opjose

Here is what I do...

First the very first thing I work on is the engine, no matter the plane.

I can take advantage of the missing tail feathers to stand the fuselage with the nose straight up, so I can lay the engine on the firewall, and figure out where I want to put things...

So, put the cowl on the fuselage. Get everything properly lined up without the engine in place. so the cowl is centered with the center of the engine cutout circle in line with the CENTER of the firewall ( not necessarily the registration marks! ).

Measure the distance from the cutout to the firewall carefully and add 1/8" to that.

This will be the distance you want the engine's prop driver to sit from the back of the mount.

Square the engine to the mounts at this distance and drill your screw holes. Put the engine on the mount ( permantly as it no longer will have to be removed ) and place it drive shaft up on a table.

Make sure the prop shaft is perfectly perpedicular to your table. Keep the muffler, off the engine.

With the fuselage pointed straight up, position the engine on the firewall and line it up with the registration marks.

If done properly the prop driver will be in the center of the firewall, and the engine will have a very slight cant to the right (looking at it from a pilot's perspective).
The base of the engine will appear be slightly to the left.

I sometimes tape the engine down so I can try to slide the cowl over the engine as much as possible to double check my alignments.

Once you have established the engine position, CAREFULLY, tape it down or hold it carefully and use a Great Planes Center Hole locator to mark where you will be drilling the blind nut holes.

Double, triple check then drill your holes slightly larger than the blind nut inner diameter.

You can take it from there...


The 50cc plane puts the servos on the tail and uses one servo per elevator, but if I recall correctly the 1.20 puts them in the fuselage.

I believe the 1.20 uses pushrods for both the rudder and elevator and uses one servo for the rudder and one for the elevator.

You may be looking at a diagram for the 50cc plane which looks identical.

BTW: I have both and the instructions mix illustrations for both planes so this can be confusing.

Again if I recall correctly you may need the servos in their default forward position for balance.

JollyPopper

My Feedback: (6)

What you are doing is a very commendable thing, but in an effort to avoid spending money unnecessarily, I would urge you to reconsider buying a radio system. As others have mentioned earlier in this thread, if he is flying 3D, chances are very good that he has a transmitter that will handle multiple models in its memory (20 or so). He is familiar and comfortable with this transmitter and will probably use it even if you buy him a new one. That money could probably be better spent on all the ancillary equipment that the plane will require. Unless you have someone build this thing and present it to him ready to fly, he would more than likely prefer to pick and choose all that stuff himself. Buy the kit and the engine and give him a gift certificate for $500.00 or so and he will be extremely happy.

billd76

My Feedback: (3)

I skimmed through all the post. Didn't see anyone mention the DLE 20cc gaser. Would be a perfect match for this plane, especially since you stated he is already 3d flying.

billd76

My Feedback: (3)

Yeah High torque is good, but IMHO I would put metal gear servos in at least the ailerons and elevator on a 120 size aircraft.