v6goose

Hi guys...

I like to read real-world reviews and comments about aircraft before I buy them and wanted to do the same for those of you interested in the 50cc Aeroworks Ultimate biplane.

Long story short: I crashed my TWM 27% Ultimate several weeks ago learning to hover and the repair job was too big to do before the end of the (short) flying season here in Canada, so I dived into my Aircraft Savings Plan (ASP) to buy a replacement.

I put a LOT of time, effort and money into making the TWM a good flying plane and it does fly well, however I don't have the luxury of time and need to get back in the air as soon as possible, hence the AWU.

All electronics and mechanics will be transferred to the AWU so I am hoping to get it done very quickly.

Doug and his team at [link=http://www.hiflightrcshopping.com/]Hi-Flight[/link] in Edmonton made buying and receiving the AWU very easy and shipping was very reasonable with DHL.

Lets get going!

Goose

v6goose

The AWU arrived in two large boxes with no exterior damage.

I was out of town and had my neighbours receive them which was cool.

I got them in-hand at 8:00am Monday morning (Aug 16, 2010).

Packaging: The fuselage box weighs 19Kg (41.9lbs) alone but almost half of that is packaging. Both boxes use the box-within-a-box packing method but AW have gone one step further by lining each box with hardboard sheets that span the full length and width of the boxes... super impressed!

Everything is well secured inside, wrapped in bubble-wrap and taped to the box.

v6goose

The very comprehensive manual is supplied on CD in .PDF format and is easy to read and understand. Still a good idea even if you are a seasoned pro

First task is to remove the 13 screws that hold the canopy on and go over the covering with a covering iron and heat gun.

There were a few wrinkles as expected but nothing that was a problem. All edges are re-sealed and open spans tightened.

Pic 1: Getting the fuselage out of the packing is interesting, AW did an awesome job.

Pic 2: Boy people weren't kidding about the completeness of this kit!

Pic 3: Thats a 300mm (12") ruler sitting on the cabane to try and show you the size of the fuselage. Incidentally I chose this aircraft because it is the biggest I can fit in my car

Pic 4 & 5: A few wrinkles before tightening.

There is also a little CA overrun on the cabane covers and lower wing fillets.

Onward ho...

FBaity

My Feedback: (2)

Goose,



I plan to assemble this aircraft this winter and have the engine,muffler,spinner and most electronics on hand. I look forward to your additional posts.

Thanks in advance for your efforts.

Frank Baity
AMA 38026

v6goose

Cheers Frank...

I originally ordered the black and red one, but it was out of stock... this one is growing on me

Goose

soclarke

Hey Buddy,

I've subscribed to your thread and I'll be following along.

Having just finished an Aeroworks QB model myself I can tell you that if you don't have too many people dropping by to "help" you should be able to have that thing done in two days.

The only snag I encountered with the assembly was trying to decide how to setup the choke and throttle linkage. I'm fussy about some things and that was one of them.

Set the throws according to the manual and balance as per the instructions and you'll be sure to have a nice flyer. Mine took 3 clicks of up trim and after closer inspection I had a slight down elevator deflection when the servos were at neutral. I zeroed the trim and shortened the turn buckles and now it flies beautifully without any trim.

Give me a call anytime if you need some assistance I'm glad to help.

Happy Landings
Scotty

FBaity

My Feedback: (2)

Goose,


Dang, I was wanting the Yellow,Red & black version too. Hope they get some back in stock before say November when flying slows down here.


Frank

v6goose

Scooter!

Cheers mate, yeah its all good and with being on holiday this week I should be good to go by the weekend.

The weather is crap for the week anyways *lol*

Thanks buddy!

Goose

v6goose

The hardest thing so far is separating the backing from the supplied hinge seal tape.

Once I do get it separated, figuring out which side has the adhesive is near impossible *lol* Maybe its just me... [sm=confused.gif]

soclarke

The hinge lines on mine were so close I did away with the sealing tape. I suspect it is rolled up with the backing on the inside of the roll. Try cutting a sample off and testing it.

v6goose

Mine are good too but I always seal them anyways... probably just me, but it always seems better [sm=bananahead.gif]

Got it sorted, both sides are amazingly similar and only got them separated with adhesive tape. Ripped it off, figured the right side and folded the whole strip.

One side of lower wing done, going well...

Cheers

Goose

FBaity

My Feedback: (2)

I had issues with the hinge tape provided in both of my AW QB Extra 260s. At someones suggestion I used Scotch Magic tape, it is not visible after application and holds up well to flying.

Frank

soclarke

Where's the live shop cam? lol

v6goose

Thanks Frank...

I have used that too with reasonable success except when glow fuel oil gets to it... not a problem on gas birds

It's actually good stuff once its sorted, it has a similar feel to acetate sheet that is used for flowers or xmas gifts...

Cheers

Goose

v6goose

It's here but that means I have to build with clothes on.... [sm=72_72.gif]

Does Yahoo messenger support multiple viewers with a single cam?

Goose

v6goose

Try yahoo messenger webcam...

soclarke

Alas no IM at the office. Perhaps I'll drop by tonight after dinner to see your progress.

v6goose

Cool mate...

Hinge sealing is done, working on servo installs for the wings now...

G

v6goose

I'm out of HD servo arms, off to the model shop as soon as they let me know if they have some.

Continuing to install wing servos.

Cheers.

G

closetguy

My Feedback: (13)

what are you going to use for the engine.i will be watching this tread. always wanted one of these,it would look good next to my Chip Hyde Double Vision.

v6goose

Yes it would CG...

I have a DL-50 that was running so sweet on that fateful day...

I'm hoping it will continue to do so in this bird

Cheers

Goose

soclarke

Just got home from Goose's place and once again im impressed by the quality of these Aeroworks kits.

It's going together quite nicely. I can't wait to see it in the air.

Wednesday right buddy? Lol no pressure hehe

Happy Landings
Scotty

v6goose

Well thats it for one day...

Scooter came over and gave me a hand tonight (thanks mate) and we made good progress.

I finished installing all the aileron servos, pushrods and horns and Scott did the same on the elevators.

He also tightened up the covering on the interwing struts.

I installed the strut brackets, the cabane structure and the servo extensions for the aileron servos in the top wing.

We had no issues with anything, this plane is a pleasure to assemble.

More on day two tomorrow...

Cheers

Goose

v6goose

Ha! Sure, why not...

Cheers mate

Goose

PS: Scott and I lined up the TWM 27% Ultimate with the AW one and the AW is a full 10" longer!

FBaity

My Feedback: (2)

Goose,

Have you installed the throttle and choke servos yet ? From what I have read in other reviews these items prove to be a challenge.

Frank Baity
AMA 38026