tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

Hello all. I thought I would post my experiences building and flying my latest addition - Wild Hare's new 29% SU-26.

Truth in lending - there are already several comprehensive threads on this in the Wild Hare section (for example: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5832361/tm.htm ), but I thought I would post this out here to lure in more "passers-by" as I typically learn a lot from the suggestions and exchanges on RCU.

I decided to take up Wild Hare on their package deal: 29% SU-26, hardware kit, 3mm53 engine, muffler, Honda graphics sheet, 3.5" Dave Brown spinner and 22-8 or 10 "Bunny" prop all for $995 plus shipping.

Come on, UPS man!

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

so, misc electronics & other gear:
Wildhare Hardware pack (a great deal for the price)
3MM TOC-53 with canister
Hitec 5945s for ailerons and elevators with 1- 1/4 Airwild servo arms
JR 6011 for rudder with 3" Airwild Pull-Pull servo arm
Futaba R319DPS PCM RX (using Futaba 9C)
NoBS batteries for ignition and dual HD switches and batteries for receiver/servo power

Toying with the idea of adding a TME smoke pump.

Steve

My Feedback: (54)

Throw up some photos when it arives. I'd stay away from smoke on a plane this size. I've tried it in 50cc class planes and I like the performance better without the extra weight.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

Steve...good point about the smoke system...was contemplating a way to work the installation so I could install/deinstall as the mood suited...

Good news...three mysterious boxes arrived!!! Surely they couldn't be airplane stuff...the UPS man surely wouldn't have treated them like this???

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

Phew!!! Excellent double packaging seems to have made the difference...all intact. Construction superintendent does not seem impressed by all the activity...more detailed photos to come (once I am set up in the workshop).

gooseF22

Tom
somewhere in one of the build threads I saw a removable smoke tray that went right over the spar/

Maybe you could figure it out for all us. I kind of like that idea. run the tubes and cap it off in the cabin, pull the wires and mount and remove a pound for huckin. right on the CG so as not rebalance, or maybe allow CG to slide back 1/3 of an inch.??

This looks like a neat plane.

P-51B

My Feedback: (5)

Tom,

please correct my math on this if I am wrong: Sukhoi kit + engine + graphics + spinner +prop + hardware kit = YOU STILL HAVE AN ENGINE SITTING THERE WAITING FOR A PLANE


So, what is the recently freed up engine going in?

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

lol - you caught me!!

Actually, I just got the engine back from Keith at BME...despite busting off ~ 1/3 to 1/2 of the top three fins and bending the poo out of the throttle choke plate, the engine checked out fine (!). I'm pretty impressed - I figured that it was going to have major bearing damage or a tweaked crank at least.

I have whats left of my Tru-turn spinner and the prop shards hanging from the workshop wall to 'focus' me.

So, yes, I do have a (slightly battle-worn) BME-50 begging me for a home....

I hear Tom has more ultimates in stock...

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

In the workshop...going over the airframe and accessories...very little wrinkling evident in the covering...seams nicely done...no suprises when heating/sealing.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

As it is quite a trek to my LHS, I really like the completeness of the optional WildHare Accessories bag (left photo). Good selection of hardware also come with the basic kit (right photo). The 3-1/2" spinner is not part of the accessory kit, but was purchased as part of the 29% Sukhoi package deal.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

The elevator is capable of lots of deflection (as are the ailerons) due to generous beveling. An interesting feature (for me, anyway) is that the elevator can be located in two positions - forward for an optimized 3D configuration (the instructions say this will help eliminate wing rocking in elevators) and rear (the more scale position, apparently) for a better pattern-type configuration; nice touch.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

The fuse area under the hatch is very spacious with good engineering apparent throughout. The integrated fiberglass canister tunnel has tempted me to put a can on this machine.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

The wing roots are designed to tuck into recesses in the fuse, apparently just like its bigger Wild Hare brother.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

The cowling is very large as per its full-scale namesake and is solidly built out of fiberglass - good finish for such a large piece. I particularly like the pre-installed cowl ring and blind nut set-up. The ply loop at the bottom of the cowl mounting ring is removed during assembly if using a canister.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

As part of the package deal, I picked up the 3MM TOC 53 motor. Fit and finish look good. There are several threads available that go into detail regarding the engine (including this one on the RCU Wild Hare forum: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5547303/tm.htm and http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_58...tm.htm#5832361) so I will attempt not to bore you by repeating what has already been said.

I like that they included a wrench for the spark plug - nice touch.

The included muffler is a very nice looking piece of work and the exhaust tube is baffled - should make a quieter stock muffler choice than some engines I have owned.

I like the way the carb is mounted - the diaphram sensor hole faces the rear so it is not located where it will be blasted by the airstream. Having the carb set-up with both throttle and choke levers is also very nice.

The ignition sensor appears to be a one-piece item contained in a plastic housing and is mounted using screws. The engine has been test-run at the factory, so I will put a dab of something to make sure the screws don't move around.

On to the next step - familiarizing myself with the instructions.

thewrap

You will not be at all disappointed when it comes to flying. Rolls are really axle. And with that 53 it halls like no other. I will try and get a pic of mine.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

Wrap:

Thanks - I'm looking forward to getting her in the air.

The field I had hoped to fly out of just had to transition to electrics due to noise complaints. My other field choice has power lines across one approach ( we are hoping to convince the powers that be to re-grade a new landing strip to parallel the power lines...).

I guess I need to learn how to get really good at harrier landings!

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

Mounting the engine...the instructions are very simple for mounting the 3mm TOC 53:
I was finding myself fumbling trying to get the mounting lines drawn on the firewall (and feeling all thumbs...)

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

I read rxfish's idea from the Wild Hare forum ( http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_58...10/key_/tm.htm ) and cut a piece of 1/8" ply the same size as the firewall...easy to mark the lines now!

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

I then lined up the engine according to the markings and drilled holes in my template....next, I clamped the template back on the front of the firewall and drilled the firewall

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

I then mounted the airframe against the bench so it would stand vertically. I stood the engine on the firewall and dropped bolts in to hold it in place. I had some SWB aluminum standoffs salvaged from my WH Ultimate (RIPs) so I used them for the stand-offs.

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

Mount the cowl and check the placement of the engine and, go figure, everything seems to be where it is supposed to be!!

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

Break out the Gorilla Glue - its time for a hinging party!! Oh yah, the two inside hinge points are already trimmed to accomodate the stab tube so don't mix them up like somebody elese I know did

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

Hinging done; I like the idea of attaching the stabs with 4-40 socket head screws; the instructions recommend blue loc-tite...sure would hate to have those screws back out in flight!!

tomriddle

My Feedback: (3)

I follwed the addendum suggetion and substituted nylon bolts for the 4-40 metal hardware for the hold downs. Hmmmm...cockpit seems a tad empty...