I think the only issue on this plane with horizontal mount is that if you are using a sport muffler your probably going to have to make some mods to the firewall. Inverted engines work fine but you may need to make adjustments to the tank position. If I remember, the tank is already pretty tight and rides above the nose wheel bracket. I don't think my Dad modified the tank location. When filled, and not running, it does drip a little through the carb. He has not had any prolonged inverted flights so I don't know if it would be an issue. If you go inverted, make sure that you store with the engine head up or you will fowel the plug.

My preferred arrangement is side-mounted. See my avatar. But the muffler would strike the firewall in this case and probably get in the way of the wing too. That's why I'm thinking (almost) inverted.

Thanks for the tip on storage and fuel fouling the plug. I hadn't thought of that.

Another option would be to just mount the engine upright as per the plans, then use a Jett or Tetra bladder tank. That way minimal foam insulation would be necessary (fuel foaming isn't an issue) and it could be pushed higher into the tank cavity.

Thanks for the reply!

Just a thought here.... (I'm at work so I can't reference the plans right now)... if you go almost inverted, will the muffler interfere with the nose wheel?

The way I was figuring, the muffler would exit the left side of the fuse above the wing. This puts the cylinder between the four-o-clock and five-o-clock position when viewed from the front.

Another mod I was considering would be to use wheel brakes. I used one on a Midwest Aerosport (Sweet Stik clone) years ago. I can't find the type I used back then but it was sort of a spring mechanism that when pulled tight, would grip a drum that would provide braking action. That was fun but I don't know if I want to add another servo/channel. Again, I'm going to try to keep this one as light as possible. I guess I could rig it for braking when giving full down elevator input.

Just doing some thinking...

Thanks!

ahhh... I get what you're doin now. I was having difficulty visualizing it at first.

Hi All, This plane was a blast to build. I started building in 1980 and then had to take a few years off
from the hobby. Mostly flew Midwest Sweet Stiks. When I got back in, I saw the Contender and had to have one. I built it exactly to the plans, upswept wingtips and all. Mine is powered with an OS46FX and I sure wouldn't want any more power! I finished it per the boxtop, with Missle Red, White and all the panel lines with 1/16" black automotive striping tape. What a joy to fly. Good luck to all of you with your builds.........you will turn heads at your fields.

Andy

Thanks for the comments Andy.

Well, I'm finally done fartin around with the LEDs for my lights, I got them all hooked up on the bench top and it looks like it'll work great... I'll figure out all the mounting and wiring details after the building is done and obviously before the covering stage.

Finished the rest of the wing, ailerons, flaps and tips last night... just a bit more finish sanding to do. I caved and decided to build the upsept tips, mainly 'cause It'll be different then the other planes at the field and I guess if I want blistering roll rate I'll dig out the Sig SE or my Aeroworks Edge 540 [8D]. I did add some area to the ailerons... they looked just a bit thin to me. I'll try to pry the camera away from my wife and post a couple of pics today.

Here's the pics.

For some reason I can't upload two pics at the same time.

You've probably noticed that the aileron and the wingtip don't match up since I added width to the aileron. I'm trying to decide if I want to add material to the aft end of the wingtip or just leave it alone. Thoughts anyone? It's about 1/2" difference.

Fair it into the wingtips by adding to the tips. It'll look 'way cool, and you won't have anyone make an ignorant comment that you didn't get the tip and aileron aligned properly...

Keith,

Your build is really coming along, looks great. I like Bax's thoughts on adding material to the wing tip, I believe that would look pretty neat. Haven't done a whole lot on mine as of yet I've finished the initial construction of the tail feather but I've become distracted. Weather has been so nice lately I've been flying instead of building. Hope to get some more building done this weekend but I'm not in a rush to finish this bird either.

By the way that's a really organized work area you have there. Mines a miss just can't seem to keep it clean

Regards
Mike

Here is mine with a OS61fx in it. Great flying plane real smooth and stable not as fast as i though it would be with the 61 in it but it is fairly quick.

Keith

It looks like you did much the same as I did for the ailerons. Increase the outboard tip width. Looks good. I hope to finish my wing covering tonite and install the servos. I'll post some pictures when I do. This will be interesting you did the upswept tips and I chopped. What power were you going to use? I've got a Fox .46ABC for power.

My long suffering wife does not understand the need to build models. Painting, staining, covering and other remodeling efforts around the house should bring me as much pleasure as model building. Six of one, half a dozen of the other to her.

No really. My wife is actually great and appeases me around R/C. We have five kids and she works part-time and teaches sunday school and looks great.

Scott

I'm putting a .61 magnum in mine (mainly 'cause it's sitting around doing nothing). Started the fuse this weekend... aft mounting the elevator servo... I'll also post some more pics soon.

I... like you... have an understanding wife... I think... lol

rik1024... nice contender you have there.

Rik, very nice. I am going to do the scheme as shown on the box. (Black and Yellow or gold). I am going to do the upswept wing tip, too.

I was wondering! Has anyone seen or considered doing the Contender as a "taildragger?" It would be nice to be able to rotate the engine 90 degrees and run the exhaust out the bottom and back. I don't like the engine sticking out the top.

I got my building table set up and I took the original plans to the print shop. They are going to duplicate them. That way I can cut a set up (alierons, rudder, stabilizer, fuse, etc) and lay them out on the building table.

Hope to get started Tuesday or Wednesday.

You guys are moving on. Keep up the posts, please.

Jim
AMA 821369

Rik,

That's a great looking Contender you've built there. I saw yours on the good covering job thread and loved it! I bet the OS 61 really pulls your bird around.

Jim,

I look forward to your building pictures, please share with us. I'm sure your just like me and really appreciate the lines of the Contender. I've finished building my tail feathers and I'm getting ready to start on the wing. For a scheme I'm thinking silver and fluorescent orange with black outline and black checkers for the tail and underside.

Regards
Mike

Made some excellent progress tonite. Finished the servo install, wheel mounting and all the other minor details for the wing. Done for the nite. Next up for covering: the fuselage. This looks to be a tough one.

Ta Da!

SAAAweeeet.... Like that wing. Can't wait to see how that fuse comes out! [8D]

I didn't get much done on the fuse today, got the elevator servo mount cut out and mocked up for the aft install, installed the outers (sullivan golden rods) for pull pull on the rudder. Then I got caught up into a Penn and Teller special on TV with my kids. lol

Thank you.

The space for servos, RX and battery is pretty tight. I'm leaving all internals loose and finish last. I hope this will let me move stuff around so I can get a good balance. My hog bipe wanted to balance with the battery where it would not work. Ended up refitting the servos. That fuse has plenty of room compared to the Contender.

Badger: I like you color scheme, too. It's great, should be able to see it easily. What did you do on the bottom?

Let me ask you guys a question? Did you laterally balance your plane (assemble it, uncovered, with hardware and engine installed) before you covered it? I hate to cut holes in the covering to add weight to the wing to balance the plane, laterally.

Pick up plans today. Start cutting out parts tomorrow, I hope. Using my detached garage which seconds as a small engine repair shop. Too messy for spare bedroom. May get kinda cold out there. Got two small electric heaters, tho. lol

Jim
AMA 821369

Jim,

I like to get my build completed up to the point of covering ("in the bones" ) with all gear installed and then do my balancing. I like this for the reasons you've already stated. Additionally, I build in the garage and it can get a little cool in there during the middle of the winter. Good Luck and keep us posted.


Regards
Mike

Jim,

Visibility was a consideration as this is the smallest wingspan I have. The bottom is unadulterated black. The yellow wraps around the leading edge and back about an inch. I have some trees at one end of the field and dark colors disappear against this.

I've only laterally balanced one plane, a big Kadet senior. I did this after covering by selecting an appropriate nail, drilling and punching it into the wing tip then ironed on a monokote patch over it. Not noticeable and still there.

I've checked the lateral balance on my last three planes. All three had side mount engines with sport mufflers hanging off the right side. Every one of them was heavy on the right. I left them. I felt that this may help as the engine torque would want to off set this heavy right side. That logic was probably driven more by sloth then reason. What are your thoughts and experience?

I would have to say that I'm among the ranks with Badger on the lateral balance. I suppose that lateral balance would be smart to check but I've never really been to nit picky about it.

Ok guys, I just ran into a small snag... give me your thoughts.

I was just looking at the aft end of the fuse and don't see a good way to mount the rear strobe for the nav lights. Beings that the tail fin and dorsal fins are not very meaty and my LEDs are 5mm in diameter this poses a small problem. Here's one thought of mine... since I'm not concerned about "scale looks" I'm considering mounting two strobes one on the left and one on the right just under the precut slots under the horizontal stab. I know it'll look better on the tail fin and another pointing straight down on the bottom... but I think they'd work just as good on the sides (maybe even more visable) plus I'm putting the lights on more for cheap thrills than anything else... lol

Give me some input / thoughts. [8D]