42% Super Decathlon Build
 

This thread will be devoted to building a 42% Super Decathlon kit that was produced by Aircraft Modelers Research in Canada. www.amr-rc.com This is a joint project between myself and my partner, Ross, better known as Gremlin Castle on RCU.

The kit is a complete kit concept. It includes all laser cut wood, assorted sticks and sheets, complete hardware package including fuel tank, main wheels and tail wheel assembly, window material, and all fiberglass parts. The quality of the fiberglass is very good. The laser cut parts are first class as you will see in the photos.

Michel, Dany, Richard (test pilot), and Vincent (designer), have gone all out to produce a first class kit. There are several more folks in the company who I don't yet know but undoubtedly contributed to the success of this project. You can watch flight video of the SD on the AMR-RC web site.

I'll start out with a few photos showing the fiberglass parts and hardware. I know Michel has shipped more kits than mine and I would highly encourage you guys or gals with them to jump in hear so we can build together. Also, comments are very welcome. I'm sure Michel with AMR-RC will be dropping in.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

After unpacking the kit my first task was to remove all of the laser cut parts from the light ply sheets. This was an easy task but took several hours. The laser cutting was very precise with very thin lines.

My next task was to organize the parts into major sub-groups such as wings, fuselage, tail group and the jig parts used for the wing and aileron assembly.

My next task will be to laminate required parts. I want to have all of these laminations done before I start building. I don't want anything to slow me down. Of course I'll be taking photos all along the way. Suggestions are welcome.

Gee, I never realized that there were so many parts. My kinda plane.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Here is the color scheme we intend to use.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Hello, this adventure to manufacture giant scale kits is really something, with the help of many friends in this hobby it is possible, searching for 8" wheels was quite difficult , hope everyone have fun like us to fly those giant big birds.

Michel

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Good to hear from you Michel.

Here is how I laminated former F1. I spread a thin coat of Titebond II over the surface of one former. I then used 4 scrap pieces to get correct vertical and horizontal alignment. The weights were added and the scrap pieces were removed. I cleaned as much of the excess glue out of the slots as possible.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Congrats Michel for such a beautiful, big bird.
Ken and Ross, wish you have a pleasant time building and flying this beauty.

Marcus

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

My favorite pic is the box on the 2 wheel dolly. Gives a bit of reality as to the scope of the project!

Randy

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Ken,
That looks like an awsome build project!! What are the specks on the plane?

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

RandyL, you are right. That shipment weighed 60#. It looks like in the laser cutting that more than 50% is scrap. After all the punch outs were done the parts are very light. FedEx did a good job of shipping it with no damage.

Scott, it's going to be a blast.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Marcus, thanks for all of your help on the project.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Thats all you got done in one day:D
I will be keeping a close eye on this one, I was thinking about one of their big Waco's with a radial.
Anthony

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Count on me anytime...
You know I'm a SD freak

Got inquiries from the US and from as far as Singapore (remember, I am in Brazil!!!) www.marcusmodelfactory.com

Marcus

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Marcus , i got 2 inquiry already from Brésil for the Decathlon

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Give us the specs. What motor are you planning on using, wingspan, servos, est. weight?

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Michel
I want to talk to you about a dealership in Brazil...

Will send you PM.

Marcus

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Subscribing to this one as well. Looks like a wonderful kit and should be a joy to build.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

It has a 165" wing span, it is 116" long. We will be using a DA-150 engine with the compact mufflers (slant on front of muffler to clear the cowl). Michel used a ZDZ-160 on his prototype and is using a ZDZ-210 on his second plane. We chose the DA-150 because of it's great reputation and the fact that my partner has one on his big Bearcat and really likes it. The ZDZ-160 is about 1.4 pounds lighter than the DA-150 and the 3W 157 is a little heavier than the DA. Any of these engines would be a good choice.

I am going to work hard to get the all up weight below 55 pounds. I feel sure that I can do it.

The radio choice is the Futaba 10CAP FASST 2.4 GHZ with the R6014FS receiver. The servos are all Futaba digital as follows:
Throttle 1 ea S3152
Kill SW 1 ea S3152
Choke 1 ea S3152
Aileron 4 ea S9452
Elevator 2 ea S9351
Rudder 1 ea S9156

We are also using a Smart Fly Power Expander Sport with the receiver. Still thinking about batteries and switches.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

I've been having great luck with the A123's and no regulators to bottleneck the power. You've got to have everything hooked up right on the servos since they can pull more power then every possible before but you have have the packs from dead to fully charged in 10-15 minutes and they will deliver more power than any li-ions on the market through a regulator. Looks like a great project.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Thanks Kevin. post all of the particulars on the A123. Did you disassemble a power tool battery pack? What charger. Etc? What switches? Fromco?

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Ken, do you think covering your Decathlon with Solartex?

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

I use the Xtreme Charger to handle the cells and although I have the balance taps in place I just run them dead occasionally and bring them back to full charge and they balance themselves. I actually picked up the premade A123 packs from horizon (4300 mah) and used as is for the rx (configured as 2s2p) and a 2300 mah (configured 2s1p) for the ignition. However, I've now broked the pack down into two 2300 packs in 2s1p configuration and use only one for the rx and picked up some clearanced Black and Decker VPX packs and made my own 2s1p 1100 mah packs for the ignition. However, on this size of model. I would use 2 - 2s1p (min) but would probably go 2 - 2s2p packs for the plane and just 1 - 2300 mah for the ignition.

There's a lot of threads on the A123 batteries on here. One small issue that some people complain about is that the batteries have a very flat discharge curve (that's a bad thing right?). So what happens is that you can't check the remaining voltage of the batteries. Instead you just have to take the 10 minutes between each 2-3 flights (on smaller planes more) to top off the packs. You charge them around 10 amps for very quck charge!

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Michel, Solartex is another good option. Both of these planes are covered with Solertex.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

On the switches, check out the new A123 purpose switches for them. They have a deans plug for charge and a meter on the outside to tell you how much power you use. I think they are distributed through Fromeco.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Great information Kevin. Got to get back to the hanger and do some work.

RE: 42% Super Decathlon Build
 

Hey there Ken,
If you don't mind me asking, what was the price of this kit, shipped?
I have been looking at the 50% SD that G and L Hobbies has for sale, but not real sure because of the size.
What you have looks like a very nice kit and appears that it will be a joy to build.I'll PM you some comments.