getme2

Looks great

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

When you applied callie's graphics to the plane, does the silver paint want to pull off from the fuselage when you remove the sticky back tape from the graphics? Also when you painted the flaps red, did you use tape to seal off the silver area? Again did you use low tack tape? Thanks for the info.

Greg Covey

The paint doesn't come off at all. I am not sure if it is due to the type of foam (SEPO) or the type of paint used or a combination of both. From the toxic smell of the paint, it seems like lacquer enamel. You can smell the paint samples right through the sealed bottles and bag so I store them inside a higher quality zip baggie to seal the smell.

The clear spray coat that I used on the tip tanks works nicely to give it a thin protective shell. It also adds some gloss which was fine for the tanks but I didn't want it on the main aluminum body. Perhaps I can find a flat finish clear coat

I did seal off the silver area when spray painting the flaps. The green 3M masking tape works fine so I would think any low-tack tape would work here. The green 3M tape, commonly sold at automotive finishing stores, has a great hold for a low-tack tape and slightly changes color when pressed against a surface so you can tell the area is sealed.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks for the info. I am on the fence deciding about the purchase of this plane. Would love to hear your flight report before I decide. I am mainly concerned about the landing gear issues. Do you think the asking price is fair for this model?

Greg Covey

I think the RC Lander T-33 is a unique design, unlike any other on the market today. I bought it because I didn't want to spend thousands of dollars on a big fiberglass model and the big wheels look like I can take it off my grass flying fields. I also had the 120mm power system from another project that didn't work out.

You can see it fly on Jon Barnes' HD Flyer coverage from last Fall's, [link=http://hdflyer.com/full-coverage-of-the-2011-las-vegas-ace-in-the-hole-event/]Ace in the Hole[/link] event. Perhaps you saw this already since it was right in your backyard.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Did you have to lengthen your esc wires to reach the battery compartment and how did you secure your esc where it is mounted?
Thanks.

Greg Covey

Yes, the ESC wires were lengthened on the motor side and Industrial Strength Velcro was used to mount the ESC. Note that my ESC is not mounted in the place recommended in the manual. You can see photos that answer your questions in posts #30, 35, and 38.

tim wan

It is an update flying video of our T-33 with brake system for sharing with you.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/image...ient_tcat2.png); background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: rgb(0, 92, 181); color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font: normal normal bold 11pt/normal arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-top: 5px; padding-right: 10px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 10px; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; ">

RCLander T33 with brake system update test video 20120218.wmv(4 min 13 sec)

<object width="480" height="400"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tP30TCHpmvQ?version=3&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="480" height="400" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object>

During the landing approach with strong cross wing event, the brake system is performed very well even little bit higher landing speed. BTW, It is control by a servo that it can be slow down the taxing speed as your like (mixing with down elevator to function) and fully stop function respectively (pre-set the full range of brake servo travel flow and operate by mixing button). Mass products can be fitted the main wheels size from 2" to 3" and be launched into market on or before end of Feb, 2012.
Thanks,
Tim

Greg Covey

Hi Tim,

That's a sweet upgrade for landing on shorter paved runways!

Regards.

getme2

Hi when will be for sale?

tim wan

it is ready for sale now. Pls contact with our dealers for furether arrangement if necessary. BTW you are welcome to visit our website for location the related update information.
This brake system can be applied to all wheel size from 2" -3 " planes or jets as spare parts for upgrade. But it is needed yourself to do some simple modification.
Thanks again your interesting of our products.

Tim

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Where did you get the esc wires that you extended to the motor and how long did you make them? I am trying to duplicate the same set up with my T-33.

Greg Covey

You can buy the wire directly from [link=http://www.castlecreations.com/products/wire.html]Castle Creations[/link]. Here are the measurements I used for my ESC extensions.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Any idea how one would change out the servo for the rudder if it goes bad? Not sure I want to glue up the vertical fin till I decide if there is a better way to do the installation.

Greg Covey

In an installation like the T-33, I would just cut the wires at the base of the bad servo and solder on an extension mate for the new servo. Another possibility is to only replace the gears if that is all that is needed.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks for the idea. I was installing the wing today and noticed when I have the wing on the fuselage, the very front leading edge where it meets the fuselage is about 1/4" higher than the fuselage. Do you think the front hold down screw will pull the wing down enough to be flush with the fuselage? Seems to take a lot of pressure in order to pull the wing down.

Greg Covey

It was probably misaligned slightly when you glued the wing halves together. It seems that the amount of dihedral can be changed a bit which affects the mating up to the main fuselage. I noticed this after my initial gluing of the spars on the top side of the wing and then mounted the wing into the fuselage before gluing the bottom spars. In this manner, I forced a better fit while the bottom spars were glued in place. Then I filled all the remaining gaps with epoxy.

I would first try to screw it down reasonably snug. If that doesn't make it fit you can probably shave off some of the fuselage to make the wing fit flush. I wouldn't cut into the wing for fear of weakening it.

Greg Covey

I bought one the 1/6th Scale 12" USAF Thunderbird Pilots from [link=http://www.smartcart.com/storeon44/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=DUSM23]Dragon[/link]. Meet Colonel Brian Bishop. The posable figure has incredible detail and comes with a large assortment of working accessories. Even the helmet visor works!

The Lander T-33 is 1/7th scale so the pilot is a bit large but he'll look good standing next to my T-33 and greeting the crowd this season.

Greg Covey

I picked up a third set of packs for my T-33. The ThunderPower eXtreme V2 25C packs have the same 44mm width but a higher 3850mAh capacity at the cost of 6oz extra weight. You can see the thicker cells from the side view. They fit nicely side by side in the T-33 and should provide a longer flight. Perhaps even a bit more power for grass take-offs.

The weather this spring has been very nice so I hope to get the first flights off pavement in a few weeks.

4stripes

Hi Greg
the wait to fly this bird must be killing you...

Cheers Eric

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

What is the best way to check the cg on this model? On the swept wing, I can not use my balancer so am wondering how to do this correctly? According to the manual it suggest about 7/8" behind the leading edge where the wing meets the fuselage I believe it is about where the forward bolt goes into the fuselage.

Greg Covey

Hi Eric,

The wait doesn't bother me as my goals are long term. My hope is to fly demos all summer off grass, after first testing it on pavement, and then take it to the NEAT Fair in September along with my 1/3 scale 1913 Eastbourne monoplane. Last year's project, my 42% Ultimate biplane made the event video and all the magazines...most recently Fly RC. I still get a kick from that.

The CG target was marked at 123mm on post #40 and based on the success of others. Everyone has their own "best" way to measure it. For me, I balance the T-33 by holding it inverted using the tips of my fingers on both hands. I think the Great Planes CG Machine will still work fine with the plane inverted on a table so the tail can extend over the side. Be careful to use a small piece of cloth so you don't make marks on the top of the plane.

Greg C.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Mine seems to be very tail heavy with three 3cell 5000 mAH batteries installed. Do not know where I can add additional weight up front. Any suggestions?

Greg Covey

It seems odd that you ended up tail heavy but we do not know much about your setup. Your 9s 5AH pack should weigh around 52oz compared to my 36oz for the 12s 3.2AH pack and 42oz for my 12s 3.8AH pack.

Are you using the 123mm CG proven by others? This is only 3mm back from the manual recommendation. Where does your 7/8" setting come from?

Perhaps you are misinterpreting the manual's recommendation. Here is my photo from post #40 showing the CG behind the wing bolts by a fair amount. Look for the black line on the silver tape strip between the gear doors behind the optional air brakes.

Hellcat716

My Feedback: (2)

Thank you. I was way off reading the mm ruler. I should have no problem now since I was about 3 1/2" off. I was measuring back to the forward bolt on the front of the wing. Thanks again.