Lightning Build
#127
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: omaha, NE
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RE: Lightning Build
Awesome build,
This has encouraged me to pick up the knife and sanding block again. I am still mad at myself for selling my pattern ship last year. If you don't mind, i was wondering what airfoils you were using. I have a couple of ideas but wanted to make sure that i was on the right track.
-Casey
This has encouraged me to pick up the knife and sanding block again. I am still mad at myself for selling my pattern ship last year. If you don't mind, i was wondering what airfoils you were using. I have a couple of ideas but wanted to make sure that i was on the right track.
-Casey
#130
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Lightning Build
Odds and ends...
I use a Dean's Ultra connector as an external arming plug. I want a jack that I can remove the plug to take the speed control out of the airplane. I have not found any suitable jacks for this application and the one I have on my current airplane is marginal (it can be removed, but needs a little glue to stay in). Here is what I built out of some 1/16" ply, 1/8" lightply, and a 2-56 blind nut. I will use a shorter screw that the one pictured, that is just what I had on hand. This assembly is glued to the fuselage side, and then a hole is cut out of the side in the shape of the jack.
I use a Dean's Ultra connector as an external arming plug. I want a jack that I can remove the plug to take the speed control out of the airplane. I have not found any suitable jacks for this application and the one I have on my current airplane is marginal (it can be removed, but needs a little glue to stay in). Here is what I built out of some 1/16" ply, 1/8" lightply, and a 2-56 blind nut. I will use a shorter screw that the one pictured, that is just what I had on hand. This assembly is glued to the fuselage side, and then a hole is cut out of the side in the shape of the jack.
#135
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Lightning Build
I use 3/8" dowel hard points for the control horns. To cut the holes, I use a sharpened piece of brass tube in my drill press. Once the holes are cut the dowels are epoxied in. After that cures, I use the Dremel router attachment, with the bit set flush, to shave off the excess dowel. Once that is complete, I use the drill press to drill the hole in the hard point for the control horn.
It is getting close to time to put away the 60 grit and get this thing fine sanded, glassed and painted/monokoted!
It is getting close to time to put away the 60 grit and get this thing fine sanded, glassed and painted/monokoted!
#136
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Eugene, OR
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RE: Lightning Build
ORIGINAL: Viper Driver
It is getting close to time to put away the 60 grit and get this thing fine sanded, glassed and painted/monokoted!
It is getting close to time to put away the 60 grit and get this thing fine sanded, glassed and painted/monokoted!
#138
My Feedback: (45)
RE: Lightning Build
Doug,
It's personal preference. I know Jeff puts his canopy on with screws, so its easier to have the arming plug. My canopy just pops right off, so its just as easy to take off the canopy. After seeing Lightning number 1 in person, its a shame these forums can't do the plane justice it is an absolute work of art, and I expect number 2 to be even better,
Arch
It's personal preference. I know Jeff puts his canopy on with screws, so its easier to have the arming plug. My canopy just pops right off, so its just as easy to take off the canopy. After seeing Lightning number 1 in person, its a shame these forums can't do the plane justice it is an absolute work of art, and I expect number 2 to be even better,
Arch
#143
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Lightning Build
I do not know the status of the rule requiring arming plugs, but I like the ability to disarm the motor without having to remove anything. As Arch stated, I do use screws to hold my canopy on, so an external plug it the only way for me to accomplish this. It is also nice for an unfamilier caller to have a simple way to "shut off" the motor. I guess my career in the flight safety field is showing.
#144
My Feedback: (45)
RE: Lightning Build
I've just been using a throttle cut after I land. Then you can just turn the RX power off and the motor can't do anything as it is essentially shut off. Never had an issue. I had gotten the idea from Dave Lockhart. I guess theoretically the motor still has power so it could go, but never seen an issue, but that doensn't mean it can't happen. Takes about 2 seconds to pop off the canopy on my Wind's, so its very easy to disconnect the packs.
Arch
Arch
#145
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Lightning Build
The check cowls are made from ¼” balsa; this leaves plenty of meat for sanding to the desired shape. There is quite a bit of shaping that goes into getting them to fit the contours of the fuselage. The pictures show them squared off, but they will be rounded off during final sanding.
#149
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (1)
RE: Lightning Build
Based on comparisons with the prototype at the same stage, I am estimating 10 lb 10 oz. Weight has been under the curve for the entire build, but I can't get lazy now. That "I have plenty of weight to spare" starts to creep in. I have a fairly detailed spreadsheet with weights for almost every piece that has gone into this airplane, although I admit to gluing a few in prior to weighing.