I have a novice question for the experts. I have a mostly finished kit that I still need to cover and install radio and other misc stuff. Can/should I roughly install the pushrods and radio gear then check for balance. Will the covering make any difference on balance? or should I just install the stuff where I think they will go, cover and worry about balance later? P.S. I know that I will have to do a final balance when I am all done.

Thanks

Jon

Minnreefer,
That is exactly what I do when I build a plane I will build the entire plane minus the covering, and then balance "in the bones". This includes everything including the radio equipment, with the exception of the battery which I will use as a final balance adjustment. Doing it this way will let you make major adjustments to the balance before the covering is put on the plane. One of my huge pet peeves is to either cut covering to add weight, or to use stick on weights on the outside of a plane. If you make you balance adjustments now you will normally have to very minor adjustments once the covering is on. And for those you can usually use your battery placement to get that done. Also, don't forget to check you lateral balance as well.

Hope this helps

Ken

Thanks Ken, I figured so. I ordered my Christmas present today, sig Hog bipe in honor of you.

Jon

I agree, check the balance before covering. Then if you do end up having to add any weight, you can hide it inside the plane. Not only that, it will make things much easier to re-arrange to help with achieving balance. The covering is pretty evenly distributed so it has no measurable affect on balance.

Sorry that I didn't post this first, but I had to find the link.

This is from my LT-40 build I did. You can see the balancing I did before the covering was put on the plane.

[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=4397991[/link]

Trust me, you are going to LOVE the Hog Bipe. It's definitely one of my favorites!!

Ken