Sling,

What problems are they having with the BME 50? I am planning on getting one for my unfinished Patty.

Lee

I REALY DONT NO I THINK ITS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FIREING. BUT OTHER THAN THAT EVERYTHING ELSE SOUNDS GREAT ABOUT THE BME50. SOMEONE ON HERE WILL LET US NO IF THEY FIX THE PROBLEM SOON.

BME Problems

From what I have read it has to do with the CH ignition module. I'm not aware of the specifics but it has to do with them cutting off when they get hot.

The DA50 is great. A friend has one and it runs great.

Andy

THANKS ANDY, I HAVE A MOKI 2.10 N.I.B BUT I REALY WANT TO GO WITH GAS LIKE MY OTHER PATTY. 15 TO 20 MIN. AND GAS LEFT OVER. ON STOCK TANK.

Slingshot,

I have the 3W48B2 with a 16 oz. tank and I get the same results 15 minute flight and a little less than 1/2 tank of gas left. But, if I had to do over again I would most likely go with the DA50. It is a very nice engine with lots of power.

Andy

Started hinging the control surfaces lastnight. Bought some nice large Robart hinges.... I'm putting 5 in each surface with 7 on the Ailerons. I also plan on sealing both sides. Problem, the 3/8's TE and LE's is not sitting good with me.... not much there to hold these hinges in. Not one barb is being held......... What have you guys done? I am planning major surgery........ but what a huge job............ maybe CA hinges is the answer??? the only problem with that is I'll flood the darn things and it will drip on the covering............... grrr

There are no problems with the BME 50. One person had a problem with his CH electronic ignition and that can happen with any gas engine. I have 76 flawless flights with BME and Patty.

I used Dubro 1/4 scale nylon hinges with a single piece of music wire for the pin. Sharpen one end and stick it into the wing on the inside and bend a half inch 90 degree with a little tape on the outside. You don't even have to seal the gap because the music wire does it for you and you can use CA glue. Take off the extra CA glue from the Monocote (if any) with debonder.The control surfaces are then removable.

I learned this from a friend at the field who has had two Patty's. One got mid aired and the other had a wing separation on a hard snap after he cracked the wing tube area (a month prior) because of the tight fit. None of the hinges ever came apart on either of these two planes.

For a tight fit make a very small notch for the hinge to recess into the wing. I drilled through and pinned my hinges but he said that was not even necessary.

I am finishing my second gallon of gas on BME 50 and have no problems so far. It runs great and extremely consistent, never a dead stick or even a hesitation.

The BME 50 is having a little problem with the ignition but I understand it will soon be worked out. I have the BME 50 and it's running great. I had my ignition changed out and haven't had any problems since. No big deal!

BasinBum,
That sounds very interesting....
Sounds much stronger with just as much grip if not more than a modified Robart given the small glueing surfaces. I like the music wire tip as well... Anyone using an unmodified Robart pin?

I used the Radio South pro CA hinges and have many flights with no hint of a problem.

Aeromodeler,
Unless there is something solid beneath the root of the wing and control surface I don't really see how you will gain by using Robart hinges. The material of the beveled trailing and leading edge are all that you have unless you tear the wing open and install backing inside each surface, which means to me that you are no more assured reliability than with the CA hinges. In fact it would seem that with the hinge point you have less grip on the situation than with a 3/4" wide CA hinge.

Just my opinion

my point exactly ....... I am debating if I should go through the trouble of opening them up and re-enforcing or just go to another type of hinge........
Everybody was saying how bad CA hinges are for this size plane so I decided to go with better ones.. After trying to install them I agree, CA hinges (given the assembly) may be better..... So now I am calling up the anti CA hinge users

IM GLAD TO HERE THAT THERES NOT A PROBLEM WITH BME ENG. BECAUSE I LIKE THE SIDE MOUNTED CARB. HOW DOES THE DA50 COMPEAR TO THE BME50?

Don't use the CA hinges -- your just asking for trouble. Had a IMAC fly-in a few months back and not one giant plane had CA hinges. CA hinges are for .46 to .61 size planes and you guys have graduated -- at least some of you have.

Not necessary to open up wing before using 3/16 Robarts hinge points. There is enough balsa to glue the hinge points and mine haven't budged in 76 flights. I put Patty into some rough 3D and so far so good. Don't go looking for problems to solve when there are no problems in the first place. I glued one hinge point into a 1/4 piece of balsa and could not remove the hinge point no matter what I did, shy of breaking the balsa. The material in the Patty is 5/16 or better so don't worry the hinge points will not come loose if glued in properly. I used plain yellow carpenters glue and sanded the hinge points to roughen then up. I find using the yellow glue is easier to work with on the hinge points then epoxy because it is water soluble. REMEMBER DON"T USE CA HINGES, YOU"LL BE SORRY IF YOU DO !!!

Got my replacement Patty from Tower today. REAR STAB PUSHED DOWN INTO FUSELAGE. I started to investigate and the only thing holding it on was the covering. I had paid for 2nd day delivery and now to get it before the long weekend I have to pay the difference for next day. I told them to pack this fuselage alot better than the first. They are going to send a call tag for the first one, but that is beside the point. Tower was very nice but lets do a little QUALITY CONTROL. I bet nobody even looks at them when they go to ship. Just pull out the box and go!

I want to get Patty back up in the air. I don't have time for this stuff. Too many of us have had problems with this ARF. Most of this is just poor handling not poor building. What do the rest of you think?

I loved my first Patty and I want to get another in the air quick.

John

R/C Foolish, there is not much you can do about shipping damage but go to the LHS and open the box before you buy. Remember the luggage commercial quite a few years back when they showed a gorilla throwing luggage about. That's the way these guys handle our planes.

Funny thing is I don't think it was the Fed-Ex. The box was fine, the damage was inside which means it was already there when Tower shipped it. I think!!!

John

Aeromodeler,

I used the Dubro 1/4 scale pinned hinges. I glued them in with CA and they are in there to stay. I like them better than the hinge points because I find them easier to line up. Hinge points are always a problem for me trying to line up the holes.

Andy

Funny thing about CA hinges, they never give you a warning when they are about to fail. One minute they look and feel fine and the next minute your plane is out of control. They can either pull out of the balsa or break at the hinge line or both. As I said before, don't use CA hinges on a giant scale plane!

Andy it's easy to line up the holes, you just tape the control surface where you want to install it and with a square draw a line between both pieces. Drill the holes using the jig supplied by Robarts. The jig holds the drill bit and centers the hole that you will drill. A little carpenters glue and presto the next morning you have a control surface that is a lot safer and stronger than any CA hinge. It's a no brainer guys.

For what it is worth I used the same number of hinge points as if I used CA hinges. Five in each aileron, four in each elevator and four in the rudder.

rcguy1,

I guess I'm just making it harder than it has to be. I made up some doweling jigs from music wire. First I drilled the holes in one surface and then insert the jigs. Next I press the other side into the jigs to mark the holes. I have used epoxy in the past with good results.

Andy

I'll let you all know when my CA hinges fail. I've had plenty of flights and they haven't failed. I've also seen lots of CA hinges on 40% airplanes at Joe Nall and have never heard anyone complain about excessive failure rates. If anyone knows of any reputable source that says CA hinges are no good, please post the information here.

To each his own I guess.

Andy, I don't understand what you are trying to say. As they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Fancman, please don't put words in my mouth. I never said that CA hinges are no good. I have more planes with CA hinges than hinge points. But they have their place and giant scale is not the place. And you guys who insist on using CA hinges be my guess. It's you plane and you may do what ever you please. Good luck -- I believe you'll need it