I flew the Tsunami again last night and put 5 good, 12 minute flights on her. I think it may be the smoothest, most honest, best flying airplane I have ever owned! The old Tsunami with the Webra in it can't hold a candle to this model. It has more power, better vertical, lighter weight, it is just great. The power system is matched to this airplane perfectly, I couldn't be any happier. Here's a video from last night's first flight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgKhYxHdOwg

Frank,

that was awesome!*%$ The touch and vertical go just amazing, eh? I gotta get mine in the air.

The only thing your video convinced me of is that this plane needs a pair of retracts - it would just round out the plane so beautifully. I'm going to try and get some cores cut this month and build myself another wing with mechanicals. With the pipe sling under, it'll just look so cool!

In the meantime, I'm making diligent progress on a 40"span Tiporare - electric of course! It'll be a smooth flying bird for sure - no gear!

Nice strip by the way. Always loved BC.

Congrats on a great coversion and nice inexpensive setup too - those rhinos seem to do the trick!

David.

Thanks David. It would look sweet with the gear sucked up, that's for sure. My only worry would be that the gentle handling would go away with additional weight. But it sure would look sleek!

Frank,

Ibet I could swap out the fixed gear for a pair of light mechanicals and a light servo and gain not more than 2 oz max. The legs on the Tusnami are pretty beefy as are the blocks. Hardened MK SS type gear is amazing and weighs very little. With your building technique I'm not sure but Isuspect that my foam wing would weigh less than my build up - especially if hollowed! We'll find out...

David.

Good points, Dave.That has me thinking about maybe building another wing....

Frank,

say, how much does your wing weigh as is (gear, wheels, everything)? Mine's got a boat load of covering (MK) and nothing is hollowed so Ibet it is heavier than yours. I'll weigh it tomorrow. I'll also weigh the retracts (again) and think about a light retract servo. it'll have to either be a mini proportional or a low profile retract (180 deg) servo. The wings are skinny!

David.

It comes in at 19.2oz. I'm using two HS-225BB Mini servos for the ailerons, and they weigh 0.95oz each, so they are a bit lighter than standard sized servos. But they have lots of torque and speed, especially on 6V. I used the gear blocks and landing gear provided in the kit. The wheels are 2.5" DuBro Super Lite Wheels, and they are indeed very light. I suppose one way to save weight is to use only one aileron servo. But then of course you have torque rods to deal with, so that eliminates some of the savings. I left off the diagonal cross bracing (shear webs) on my wing. The supplied balsa spars were very hard, and  felt that the cross braces were not necessary. The finished wing is very strong, and I think I made the right call there. I also drilled holes in the ribs, ailerons,  and the balsa sheet tips, saving me another ounce. It doesn't sound  like much, but it all adds up!

David,

I'd be interested in a set of those cores too. Covering my wing last night and the lumps and bumps I didn't see before are just shouting at me now. With my flying field though, I'll stick to "fixed" gear.

Greg (ChiefK)

Greg,

Ihaven't forgotten about your interest in the cores. As soon as Iget around to them, I'll let you know. As a personal confession, I have to say that, provided your cores are clean and properly cut, building a straight and true wing on cores is much easier than with ribs. It just happens automagically unless you put your foot through it (that's not an issue on hollow wings... )! It's now been a while since I've built a wing with ribs, the Tsunami being my last one and that was... gosh, over a year ago!

But, Ihope the "bumps and lumps" don't mean that your built up wing isn't flyable!?

David.

David,

My wing issues, I believe, are just cosmetic. It looks perfectly straight. Just a little "flatness" around the LG blocks and a less than smooth contour in one area of planking. This wing build has just been a pain (you know where). It will be in the air soon.

Greg

David,

Promised you a few "in-progress" photos of my Tsunami. Taken earlier today, here they are. O.S. .55AX in the nose, Coverite wing covering, 3/4oz fiberglass over the fuselage and the control surfaces. Just about ready to paint, after I get done painting the dining room.

Greg

That ought to make her go! Looking good!

Thanks Frank.

Saw the video of your Tusnami flight and was VERYimpressed. Hope mine performs as well. Had to shoehorn that .55AX into the nose of mine, and it probably still won't stay with yours in the verticals. I'm really dumb about electrics. Maybe I'll try it someday... or not.

Greg

Thanks Greg. I LOVE the way my Tsunami flies. It is really, really sweet. I think a lot of that has to do with the all up weight. - 3lbs14oz. I was a die hard glow flier until 6 years ago. I went electric and never looked back. I still have an Astro Hog with an OS 90 4-stroke that I dig out every now and then so I can remember how to run an engine. I really like being able to take the wing off my Tsunami, and the only clean up there is are a few bugs on the prop! Everything just stays so clean.

Greg,

she is looking mighty sweet! Nice job. Make sure you post her in all her colours when done.

The 55 doesn't look that out of place after all. She will be ballistic for sure. You'll likely end up with some 8 lbs of thust!

David.

David,

Here she is... added 3/4" to the main struts and bumped the wheel size up to 2.5" to provide clearance for the 12" prop and good handling on grass. Still installing radio, but she'll be ready for her maiden voyage soon.

Greg

Greg,

top notch - she's a real beauty! Congratulations and good job on sticking with the project despite its setbacks.

Yours will probably be Tsunami #2 to maiden. I'm not sure what I'm procrastinating on (oh right... the pipe). I have to check my to do list and get her airborne. Right now I'm pretty psyched about getting the little 40" Tipo on the wing. So it goes, the most recent project is the first to leave the nest...

I'd be interested in seeing your radio install if you have a snap or two.

Make sure to give us the full report. 55AX... 'twill be scary. [:-]

Here are the latest shots I took of her a few days ago. I almost got her finished. Of course, I had to go make dinner. In any case, nice to have them beside each other in the posts. A couple of the Pico as well is hopefully not too brash of me.

David.

David,

The Pico is gorgeous as I would expect from you. I'll take a few shots of my Tsunami radio install as soon as I've got it done. I had originally planned on "tinting" the canopy, but my cheapo paint sprayer deposited a big blob of paint on the inside surface. Removing it created streaks that are permanent, so I had to spray paint the inside of the canopy. My "Pilot" figure (Snoopy flying his dog house) will have to wait for another project. While bending the replacement landing gear (to get that additional 3/4") I broke my very old wire bender so I had to order up a new one and the Mark Twain Hobby Center came through again. They are really fast, ordered it Tuesday morning - they shipped Tuesday afternoon - FedEx delivered it Thursday (standard FedEx Ground - not Priority). I'm just a customer - (no other interest in this company) but I appreciate exceptional service and they provide it.

When I finish this airplane, I'll have to lay off the building for a little bit. Too many honey-doo's have piled up.

Greg

David,

Here's a few extra photos...

Greg

Greg,

nicely done on the tail. I like those DB control horns, they look very solid and blend in with the surface nicely. Are the elevator horns DB as well?

Hey, I just noticed the dorsal fin on your plane! Is this part of the latest plans or was it an addition of yours? I like it. Nice custom Tsunami graphic too.

I've held off from attaching the canopy because I also planned on tinting it with Pactra spray tint (a Hazmat product so difficult to obtain...). After looking at the latest shots, I think I'll leave it as is. It's in keeping with the model's gleam scheme. I guess no more excuses to not attach it permanently.

I'm glad you like the Pico. Right now, she ranks quite highly in the shop!

Thanks for your kind words.

David.

Thank you for the kind words David. The dorsal was my own addition, but I really like the look of it. I also printed all the graphics you see on the plane on decal paper. I sprayed a clear coat of Klass-Kote over them once they were applied, as well. I didn't design the Tsunami graphic however, I found it on the net and "borrowed" it. I had several possibilities I was considering, but the design element for the one you see won me over. The rudder horn is DB, the elevator horns are GP. I think I like the DB design better, but I'm not crazy about that long connector arm. My canopy will be permanently attached today. Looks like tomorrow will be "maiden" day. I will be so glad to get this thing into the air. Will try to get some in-flight photos and report how it went...

Greg

Good luck with the maiden Chief, although I doubt you'll need it with the way these airplanes fly!

Gents,

although this is clearly getting ahead of myself (i.e., not having maidened big brother yet), I thought you might find the following tid bit interesting:

I've started work on a 75% scale little TsunamE. Although it probably already exists as a name for a model, I'm considering calling it the Vortex. However, I am open to better suggestions. Inspiration came in part from Frank's excellent flying electric Tsunami, the availability of a 300W motor which needs a home and the desire to build one of these pups with retracts.

Here are the specs of the model I'd build:
[ul][*] ~75% scale[*] 43.25" Total Wing Span[*] 40.00" Effective Wing Span (not including tips)[*] 310 sq in Wing Area[*] 18.40" Stab Span[*] 36.75" Total Fuse Length (including spinner)
[/ul]
Other features would include:
[ul][*] 10 size GP Mechanical Retractable Landing Gear[*] 1.75" DBr Lectra Lite Main Wheels[*] 0.75" Steerable Tail Wheel[*] Removable hollow canopy formed from blue or white foam
[/ul]
Power and control would be provided by:
[ul][*] Dualsky 28-34-1460 kV 320W Peak Outrunner[*] 1.75" GP Aluminum BP Spinner[*] APC 8x6 E Prop[*] 30-40A ESC (to be decided)[*] 3S 25C 2250 mAh Lipo's[*] Spektrum AR6200 Rx[*] 4 x Hextronic 9g HXT900 on control surfaces (2 outboard on ailerons) [*] 1 x HiTec 20g HS-65MG or 82MG on retracts[*] UBEC
[/ul]
The model would be built per plans with the exception of the canopy area. The 45 degree angled headrest would be cut short and installed vertically at the rear end of the existing plan canopy just forward of the wing TE. The front part of the canopy would start where shown on the plans at F3. Battery and ESC would be installed on a plate located on the thrust line in the tank area with the battery on top and the ESC beneath it. Access and installation of the motor would be through a permanent opening in the bottom of the fuse forward of the FW which would be left in its plan position. The nose ring would be made as narrow as possible for further access and cooling. The FW would also be drilled out wherever possible.

Rx and UBEC would be mounted on either side of the fuse just forward of the tail servos mounted from above and sitting just above the wing top. Retract servo and linkage would mount almost flush with the wing top on the centerline and actuate just beneath the battery plate. Other modifications (other than wood size of course) would include making F3 from a single piece of 1/16" ply backed by a partial piece of 1/16" ply (total 1/8" thickness) where the wing mount dowels are held by the former. 8 wing ribs per panel would be used omitting even ribs #6, 8 and 10. Ribs #1-5 & 7, 9 & 11 would be retained. Finally, all wood will be lightened at will wherever possible.

The goal is to end up with a finished model with an AUW of 32 oz (2 lbs) or less for a max wing loading of under 15 oz/sq ft. A 30 oz model would have a loading of under 14 oz/sq ft.

... I'm not exactly sure when I will commence.

David.

Two flights on the Tsunami today. It is definitely HOT and goes vertical like there is no end. However, was surprised that the ailerons were not more sensitive. Rolling maneuvers are too slow at this point. Gonna have to jack them up a bit.

Greg

Who, hooo!

Congrats Greg! She looks downright fast in the air. Still can't believe you managed to get a 55 AX in there!

What are your throws set at?

David.