Sickle (V-2)
 

I received one of the new Sickles from Chris Moon, F3A Unlimited over the weekend.
I have one of the earlier ones and thought I'd start this thread to compare the two as I
put the second one together.
Be warned though...I won't be going full blast on it until the weather turns unflyable.
But I will post pictures and observations over the next couple days.
For tonight some weights:
Canopy 160g 5.6oz
Fuse 862 30.4
Wing tube 110 3.9
Stab tube 11 .35
Wheel pants 45 1.55
Landing gear 152 5.35
L stab 98 3.40
R stab 101 3.55
L wing 371 13.15
R wing 376 13.25

Total 80.5oz

This compares within 1/2 oz of the one Chris weighed and posted on the original
RCU Sickle thread the other day.
The finish and quality is equal to or better than my original plane.
This one has stab adjusters pre-installed. The V1 had fixed incidence.
The hardware included now is more extensive.
I'll post more details and photos tomorrow.
To summarize, I really like the plane. I wouldn't have bought a second one if I didn't!
:)
JLK

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Teaser !

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

I won't go in to details but moving here has been great!
With all the things I have access to now Chris M. says it's like I'm living
in my own DisneyWorld!
He's right!
It's been great for the rest of the family too!
So...
Between getting the girls off to school and my next outing to DisneyWorld I'll post a few more pix.
;)
I got ahead of myself and didn't talk about the way the plane came packed.
I wish I had taken some pictures but you know how a little kid is on Christmas morning.
:)
Here's the box. It's packed inside another carboard box.
The plane itself is protected by plenty of styrofoam blocks, cardboard partitions and
bubble wrap.
Mine arrived in perfect condition with no signs of the box being abused.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

As mentioned earlier this version comes with stab adjusters installed while my original had fixed stab
incidence.
The rudder hinges are installed and glued.
The aileron and elevator surfaces are slotted and the CA type hinges are
fitted but not glued leaving you the option to decide what glue to use or even
if you want a different type hinge.
You can see the covering work and structure is very well done.
I'm liking everything I've seen so far.
[sm=thumbs_up.gif]

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

One of the hardware packages.
Don't know if you can make out the included axles.
I don't think my first plane came with them.
It did come with the same control horns (which I used) and
ball links (which I did not).
I'll try to post a link to the way Mickey L. of the Chicago Pattern Mafia showed
me to make pushrods. It's pretty slick but right now the server is down to the other site
I need to go to.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Something I just noticed in the picture of the stab root in #4 above.
The stab is built so that you can mount the elevator servo inside.
I've never had one like that so I failed to notice it.
Again, pretty slick!

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

The canopy mounting hardware package.
V1 had very little of this. I may have gotten the latch
and perhaps the carbon pins but none of the laser cut ply parts.
It's really coincidental that all this came with the plane because most of it
is very close to the parts Verne makes to mount his. This past weekend
he was kind enough to allow me to get some pictures of how he does his
so when the time comes I'll try to do it the same way.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

The pushrods that I talked about above that Mickey showed me how to do are described here in post#3.

http://electric-f3a.com/smf/index.php?topic=52.0

My original Sickle build.
The pushrods are easy to make and inexpensive.
With electric the material sizes called out are all you need.
I highly recommend them.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

OK
Last post for today.
I forgot to mention, in the photo in post #7, the bag of canopy pieces is sitting on top of a balsa/glass cloth
laminate. It's probably to build the radio, Rx batt, regulator shelf. I'm guessing it's 1/16", very nicely finished.
The pictures below show the bag with the laser cut servo mounting pieces. V1 did not have these. They
are nicely done and include the pieces for the internally mounted stab servos and wing servos.
I took a second picture of the very nice tailwheel unit. Again, V1 didn't have anything like this.
It's nicely machined and well made.
And finally, just a quick pix of the wheel pants and one gear leg. Nothing much to show here. Pretty stock.
For my final post tomorrow before I start putting the plane together I'll put up some pictures of the fuse and wings.
I'll also give my "first impressions" of how V1 compares to V2.
I am glad I bought both and under the same circumstances and same time I would do it over and over again.
Here's the pix.
Oh, I did hear that Chris is working on bringing in more. Don't know how many or when but I'd give him a call at
F3A Unlimited.
I've got mine!
[sm=thumbs_up.gif]:)[sm=thumbs_up.gif]

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Thanks for taking the time to post and compare the two versions. I emailed Chris about the next container this morning.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Deleted due to not being able to read and comprehend properly. Got rid of the gum.

Cheers

MJ

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Hi there

I brought in some Sickles to the uk and a few of you guys had them sent over from here and I am pleased that you were pretty happy with them in general.
The one I am flying balances nicely with a Axi 5330 f3a up front and two elevator servos at the back.
I can only imagine that much of the weight reduction in the fus has come from the front so if I am right and also the Axi f3a is looking heavy by todays standards I would consider it wise to have provision in your install to get the batterries well forward.



Watching with interest

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Bondtasha,
I'm one of those that got a Sickle from you.
Thanks so much for making it possible for me to have the plane.
I often look at it and smile when I think it has been from China
to England to the US!
Wow!
Talk about world travel.
I'm running a Plettenberg on the first plane and will also run one on the V2.
My batteries are about 1/2" short of the firewall so you're advice about placing them
well forward is accurate.
I need to take some pix of the fuse and wings to post this evening.
Then I'll probably wait for a few weeks to start assembly.
If anyone has any questions, like a picture of anything in particular or other weights or measurements
just ask away.
I'll be happy to answer if I can.
Later!
:)

JLK

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Teaser!

I want pic's of EVERYTHING!.

:)

I hope to pick mine up at a contest next weekend to save the shipping cost.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Yep, saw your plane up close this past weekend. I think you'll be a happy camper.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Did you happen to install everything? No? DANG IT!

:D

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

I got one from you also along with John and Reeves. Pretty sensational plane to say the least. I sold mine to a good friend that was wanting back into the sport after a longtime off. Man that plane is so darn beautiful and seeing both John's and Mark's at the D4's last weekend was pretty cool. I made weight with mine but it was not easy. It's great to see them make the effort to get a legal weight Sickle into the marketplace. Now if we could only get them to come up with a decent name for that "Fatboy". Mike Mueller

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Gang,
I'm so sorry....
I didn't get the pictures I promised today.
Just too darn much stuff going on here at "DisneyWorld".
Plus when you factor in the obligatory nap (don't forget...I'm an old retired guy!;))
The day just whizzes by!
Tomorrow...
I promise...
MasterTech, please forgive me...
[&o]
JLK

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

FYI just got confirmation the next shipment is due at the end on Nov. These 3 in the shipment were very impressive quality and weight so we will be stocking them officially.

Chris

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Chris,

It looks like I will be in touch before I leave for Australia and we can time the delivery for after my return.

-Richard.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Oh man, can't forgo the nap!

:)

Tim

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Chris,

If this airplane proves itself out as we think it will, it'll be the perfect solution for the under 2k airframes.

At $500 to $1,500 less than most airplanes out there today I suspect it'll sell well.

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Looks good John!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just got my Q80 from Chris Moon last week and tested it in my Abbra at the Hollister contest over the weekend. It gave me the edge that I knew I needed!!! What motor are you going to use in it?

I am impressed enough to perhaps get one of these instead of a Wind S Pro or another Neptuno.

C

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

Hey Chris,
Saw some contest pix of you a few weeks back.
You look well!!!
Glad you're getting some flying in.
I am too...finally!
:)
I plan on running another Plettenberg 30-10 Evo
just like the first one.
I already have the motor. It was meant for the Xigris.
I need to finish that one this Winter as well.
Going to be busy unless I can ship these things out to you.
lol
JLK

RE: Sickle (V-2)
 

A couple pix of the fuse inside and out.