First Plane, 3rd training session, First Crash!
 

[:o] Had my first crash, nose dive into a cow pasture. My trainer was taking off, and we heard flutter, and the plane could not turn right. We were adjusting the ailerons prior to takeoff, so my assumption is that the clevis came loose. Anyway, the venturi was full of mud, prop completely gone and spinner full of mud as well. Waited for the damp mud to dry, and blew out the engine with my air compressor to get all the mud out (suggestion from my fellow club member). That seemed to work. Got spinner and rest of prop off. I bought a cheap Dubro prop balancer. This is a plastic 3-blade prop, so I need some tips on balancing. The needle valve spray arm also broke off, but was replaceable for $2.00. I will need to reconstruct the needle valve assembly, was able to get a good engine diagram from Evolution, so I think I can handle it. But if there are some tips out there on that, let me know. Sprung for new gaskets for the needle valve as well.

Where is need the most help is with the fuselage repair, as I have never built or covered an RC plane. This was a Hangar 9 Alpha ARF. I can buy a new fuselage for $55.00, but it seems like more work and cost that this repair. Photos attached. I have already purchased:

- 3/16 balsa for the engine compartment wall
- 1/4 ply for the firewall
- Hangar 9 Easy code read and white to match
- Iron and heat gun
- 30-minute epoxy
- Replacement decals for fuselage

Not sure what to use for the nose/windshield. Had a prior fuel leak in the engine compartment, and cleaned up as best I could. Wondering if that will cause issues now. I have the following questions:

- Should I build a new engine compartment wall? Was told to save the pieces and reuse/reinforce with epoxy and a supporting piece of balsa behind it. Elsewhere I have seed folks cut away damage, build new, and join the two new pieces.
- Firewall, looks like I will have to build new. Any tips on fuel proofing. Read elsewhere that it is not uncommon for this tank to leak. Any tips on building a new firewall?
- Wing is most perplexing, need tips on repairing. It is a small hole, but this is where the servo was ripped off. What size balsa should be used? How should I patch the hole and re-attach servo? Most concerned about impacting balance of the wing.
- Covering, need tips on balsa prep, sanding, filling, and covering (overlap, etc.)

I know this is a lot, but other than a basic RC beginner's guidebook, I have nowhere else to turn. Thanks!

RE: First Plane, 3rd training session, First Crash!
 

I would spend the $55.00 and get the fuselage. Your going to spend $30.00 on just epoxy,covering and balsa. Get the fuselage and go fly and repair the crashed one this winter as a spare. Or better yet put a set of skies on it! It's hard to tell from the photo but maybe a little expanding foam in the wing section will do the trick.

RE: First Plane, 3rd training session, First Crash!
 

I don't know about the Dubro balancer, but I used the Finger Balancer between 2 drink glasses. Do a search as there is a great website that shows how to balance props. A 3 bladed prop should balance in any position. Beware, the 2 Evo props that I have were extremely out of balance. I had to forget sanding with sandpaper and grind tips with a Dremel. The plane flies much better now.

I got the link to a good tutorial on balancing props from a link on RCU. I'm on another computer at the moment and don't have the link here. Sorry.

RE: First Plane, 3rd training session, First Crash!
 

OK, engine first. You will want to pull the carb off, and teh backplate at the very least, to ensure that all the dirt is out of the engine. If you got the throttle closed first you should be OK, but it pays to be certain. It dosen't take a very big piece of grit to ruin a piston/liner, or worse a crankshaft/engine case. Flush it out with fuel or kerosene, lube it up and it should be fine.

Fuse. Dolsen is probablly right, but it sounds like you've already spring for most of teh repair stuff. You're gonna need to rebuild the ply sides of the fuse, at least up to the firewall. Your firewall looks OK, but can't really tell from pictures. Triangle stock behind firewall, lots of epoxy.

Looks like H9 did a good job fuel proofing the tank compt, you should be fine there.

Wing did servo come out with plywood box complete? Usually wing servo screws into lite ply, not balso, and there's usually small box it sits in. Box is also usually fastened to the center ribs somehow. That's the joint you want to be concerned about, the rest is just sheeting.

Might be good time to think about dual alieron servos..........


Andy