bruce88123: Thought I needed it for extra strength - hope it doesn't add too much weight to the structure. Still feels very light to me, hope thats a good sign. [sm=confused.gif][sm=confused.gif] As explained earlier in this thread this kit was evidently bought by another guy and then returned, and he did not return all the pieces with the kit, kits should not be returnable unless they can be assured that the original packaging hasn't been opened. Added some thin scrap balsa to raise the formers to meet the sheeting. Getting a newer spinner as soon as I make it to the hobby store, and I am also exchanging the film I got from him and going to order some fabric from a Tower Hobbies catalog I have. Going to use the used radio I bought for this Skylark and going to get another for the Air Scout I had in the cellar that I pulled back into construction. Me and a friend were working on that one together over a year ago and decided to pull it back out and finish it.

cwrr5 These are the best pics I can take with the camera I have, hope it helps - can I use this spinner on the Skylark or better to get another? The engine is a Thunder Tiger Pro .36 by-the-way.

Returning a discontinued kit would have done little for you anyway, maybe a refund.

Be careful buying used radios (anything really). Give it a careful going over, especially the batteries. Cycle them a couple of times if you can. New 4 ch radios are so cheap these days it just doesn't pay to buy used hardly. You can charge it up and do a range check without installing too and see how it is working. Don't have the transmitter on for a long time with the ant down though, not good for the output circuitry. 5-10 min shouldn't hurt. When you get around to doing the airplane installation just extend the ant. Sometimes the servos will "jitter" if the transmitter is too close, just move it away a few feet

I have not seen this type of spinner before. Call me ignorant if it is common. What brand is it and where did you get it?

I would get a different spinner as it appears your crankshaft is just too long for this one. You would need a spacer behind the "first" piece and I don't recommend that at all. Balance and fit would suffer IMO.

Thank you bruce, I have played with the transmitter and servos quite a number of times along with my friend and it all seems to work very well. Although the batteries tend to die very quickly even with the signals turned off? Is this typical with transmitters? My hobby supplier tells me that it is - that all radios, new or used lose their charge quickly weither they are used or not, that is why it it a good idea to charge then every day.

Don't remember the brand of spinner, threw the package away a long long time ago. What 3-channel radio would you think I would need for me and my friend's Air Scout? Doesn't appear to be any wear on it being in the cellar for so long. Still seems to be structurely sound and still in great shape. So gonna cover it in Coverite pre-painted fabric in a orange/black tiger theme with the bottoms of the wing and stabilizer solid orange with no stripes - we both have the name 'tiger' in our screen name and we like tigers (he is tigergene). Am also looking for a small tiger figure we can put in the cockpit as the pilot, but don't know where to find things like that. Any ideas where I can find a tiger pilot? [sm=biggrin.gif]

On deeper thought that spinner does look like a very old style I think I remember, could be wrong.

Just how quickly do your batteries die? Tx batteries will last the same amount of time whether the sticks are moving of not. The rx battery life will be shorter with the servos moving and even shorter in the air when they have to push against airflow over the control surfaces. That is why you need to monitor Rx batteries with an ESV or similar method.
You say the Tx batteries die. How are you determining this? Meters on Tx, servo movement, Oija board (sorry, had to throw that in)

Batteries die within maybe 3 or 4 hours - never really timed them, but that's about average I guess. Going by the movement of servos and everything seems dead. Have no meter except for a tiny one that is on the transmitter with red and green.

Ahhhh.... interesting, I've never seen that one before.
How much space is between the prop and the rear spinner piece? Could it be designed so that the washer and nut go on top of that? Hard to imagine the plastic would be strong enough.
(sorry 'bout my crappy picture, btw )

I would NEVER buy a 3 ch radio. He/you are going to eventually going to want a 4 ch airplane and then the 3 ch radio will be worthless. All of the major mfg make good 4-6 ch radios depending on your/his budget. I personally prefer Futaba radios but others prefer others and I can't say they are wrong. Ford/Chevy/Dodge, know what I mean. I will say this - Please spend just a few dollars more and buy NEW. Peace of mind is cheap, worry is expensive.

oooo... missed the battery discussion. (busy drawing ) 3-4 hours for the tx is okay if it's ON the whole time. If it's off, and your batteries die that quick - get a new battery.

Oija boards work.... really.

Here is some pics of my friend's and my Air Scout, what would you put in it?? It is only a .15 - .20 Trainer.

Sorry - correction - it is a .15 - .25 size trainer.

Don't know how much space is inside the 2 parts of the spinner, but with the washer on the parts do not meet flush, they only go flush with each other with the washer off, and I think that would weaken the whole thing so I am getting a more up-to-date spinner that goes with this plane. How bout a nice black one???

cwrr5,
Will this diagram of a spinner help you out?

Ken

Bruce, you say you would never buy any used radio. Well, sorry to say I did, and now I am stuck with it. Which plane should I have it in? 1]Used radio in the Air Scout trainer and new for the Skylark? 2]Used radio for the Skylark and new for Air Scout? 3]Doesn't really matter? 3]Put this radio aside and buy new for both - can not return it as it is used - and that is not really in my budget to just put this one aside - but if it is recommended I will find the funds somewhere 4]Buy one radio for the 2 and get 2nd set of batteries, receiver and servos (but wouldn't that cost just as much as the whole radio set? Thanks for any help anyone can offer. And I ask again, where can I find a tiger pilot for the Air Scout? [8D] [sm=biggrin.gif]

I'd put in an engine and radio.Then I would cover it too. Exactly what do you want to know?

Cool! "Minnflyer art"? (very nicely done)

Actually, I was brainstorming on tigerdude's 2 piece spinner... I think it would probably be easier just to buy one to fit. [&o]

.90 four stroke. nah, just kidding! As long as it's not overweight, go with with a .25 - that's what it's designed for, right?
That's a cute one, can't wait to see it with it's clothes on. [8D]

I know you already have it and it will probably work fine. I just play the odds. If it were mine, I would put the used radio in the Air Scout for your friend to fly and pick up a new radio for you. But again, that is just me. The Skylark is going to be bigger, faster and potentially more dangerous. I'd want the best chance of success with it.

As for the tiger. Can you find and "Tigger" toys maybe at a toy store". I saw some cute ones on Somegeeks build thread earlier today I think. They're out there I'm sure, gonna be in toy stores most likely

Try toy store(s), kids shampoo bottles, convienience stores(for little cheapie figures), fast food places(ie:happy meal or equivalent)....
Just keep your eyes open wherever you go, eventually you'll find something that works. (I find lots of "pilots" by following my 2 year old around when shopping)

Should I go for the lowest size (.15) that the instructions call for which is gonna make it go reallllllll slow as the instructions say, or for a little more power to do some tricks go for something in the middle like say a .19. Don't think I want the full size (.20 CORRECTION - .25) as it is only a small plane and don't wanna do too much with it. And what is a good radio to put in it? Maybe I should get a 3-channel cause what would I do with the aileron servo if it comes with it, or should I just get the 4-channel with 3 servos and get the 4th servo at later date as needed? Maybe I should just get one new radio and get the extra accessories for the 2nd plane - but is that cheaper than getting a whole radio setup or about the same. If it's about the same I should just get a separate radio. Any thoughts???

Get a .20, you don't have to fly at full throttle all the time, and you'll have power to spare for when you need it. Probably will help out with the balance too.

As far as my .02 about radios, quote from post #126:

You can pick up a flight pack, receiver, servos, switch, battery for $80-$100+ new, cheaper used from a reliable source. NOT EBAY.

I would recommend at least a full 4 ch set. Any extra equip can be used in the next plane. I think the extra cost will be minimal and why have to buy a 4 ch set in the near future or even another servo. You could always wait and get the fourth servo later as cheap as they are, your option there. You can order/pick up the servo when you order/pick up the next plane.

Nothing worse than an underpowered plane so I would go with something in the .19 area and just throttle back. Plus this engine will be more likely useful in a future plan

If you get a computer radio like cwrr5 recommended then for later planes all you would need to buy is the flight packs which would save money

Makes alot of sense Bruce - will do. I hope servos are basically the same size as I already have the servo tray cut out and sized for the Skylark fuselage

Should be real close. If not, the old ones will probably plug into the new RX. Plugs may need very slight mod.

Tigerdude, I agree 100% with Bruce on this topic. I went back and looked at the picture of the radio you bought and I have a concern you may want to look at. I believe from looking at the pictures, that the plugs are the old "G" style Futaba connectors. They are not the problem, but Futaba has not used those plugs in many years and your radio may be a pre 1991 radio that is not gold stickered for current use. That would make it illegal to use[&o]
You may want to investigate and make sure it is a narrow band TX.
I also would avoid buying used radios. Remember what I said in an earlier post. Buy as much radio as you can afford up front. It will always pay off in the long run.

Took a break today from the Skylark and fiberglassed the center wing top and bottom of the Air Scout with 30-minute epoxy and alcohol. Let it all dry overnight and see what comes out tomorrow.