MarkDiDo

OK, I finally pulled my Easy 2 down from the closet where it has been collecting dust for about 2 years.

Just playing around with it, I noticed that the installed engine mount seems to have a very pronounced downward slant towards the nose of the aircraft. It looks like 10 - 15 degrees off horizontal.

I've built kits before, but I don't remember any of the motor mounts I used having a downward slant

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Mark

bruce88123

Some downthrust isn't unheard of but that seems excessive. I suspect that living in a Fla attic for so long may have softened the glue on the firewall and the weight of the engine may have caused it to droop. See if you can detect that the firewall has shifted.

Kow

The motor on my Alpha 40 RTF is slanted downward from the factory. I'm assuming it's on purpose. It's not as much as you're describing, though. Probably more like 5 degrees.

EDIT: Actually, I just eyeballed it using a protractor. I guess it is closer to 8-10 degrees.

hogflyer

Can you show us some pictures of it? That may get some specific fix responses instead of just guesses.

Hogflyer

plasticjoe

My Feedback: (22)

I had an easy 2 trainer and it NEEDED the dramatic downthrust to fly good. I bet it had at least 7-10 degrees downthrust. I would try it with that.... inspect all the joints and hardware. make sure nothing has moved. If it has not, then I would go for it.

MarkDiDo

I was just guesstimating on the angle. Here's a couple of pictures. The first shows the angle of the prop shaft and the second shows the cylinder head in relation to the "cowl" The forward bulkhead looks secure and square in relation to the fuselage sides.
Hope this helps.

Kow

Yep. That looks very similar to mine with regard to the angle.

MarkDiDo

OK, that's all I need to know.

Another quick question, if I may.

I'm hanging a OS Max .46 on the nose. The motor mount is the "clamp down" type. When I put the motor on the rails, it doesn't look like there's a whole lot of of engine mount sitting on those rails. Maybe like 1/4" or so.

Man, you guys are the greatest! I don't think I had my question posted for 30 minutes and I already had 5 replies!

The last time I held a transmitter in my hands was wayyyyy back in the 80's when they still sold 27 Mhz radio systems and real jets were just a dream. I don't know why the "bug" bit me again, but I'm looking forward to boring holes in the sky and not embarassing myself!

Glad I found this forum. Reminded me that the R/C community was always quick to lend a hand or help solve a problem!

Thanks!

Mark

Kow

Here are a couple of comparison pics. Sounds like you have the same type of mount I do. I've got the Evolution .46 in it. It might be hard to see in the picture, but I have about the same amount of motor sitting on the mount. Only about half of the mount is covered on each side. so, either both our planes are screwed up, or everything is fine.

Hope that helps!

bruce88123

Motor tilt not as bad as you made it sound at first. And that is typical for clamp mounting of engines.

Now, what do you have for radios and how old are the batteries?

MarkDiDo

Kow and Bruce,

Thanks for the info. My first ARF. I've always been a kit kind of guy and I always used the drill and tap method of motor mounting.

OK, I feel better now !

Now, what is your opinion of what would be a good second airplane to transition from a trainer. I ultimately want to build the T-34 or the T-28 (I worked on both in the Navy) but I don't think they would make a good second airplane. I looking more towards kit-built. It's good therapy for me and gets me away from the spousal unit for long periods of time!

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Get A Goldberg Tiger II or Tiger 60

It is an excellent intermediate trainer. Very stable, yet it will do all of the basic aerobatics.

It's also a good kit - building wise

A few other good choices:

Sig 4* (40 or 60)
Great Planes Rapture

Or if you think you're ready for a slightly bigger step, Greap Planes just re-released their Super Sportster kit

One of the best airplanes ever put in a box!

MarkDiDo

I was cruising the Tower Hobbies site last night and I did stop and take a look at the Goldberg Tigers. I always liked the clean looks.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

And it flies as clean as it looks.

Anyone that has ever had one will tell you what a fabulous airplane it is.