Hey Kaos, I also have the RD8000.. I did not install the servo arm as
Airtronics shows but have both facing the fuse.. I've had no problems..
I forgot how I set it up on the ailerons, but I now have it setup for
spoilerons( up movement with flap switch) It will work the other way
(down) but you have to change the flap switch position when making the
adjustments on the Ail./P-F channels on center(+/-) and EPA settings...
It was not to bad when I set it, I did have to go to the man., and I think
I also called Airtronics for some help:-)... On the Elevators I use 2
channels ELv./ 7... which works better than a "Y"... If you still want to
use the "Y" you should but a servo reverser wire/connector<-?? so as to
get the proper mechanical advantage on the linkages to prevent flutter
problems and losing the plane because of it.. IMO I would just go with
the duel channels... Much better:-)

One more thing on using 2 channels for the Elev... The Airtronics manual
states when using dual channels(7) for the elev. it will disable the switch for
the rudder mixing for coupling on K.E.'s.. Rud/Elev. and Rud/Ail. mixes...
But atleast on my radio that was not true, I still can use the switch to turn
the mixes on/off... Hope this helps getting your Radio/Plane setup!! The
UCD is a blast:-))))))))))))))

Oh man!! Have I been out of the loop! I haven't checked on this UCD thread for a few days and I see there has been some new posts.
Kokamo, nice idea about leaving off the blocks for the cowl. That's ingenious! I love it. I have a new UCD coming today and when I start building it I think that's what I'll do. I got to thinking that what might work also is to use some blocks (smaller ones) inside the firewall and screw into those. That way I'll be beefing up the firewall at the same time. Hummmm........ I'll have to ponder that one. I'm going to install a smaller throttle servo too. I think it was Barry Craizer that mentioned that. Oh boy!! Oh boy!! Another plane to build.......

I just bought a ucando3d yesterday. This is my first fuel plane. I'm a newbie who started with the aerobird one year ago, then a blue max, and have now logged 50 hours on my brushless 3dx. The local hobby store convinced me the ucando3d is the plane for me. Because it's my first fuel powered plane, I wanted to shave a little money (because I'm having to buy all this new stuff-- my hs-55 servos just won't work ... anyway, because I wanted to cut my cost some, they suggested the Magnum XLS .52; will I be able to fly with this engine like I'm used to on my 3dx? Any help would be appreciated.

Hey ronridd, towerhobbies has a sale on the magnm 90 four stroke, 149 and I think that they have a code you can put in also to save a bit on it also, I have the 70 four stroke in mine and it is pretty good, it will pull out of a hover good but not great. I was think of upgrading to the 90 four stroke in mine. But you should be able to fly it and have a blast with it. I think that you will love the ucando! Read some of the other threads here for so other tips like beefing up the landing gear and such. They have to be the weakest part of the plane.

ronridd.........WELCOME TO THE UCD THREAD!!!! Good to have ya! I betcha that a magnum 52 will be a pretty good start for your UCD but I don't think it will be much like your 3DX. Isin't that one of those small foam extreeeeemly menuverable aerobatic planes? If so, I don't think that the UCD will be much ike it, As far as hovers anyway with a .52. I think goldenclan is right. A 90 four stroker would prolly be more than enough for what you have in mind. Or learning the plane. Dang you're gonna like this plane! It floats like a feather and does all kinds of stuff in the air. Read thru most of the posts and see what you can find. I had to read thru about 1100 post to get up to date on building tips for mine. GOOD LUCK!!!

Joe

Ronridd,WELCOME!
just start reading at the beginning of this post and you will learn what you need or just ask Q's and we will all be more than eager to answer them.and an xls 52 will fly this ucd but to get performance you will need to oversize the engine to a 60size 2stroke or at least a 72 4stroke imo.

Good luck

RONRIDD - Welcome,,,,,,, You'll enjoy the UCD. Some of us are on our 3rd and 4th planes. I guess that don't say much for our (My), flyin' skill at times does it.

But to be honest, learning 3D will make ya go through some planes. Oh Well, thats part of the fun I guess,,,,,

Ron, you'll love it!!! glad to see you're building one ..as you can tell the rest of us are hooked...lol good luck!

ronridd, Welcome to the land of UCD. What a nice airplane you've got. Don't save money on the engine. A Saito 82 is the best selection. Next best would be a Magnum, OS, Saito 91. Please get a 4 stroke engine. In the end you'll be glad you did. This is the most fun plane I have. The more I fly it the better I like it. Word of caution. Fly SLOW!!!! Seems weird at first, but you'll get used to it and it is FUN. Also, once in a while fly with your eyes closed. Gives you a good feel for the plane. Also, keep it as light as you can. Shoot for under 6 lbs. It's kinda hard to get there but you'll like the plane better if you do. If you use the CA hinges add one to each aileron at the 2nd one out from the fuse. You'll be glad you did this. Also, use a crayon to mark the center, glue doesn't stick there as well and helps the hinge line. Also, only use 3-4 drops of CA glue. Doesn't sound like enough but it is, and the hinges will work better and last longer. This plane will flat spin with the best and the inverted flat spin landing is something to behold. Enjoy.
Thanks,
Barry

Good advice Barry,,,, Well said

I still have yet to see this one performed![sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

Wait.....maybe I have?!

Joe

Yes, Welcome Ronrid!! This is a great thread with lots of info........... I'm just starting on my 2nd UCD. I came home yesterday and low and behold, on the porch was a.... NEW CAN DO!! Right there in the box. I couldn't believe my eyes. I almost drooled on the box.......... When I opened the box though I noticed the fuse has a hole in it. ARRRRGGHHH!!! [:@] Does anyone know how Great Planes or Tower hobbies would deal with this? I don't want to have to send the whole plane back or even the fuse back for that matter. I want to get started on it soon. [

THANKS for all the replies and welcome mat! This sure beats begging for help from my local hobby shop (rc country in Sacramento).

Joe: Yeah the 3dx is kind of the linux of foamies. It's got a 35 inch wing, brushless motor 11x4.7 and a big Lipo (I get 30 minutes of ripping 3d out of my battery). I can put one together in about 5 hours from Blue-Cor foam insulation (Lowes). The plans are free at http://www.foamyfactory.com/airplanes.htm

Gary: I've read about 400 posts so far. What a huge thread.

Perkinsm: I've creamed 4 of the 3dx's so far...but not one for a couple months; I've got about 80 hours on the 3dx.

Build update:

used a cover iron for the first time....boy was that fun. I guess you all have gained some expertise and skill that comes with experience. I used the sock as suggested and found that 275 d got me somewhere. Did they say ARF? Lots of places the covering was not attached. I've got it looking pretty good, but there are some places that it looks like the covering pinched together...little ridges, but not too many. I bet I could have avoided that if i knew what I was doing.

Just installed with wing dowel, and figuring out how to hook up the Aileron servos tonight. (I'm only used to three little tiny hs-55's so six on one plane is new to me <g&gt

Question,

Because I only have the JR 5 channel, will I need to get a servo reversing connector or can I just flip? the servo for the elevator?

Thanks, and sorry for stupid questions, I will always try to find answers elsewhere in thread.

CEEGEE, When I received my u can do ..it was full of wrinkles and the wing was warped ..I called great planes and asked if the could just switch out the wing ..they said they could but I'd have to buy the wing then when it came, return the other wing ...then get credit..or I could return the whole thing and when the made sure everything was in the box they would send me another...SUCKED!! I did'nt want to wait..I was able to get the wing straight and most of the wrinkles out ...took some time but it turned out alright...
I was not very happy with Great planes...however the Ucan Do as you know is a great plane lol
John

Actually it was Tower Hobbies I was dealing with ....

I just found this thread and I wish I had found it earlier. I just went and bought the servo reverser with the adjustable pot. Ran home on my lunch hour installed the servo reverser..waa laa done deal.

My plane also looks like a friggin shar pei. I used an iron and de-wrinkled it before I began assembly and I guess I should have waited. I need to do it all over again.
But I just need to put the linkages in the tail fathers and the last few steps, I hope to be flying by Sunday. The only other major conern is the fuel tank. I think I have it all hooked up correctly, but we will see Friday when I run the engine in for a few tanks, provided it starts.

Thanks for all the info!

Tom

Hockeyrules, Thanks for the info. I came up with an idea and won't have to send it back. I think what I'll do is to put a decal over it and press the monokote into it from the servo hole. It didn't mess up the balsa, just the monokote in the side area where there is lightening holes in the balsa............... should work just fine.

Liberator, Welcome to the madness! These are really fun planes to fly. I can't wait to get my 2nd one up and running. [8D]

Hey Liberator, You can check by pushing a few squirts of fuel in then reverse and pull it out with the same hoses if you get fuel out - that would be your pick-up line. No fuel out then that would be your vent line. This works because your vent is at the top & the pick-up is at the bottom, so with a 1/4 tank, only the pick-up should draw fuel. If your running a three line system, then lean the plane forward[ remember this is only about 1/4 of a tanks worth of fuel] draw on the fuel if you get fuel then yor on the fill line. The premise is that your pick-up line is at the back of the tank[hopefully] the vent is at the top about 1/3 of the way back & your fill line is strait in th middle. Hope this helps.

Well i flew my UCD a second time on sunday, this time with the .46 mounted upright, and boy did it fly! It was a little tough to land as it was windy (it also dident preform as well either) and it was a crosswind. I just bought a .91 4 stroke engine today and when i recieve it ill slap it into my UCD. Its a Magnum .91 just in case you were wondering. Ill put the .46 on something a little less 3D and more aerobatic (like a extra or something).

Colin C

Thanks Spud, good advice.

I think I have the hoses all right. I was very careful to make sure that the vent was seperated, (put a piece of copper tubing in it) and connected from the main clunk, to one of those external fill valves, to a filter, then to the carb (OS 50 SX ringed) Then I pulled the tube from the vent and ran that to the muffler nipple. The lines are a little long, is my main concern. But as I said, I will see what happens Friday. This build (read assemble) has been a bear for me. I flew years and years ago and was doing pretty well way back in the day. Picked up an electric to get some stick time and it all came back very quickly. second flight was sliding up to my feet in the park. I just have not built anything but high powered rockets for a gajillion years. It will be a wild ride I am sure.


Tom

Liberator, You said you did high power rockets? Where did you launch? What level of cert did you get to?

I only did my level one cert. Heck that was $40.00 per launch. built a few, but I had a 1/4 scale patriot and a maximum alt min diameter that would go to about 6k. Long trek to get it back every time.


I still go to the launches and volunteer as the RSO and the LCO. I love the sport, but I decided I wanted to control things a bit.
I am part of UROC here in Utah, we have a range south of the Tooele Army Depot with a standing 10k clearance.

Fun Stuff

Tom

Hey Barry,or anyone, just sitting here waiting for my sons saito 91 to get to his house in Vegas and i was wondering on that engine (and 100) do we need to use the 60-120 mounts that come with the 60 size or are the ones that come with the 46 ok? just trying to get our ducks in a row before everything starts arriving! he should get his computer up and running this weekend, then he can join and get involved here. ill order mine the 16th and im putting my 100 in it and it should be a BAD BOY

Hey Ronridd, You can flip the servo, but your geometry may be off. It would be best to get the servo reverser so you can set your servo's up in a like fashion. Try to mix your ail with chan 1 & 5. I hope this helps.


SPUD37 out

Hey Gjeffers, I pulled my 70 out to put in my CAP 580, so my 90 needed a home "hello UCD" held the 90 up to the front for some pre-planning, looks like the 60-120 mount is the way to go. My two cents hope it helps. Incase your wondering it's to get the prop bushing out far enough.


SPUD37 is clear off right