Anyone have any advice for installing the elevator and rudder pushrods on the Magic Extra? I just installed mine without connecting the clevises - to see how well they move . I put them together as instructed. But they don't seem to move as freely as I think they should. Especially the elevator pushrods. They aren't binding, but sure feel stiff inside the sleeves. I'm beginning to wish I had connected the two elevator halves and installed one single elevator pushrod.

I had the same problem with my elevator. After re-bending and re-adjusting the elevator pushrods I still could not get full throw due to servo binding. I finally gave up and went to the brute force method and solved the problem. I took out the Hitec HS-425BB and replaced it with a Hitec HS-605BB -- no more problems.

Thanks hilleja,

I haven't tried the servos yet. The pushrods just don't feel too cofortable in the sleeves. I made all sort of adjustments to them and made sure the end of the sleeves are open and smooth. And they appear to not have any kinks. I'm sure the servos I have (Expert standard BB) will work. But I'm constantly fearful of excessive drain on the servos and battery.

I had the same problem with mine. i just got them to go as smooth as possible and ran it. I don't really remember but you may be able to cut the servo tray and slide the servo over for a more direct alignment.

Thanks Sawyer692,

I took the fuse with me to the field tonight and showed it to three experienced builders/flyers. With the pushrods dissconnected, they checked them for resistance with the sleeves. They all agreed that the pushrods should be fine. I feel better about it now. This is not the first time I've agonized over this. I constantly worry about my batteries running down before they should.

I just finished building the ME and had to rebend the elevator wire a couple of times to get it right. I do wish I had installed a rod to hook the two halves togethor, but it was already done and didn't want to tear it apart.

I went with a cable wire pull-pull for the rudder. I don't like the look of the wire for the push push system, as they call it in the book. It went togethor pretty easy and doesn't cost much either. I hope to fly the plane this weekend, if the weather holds.

I put a 46FX on it and had to put the battery under the tank and add an entire stick to the nose to get a balance on it. I balanced it at 3.5 from the le, book calls for up to 3.75. I may move it later to the rear after I fly it a few times.

Salty25,

I'm using a 46FX too. I'm a little surprised at how you had to balance your ME. It will be interesting to see how mine comes out.

I just got the pushrods in and connected the horns and clevis's. The elevator rods were a pain. I have a rudder pull-pull cable too, but didn't use it. Hmmm. I'm hoping to have everything done for the weekend. I still need to install the aileron servos, canopy, radio/battery, switch harness, etc. I'm also going to beef up the servo tray(s).

Good luck with yours.

Bruno,

I did put some extra epoxy on the trays as well. I had to put an ext on the elev and rudder servo, the wire for the throttle was long enough for the rcv to sit up front over the wing.

I have a friend who has a ME and he has a Magnum .52 on it and had to put a half stick on the engine mount to balance at 3.5. But he didn't put his battery in the tank compartment like I did. I split the stick and put it in with the tank as well to get the lateral balance right. It worked out to about 1/3 on oneside for the lateral. I stood them vert in the tank compart at the rear, the battery is all the way fwd.

I'm still hoping to fly this weekend, I'll let ya know how it goes.

I have the OS SX .50 in mine and did not have to add any weight for balance.

Battery pack (standard 600mah Hitec) is in the mid deck, just behind the fuel tank former. The Hitec 6-channel RX (real small) is mounted under the wing hold downs -- have to be careful when mounting the wing so as not to damage the RX. The 6-channel Hitec RX came with an antenna wrapper -- alows me to wrap a good percentage of the antenna around a plastic adapter and mount within the fuselage. I was sceptable about this so made sure I did a thorough range check.

i used a magnum .52 four stroke and did not need any extra weight. Balanced at 3.75. Battery and receiver in the same locations as Helleja.

Also, all the push rods fit perfectly. I felt that it was a very easy plane to assemble although the instructions were not very accurate. Some steps were already completed (fine with me - the wing blind nuts and engine mount blind nuts were already installed) and a few pictures were back-wards. Did anyone else notice this?

You are going to love this plane. I like it more than the Magic 3D.

On my ModelTech P-51 the elevator pushrods were a little stiff also. I rubbed graphite powder on the pushrod and poured a little down the sleeves to help ease the friction. It helped a bunch. Afterward, the rods slid in their sleeves much more freely.

The opening in the elevator servo tray is offset. I assembled the pushrods as per the photos and almost installed them upside down. The tray offset in my manual's photo is reversed. I flipped the pushrods over and then realized that I had to loosen the collar set screws, so I could spin the collars to where I can reach the set screws to check for tightness occasionally.

I made adustments to elevator rods by gently giving them a slight outward bend from the fuselage. They seem to move with more freedom now. A guy at my club said they'll probably move more freely as they break in with use. The graphite powder seems like a good idea. Thanks. I don't have any, but maybe I'll put some baby powder in the sleeves.

I put a 4c 700 pack on mine, don't remember the make.

I did catch the pic for the elevator being backwards. I plan to solder the wires for the elevator togethor so I don't have to make any adjustments. Prob should have done that already but will do after a couple of flights for sure.

I'm not going to glue the weights down so that I can move the CG back later. I put it at 3.5 for now. I saw that some have put the CG at 4. I wonder how it flys with the CG that far back, since the directions call for 3.75 max.

Had some rain this AM so will do the sun dance for rest of the day and hope for a good day tomorrow.

:sunsmiley

I got this on a different thread. I'm going to move the CG to 4 and see how it goes.

RCAddiction says he's flown the plane at 4 and it is docile so I'm going to go for it and see.

I'll let ya know how it goes as long as it doesn't rain this weekend.

I also saw that thread. I'm going to try it at 4" too. Looks like we'll have good weather here all weekend. I'll also report back on how it goes.

Well, my ME flew yesterday. Whew! It was great, but I had a few problems. But none the airplanes fault, just mine. First my 46FX needed some adjusting to get it to run right. It had been sitting for a while. Then, when the ME took off on it's maiden flight, it experienced a radio glitch. It lurched up then banked one way then other. It straightened up, and I was able to turn into the down wind leg. I needed to give it some up elevator trim and a little right aileron trim. Just before I began the turn for final, it lurched again. It did fine on final and I was able to make a very nice landing.

One of the more experienced club members took a look at the plane and pointed out the battery cable runnning beside my metal throttle pushrod for about 4". :stupid: I moved the cable to the opposite side of the fuse and packed just enough foam to keep it and the other wires away from the pushrod. I also put 5 or 6 gentle twists in the battery cable. (It's supposed to help prevent interference.) I did two more range checks - one without and one with the engine running. Everything looked good.

Flight two was much better. My ME looked smart and tracked well while taxiing. It lifted off very smoothly. I gave it some more up elevator trim. (I actually balanced it at 4" and was still a little nose heavy. For it's first flights I left it as is.) It rolled cleanly on the recommended low rates. At high rates it rolled very crisply. I started with an Master Airscrew 11x6. It pulled very well, and I was pleased to see how well the ME could go vertical with that prop. Next time out I'll put on an APC 12.25x3.75. I also flew it inverted easily. I had to give some down elevator. But when I get the CG right, I shouldn't have to do much of that. I tried a knife edge too. I was able to hold that fairly well - but again the CG. Next I tried some loops, split S's, and cuban 8's. The ME tracked through them nicely. I just realised, that on it's first real flight I got confident with the plane rather quickly.

My wife and kids showed up at the field, just in time for the third flight. My 3 year old daughter wanted to see Clifford the Big Red Dog fly! I began a tradition of letting the kids pick the pilots for my planes. Within reason of course! Well, she had a Clifford figure made of rubber that stands approx 1 1/2". He's fairly light weight, and being red, looks amusingly at home in a mostly red airplane. I have to try to post a pic soon. He is sitting with both is ears straight out to the sides, as if he's pulling G's. I know, what ever!

The third flight required some more engine adjustments. But, it was fine otherwise. More of the same manuevers from flight two. Ooops. A bit of a bounce at landing, then a float down the runway until it settled in. Otherwise, sweet. My little girl was happy to see Clifford come down in one piece. That was a nice cap to the day, having my wife and kids show up unexpectedly. I know, only three flights. But after all the adjustments and discussion, I was tapped. I cleaned up and packed feeling good.

Despite the problems I had getting this ME into the air, I came away feeling very good about it. I think it was well worth the $119 I plunked down for it. After wathcing me fly it, one of my club mates said he was sold on getting one.

Oh jeesh! BTW, the elevator pushrods worked fine. They were still securely joined after I was done flying. But I still wonder if the ME would work fine with the elevators joined and operated with one pushrod. I know my Sig Something Extra is set up that way.

Has anyone flown this baby with the new Magnum 52 that comes as a combo???

Ernie

I have the Magnum .52 2-stroke combo. Great engine! I broke it in as per the instructions and it runs like a dream! Lots of power for the Magic Extra but with a 12.25x3.75 apc it has all the pulling power you would need instead of speed. I've had Irvines, OSs, K&Bs, even MOKIs and this is Magnum engine is my favorite so far.

How would you compare that .52 to the OS 46FX? You are the first that I heard of using that engine on anything.

I have the OS .46FX on a Seamaster (much heavier airplane) and I would say they both transition flawlessly and have gobs of power. The Magnum is physically smaller and lighter weight than the OS and if the OS were new, they would be very close in power. I prefer the Magnum over the OS.