Weston Magnum - Destroyed on First Flight!
07-03-2003, 03:37 PM
#201
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Weston Magnum - Destroyed on First Flight!
I had someone at our club throw it for me a couple of weeks ago... it slipped out of his hand... and ended up vertical in the air with almost zero airspeed 10 feet off the ground...
The first thing that crossed my mind was: "OK, time to build a new one..."
The next second I saw that it actually accelerated quite well vertically... so I let it pick up some speed for a second and then pushed the stick forward to level it out. It just kept flying...
I haven't actually thrown mine myself yet, but when I do, it will be going straight up... it's the fastest way to get some room between the plane and mother earth... It can't "drop a wing" when it's going straight up, is it...?
The first thing that crossed my mind was: "OK, time to build a new one..."
The next second I saw that it actually accelerated quite well vertically... so I let it pick up some speed for a second and then pushed the stick forward to level it out. It just kept flying...
I haven't actually thrown mine myself yet, but when I do, it will be going straight up... it's the fastest way to get some room between the plane and mother earth... It can't "drop a wing" when it's going straight up, is it...?
07-04-2003, 01:16 AM
#206
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Magnum Dolly
MP,
The Magnun has a dolly! I took your advice. Not wanting others to infulence my outstanding creative abilities (ha) I didn't look at the dolly others made so they wouldn't infulence me. I'll let you know how it turns out. Here goes..........
It's 36 inches long to improve the tendency to go straight, like a pattern plane is. No stearing, but carefully adjusted to track very straight. Holds the plane up about 20 degrees AoL. Should let the plane shed the dolly within 10 seconds.
It's made from 3" wide balsa, about 5/8th thick and 36"long. A saddle made from 3/8" x 1/2" balsa strips CA'ed to the 3" balsa so it snugs the fuse, but not so tightly it won't drop off when the plane goes airborne. Whole things weighs about 10oz.
A .40 size alum landing gear is up front with 2 1/2" wheels, and the back has a 1 1/2" wheel sticking out behind about 3" behind the plane, tracking adjustable by bending the wire gear strut.
Now if a drag chute could be deployed on the dolly after separation. hmmmmmmm
The last Magnum was fitted with landing gear and take off's were manageable, and very very quick.
The whole thing took about an hour to dope out and complete.
I'll let you know how it turns out after Monday's flying.
PS: Germans did this same thing in WWII on their rocket plane, ME163 I think.
Arthur
The Magnun has a dolly! I took your advice. Not wanting others to infulence my outstanding creative abilities (ha) I didn't look at the dolly others made so they wouldn't infulence me. I'll let you know how it turns out. Here goes..........
It's 36 inches long to improve the tendency to go straight, like a pattern plane is. No stearing, but carefully adjusted to track very straight. Holds the plane up about 20 degrees AoL. Should let the plane shed the dolly within 10 seconds.
It's made from 3" wide balsa, about 5/8th thick and 36"long. A saddle made from 3/8" x 1/2" balsa strips CA'ed to the 3" balsa so it snugs the fuse, but not so tightly it won't drop off when the plane goes airborne. Whole things weighs about 10oz.
A .40 size alum landing gear is up front with 2 1/2" wheels, and the back has a 1 1/2" wheel sticking out behind about 3" behind the plane, tracking adjustable by bending the wire gear strut.
Now if a drag chute could be deployed on the dolly after separation. hmmmmmmm
The last Magnum was fitted with landing gear and take off's were manageable, and very very quick.
The whole thing took about an hour to dope out and complete.
I'll let you know how it turns out after Monday's flying.
PS: Germans did this same thing in WWII on their rocket plane, ME163 I think.
Arthur
07-04-2003, 02:22 AM
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Re: Magnum Dolly
Originally posted by ArthurR
PS: Germans did this same thing in WWII on their rocket plane, ME163 I think.
Arthur
PS: Germans did this same thing in WWII on their rocket plane, ME163 I think.
Arthur
... and they subsequently lost the war... hehehe
07-04-2003, 07:20 AM
#208
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Weston Magnum - Destroyed on First Flight!
My latest Magnum I only got 3 weeks ago but if it's in the late 400's then SMC.co.uk must have some stock of them seeing as you guys are at 5/600 etc...
07-04-2003, 07:43 AM
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Weston Magnum - Destroyed on First Flight!
Well.. I bought my first Magnum in early june 2002, and the last one was bought directly from Weston last month....
07-04-2003, 10:32 AM
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Weston Magnum - Destroyed on First Flight!
it's likey we had a single number one here. tho its dead now. i have it's wing.
i also have one of the very first Cougars, first shipment from China
i also have one of the very first Cougars, first shipment from China
07-04-2003, 01:21 PM
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Magnum Serial Numbers
If those really are serial numbers, I have:
#162 bought in January from Modellbau-usa in Ft. Lauderdale, &
#164 bought in June from Flight Line Designs in Miami
The old ones are faster!
#162 bought in January from Modellbau-usa in Ft. Lauderdale, &
#164 bought in June from Flight Line Designs in Miami
The old ones are faster!
07-04-2003, 01:49 PM
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Weston Magnum - Destroyed on First Flight!
Mine were both bought at Sussex Model Centre (UK). My first one from the Capel St model shop in Dublin but it is MIA so no idea what the number is....
07-11-2003, 03:53 AM
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RE: MAGNUM CRASH
Sorry to hear about your loss.
As far as considering another plane, I would just buy another Magnum.
The plane, by itself is @ 120.00 U.S. I have had two. My first one I flew about 9 gallons through it. Then I decided to reskin it ( my avatar). I flew it one more time successfully and then it happened. I took it to an airshow, of which I am a team member, and forgot,( in my excitement of flying this beautiful plane) to plug in the aileron servo. It went in the exact same way yours sounded like it did.
Now I have my second magnum that I left the original skin on, but I have modified it with a BVM mixture control and a second tank. I get about 9 minutes of flight now, although the launch is a little heavier. The plane lightens up after about 5 passes.
It is a great jet trainer though. Just like a jet, when it is out of fuel it drops like a rock.
As far as considering another plane, I would just buy another Magnum.
The plane, by itself is @ 120.00 U.S. I have had two. My first one I flew about 9 gallons through it. Then I decided to reskin it ( my avatar). I flew it one more time successfully and then it happened. I took it to an airshow, of which I am a team member, and forgot,( in my excitement of flying this beautiful plane) to plug in the aileron servo. It went in the exact same way yours sounded like it did.
Now I have my second magnum that I left the original skin on, but I have modified it with a BVM mixture control and a second tank. I get about 9 minutes of flight now, although the launch is a little heavier. The plane lightens up after about 5 passes.
It is a great jet trainer though. Just like a jet, when it is out of fuel it drops like a rock.
07-11-2003, 11:38 AM
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your crash
I had a first flight on my little HOB Corsair II (jet type) last week. Using a Hitec transmitter I inadvertedly dialed in + expo. insread of - expo. It took off fine but was so 'twitchy' it was almost uncontrollable. I was able to land but almost lost it several times during his first one minute flight. + expo makes the stick more sensitive around the centre and - expo, less sensitive. I use massive amts of - expo on fast sensitive aircraft. The Corsair has a small swept back wing and behaves much like a delta. Once I put -70% expo on the ailerons and -40% on elevator, it was easy to fly, although I am going to reduce the % on the elevator. Anyway, I thought just maybe you may have done the same as I with the +/- expo adjustment. It would have made 'your' airplane quite uncontrollable! Or perhaps using more - expo than the figures you used would have helped. Sorry about your experience; live and learn, eh!..........Scrappy P.
07-11-2003, 10:47 PM
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Re: your crash
Originally posted by Scrappy Pappy
Anyway, I thought just maybe you may have done the same as I with the +/- expo adjustment. It would have made 'your' airplane quite uncontrollable!
Anyway, I thought just maybe you may have done the same as I with the +/- expo adjustment. It would have made 'your' airplane quite uncontrollable!
07-14-2003, 03:55 PM
#222
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Weston Magnum - Destroyed on First Flight!
Well boys, I am pleased to report the maiden flight of my magnum. What a pleasure! This bird is so fricking fast it was scary (running a 9x7 apc with powermaster 10%)
The best thing I did was have her launched at a bit more than 1/2 throttle. Once launched the plane just dropped due to elevator trim problem (actually I think the CG needs to go back a bit more, I think I am at 135mm) but the wings stayed level and after gaining a few feet in altitude and some airspeed I pushed the throttle to full and then noticed my heart breaking through my rib-cage! This thing is tough to see sometimes and for your first flight I suggest bringing the power down, 1/2 throttle flighs this thing just fine.
When it came time for landing I cut my throttle to idle on down wind approach and turned for final, I did dive for the runway just to make sure I made it but then she really slowed down and I was able to touch down very soft and my slide was not more than 5 feet.
ONLY complaint, I did not have my throttle set properly to kill the engine some I came in with a super low idle and nicked my prop.
For the MONEY, I DONT KNOW HOW YOU CAN BEAT THIS.
P.s. there was a whiplash out there yesterday trying for its maided, torque problems to just uncontrollable flight, and 5 attempts at take off that ended up on the ground.
I know I am happy with this realistic looking plane
BALLISTIC! and I am addicted. better than any drug I have ever heard of!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH good stuff.
The best thing I did was have her launched at a bit more than 1/2 throttle. Once launched the plane just dropped due to elevator trim problem (actually I think the CG needs to go back a bit more, I think I am at 135mm) but the wings stayed level and after gaining a few feet in altitude and some airspeed I pushed the throttle to full and then noticed my heart breaking through my rib-cage! This thing is tough to see sometimes and for your first flight I suggest bringing the power down, 1/2 throttle flighs this thing just fine.
When it came time for landing I cut my throttle to idle on down wind approach and turned for final, I did dive for the runway just to make sure I made it but then she really slowed down and I was able to touch down very soft and my slide was not more than 5 feet.
ONLY complaint, I did not have my throttle set properly to kill the engine some I came in with a super low idle and nicked my prop.
For the MONEY, I DONT KNOW HOW YOU CAN BEAT THIS.
P.s. there was a whiplash out there yesterday trying for its maided, torque problems to just uncontrollable flight, and 5 attempts at take off that ended up on the ground.
I know I am happy with this realistic looking plane
BALLISTIC! and I am addicted. better than any drug I have ever heard of!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH good stuff.
07-14-2003, 05:51 PM
#223
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Weston Magnum - Destroyed on First Flight!
try this for heart pounding....
first flight ever with a Magnum, using a unthrottled MVVS GRRT, but... it flew so well my second pass was sub 5 feet right past my nose
first flight ever with a Magnum, using a unthrottled MVVS GRRT, but... it flew so well my second pass was sub 5 feet right past my nose
