skills looked pretty good.
I made three attempts at knife-edge flight. It didn't maintain altitude, but that might be due to airspeed and/or the CG location, plus the fact that rudder was on low rates (I forgot to switch to high).I let BSARGE (who did the maiden honors) and av8rsodt fly it, too, and they seemed to like it. I'll let them post their impressions if they want.
Honestly, it flies better than I expected. I'll be taking it to the field with me every time I go. I'm very happy with it. BTW, the tiny wheels are not much good on my grass field. On my last landing I hit a clump and the plane nosed over. But, no damage.
EG, here are photos of the battery/servo hatch. I did have to move the servos back to balance. But, it also means that there is now no problem with aileron torque rod clearance inside the fuse.
Andrew, I covered the lower section with orange first. Then, I cut 3/8" strips of blue, red and orange covering with a long straightedge and ironed them on, blue first, then red, and finally the orange strip. Then I took 2 1/2" wide strips of blue and ironed the lower edge along the top edge of the orange strip. Once that edge was straight I worked the covering towards the crown of the fuselage. So, there are five strips of covering per side: the wide orange at the bottom, the 3/8" blue, red and orange strips, and the 2 1/2" blue strip at the top. This way there are no double layers of covering.
David
10-05-2008, 01:13 AM
#47
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RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Very cool plane David congratulations, if it flies like it looks you have a winner [>:].
Will you ever make a kit ? if yes let me know, I'll buy one.
Regards.
Rafa
Will you ever make a kit ? if yes let me know, I'll buy one.
Regards.
Rafa
10-05-2008, 12:47 PM
#49
RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Dave handed me the sticks to fly it and I would agree - very much like the original. An excellent model to learn and practice aerobatics.
I can't wait to fly it once all the throws are set. He was going to add some more rudder throw and see how it does with knife edge.
One of its best characteristics is that Sure Shark glide - I tested it during my flight when the engine ran out of fuel and I glided her in. It just goes and goes and goes...
Always impressive to talk with Dave regarding his building skills, engine knowledge, and radio equipment. I always walk away having learned a bunch and charged up to get working on my planes.
Had an awesome day yesterday. Always something to look forward to and sad when it is done.
Brian
I can't wait to fly it once all the throws are set. He was going to add some more rudder throw and see how it does with knife edge.
One of its best characteristics is that Sure Shark glide - I tested it during my flight when the engine ran out of fuel and I glided her in. It just goes and goes and goes...
Always impressive to talk with Dave regarding his building skills, engine knowledge, and radio equipment. I always walk away having learned a bunch and charged up to get working on my planes.
Had an awesome day yesterday. Always something to look forward to and sad when it is done.
Brian
10-05-2008, 04:00 PM
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RE: Shark XV Build Thread
Thanks Dave for letting me do the maiden flight, it was a pleasure for me! It was kind of funny during the maiden, Dave hand launches it....and I am watching it climb straight away from us for about 10 seconds not moving the sticks at all(cause I didn't need to!)...and Dave asks "Bill...do you have it?" thinking maybe I didn't have control at all....but in reality I was just admiring it flying about as perfect as could be! The plane is awesome......very stable, smooth and goes where you point it. I want one of my own now.....
-Bill
-Bill