Mach Racer ARF build
#1
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From: RCHill,
NJ
Although this is an ARF I just wanted to post the build to give the RC pilots that don't have this plane an idea of whats involved. Also to welcome any tips I may miss when putting together the plane.
Below are picks of the front and back of the plane with the ailerons already glued in place. I glued them in last night only to learn , one of the elevons move further up than the other. Also the same elevon that moves up further drops lower.
I guess this is do to the beveled leading edge on the elevon not being the same.
I am hoping to have the madden flight Saturday. But how much I get done tomorrow night will decide the day. I normally build through the night when I get a new model but after a few beers , it's getting hard to do the all nighter thing.
My engine choice is a ST G51. The choice came about do to the fact I don't have a .51 engine and it's not much more power than a .46 . The wheels are definitely going to be installed , but the landing skid will be left off unless it can help with balancing.
Below are picks of the front and back of the plane with the ailerons already glued in place. I glued them in last night only to learn , one of the elevons move further up than the other. Also the same elevon that moves up further drops lower.
I guess this is do to the beveled leading edge on the elevon not being the same. I am hoping to have the madden flight Saturday. But how much I get done tomorrow night will decide the day. I normally build through the night when I get a new model but after a few beers , it's getting hard to do the all nighter thing.
My engine choice is a ST G51. The choice came about do to the fact I don't have a .51 engine and it's not much more power than a .46 . The wheels are definitely going to be installed , but the landing skid will be left off unless it can help with balancing.
#3
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From: RCHill,
NJ
With out a doubt, the plane can be hand launched . I am not really a fan of hand launching a plane with a prop spinning 3000-14000 RPM. Even if you have some one do it for you, its more dangerous than doing a ROG.
To do a hand launch you can hold the bottom of the fuselage which is lower than 3/4 of the bottom of the wing.
P.S. there are no stupid questions.
To do a hand launch you can hold the bottom of the fuselage which is lower than 3/4 of the bottom of the wing.
P.S. there are no stupid questions.
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From: RCHill,
NJ
more pics of the RACER being constructed. I epoxied the engine mount along with th fuel tank compartment to insure the glue the manufacturer used will not fail once the oil an fuel comes in contact with each section.
I got the landing gear installed. I had to drill out the wheels in order to have them spin freely.
The engine didn't fit perfectly so I sanded the bigger side of the engine mount to complete the mounting of the engine.
I got the landing gear installed. I had to drill out the wheels in order to have them spin freely.
The engine didn't fit perfectly so I sanded the bigger side of the engine mount to complete the mounting of the engine.
#7
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An old flying buddy had a very light Ugly Stik with a piped OS 40FSR. I would grab it by the wing LE and the top of the fuselage behind the wing, point it up and simply let go. Flew right out of my hands.
#9
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From: RCHill,
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well I am back from the maiden flight and have to say the MACH RACER showed and proved it is an easy delta to fly. I only was able to get it trimmed out a bit and flew it at a little less than half throttle .
The landing is what really impressed me . The wing came in so smooth and stable it shocked me for a second then I realized I still had full control .
The SUPERTIGRE engine was run in to manual specs with out a problem. One half hour, two and a half tanks of fuel and it was ready to fly.
Be careful when landing , the gear is very springy. I hopped ounce before setting it down gently on the grass.
The shrike has this plane beat as far as speed is concerned and I will be buying the ARF version soon to really get a good comparison. I most likely will buy another ST .51 for the shrike .40 .
The one bad thing I will mention is the ST muffler needs a deflector to keep most of the oil off of the wing . The wing collects a great deal of oil during the flight.
I flew the plane on low rates which was plenty for everything. I rolled the plane once not knowing it but it was as smooth as ice. I didn't want to try any other tricks until I get comfortable with the new engine.
If the wind is right I will fly it a few times tomorrow to become more familiar with it's characteristics. IE slow flight , turning, take offs, etc.
Seeing the plane could be better although it was quite cloudy , I beleive if the fins were black it would help.
Thanks and GL
The landing is what really impressed me . The wing came in so smooth and stable it shocked me for a second then I realized I still had full control .
The SUPERTIGRE engine was run in to manual specs with out a problem. One half hour, two and a half tanks of fuel and it was ready to fly.
Be careful when landing , the gear is very springy. I hopped ounce before setting it down gently on the grass.
The shrike has this plane beat as far as speed is concerned and I will be buying the ARF version soon to really get a good comparison. I most likely will buy another ST .51 for the shrike .40 .
The one bad thing I will mention is the ST muffler needs a deflector to keep most of the oil off of the wing . The wing collects a great deal of oil during the flight.
I flew the plane on low rates which was plenty for everything. I rolled the plane once not knowing it but it was as smooth as ice. I didn't want to try any other tricks until I get comfortable with the new engine.
If the wind is right I will fly it a few times tomorrow to become more familiar with it's characteristics. IE slow flight , turning, take offs, etc.
Seeing the plane could be better although it was quite cloudy , I beleive if the fins were black it would help.
Thanks and GL
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From: California
Great idea for a thread. I have a Laser Arrow. On takeoff, it's best for someone to hold both wing-tips while the plane is at ful throttle and point it slightly up. They then release it and it will accelerate out of their hand.
50%
(formerly woops)
50%
(formerly woops)
#11
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From: RCHill,
NJ
Great idea for a thread. I have a Laser Arrow. On takeoff, it's best for someone to hold both wing-tips while the plane is at full throttle and point it slightly up. They then release it and it will accelerate out of their hand.
I like the ROG with the Racer especially in winds like today.
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From: Weatherford,
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I'm getting mine together. I'm leaving off the landing gear. For a little weight savings, I popped out the hardwood gear blocks. I used the landing gear as a tool. They are really glued in well so no worry there. I removed the throttle servo plate too. I finished up with a Dremel. I'm going with a micro servo for throttle and a 4 channel Berg RX. I have the battery right behind the tank. This plane is on the tail heavy side as noted in another thread. I wanted to put a Webra .32... too light. Wound up with a MVVS .49 and had to mount it farther out on the mount than recommended. The cowl barely fit and I had to grind clearance for the carb at the front. There's about a 1/4" gap between the spinner and cowl. Balance is good with no added lead. I think a .61 would be good on one. I'll try to get an AUW and maybe a flight report when the weather gets nicer.
Fiend. Did you ever get the Mach Racer going full throttle? You had a comment comparing it to the shrike. Just wondering. later
Fiend. Did you ever get the Mach Racer going full throttle? You had a comment comparing it to the shrike. Just wondering. later
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From: RCHill,
NJ
Fiend. Did you ever get the Mach Racer going full throttle? You had a comment comparing it to the shrike.
#16
Hey Rc-Fiend, The directions stated that the top of the fuel tank DOES NOT have 190cc molded on it. I am finding that it doesnt fit unless you have the 190cc mold on top. Did you come across this or have I made a boo-boo somewhere ?
Thanks for your time, Ramone
Thanks for your time, Ramone
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From: RCHill,
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Hi , yes this part of the direction is some what wrong. I mounted my tank in the position which best fitted into the hole made for the neck of the bottle keeping in mind to have the exhaust tubing facing the top of the bottle. I didn't have any problems flying it so far.
#18
Thanks RC-Fiend, Just wanted to make sure. Mine is coming along nicely, with an EVO .46 up front. I was quite suprised how much I completed in such a short time.
Thanks, Ramone
Thanks, Ramone
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From: RCHill,
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yea it takes a short while to complete , but be sure to lateral and horizontal balance your Mach racer. This will help when trying to trim it out in the air. Mine is nose heavy with a ST .51 on the nose and drops to the right do to the muffler but lead fixed those problems.
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From: RCHill,
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If I were you , I would buy a foam wing and do a few practice flights with the EP wing. Wings do not fly like any other type of plane. They don't have tails to correct the flight path and with the ailerons working in conjunction with the elevator due to the elevon mix, flying could get hairy. I practiced using a MINI BEE wing made from EPP foam which can put up with numerous crashes while learning. GL
#22
Sorry I wasn't totally clear in my earlier post. I meant nitro powered flying wing. I have an electric flying wing, but it's a hand launcher. The reason why I bought the Mach Racer was because of the landing gear (and I had an extra .46 handy
) I'm going to follow the instructions manual's advice and buy some larger wheels since I'll be flying off grass.
Regards, Ramone
) I'm going to follow the instructions manual's advice and buy some larger wheels since I'll be flying off grass.Regards, Ramone
#23
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From: RCHill,
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I'm going to follow the instructions manual's advice and buy some larger wheels since I'll be flying off grass.
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From: Albuquerque,
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RC-FIEND:
I know this thread is kind of old, but I have a few questions for you.
1) What was your final weight, dry?
2) CG?
3) What does ROG stand for?
I'm getting ready to get one of these now that they are back in stock and am outfitting it with an OS 46FX. I will probably run a Tower muffler, or possibly a Jett-Stream if funds allow. As far as prop selection goes, I was thinking APC 9x6 or 10x6. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Gary
I know this thread is kind of old, but I have a few questions for you.
1) What was your final weight, dry?
2) CG?
3) What does ROG stand for?
I'm getting ready to get one of these now that they are back in stock and am outfitting it with an OS 46FX. I will probably run a Tower muffler, or possibly a Jett-Stream if funds allow. As far as prop selection goes, I was thinking APC 9x6 or 10x6. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Gary



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