Wing Half Joining ????
 

Yet another newbie question.....I think I'm wearing out my keyboard here :)

Anywho.....My question is...... I just bought a NexSTAR and was curious about way the two halves of the wing joins together. It apears that the push together and are retained by what looks like some sort of plastic strip with 2 small screws on either side holding the halves together on that strip. Now, this maybe fine.....but being a new flier....is this going to be durable enough??? Or should I actually epoxy, CA or fiberglass the two haves together also?? I apologize for my ignorance....but this forum so far has been a godsend for me and I just want to find out as much as I can before flying for the first time :)

Thanks,


Adam

RE: Wing Half Joining ????
 

My buddy built his per the instructions, and after about dozen flights, I still see no problems with this set up. (I'm trainning him, so I check out the plane to hopfully make sure we have no problems!)

RE: Wing Half Joining ????
 

Oh Boy,
Guy check the plane over really well. Be sure that the ailerons, elevator and rudder hinges are glud in well. Might even want to get a bottle of thin CA and go ahead and add a drop or two on each hinge. We have 4 guys that have trained with the Nexstar, 2 of them had loose hinges. Also you may find that you do not want the spoilers or the self righting equipment. all 4 of them had it off within 3 or 4 flights and all had different guys train them.
Tell you what though that is the sweetest running .46 I have seen.

RE: Wing Half Joining ????
 

Wing should be fine from factory for training. If it were me, I'd join it with some 30 minute epoxy. Mix up a bunch, and coat both sides of the wing liberally. Get a bunch down into the joiner hole (I'm assuming it uses a metal rod) and have some masking tape ready. Join both sides, if you used enough epoxy it will ooze out from between the two. Check alignment, then run a couple pieces of tape to hold them together. check alignment again, then stand them up in a corner and let them cure for a good 12 hours. Check periodically to wipe up any epoxy that runs out of the joint. I don't think they'd need to be fiberglassed at this point.

Andy

RE: Wing Half Joining ????
 

Thanks for the advice guys :)

BigNed....as far as the hinges go, I've read about the same problem here and plan on CA'ing just to be on the safe side. i actually saw someone fly theres today for the first time and with the spoilers and speed brakes on it it sure is lazy in the air...but you're right...seems like a good motor. I also spoke to the instructor and he said he didn't have a problem disabling the AFS since I'll have to learn to fly without it anyway so I mine as well start right from the beginning.

Thanks again,


Adam

RE: Wing Half Joining ????
 

My first trainer was a RTF. From what you said, my trainer wing was the same way that the Nexstar is. A metal rod in the front and then 2 plastic straps with screws to hold the wing sections together. Let me tell you that is more than enough strength! When I finally crashed my plane for the last time, I flew it through trees. The wings broke off about 2 - 3 inches away from each side of the fuselage. When I recovered what was left of the fuselage, the center section was still rubber banded to the fuselage. I recovered all the parts, and after a thorough going over, installed them in the ARF version of my trainer. I am still flying that plane to this day.

That said, make sure that the wing sections are completely together without a gap before putting the straps on.