WEDJ

Tried to fly yesterday (Sat) evening, but the wind was too much. Wasted a trip to the field. Soon, I hope, I can make a flying report.

WEDJ

*sigh*

WEDJ

OK, weather looks good for tomorrow morning @ Salem field. Wish me luck!

WEDJ

Still the same old story. I want a really quiet day to test, this 7 foot model only weighs 14 ounces. I may try to get it done in the AM, it seems the evenings all have "fresh breezes". Have to test it B-4 Octoberfest in PA

WEDJ

IT FLIES !!!!Yes, finally, a good calm spot when I could get out.Took 3 flights, but not without issues. First flight, she porpoised (sp?) so the indication is too tail-heavy.Second flight, took the tail weight off, and it took 1/2 up elevator to not nose down - Hmmm, nose-heavy. Boy, is this sensitive to CG!Third flight, like the second. The rudder response is OK if all is calm and the ship is level. Otherwise, it is not good enough to get it out of a bad bank or a breeze blow-off. I just ordered a Hi-tech HD35 servo to install a strip aileron which I will slave to the rudder. That, and about 1/3 of my original tail weight, and we should be good to go.Photos attached.

WEDJ

Here's a shot of the aileron mod in progress. To whoever told me I'd need ailerons back at the beginning, you were right!

WEDJ

Well, for the third time in 45 yrs of r/c flying, I have had an early death of a plane. Sooner or later, we all crash & burn.


This time, it was a wing failure at the Octoberfest in Oxford PA. My beautiful Condor, which looked GREAT in the sky, got blown over by a gust of wind, then to pull it out of the follwing dive, full up caused the right wing panel to rip at the juncture of the sheeted section and the rest of the wing. I am surprised that it could tension shear off the 1/16 x 1/8 spruce lower spar, which was shear webbed to the top spar.

By the way, the addition of the single aileron helped, but it was still a bit sluggish. I did fix the CG problem, however, with about 1/3 the weight I started with.

Here's a photo:

WEDJ

And here's the fuselage damage. Doesn't look to bad in the photo, but every stringer is shattered, and 3 formers are gone.

WEDJ

And here's the salvage and the trash remains. *sigh* Sooner or later we all experience this.

jjscott

She may have been short lived, but she sure was a beauty. Thanks for the thread.

A long winter is on the way; maybe another vintage plane with a seriously beefed up structure???

Jim

WEDJ

Any suggestions for an E-flite 450 w/ 2-cell?

Michaelj2k

I watched Nic launch the sailplane. Just add power and it lifted right out of his hand. Had it been a straight tow line free flight sailplane it probably could have weathered the gust. Too bad, it was a very nice model.

Trisquire

Sorry for your loss. Pretty much any 2 meter sailplane would work with that power system. I would electrify this:

http://www.mountainmodels.com/produc...e93d5b9343df5d

WEDJ

Nice suggestion .

fritzke

My Feedback: (1)

I always had a soft spot for the Pierce Arrow. A neglected 2 meter plane of the
Drifter/Wanderer era. I'll send you plans if you are interested. Vintage, but not antique!
Dave

WEDJ

Thanks, Dave.

I think I may try to do a Guillow's conversion for this motor. It's kinda like a .10 cid in performance.

jjscott

The 54" Comet free flights make nice conversions. The kits are readily available on ebay; I think plans may be on Outerzone. There's the Aeronca Chief and Taylorcraft. There may be others. Here is a beautiful Taylorcraft that someone did.

Jim

WEDJ

Hmmmmm..............http://www.bmjrmodels.com/shop?page=...duct_id=46%3D0

fritzke

My Feedback: (1)

Well, you put it out there..
We probably would not have this:
http://www.topnotchkits.com/index_files/TN_Kit12.htm
If I had not done this:
http://my.pclink.com/~dfritzke/papillon.pdf
Dave

WEDJ

Very nice, Dave

atron

I think again on trashing that baby. It deserves to be repaired.....

The fuselage is about hte only damaged part... you have the plans and the skill for shure.

Relax and think on reparing this season.