OK... I saw a thread on here and now I can't find it... Someone built a contender with wingtips like a Sig SE. I never saw a report of how it flew. As old man winter is getting ready to grace us with his presence I'll be starting to build my contender and would like to know what everyone has done to their Contender to make it just a little different etc...
I know the Contender is a good classic plane... but no plane is perfect and there's nothing wrong with making small mods to make the plane "yours".
Pictures and thoughts welcome.

I built mine stock, with flaps and the conventional wing. An OS .46FX was used to power it. It is a good flier and the flaps add fun to the flying. As far as modifications go, just make sure you bolt the nose gear bearing to the firewall. Plan ahead and add the blind nuts. The instruction book calls for screws for the nose wheel bearing, but a less than perfect landing on the nose wheel will pull those screws right out. In my case, not only did the nose wheel (and bearing) break loose, it was propelled through the wing which gave me a little work in reconstruction.

BTW, another club member built the "Contender" and powered his with a ".61". His didn't seem to fly any faster than mine with the ".46".

DaveB

Did you both do the upswept wing tips?

I built the the wing with straight wing tips, the other was built with the up swept. Conservative flying, both planes were about the same, but with advanced maneuvers, the up swept version seemed to be better. It's my understanding that the straight wing can be a problem with adverse roll characteristics, but I haven't experienced it, however I would call myself a very conservative flyer.

DaveB

Hello guys!

I built mine with stright wingtips. Great landing plane, but the adverse roll is a problem. Will turning the tips up help that much?

Thanks

Kevin

I've got a contender on the bench. I'm leaving the wingtips off.

I'm making a further modification by changing the rudder shape. The rudder is an odd shape in that it the widest part is near the top. All rudders will impart force to make the plane yaw AND force to roll if rudder is not centered on the wing. A high wing plane always rolls in direction of rudder (its rudder is better centered on the wing), low wing planes tend to roll in opposite rudder(much of its rudder is above the wing). Most rudder shapes have the widest part of the rudder at the bottom to keep the rudder from forcing opposite roll. Rudder below the wing imparts roll in direction of rudder. Of course this theory is tempered by other aerodynamic forces. When a plane yaws the inside wing "slows" and losses a little lift and would want to drop. But the biggest reason for my theory failure is: I'm not an expert.

In the fuse I have cut several lightening holes. A slot on the sides and several holes in those heavy dorsal fins. Will mount a Fox .46 ABC for power and will install the flap.

Anyway the Contender is still on the bench. Should be flying after Thanksgiving with chopped tips, lightening holes and modified rudder. The above will likely remain a theory as I do not know of a Contender to compare flight characteristics.

Badger5964

Badger5964,

I've been thinking along the same lines as you... I'm kicking the idea of leaving the wing tips off and making the rudder more like the Sig SE or maybe an Edge style rudder. Can you post some pics and also let me know how your contender does without the wing tips? I haven't started building mine yet and would really be interested in how the contender does without the tips. [8D]

Keith

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_85.../tm.htm#857339

Happy to post some pics when I get there. I'm a very slow builder, love to build but have many other things to take my time. However I'll post a couple bone pics in a week or two, when the wing is done.

Badger, I'm looking forward to those posts, also. I have a Contender to build. Weather is getting just about right....cool.

Jim Vines Jr.
Diana, Texas

I sent a P.M. to the dude on the above link who built the contender without the wing tips... He seemed to be happy with the plane's performance.
I think I like Badger's theory... Guess if I build the wing without the tips I could alway cut the covering off and put the tips on later. Just need to plan for this when covering the wing I guess. [8D]

Over the Edge,

I sheeted the top and bottom of the rear fuselage with 1/32 planking. This gives the rear fuselage a more appealing look and maintains the body shape. It also makes covering much much easiuer. Take a look at your kit and you will see the rear fus. area and how difficult it will be to cover. Mine looks great and it was just a small effort. be careful sanding, 1/32 sheet is not much to work with and it is very light.

Sledge_78

Cracked the seal on my kit last night and hope to start gluing parts tonight . I gotta get busy on this one 'cause I have a Bridi Killer Kaos to build that I'm gonna sale over this building season too. [8D]

OverTheEdge,

I've got a Contender tucked away myself, looking forward to spending some time with it this fall. I've recently pulled the instruction manual out of the box and have begun reviewing the construction. My Contender build has been one that I've really been looking forward to starting but just haven't had the time. One thing that really bothers me about the design is the vertical stabilizer. I just don't like the looks of it. So, I'm exploring possible modifications to the vertical stabilizer. I also plan on using blind nuts to attach the nose gear to the firewall instead of wood screws. Apparently the wood screws tend to pull out on a rough landings and are a pain to try and replace. Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress.

Regards
Mike

If I can manage to peel the digital camera out of my wife's hands... I'll try to post some pics.

I plan on doing the blind nuts and something different with the rudder and stab too... I don't want to bash the plane to the point it doesn't look like a contender but I also am not to fond of the rudder and v-stab. Will have to play around with it a bit.

Keith

Keith,

On my PC at home I think I've got a couple of nice pictures showing a superb Contender with a modified tail section. I'll try to post them on the thread this evening. Also I've seen a couple of Contenders with the engine mounted inverted. An inverted engine on the Contender really makes for a much cleaner looking bird, IMO. I'm a little leery of attempting an inverted engine myself, but man it sure preserves the nose section.

Regards
Mike

Yup... I agree that an inverted engine would look nice... but [:@] I always seem to fight with inverted engines [:'(]... That being said, I think I might compromise and do a side mount (maybe, well see how the build goes if you know what I mean).

That'd be great if you have time to post the pics...

Keith

Keith,

Check out this web site. This Contender is really sharp. I don't think I have the skill to finish one in chromo Ultracote but to me this is the best looking Contender that I've seen http://astro.umsystem.edu/andy/rc/contender/.
I really like the way he's modified the tail feathers. It's the way I think the Contender should look. The builders name is Andy Steere and he's really produced a fine model, IMHO.
I've emailed Mr. Steere with a couple of questions and hopefully he'll respond.

I've thought about a side mounted engine as well. My current skills are limited and I just don't think the time is right for me to try and produce a model with an inverted engine. That's one of the reasons I've put off building my Contender, I've got some good ideas but those ideas exceed my skill level as of now.

Regards
Mike

I shot him an email too... I noticed he increased the rudder and did not use the upsept tips... wonder if he has the yaw problem?

Started gluing parts last night!!!!

Well... after about one week of pecking at this kit a few minutes here and there, an hour or so here and there... here's what's done. Note the enlarged elevators and rudder... also counter balanced. Good progress on the wing too.

I'm trying to post pics, but my computer seems to want a fight instead... I'll post a couple of pics as soon as I convince my computer that I'm the master.[>:]

Let's try that again.

Hmmmmm.....

After beating my computer into submission.... I WIN! Think my computer needs medical attention now... lol [8D]

OverTheEdge,

Damn! I got my contender for Christmas last year and I just finished the last of the framing a few minutes ago. Your very productive. I too modified the rudder but not tail or elevator. You added much more rudder surface then me but the shape is the same (fat on bottom) I also made the airelons slightly bigger by tapering to 1" instead of 3/4" at the tip. I cut or drilled quite a few lightening holes in the fuse. I'll post some pics Thursday. Your effort looks good. Makes me wonder if I did not go far enough. What power will you use? It will be interesting to compare flight performance when we are all done.

Gosh, the rudder and the elevator really look great. I am going to start mine in a couple of weeks. I am certainly saving this thread. I may have a couple questions for you both, especially in enlarging the rudder and elevators.

I am going to power mine with a OS .61 FX. I hope it's not overpowered cause its the only engine I got not in use. I am anxious to hear your flight reports, engine choices, etc.

Jim