Mike, the building mods are finished. Touch up painting has yet to be done. The mods include the following:
canopy, the forward section was permanently installed to the fuse. Canopy was shortened
chin cowl, cut the fuse in the front bottom to create a chin cowl, accessing the engine
fuse reinforcements, added balsa sheeting in front surrounding the firewall. Also added a pair of longerons in the canopy area to stiffen the fuse under the canopy.
landing gear, installed my design's mount in the fuse
firewall, balsa carbon sandwich
elevators, converted to pull-pull. Much lighter than two servos. Saves about 80 grams in the tail.
rudder, built up with thinner sheeting. Half the weight of the original, saving nearly 35 grams in the tail.
I included the details to show that Any electric model can be converted to IC. There was a net weight loss even though there were all these areas I needed to touch. The weight savings were not required btw, since the Griffin is plenty light in its stock form. But since I can, why not?
I completed the paint touch up and have most of the equipment installed. I've stated this before.... This model is extremely light for its size. It looks like around 10 lbs 2 ounces rtf. With the trusted OS GT33 providing the motivation it will fly great. I have a new 21x10.5 MDK hybrid prop nearly ready to go also.
Wings are light enough at around 400 grams without servo and linkage, but lighter would be better. If the model flies well and is worth the trouble, I will probably build a new set which will save 200 grams.
When I get back home next week, I'll post a few photos of the mods I made.
EDIT--- I posted a few photos on the Pattern forum in the Gt33 Gas engine thread.
The maiden was uneventful. It's a floater at less than 10#. It flies true with only the slightest hint of down pitching with top rudder. Working on snaps setup. It will take much more elevator and aileron than I'm used to, so be it.
Decided on an 8 oz gas tank which gives me about 13 minutes at part throttle. With 4 hp+ performance is outstanding. One third throttle for everything but it's still cool air.