First off I want to thank everyone here at RC Universe for all the help and great advice.

My fiancee' bought me the Super Skybolt for Christmas. After Many late nights and many long breaks I finished it. It is my second kit build. My first was a SIG Somethin' Extra, this plane was quick and easy to build. Everyone told me the Skybolt would be a lot tougher. I didn't find this to be the case, it just took more time.

Getting down to it, I installed an OS 120fs III w/pump. I installed two aileron servos and all the standard control linkages the plane weights 10lbs. I am using a 16x6 APC prop that is currently reaching 9000rpm, it should get better too. It is covered with Monokote White, Neon Green and Silver. I apologize for the picture quality the green looks lime not neon and the silver disappears, I can assure you though the plane really stands out. I installed the pilot to butter up ''Headquarters'', maybe I can get a new plane next Christmas.

The big day, 65F, 5 mph headwind, partly sunny, I do live near Seattle so there were some sprinkles too.

Takeoff was simple only a touch of right rudder and hands off on the elevator as you blaze down the runway. This plane is amazing it flies so smooth it only took a touch of down and left for hands-off flight. This helped to calm my nerves and enjoy the flight, The big O.S. really pulls this plane around well and sounds great even with the stock muffler.

In total I had 3 flights for the day and each one confirmed for me what a great plane this is. I tried all the basic aerobatics loops, rolls, Cuban 8, etc. I even tried a snap roll on an up-line which became a Lomcivak unexpectedly. I will need to practice snaps more with this plane it really snaps hard and deep on low rates I haven't tried high rates. Good thing I tried them with lots of altitude, one later turned into an inverted flat spin but the plan quickly recovered.

Landing: this was a no brainer even with choppy wind on the approach. Everyone at RC Universe said it likes to land hot. I kept the speed up and flew her to the ground, throttled off at the numbers and flare for a three point landing, breath. The 600ft runway really helps to settle in and bleed off the speed without being concerned about the approaching runway's end.

And More

That's a real sweet looking Skybolt! I like the covering scheme and the colors you used.

I have one waiting for the bench, and it will be my next build. Glad to hear it flew well.
Dennis-

Taking-off. Please excuse the hairy neck. Now that the plane is complete I can get back to being civilized, well maybe not

inflight and touchdown.

Although it looks like smoke that is just the 30% heli fuel I am running. I'm running it very rich so I still have a lot more power I can gain once she is settled and fully broken in.

Now that it has flown so well I will install the smoke system in the next month.

Rough, nice job. Isn't that plane a blast to fly, I flew mine today also. The mor eI fly mine the more I'm considering adding smoke to it. When you get more comfortable with it try an inverted flat spin, it's awesome. I like to to do huge loops with a roll at the top. Enjoy.

Outstanding plane. I congratulate you on a fine job. Thanks for sharing it.
Sunny_B

I agree this plane is begging for smoke. I created a removable hatch between the firewall and the former forward of the landing gear. It opens under the fuel tank tray and offers a about 4" x 5.5" x 1.25" of area. This should come in handy when I'm balancing the plane with the smoke system. I'll probably put the batteries there. It will also be nice to have some access vs. zero with the standard set up. That was the one thing I didn't like about the kit, zero fuel compartment access once it was sheeted.

The removable hatch idea is a great one. That's the same area where I have my smoke pump, Although I don't have a hatch, that piece of sheeting got blown of in a crash about 10 years ago. It was actually the big gaping hole that gave me the idea to add the smoker.

I am currently building a Super Skybolt with an O.S. 1.20 Surpass III w/ pump. Got the fuselage done and starting on the wings. I am installing a Sullivan Skywriter smoke system but was debating were to locate it and the smoke tank. I am pretty sure I am going to locate the smoke tank right above the bottom wing but I wasn't to sure on the pump. I like the idea of putting it under the fuel tank. Any tips or ideas welcome.

rcpilotgb

I checked the dimensions of the sullivan skywriter and I don't think it'll fit under the fuel tank if the space is what RoughLandin said it is (4" x 5.5" x 1.25"). I'll have to look and see. Maybe I can get it to work.

Those dimensions are an off-hand estimate. The plane is at home currently so I can't measure to be sure. I could have cut out more but I feel it might effect the structural integrity if more were trimmed out too much. I avoided cutting into the side formers, I just cut the bottom sheeting. I am actually going to go with the Windsheild wiper motor smoke system MinnFlier has documented. It is basically the same as the TME system.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...6&I=LXGVU1&P=K

I do like TME's new system (link above) because it is now computer radio programmable like the slimline or sullivan models but is not packaged as a cumbersume large unit. This is especially important with a smaller plane like these because balance options are so crucial and space is so limited. My plan was to place the radio and smoke batteries under the hatch, a 10oz Dubro tank mounted horizontal in the bay above the wing and as far forward as it can against former F3 I believe to be right at the CG. Then I would mount the smoke pump behind that on a built up tray. The 10oz smoke tank capacity is smaller than I wanted but it fits the space perfectly and allows enoungh space for everything else.

With precision use of the smoke I think 10 oz will be fine.

Rough, how did you do that scheme it look great. I wish I could cover like that. Did you cover the whole thing white then add the green and gray trim colors. Did you cut out the shape of the trim before ironing on the plane. I'm inpressed. Thanks for sharring the photo's with us!

RoughLandin,

My compliments on the excellent graphics job on your airplane. Schemes that artistic (yet simple!) are rare. What a thing of beauty. Nicely done, sir.

IMaflyer

Impressive covering job [sm=thumbup.gif]

Now I know where to send my planes to be covered. Got a Sig Hog coming to your house

Thanks for the compliments Guys,

I have to admit I copied the scheme from the cover on the Monokote video. That one is Red, White and Gold but I liked the Green, White and Metallic silver.

In hind sight the green is a little to close to sky blue. As a Graphic Designer I should have referenced the color spectrum wheel. Green and blue are a little too close together, but not inviable. Since I live near Seattle it works fine with our "wonderful" gray overcast skies.

Yes, I covered the entire plane with white first, this probably added weight. It's only my second kit so I'm still not confident or fast with monokote. I used a large format 44!QUOT! printer/plotter to plot the wing arches as stencils. I could have done this by creating a large compass with a yardstick on the floor of the garage, but if you have access it saves a lot of time. I always like basic patterns. An Optometrist RC flier wrote an article, I said humans recognize geometric shapes faster than colors. This can come in handy if you loose track of the plane's attitude.