Well, the first flight didn't go too well. I think that my problems compounded after that. That's why I'm posting to this forum...[&o]

First launch lasted about 5 seconds. Plane climbed straight up for about 40 feet, shut off, and then nosed into the ground. I guess I didn't have enough airspeed to pull up. No visible damage, and engine started right back up. I noticed that fuel was soaking the bottom of the fuse, so I shut the engine off. I suspected a busted fuel tank. . So I pulled the fuel tank to verify my suspicion. As it turns out, the 90 degree elbow that I used for the carb feed line had been doinked pretty hard up against the firewall when it hit the first time. I guess it was an oversight on my part that I didn't notice the elbow protruded past the bottom of the tank.

I had enough of the fuel nipple sticking out of the tank to attach the fuel line, so I did that, and put it back into the fuse. I strapped the wing back on, and fired it up again. No problem running this time, and I decided to try again. Launched it, and got airborne. It had a nose up tendency, so I trimmed fast and quick. Got it where it was going pretty good and straight. This flight lasted about 2 minutes. I dead-sticked the plane back to me to set the subtrims with the radio, and tinker with the mixture. After I got that done, I launched again.

Plane was handling great, but it didn't like the wind gusts we were having. I was fighting them for about 5 minutes. I guess it was too gusty, because I was flying from left to right at about 100 feet, half-throttle, and the plane just rolled over to the left really fast. It headed down, and I tried to roll back right, but it was too late. I cut the throttle, and hoped it wouldn't tear too much up. Well, that was the end of the flight.

Got into the car, and rode out to where the debris field was. Fuselage was partially intact, with control horns for v-tail snapped (PVC ya know). I was shocked that the tail was still on! My wing snapped in half, to the left of the servo. Rubber bands probably caused that. Fuel tank was crumpled, and busted. Motor, motor mount, and throttle servo were all attached to the firewall, which was about 5 feet from the fuselage. Debris field was about 15 feet in diameter. Unfortunately, my muffler was still attached to the motor, but broke the crankcase mount for the muffler. Guess I have to see if I can find a crankcase for my Webra 40, and clean it up. The carb was buried into the ground, up to the top of the engine, at an angle of about 70 degrees.

Well, I guess that is about it. Back to building!

before pictures

Oh, I forgot to mention, every hinge on the alierons broke...

Sorry to here Your engine was damaged.
I used the Devastator as My trainer/first R/C plane/first SPAD.
I crashed 3 or 4 times the first day, ending when I broke the wing spar.
I went home and built a few extra fuses, fire walls, and wings cause I was going to learn to fly or die trying.
I made sure I built every thing as close to the plans as possible.
I did however build My fuses out of PVC dew to the lack of coro at the time.
I stuffed the carb full of mud a few times but was lucky and didn't hurt the engine.
It's one of My favorite SPADs.
Keep at it the Devastator will turn and burn with the best of them.