1/2a 3ding
 

Have any of you guys/girls seen a little 1/2a 3d plane¿ Or have any of you taken a little electric 3d plane and made it a gasser¿ Because i have a idea of taking this plane and putting a .049 on it.

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Looks like a good plane....is that the little brother of the MORRIS HOBBIES PEN KNIFE? You can kinda-sorta get 3D action from 1/2A power, but nothing like what I've seen from electric power.

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Do you think it would hover with a .049¿

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

RCKid, the Jackknife would need power more akin to a Norvel .15 to fly any real 3d worth speaking of... I would not suggest it as a good conversion subject.

Some reference numbers for you:

A good TD .049 has enough power to reliably hover a 9-10oz airplane.
A good Norvel BigMig .061 has enough power to reliably hover a 12oz airplane (The AME actually has less static thrust because of the propeller type/size its timed to run with)
A good Norvel .074 has enough power to reliably hover a 14-15oz airplane.

If you would really like to try SMALL 3d'ing, build one of my Half-wit's. The plane is one that I specifically designed to 3D with a Norvel .061 or .074. Its easy to build, 3d's quite well, and the plans are free. Several regulars in this forum have had a pretty good time with their Half-Wits.
(Go to www.geocities.com/matchlessaero/ to get the free Half-wit plans, or search in this forum for Half-wit to see a couple of build threads.....)

Good luck... :D

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

i have never built a plane from scratch before. So how do you build a plane from just plans¿

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Kid, you need a kit or 2 under your belt before you build from a plan , that way you will understand what parts go where...you have to cut out each part from a plan, I use a band saw when I do it, but others will only use a razor blade for theirs,,,,Rog

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

This would be my first balsa plane. Right know i fly 3d foamys. I just thought it would be kool to build a 1/2a 3d plane. My moms boyfriend said he would help me build it because when he was a kid he scratch built u control planes. But do you guys really think it would be to hard of a plane to build for a first time builder¿ I really wont to give this scratch balsa[&:] building a try.

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Also i see from the pics of the half wit that there is no holes in the control surfaces or ribs to lighting it. So could that be done to save more weight on it¿[&:]

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Well, you could... but I think you would have better success starting with a kit, and here's my take on why:

Building just from a set of plans is much more complicated than building a kit, in the fact you have very little, if any, in the way of instructions, you need to be familiar with how to "read" the plans, should know basic building techniques, and be familiar with general aerodynamics(so it will at least fly after you build it). 3D and 1/2A size are even more difficult on top of that because you're building a very small plane, so even small mistakes are more critical, and you MUST build light.

If you decide you just absolutely have to scratch build afterall, I suggest you search through the forums(especially kit&scratch building, along with the 1/2A forum) to get familiar with the basics. There's also several threads in the beginners forum (kit building threads- Sig SE by Kiswa, 4*60 by MountaineerFan, LT-40 by somegeek, just to name a few) that you can find some very good tips in.

All that being said, yes, it would be "kool" to build a 1/2A 3D plane. :D

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Hey! You "snuck" one in on me! :D

At this size, you don't need lightning holes. The amount of material that you would be able to remove isn't enough to make a difference, and actually will make the airframe weaker. It would hurt more than it would help, assuming you're not using steel impregnated balsa. ;)

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Thanks for your help!! Im going to take a look at those threads. I think im going to try to build this plane. The guys that taught me how to fly said they would help me build it. So i should be able to build it. HOPEFULLY[:o][:o]

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

RCK, I don't see why you can't build one. If you get a razor saw, that will be a big help, to cross cut the balsa sticks. The other skill required is to be able to read and understand all those little marks on the ruler, I'm also sure you've got that one covered too. I think the trickyest part is getting the linkages set up, and it is also a new skill to learn when it comes to iron on covering. If you have experienced help, then you've got it made;). I wouldn't try to make the first one your "keeper for life", just make it air worthy, and if you like it, then make another one to fly once you have become a GINZUMASTA of HOVERBATICS[8D].

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

I did drill lightening holes in my Half-Wit ailerons and elevators. I'm not sure how much weight it saved me, but with 5 servos and ready to fly it is 12oz. With the AME .061 converted to R/C, it really moves out. I fly it at half throttle or less most of the time, unless I want to go vertical for a long time. Great plane!

[img][/img]

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Know what about drill some holes in the ribs to lighten it some more¿¿ What tools will i need to build this plane¿ Like on the line of saws and rulers¿

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

probably not much, but hey- as long as it works, right? :)

Great job, and looks like lots of fun!

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

"GINZUMASTA of HOVERBATICS"

LOL! :D

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Take your handy no.11 exacto and a brass tube that is the size of the holes you want to drill. Use the knife to shave the inside of one end of the tube to sharpen it. This will give you clean holes. Don't cut too big a hole. You're going to save about 1/10 of an ounce if you drill the ribs, ailerons, and tail. Lotta work, little gain. Try using the smallest lightest battery possible to save the most weight! The radio equipment and the fuel tank are the only two places you can save enough weight to matter. Well, choose your balsa CAREFULLY! That's important too. Weigh everything and use only the lightest.

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Rc kid,

You can get an excellent kit from Matchlessarrow called the Edgeling for 50 bucks delivered to your door. It's for .061 to .074 glow (do yourself a favor and get a NORVEL) or brushless electric. It's an excellent kit with excellent instructions. He posted earlier in this forum. PM him and see if he has any kitted. It's similar to the Halfwit but with better lines and Jeremy has done all the engineering and problem solving associated with a scratch build. If you do go with the HW and have any problems ask about them in this fourm. Many of us have built several of these planes and can help.

Darren

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

ok so is that plane a kit or a arf¿

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Edgeling is a kit.

Duke

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

what all comes in the kit¿

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

ptulmer said: "You're going to save about 1/10 of an ounce if you drill the ribs, ailerons, and tail. Lotta work, little gain. Try using the smallest lightest battery possible to save the most weight! The radio equipment and the fuel tank are the only two places you can save enough weight to matter."

I will have to disagree with this, as I have tried it many times. It does not seem to matter how small the lighting holes are, the fuel tank does not seem to work properly, nor does the servos center correctly, nor does the battery take a full charge.

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

:D

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

DUDE! That was FUNNY! Get it! He drilled lightening holes in his tank![sm=lol.gif]

RE: 1/2a 3ding
 

Oh! :)

See, told ya'll I'm a little slow sometimes. :eek:

Good one flying poodle!