RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

As shocking as it may seem, mine did not come with the extra wing spar or pre-drilled holes. I don't supposed you want to sell me yours when you are done with it or trace it and email it?? I could try to trace it from the wing but it will be sloppy.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

It certaintly seems like our Starfires were made at different factories. My gear mains were aged to where I believe mine was made a few years back, pre-recession, before many of the factories in China closed.

I scanned the spar. Here are some smaller images. If you e-mail me at [email protected], I can send you a larger jpg image and a large PDF of the scan.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

The S-75 servos seemed a bit weak for the larger ailerons so I ordered some Spektrum [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPMSA4000]A4000[/link] micro servos.

They are similar to the JR Sport [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=JSP20030#quickSpecs]MC35[/link] micro servos used on the new Habu 32.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

My emails keep getting returned. Can you send that larger pdf to me at [email protected] ?

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Doug,

Sorry about the e-mail issue. I tested it just now and it works fine for me.

Anyway, I sent you all four versions of the image to your address.

Good luck!

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

The cut off gear main was mounted to the wing first and then the strut. Everything seemed pretty solid after adding the extra epoxy to the sides of the gear mount.

I'll start with using the stock foam wheels and only switch to Dubro rubber wheels if I have problems with damp plush "sticky" grass this summer.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

While I wait for my aileron servos to arrive, I mounted the nose wheel strut and steering assembly.

In the first photo, I replaced the stock silver screw with an equivalent black hex head metric screw so that it was easier to tighten with an Allen wrench.

By holding the fuselage up to a light, you can get a fairly accurate location of the former for drilling the hole. My hole was drilled extra wide for the strut I was using. I only needed a short steering pin to the strut to obtain a good angle of attack when the Starfire is sitting on all three wheels.

A flat spot was cut into the pin shaft where the steering arm screw presses to keep the wheel from twisting during taxi takeoffs on grass. Note that when the securing screw is pointing straight back, the front wheel should be turning to the right. In this manner, the linkage can properly control the wheel for left and right turns.

Now is a good time to add extra glue to the front former, if needed.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

My Spektrum A4000 micro servos arrived while I was at Toledo. They fit perfectly on the servo tray so I mounted them using the stock wooden blocks that I cut to size. The tray was secured to the wing using the four supplied screws.

All the stock hardware was used for the aileron linkages. After cutting the excess length away on the three control horn screws (topside), I sanded them round and smooth to prevent future injury.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

I checked the balance on my Starfire and both 4s 4AH packs (31oz total) will sit up front nicely under the tray meant for the nose wheel steering servo. This meant that I need to mount my steering servo forward of that point to keep the linkage away from the batteries.

I cut a hatch under the front of the nose to allow access to the steering servo and also add some nose weight, if needed. Note the additional epoxy added to the front former.

All stock hardware was used for the linkage to my Hobbico CS-35 Mini BB servo. The servo was screwed to the mounting blocks first and then CA'ed in place to the side of the fuselage nose. I drilled a hole to allow a screwdriver to tighten the quick link screw after aligning the nose wheel. I mixed the Rudder channel into the AUX1 channel for nose steering control which also allowed for a separate trim control.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Greg, what is the c rating and the combined weight on those blue lipos? Want to see how close in weight my 7 cell setup will be.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Hey, watch your cg too....not sure the recommended is sufficient. I remember reading that somewhere.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Doug,

The 4s Blue Lipo packs are 30C and weigh 15oz each so about 2lbs total. My CG was marked at 110mm behind the wing leading edge at the fuselage and I was still tail heavy, but that was without the nose steering servo and my pilot figure. I may need to add a small amount of weight in the nose for proper balance but the hatch will make it easy.

I'll post some photos of the finished hatch this weekend.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

I temporarily secured the nose hatch top and bottom with some white Monokote trim until I determine if I need to add some nose weight. The hole for the steering servo quick link access was also covered.

To secure the two 4s 4AH packs, I capped the aft section with a hardwood slat and epoxied a Velcro One-Strap to the fuselage belly. The strap acts as a seat belt to keep the packs from sliding forward or falling out.

The test AR6100 single receiver was swapped out with an AR6200 dual receiver and all the control cables secured with ty-wraps. The two 4s LiPo packs are connected in series for an 8s total and the final connection has a 100-ohm 1w resistor protruding for anti-spark.

It's time to work on the canopy and cockpit. I have several pilots on back-order from HK so we'll see how they fit in the Starfire.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

The cockpit was mounted using the stock dowel and hatch latch. I cut the canopy to size along the guidelines and then trimmed it with some 3M ScotchCal tape for an added frame look. I attached the canopy with screws so that a pilot can be added later.

The fit on the fuselage is perfect and quite snug. By drilling the mating holes in the fuselage slightly lower than needed, you can slowly trim them upward until the cockpit fits without any slop.

I'm still waiting for my pilot figures from HK but I received an e-mail that they shipped.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

This is all very helpful. Thanks Greg. Taking notes!

Hey, any tips for cutting canopies? I'm just about to cut my el Giganto MX2 canopy and don't want to mess it up since there are no replacement parts available for this particular airframe.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Doug,

I use a combination of straight scissors and a curved set commonly used for R/C cars. The curved scissors help keep the rounded corners true.

Cut the canopy in stages. First cut the major mold pieces off that usually hinder the scissors from following a nice curve. Next, cut the canopy slightly larger than needed and do a test fit. Sometimes the guide lines are not a perfect match to the plane body.

After your final cuts, sand the edges smooth and wash the plastic canopy with soap and water.

Good luck!

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

While I wait for my pilot figure to arrive, I removed the "General Hobby" decal with a covering heat gun. The remaining sticky stuff was removed with some liquid Goo-Gone.

I added some of the Air Force decals that come in the kit.

All that is left is to glue on the wing tips, add the pilot figure, and do a final CG check.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

I needed to glue a 4oz weight in the nose to balance my Starfire at 110mm behind the leading edge. Again, note that the 125mm suggested CG in the manual has proven to be incorrect.

My HK pilots didn't fit properly in the cockpit so I used a ParkZone ([link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=PKZ4414]PKZ4414[/link]) T-28 pilot that I cut down to size.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

The Starfire passed its taxi test today so it will be ready for the maiden flight on Memorial Weekend.

I'll post a video of the taxi test soon. This looks like a fun plane that will have no problems taking off from grass.

photos by "Papa Jeff" Ring

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Here is the Starfire taxi test video. I didn't have any issues so it should be a fun maiden flight on Memorial weekend.

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/reviews/StarfireTaxiTest1.wmv]Starfire Taxi Test[/link] (8meg)

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Just wondering how was the maiden flight?

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Unfortunately, the field was too wet and mushy this weekend to test fly the Starfire. We'll try it again in two weeks.

Hopefully, June will be a drier month for us...

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Did you ever get to do the maiden flight on the starefire? If so, how did it go? I'm interested in getting one


Joe

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

Hi Joe,

I got busy with my 42% Ultimate at the R/C event last weekend and didn't get to try my Starfire EDF. I will plan to bring it with me in a few weeks to the private airport (paved runway) that we recently discovered. We are going to test the VERTIGO Rebel so the Starfire will fit right in.

Regards.

RE: Nitro Planes Starfire EDF
 

The Starfire flew well on its maiden flight today at Pine Hill Airport in upstate NY. We flew for about 5 minutes and the Starfire was stable through every maneuver. When landing, it glided quite well and the front former came loose when we lightly bounced it on the paved runway. It was too hot outside for another flight today anyway. We are not used to temperatures approaching 100 degrees here. A little V-poxy in place of the original glue and it will be as good as new. I haven't looked at the packs yet to see how much charge is left.

[link=http://www.gregcovey.com/reviews/StarfireFlight1.wmv]Starfire Maiden Flight[/link] (10meg)

photos by "Papa Jeff" Ring