RCU Forums

RCU Forums (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/)
-   "1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/1-2-1-8-airplanes-70/)
-   -   Dick mathis piper cherokee (https://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/1-2-1-8-airplanes-70/11684305-dick-mathis-piper-cherokee.html)

combatpigg 10-31-2020 08:05 PM

Dick mathis piper cherokee
 
In 1975 Dick Mathis wrote a 47 page pamphlet called "How To Fly U-Control".
In 1985 I used this book as a guide for how to move up from Goldberg .049 powered kits.
Inside is a plan [not drawn to any scale] of a Piper Cherokee with a profile fuselage. This was my first "inside look" at how a BIG MODEL is supposed to be built. I was pretty excited. Mathis wrote that "coupled wing flaps" were worth the extra effort, instead of just using elevator only..so that was part of the plan. I found a used McCoy Red Head .35 complete with floppy white nylon 10 x 6 prop for $10. I also picked up a set of 70 foot long lines.
What a thrill this plane was to fly. Those 70 foot lines seemed a mile long compared to flying 1/2A with 26 feet of string. I crashed this plane so many times, but the relatively slow McCoy / 10 x 6 combo kept the speed low enough to limit the damage. Finally the model got too fuel soaked to repair.
.
Recently the Nostalgia Bug bit and I decided to build this plane again. This time the power is a 1/2A Forum Friendly
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...30791750c9.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...744c371d29.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...8868dd5843.jpg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a2df4726c5.jpg
OS CVA .15 and either a 8 x 4 or 7 x 5 prop.
I'm also using landing gear. I have some carbon cloth and decided to make the landing gear legs out of it. It took 6 layers of this cloth embedded in West System laminating epoxy to get a .060" thickness. I used wax paper to contain the epoxy and heavy metal weights to squish the "lay up" flat until it dried. The wheels are for a RC car.
What's left to do is hook up the controls and make a venturi to feed the engine with.
The model weighs 20 ozs, so the OS .15 should be plenty.

H5606 11-01-2020 04:27 PM

Where do you source the Kraft/Hayes fuel tank and what length lines will be used?

combatpigg 11-01-2020 05:22 PM


Originally Posted by H5606 (Post 12641973)
Where do you source the Kraft/Hayes fuel tank and what length lines will be used?

I have heard Kraft / Hayes is out of business.
A Jett or Tetra Bubble less tank might work pretty good...if they are still available.
I'll give this plane a try on 52 foot long, 20 pound test Spectra Line.

H5606 11-03-2020 04:22 AM

If you can, please show details on terminating or tying Spectra lines at the leadouts and handle.

combatpigg 11-03-2020 06:45 PM


Originally Posted by H5606 (Post 12642287)
If you can, please show details on terminating or tying Spectra lines at the leadouts and handle.

I simply take the line and wrap it a few times around a brass eyelet, then tie a few knots nice and tight. It isn't a bad idea to hit the knot with a drop of thin CA.

combatpigg 11-03-2020 06:50 PM


This is only the 4th flight I have on this plane so I'm still feeling it out and getting used to having coupled flaps.
The OS .15 CVA likes the 8 x 3 prop. The fuel tank needs to be mounted lower, notice how the motor leans out when it's inverted or doing outside loops.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:43 AM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.