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Micro Alfa Jet conversion to RC.
Latest addition yo my Alfa EDF fleet will be this micro version kids toy chukker, I have decided to convert to RC. Lot more work than anticipated, but coming along. Every pic tel
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...838c19e241.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...7ac8271fe2.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...5b7a47f1e0.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...e64e6ce936.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...bf9c9a58ea.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...15bc60e0b9.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...2c4ff9c92b.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...150a206827.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...78c36682ff.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...6ea4737ca7.jpg ls the story. |
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...eae654bd10.jpg
First touch of livery. It starting to shine after bit of lift. |
The smaller the more fiddly, especially made up from this horrible EPO bubbly foam, bit of the nightmare for fine crafting, taking lot more time than expected. The main wing is now in place with some detailing on the way.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...52685b9d87.jpg Preps for Ail. 4.5g servos. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ab1342e6b6.jpg Further foam carving to accommodate all the electronics and the flight battery. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...16d26e63f3.jpg Micro soldering to minimize the power lead length. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...2908e047fa.jpg Small flaps added. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...6920cf78d7.jpg Great news, lighter than expected at this stage. |
Further progress along the way with couple of 'spanners thrown into the works'! As one of the micro receiver's antenna falling off and fully fitted Ail. servos, faulty! Just a part of the hobby! LOL.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...933649fc38.jpg Broken off micro receiver's antennas replacement. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ae0e247e28.jpg 4.5 g servos not up to the job. |
After Ail. servo upgrade, all is fine, minor mods to secure the battery and canopy so it won't fly off. While still waiting for the mini bungee cord I have taken it out with a helper to give it couple of hand launches with the lightest 3S/500/75C battery to give me an idea about the CG balance and the thrust. Extremely Ail. responsive so had to do a dramatic travel reduction, seem to move lot nicer than expected after just a short strait level flights into the soft high grass growth.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a44dbdc904.jpg Bit of the nuisance but had to be done. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...cb5751255d.jpg Ready for a flight trials. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4682c66789.jpg Airborne! |
After a great success with the #One, I have started on the 2nd. one with further improvements after the experience.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...c5767c7ef1.jpg The messy job to start with. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...2329ae1c13.jpg Major improvements in internal ducting. |
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Sealed off and bench tested with the dramatic thrust improvement after new duct design mods.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...70638811a6.jpg |
Coming along nicely, huge power improvement after redesigning the duct.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...41dee21986.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...d182df46f7.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...6e57ab08b6.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...c8e2e79f89.jpg |
Just about fully fitted out.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...a858fb34bd.jpg Final clear next, ready for flying action. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...6f7637cfdd.jpg Belly up finish. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...3bb367d33f.jpg Same current draw but dramatic thrust improvement #2 model. |
Lot of micro flying activity last week, bit of the handful on windy days but delight in calm.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...969f7d355b.jpg Ideal transport for mini jets. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...181a3e92a4.jpg Busy in the sandy pit. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...0f167db623.jpg Easy take off. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...5db8faddc7.jpg Into the circuit. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...397a718ac7.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...20d2677ae3.jpg |
Still having lot of fun including some dramas with these converted micro jets, rather unpredictable models, one day flies perfect, next one like a dog, must be the weather! LOL.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...57f2148f93.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...c91b29eb09.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...dc745c30fa.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...469c2e9834.jpg |
Another day out with the micro jet, to check my replaced winglets, upgraded from 3mm to 6mm Depron. Definitelly much better, the 3mm ones were too flexy, creating all sorts of problems under the load of highter speed.
Model is extremely responsive even with miniscule TAs on Ail. controls and can get out of hand in a split second! It is very nose heavy at slow speed, with Elevator totally inaffective even with max. travel while while flare-landing. Totally opposite on power over 75%, when it wants to climb, due to the exhaust outlets slightly bellow the centre line, creating pendular balloning effect. The next one I'll convert I will add slightly more of down Th. Nevertheless, fun to fly, to keep you alert!. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ec4f332574.jpg Test run on lighter 3S/.65 https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...de1d14b6ff.jpg Extremely CG sensitive, aft balast added with heavier 3S/.85 https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...ca910f0550.jpg Close up run. |
Few more runs today on doom&gloom cloudy day, just before the rain. I have to do some geometry Elevator linkage reset to make it more responsive at landing flares, after couple of more bad landings with no Elevator effect whatsoever at finals with reduced or no power glides, even into the light head wind.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...4f6e320880.jpg Another micro Alfa day. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...f3afc1b745.jpg Few more runs on various lipos. |
Easy launching but the landings are still bit of a challenge, so today I have reset the Elevator travel to absolute maximum by linkage geometry change, it will be interesting next session how affective it becomes. Another short footage, just about tip stall on my first left turn into the circuit shows how quick it can get out of hand, the landing is another story! LOL.
The 3rd.one in the box is still sitting on the bench, waiting for a total write-off one of these, so I can further improve it with all the electronics and power unit, so far no such bad luck but it's probly only a matter of time, LOL. Just finished today 2nd. part, cont. article to my original build from Sept. '21, for MAS monthly, posted to my Editor to be published late July issue. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...5c0d89531b.jpg No effect from full Elevator TA. |
Another fun with the Alfa jet, slight improvement after geometry travel increase of Elevator tabs during landings.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...44c68c4590.jpg For a variety. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...0c05da5c2f.jpg Great colour scheme in sunshine. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rcu...059b0b6200.jpg |
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