RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Your idea of leaving the electrical stuff in place makes good sense. Removing and reinstalling over and over can do more harm than good.
Once you git 'em, back problems sure can be nasty. I hope you're one of the lucky ones, and beat it.

R.C.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

[>:] Hellooooh boy's Ok the holidays are over! Haven't seen any new pics or ideas since Christmas. What happened???

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

not sure what happened to the rest of the guys but I got burnout and broke lol. I am self employed and this time of the year is bad slow and I have to fight for business. I flew Saturday and it got me back in the mood, I still am around and I will finish this thread and have a maiden flight posted no matter how long it takes.

Happy New year.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

I'm still having health problems. Back problems and then a sudden gall bladder attack last Thursday left me in the ER and eventually the OR. I'm now missing a gall bladder and have several stiches in my gut for an ambilical herniation. I'm hurtin right now and can't get anything done.

I'll get it done eventually. Sorry about the delay.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

ouch, get well bro

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Thats not a very good start to the new year Chris. Hang in there. Ive finally got going on mine and pretty much have the wings built. Kept everything pretty much stock but everything seems to be good and solid with not a lot of wing flex. One thing I did do was to add wing tips which I built using the light ply outer wing rib .Ibasically ripped it in half length wise and glued it on the end with some rounded supports. It kept the shape very symetrical with the rest of the wing. Also got bored and had to see some colour so I covered the ailerons. [>:] Glad I tackeld that before the wings. I'm going to try a new Hitec servo HS-475HB which has 61 oz. of torque, hope thats lots. Going to have to wait for my Saito 150 which I had to order so I won't be able to do much with the firewall.

Hope to see you guys back on yer feet soon, lookin forward to some more progress reports



Ken

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

With all the back problems and now getting my gall bladder removed and several stitches in my guts to seal up that herniation--you'd think I was an old man.

I'm 34.[sm=spinnyeyes.gif]

Gettin' old sucks. Gawd--if I'd known that I was gonna live this long, I'd have taken better care of my body.[sm=lol.gif] The way I lived my teenage yrs and my early 20s---it's amazing that I made it this far. MMMMMMWWWAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!

I actually got downstairs today and got my smoke pump and my ignition module installed. It's a tight fit. I got 2 switches--1 for smoke and 1 for ignition. And I got 2 charge jacks. Thats all on the left side of the plane. With the ignition module and the smoke pump--then a battery for each and all those switches and jacks in the side--it's tighter than a frogs ***** in there.

Fueling ports are on the right side. I gotta take them out and cover over the holes with a small patch. Then cut out and reinstall the fueling ports. Cover over them and trim out with an exacto blade.

I'm not going to make a hatch for access to the front end electronics. This could turn out to be a HUGE mistake--but I figure that when the times comes that I need to get in there--I'll just cut the bottom open and fish around inside untill I find what I need.

Anyway, the way I fly--this plane is gonna be toothpicks before the ignition or pump ever needs maintenance.[sm=bananahead.gif] When I crash the plane--I'll just rip the front end open and salvage whats left. Screw it. I need to get this thing done and get it off my workbench. Building a hatch is gonna cost me another week of time.

I installed the switches and charge jacks and then tore them out. Covered over that area with a piece of 4"x4" yellow monkeykote and then re-installed the switches and jacks. Kind of a trim job. I'll cover right over the top of them and then trim out around them with an exacto blade.

I'll put up some pics tomorrow.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Get some rest there Rcpilet
:D

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

I'll rest when I'm dead.:D

Pics:
Throttle servo and pushrod housing
Smoke pump and battery
Ignition switch--smoke switch and associated charge jacks
Fuel ports

The ignition module goes just across from the smoke pump. Ignition module and 1100mah battery are wrapped in foam and shoved in there. Tight fit. No need to strap the module down. It ain't goin' anywhere once it's in.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Ken:
Can you post some pics of your build too?

Those Hitec 475 servos will be good for this plane. You might use a 6V battery and pump them up to about 75oz torque.;) I've used them before and they seam to hold up well. I have some of them in my hot rod LT-40 and I fly the snot outta that plane. I do inside and outside snaps with it. Lamchevaks (sp?). Outside loops. Knife edge. Aileron rolls down the runway. Rolling circles and anything else you'd want to throw at it. They are holding up to that kind of abuse--so I think they will do fine in the 4*120.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Tomorrow:

Work on throttle linkage.

Punch holes in the firewall for fuel and smoke tubing.

Fuel proof firewall with epoxy.

Maybe add the turtledeck stringers and the front hatch sheeting.

Git-er-dun!!

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Yer makin me laugh RC, me get a picture on here. I'm 95% computer illiterate and wouldn't have a clue where to start. It would have to include things like getting the kids to come and show the old man how all this high tech stuff works. So NO not a chance. On another note Chris after hearing you talk about your flying skills, can we change your name to rcpileit :D LOL

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Hey Chris outa curiosity I was told those servo's were just out new at the LHS how long have you had them ?






Ken

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

The Hitec 475HB have been out for quite awhile. Not really "new" I've had them for at least 6 or 7 months now.

On my username:
I tried to get Rcpilot but that was already taken.

So, I had to misspell it and use Rcpilet. (I do have French ancestory) Maybe pronounce it RCpeelaay with a silent T and a long A.[sm=lol.gif]

Maybe I should change it to Rcpileit.:D

I don't really crash THAT much--just try to be modest. I like to joke around a lot. Spice of life and all that stuff.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Well, I haven't had any body parts removed, just took some time off between Christmas and New Years. I'm in the process of framing the basement and building a workshop. My 4*120 is complete except for some sanding. All of the mechanical equipment has been installed and removed until after covering. I just need to finish sand and cover it.

The hatches are't that difficult to make. I used the knock outs from the fuse panel and glued in a few blocks to hold them on. I'm sure I'll need to get in there before the ground opens the fuse up...like the first time I take it to the field! Remember...I'm Murphey...as in Murphey's Law! Actually, I have 2 hatches. 1 behind the firewall for the ignition module and the other on the bottom behind the trailing edge of the wing...that's where the elevator and rudder servos are. Fuel tank is on the CG...don't want that 8 oz of fuel to cause me to re trim during the flight!

I do hope we can conttinue this thread until we all complete the maiden flight!

More pictures soon!

Murphey...As in Murphey's Law!

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

I don't know how everyone else feels about it, but I WELCOME input and pictures from everyone. Just keep it on the subject of the 4*120.

To me, having 1 thread where a guy can do a search and find a lot of good info is WAAAAY better than 10 threads with the same info over and over.

Anyone else building a 4*120 wants to post pics and comments on your build--please step up and contribute.

I hope that those of you watching this thread aren't disappointed. I started out fast, but I've slowed down a lot lately. I am going to see this project through to the end and post pics of the whole process. Even the posing pics at the field before the maiden. It's just gonna take me a bit more time than I originally anticipated. These kits are so much work, and I'm having trouble "working through the pain" lately.:D

Hang in there. We'll get it done eventually.[sm=bananahead.gif]

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Mine is done & flying for 3 years, if I had to change anything would have sanded down ribs & made a bit thinner wing. She weighs 12lbs with a RCS140. I have a TNT NIB landing gear for the 4* if any one needs one. Its thicker and a bit longer also for more prop clearence.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

I'm covering the wing now.

The fiberglass in the center section is 2 layers thick. The first layer is about 6 or 7" wide. It's heavy duty cloth with a large weave pattern.

Second layer is about 3.5" wide +/-

Since I have all this glass and epoxy on the center joint, I was concerned that the monkeykote wouldn't stick to it. I cut a piece of monkeykote 10" wide and used it to trim the center section. This way, the edges of the MK will be firmly attached to balsa wood, and then the center can simply be shrunk down with a heat gun.

Now when I get ready to put down the panels across the rest of the wing--I will just run my covering all the way to the center and lightly tach it down to the trim piece underneath. Then pull it out to the tip and tack it there.

Bottom of the wing is done. I'm about to start on the top.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

I'm going to go back over the bottom and stripe it with black.

I need to put my stripes on the bottom before I can do the top, so I need to get out the monokote trim striper and cut off some black. Chuck it up in the striper and cut off a bunch of black stripes.

Pics:

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Black stripes on the bottom of the right wing panel.

Should I do the other side or leave it as is?

Pics:

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

lookin good!

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

What do ya think about the stripes?

Do the left side with black stripes or leave it?

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

Two more stripes to go. Two more stripes to go. Just two more stripes to go. Two more. Just two more. I think I can. I think I can.[sm=drowning.gif]

I hate covering. I've been working on this wing for about 8hrs. It looks good, but it's so time consuming. I think I'm done for the night.

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

RC: You're making good progress! I share your sentiments about covering...especially with iron on film. I haven't covered a plane with anything but Coverall in a while! I just don't have any place to paint right now. I've uploaded a few pix of my covering progress to date. My color scheme is rather boring by comparison. It's basically the way most of my planes look...gotta break that mold!

I have to cover the tail surfaces and attach. The wing needs final sanding and covering. All of the servos, linkages, plumbing and electrical have been installed, set up and removed for covering. So if I can carve out some time, I should be finished fairly soon.

I think you should (and by now probably have) add in the extra black stripes for the sake of symmetry. You surely won't have any trouble seeing that bird in the sky!


Murphey (as in Murphey's Law)

RE: 4*120 Build Thread
 

im workin my buns off at my real job. Ill get on mine sometime.

kinda sucks