rgm762

My Feedback: (4)

kmot; took a while for the smoke to settle, but found out it wasn't the firewall. after your mishap, I fiberglessed mine, so all I saw was red when I grabbed the spinner and could move it real easy, but after pulling the cowl off I found out it was just the motor mount, got it repalced now just waiting for some nice weather, or at least something with winds less the 25mph on my day off, so anybody going glow may want to use a different motor mount than the one that comes with the plane

iFLYrc_Vic

My Feedback: (6)

Glad to hear it was not the firewall. I now have numerous flights on my "Fredi". She is quite a joy to fly and will do some mild aerobatics as well as inverted flight. My only problem is the "spongy" landing gear. It tends to cause a lot of bounce on landings no matter how smooth you land - especially on upwind landings into a 8-10 mph headwind.

rgm762

My Feedback: (4)

I really liked how mine flew, even if it was only a couple of short flights before I found the cheap mount, wonder if a set of inflatible tires would help? been thinking about that

iFLYrc_Vic

My Feedback: (6)

That is a great idea! That would take out some of the reflex from the gear. I will look into my shop to see if I have a set that will fit. Thanks for the suggestion.

Klemen

Here is another my Pilatus "63 span, but scratch built, in BREITLING color sheme












here is maiden flight
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz0loDzzZkM

rgm762

My Feedback: (4)

nice, I really like that, how long did it take to build?

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Very nice, Klemen! [sm=thumbup.gif]

Klemen

I build cca. 6 months...
sorry about my english...I"m from Slovenia[&o]

rgm762

My Feedback: (4)

your english is good

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Yeah, just ask us to speak/type in Yugoslavian!

rgm762

My Feedback: (4)

I have enough problems with english

Klemen

My new "toy"
Piper cub Hangar 9 "80 span
sorry for offtopic..

MercerAUST

I just found this forum, and thought I would add my experience with the VQ Pilatus Porter (.46 size).

I brought the bird one when the Australian distributor shipped them in earlier in the year. I fitted a second-hand Saito 7.5cc 4-stroke nitro (about 20 years old). The prop is large and there is only about an inch of clearance to the ground when the plane is level. The motor is a bit under-powered, so I am mainly flying it scale.

On my first flight, the left wing fell off. My LHS agreed that it was a one-off failure in the plywood connecting strut and replaced the kit. I built the new one, but reinforced the wing a bit with some fibreglass strips (taken from the inside of some old model helicopter blades (I knew they would be good for something).

Anyway, I've probably had the plane up about 50 times for about 8hrs flight time. I still find the take-offs a bit tricky and, following an adjustment of the wheels or flight surfaces, have to stand behind it to avoid the dreaded groundloop. I am getting better and can successfully take off from the pilot area most times now. I'm getting better at the landings. I have to absolutely grease it in to prevent the prop bouncing on the ground and stalling. It is a joy for me when I get it absolutely right and it snicks is with no bounce or deviation from the straight and narrow.

It is still my favourite plane at the moment. Part of this is probably the Saito 4-stroke. This has no exhaust can(just a straight pipe), but is surprisingly quiet. I love the laboured noise as it climbsand the muted throttle on cruise. The engine is very economical with a 250ml tank lasting40 minuteson easy throttle.

On the strength of this,I've ordered the 2.7m wingspan giant version. This is being shipped in Australian Army livery. I want to fit a RCGF 26cc gas 2-stroke.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Hi Mercer, thanks for posting about your experiences.

I am thinking about adding some toe-in to my wheels. Might help the ground handling. I found your observations on the ground looping tendencies of this model to be very interesting.

I agree whole heartedly on the Saito engines. Lovely little jewels aren't they. I run a Saito .45 in a Rascal Forty airplane and yes the putt-putt while at cruise is good medicine.

insyt21st

Hey Mercer. Do you have a link to the 2.7 meter one with the Austrailian scheme? I have the Tiger scheme and would like to see that one. Thanks, Bob

MercerAUST

Mine has a fair bit of toe out. We have a synthetic grass strip. Mine is very sensitive to inputs on take-off. I need a bit of right rudder until the tail lifts and then ease off, or a smidgeon left. Failure to ease off right rudder results in a ground loop or a clumsy take-off at sub-optimal speeds as I veer off the strip. I imagine it wouldn't be so sensitive on a grass strip. It would probably be worse on concrete.

The Aussie Army version is illustrated at www.thehobbyspecialists.com.au (VQAO571). I hope it will look as good as the picture.

Klemen

Here is another my scratch built Pilatus turbo Porter in Slovenian Army sheme,but small version ,just 59" span and electro vers.














And this is realy scale flying with flaps[8D][8D]

Klemen

Some more pics....yestrday flying

tomme

My Feedback: (1)

can someone please tell me if the wing struts are really needed for this plane?

im having a heck of a time with them

thanks

tom

gary41

My Feedback: (5)

If you are referring to the BIG gas powered version...definately, YES!

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

I personally think it is a good idea for the smaller version as well.

MercerAUST

I've been flying the 2.7m version and, last weekend, the strut tore out half of the bottom of the wing during radical manouveres. I didn't notcie anything until landing and the strut stayed connected to the fuselage with the balsa/ply from the wing connected. An easy glue job in this case. So I would say, yes, connect the struts becasue they obviously take some of the strain of the wings during manouveres.

yukonpete

My Feedback: (4)

whats the measurement from the firewall to the back of the spinner?

gary41

My Feedback: (5)

160mm

yukonpete

My Feedback: (4)

is that the giant scale measurement?