I bought my DA used and it came with the 3-1/4" stand-offs. I like to use them because they don't require a hole in the firewall for the carb. So really I haven't moved the engine placement very much. I know that I said I was going to cut off 2", but after laying the engine out on the fuse with the stand-offs, I realized I only needed to remove 1-3/4".

I weighed the plane with everything, spinner, 24-8 Menz, cowl, switch's etc, came in at 15lb 13 oz. Yes, I was kind of surprised also, because after following the thread and your comments I was hoping for 15 lbs max. Attached photos, if they work, show the cut off, and the replacement firewall, that was an easy mod. I'm interested to hear how your's weighs out.

I just did a weight check...

13.75 lbs


Thats everything except wheel pants, canopy, covering, regulators, extensions and fibre optic kill switch.

So I'm still hopeful for 15 lbs... no more than 15.25...

At this point, the only real weight mod is the CF landing gear and spinner... the cf tailwheel is actually about .1 oz heavier than the aluminum one but it sits higher and I like the looks when paired with the gear.

We'll see, but it'll be a while... to many other things to get finished up on.

I got 16 lb 6 oz with everything in it. This is about a pound lighter than my DV so I am looking fwd to greater than 1-1 vertical >>>>>^^^^^^

Pure vertical - BTW- is going vertical with no loss of roll rate...There is nothing better...Nothing!

What's your setup Eric?

Maybe the covering is gonna weigh more than I thought??? I can't see how I'll come in a full lb lighter than you... that's just not possible.

I have used 3" stand offs as per mk1 online manual CG was to far forward. Now using 11/4" as per the mk2 manual and CG is now just behind the wing tube which is much better. However I am still getting a pitch down effect as throttle increases even after increasing the thrust line angle to one degree+ up in relation to the firewall. I am also having to fly with elevator up trim. I appreciate there are two issues here but does any one have any experiences or comments?

I think it's the same issue actually... the plane is dives incrementally more as power is applied and you have elevator up trim to fly level at medium throttle...

First double check your CG against the manual to make sure yo have measured it right. Though what you described sounds about right...

Check the stab incidence... seems you might have a little positive...

This plane shouldn't need any thrust adjustments beyond what's designed in...

Apart from my iso-mount, it's pretty standard. 1800 NiMh ign pack - less weight than a 4-cell nicad. I used a Li-ion 2500 mAh for the RX. One servo per wing, 8611's. two servos for the elevator, 8411's. One servo for the rudder, 8611. A 3421 on the throttle. I did not use the belly pan. I just covered it over - should be lighter.

The slimline might be heavier than a header and pipe but I doubt it. I used carbon landing gear and a carbon wing tube.

As I said, 16 lb 6 oz is better than what I had before in the DV. The DV was awesome in the vertical so I can hardly wait to fly this puppy. You guys with 15 lb will be in another heaven.....

Well it sure will fly awesome at 16 1/2 for sure...

I was just starting to doubt my guesstimate on final weight...

Carbon wing tube eh? Can you share the source for that? Price? I've been trying to locate the smaller wingtubes...

Can you weigh it against the stock aluminum?

Judging by your setup... I can see some weight difference between ours...

That ISO mount with second firewall must weigh what... 4 oz?

The 8611's are heavier... maybe an oz total weight over my HiTecs...

Maybe got an oz. on you in ignition battery, adn probably another oz on wheel selection.

I'm using a stock DA muffler.

Oh well... it'll be what it'll be... and fly with awsome power... Just trying to get it as light as feasible.

Well some good ideas running here. I got the motor, fuel tank, throttle servo, batteries, switches in mine yesterday. Man, that tank install compared to a fat nose plane is pretty brutal. I went with 1.25 standoffs, and cut the cowl. It was a pain, I have reinforced the firewall like it says with fiberglass, then I used some big machine washers behind the standoffs. I used 10-32 bolts all the way thru to nut plates in the backside. The cowl was trying, to get it on the fuse that far with the short standoffs, it was some real work. ended up getting everything in, and it looks decent. I changed my mind, I am going to run JR 8611's in it, instead of Futaba, I got a new JR 9303 radio the other night and need to try it in something. I have Duralites in it as well, starting off behind the tube, wait till I get it more complete then adjust the cg from there. I would love 15lbs, but think it will be a touch over. I am guessing that I would have to get kavan tires, carbon tube, gear, spinner to put it down there in that region. Just a guess for now, we will find out soon tho.

Also, another tip, I dunno how you guys do it but, putting on fuel line to DA engine or almost anywhere else, its a pain. I use some surgical pliers, the tiny ones, and cut some excess fuel tubing in one inch sections, put it over the jaws, and then use them to squeeze, tug, pull onto whatever fitting you need.

I find the manual choke easy, lighter, no fuss. I just ran a rod back to the area in front of the tube, use a red guide rod to guide it, above the tank, zip tie it to the back nose former to keep the red guide from moving.

Eric...

That carbon wing tube... where'd ya get it?

Budd engineering.

Maudib,

Don't forget you're going to be saving a good bit of weight with the CF spinner too.

Neo

My Vision. BME 50. Need to get an accurate weight, cause I keep getting right at 15 pounds.

A few more. The anti rotation pins are tight tight tight!. Very slick set up.

Im looking to learn 3-D flying, What would be the best resources?

Cool deal YNOT... Like the pilot and the cowl grin...

O.K. Texas guy... bo weather excuses from you... get her in the air!

(Video would be a plus)

Got a couple of test hops today.

Flys great. 3 or 4 clicks up up trim were needed. KE is very very good, just a tad pull to the canopy, however nothing I will mix out, no reason. Does fantastic KE to KE snaps. At full rate waterfalls are very tight. Roll rate is very fast at low rate, didn't even flip it to high, forgot too. Hovers at a little less than half throttle, punch the power and climbs away well. Best dam harrier-ing plane I have ever flown, it just drops down (it was about a 15 mph breeze). Did a few blenders way up and it did not eject anything, thats good. Did not do any slow 3D stuff to speak of, so that will be next week.

Things that need attention: Needs more right thrust. Blew several pieces of the covering off in flight. The tail wheel; I noticed a couple of times that I seem to get a tiny hit and on landing of the 2nd flight, I saw the rudder bang to the right and I didn't do it. After additional inspection of the tail wheel set up, there sure is alot of metal to metal in there, so its gonna go.

I like it. A couple more comfort flights and its gonna rock.

A guy did shoot some vid of the 2nd flight, nothing ultra spectacular. When he post it, I will link it.

Yeah baby... glad to hear we got one maidened!

Watch that "hit" you got... make sure it was indeed the tailwheel wires and nothing else!!!

Yep, let us know when the vid goes up... looking forward to seeing it...

A big "atta boy" for ya!

What props are you using on the DA50?

YNOT had some great flights today[8D]

I can't wait to see That Elevator on high rates, humm nice pictures Tony if they only knew.....

Dirt Daddy

It is below freezing here (NJ) almost all next week. VERY jealous that you flew. Mine's still a virgin.....


Go PATS.............

I use an MSC 22x8... alot of people break it in with a 22x8 or 22x10 then go with a 23x8/10 or even a 24x8...

I like the MSC because it's fairly quiet but powerful...

YNOT, the tail of your Vision looks very interisting[X(]

Dirt Daddy...

???? The texas decal?

Heres mine.