sswagerty

My Feedback: (53)

I have been flying a Great Planes Patty and really like the model. My combination is Da 50, wood prop 22x10 and futaba servos... nothing unique. This is my situation. I had a prop strike yesterday when landing and it ripped the motor box off of the firewall. This fix is more complex than first thought because there are some vertical firewall supports that run all of the way back to the wing tube that are broken. The fix is much more than just guling the firewall back on. This is the second time that this has happened to me. The frist time I bought a new fuselage. Now it has happened again. My question is this... is this a weakness in the design or is it a fact that when you have a prop strike on this size model this is going to happen? Should I order another fuselage or get a different design. Another option would be to reinforce the box if I order another fuselage. I am sort of discourage and welcome any thoughts.

torqmeister

Consider reinforcing the motor box on all your ARFs. I use 3/8 basswood triangle stock on all joints in front of the front bulkhead, & 1/4 in triangle stock where the motor box intersects any other bulkheads. For example, I did this on a GP Patty & ended up withe a 16 lb plane. Also, did it on my EF 87" Yak & it still came in at 15lb 2oz. Hope this helps.

rcmiket

I have to agree. I pin and Tri stock all firewalls. On my GP Eagle and Patty haven't had a issue yet. Vibration tends to get to them.