Yeah, I here you 'not again....'

sorry guys but it looks like this bird is destined for a repair once a week.

Today got some great flights in, this baby does some great moves. I had it vertical, inverted, hovering, knife edge, looping, bunting, blender etc. etc....

until......

The clevis on one of the elevator halves broke. While I was in the middle of an inverted loop (the low middle not the high middle).

Anyway, the plane went way out of control, I managed to flip it around but was in major trouble, landed up spearing the nose end in at about 45 degrees (ouch). One of those crashes where you see it hit and then you hear the crunch/bang a couple of seconds later.

Anwyay, they definately build them tough as you will see by the pics, no wing or fueslage damage. Did a great job of obliterating the firewall.. Luckilly no damage to the engine but at €25 per prop, it's bringing tears to my eyes thinking about the 16*7 that broke on it's 3rd flight and first day out....... (Who said drag racing was the most expensive hobby?)

Lesson learnt, throw away those crappy clevises that come with the kit. Well if you want to do anything more than stooge around the sky that is. I like to push my planes for performance so need to invest in a set of heavy duty ones. It probably doesn't help that I'd be over the designed wingloading and inflicting mega stress on the moveable components so I'm not complaining too much. In fact, the plane kit itself is quite cheap, the RX and motor not soo. Once I have all of the bugs sorted maybe it's time to just go and buy another one that I can build strong enough in the relevant areas/components and then it will look pristine for good....

Repair pics to follow, can't bring myself to look at it for a week or 2 so you'll have to wait....

caio..

El Gricey - plane basher extrodinaire (and ashamed of it)