Firebird XL
 

HELP !

I am the proud owner of a Firebird XL.

The first outing I ignored the warning about wind and after an exciting 10 minutes managed to bury the nose, wings etc. into the ground.

Unperturbed I purchase new wings and tail.

I waited for a flat calm day. Having had my "crash" course I knew how the power and controls affected flight.

I launched and the Firebird dived to the left, and again and again.

The battery was charged and I even tried the spare set. I reset the wings and checked linkage etc. After more dives I resigned myself that the aerodynaics were "busted".

On closer inspection I found that the metal rod (Fuselage) had come unglued and popped out of the retaining plastic clip. Excited I clipped it back it and... same result.

The question ... does anyone have a picture of the inside so I can see where to mount the rod, I suspect it has moved either forward or backward. In addition what should I use to glue this back into place or should I use a self tapping screw ?

Any help or other advice on the uncharacteristic flight performance would be apprecaited.

Lastly, what should I buy after this ?

Thanks

Firebird XL
 

Same thing with the tail boom happened to me when I had one of those. They're durable, but once they've taken a critical hit like that, it seems they never fly quite right again. I'd say some epoxy in there and/or two screws should do it. Just make sure it's snapped into place. If it's out of its fixture the tail will hang down from the rest of the plane.
As for another plane: if you want something similar, the aerobird looks like a good choice if you buy the upgraded tail feathers for it. It's basically a 3-channel Firebird.
-Chris

Firebird XL
 

Oh and I forgot to say: If you can, get a glow-powered plane. If you do that and join a good club, you'll like it a whole lot more. Just my opinion.

Firebird XL
 

Had the same problem with my Fighterbird (basically the same plane.) 5 min. epoxy worked. Just make sure your boom is exactly in the correct position. Just enough tension on the control lines to keep the ailerons even. (can be adjusted a little with trim) Important thing is to make sure it's straight. Be sure to clamp the 2 sections together until epoxy is completey cured.

Great
 

Thanks guys. Just need to know if the boom position i.e. how far in or out is critical. There is about 1/2 an inch to play with.

Thanks again

Re: Great
 

See post #4. Just enough tension on the lines to keep control surfaces level.

Yes but...
 

There is about an inch slack on the control lines and half an inch on the boom. Is it critical where I position the boom within the half an inch slack?

Sorry to be perdantic!

Thanks