RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Hi

Youre plane looks great . Before you cover it though , put in some trianglar stock inside the frame just below where the fin starts , you won t regret it . Make them about , 1 1/2 long , balsa 3/8 inch . Im haveing a lot of fun with my Tiger , this helps the Tiger twist less at its weak point

Cheers

Mike ;)[8D]

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Mike,

Thanks! (For the complement and the suggestion.) I've been thinking about running some on the outside at the root of the vertical stab. Hadn't thought about doing it inside. I did run tri stock in all four corners of the fuse behind the cockpit.

Since I made the last post, I've shaped the leading edge of the control surfaces, and added the extensions to the rudder and elevator. I used solid stock for the extensions, but I'm thinking I'll drill one inch diameter holes in the stock I've added to lighten them up a bit.

Now to come up with a color scheme!! The stock ARF scheme looks okay, but I prefer something more original. I've also been doing some reading about how to design a color scheme that helps with keeping track of the orientation at a distance. That was one of the big problems I had with my Tiger II, and a contributing factor in the crash.

Definitely looking forward to flying it again!

--
Tom

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

How's the balance?
With all that tri-stock in the frame and solid extensions on the tail-feathers, I'm guessing it might be a bit tail heavy?
Otherwise it looks good.

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Hi Krossk And Tessex

Krossk , youre right , Tessex make the tri-stock very minimal , no longer than 1 1/2 inch long exactly were you want to put them . Do a test , take the fusaloge in both hands . One hand holding the front of the fuss , and one hand on the tail section , and twist . You make the call , do you need it or not , it deoends on you .

Send more pic s when you are finished

Good luck with the maidin


Mike ;)[8D]

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Mike and Krusk,

Good thoughts. I just tried the twist. Very little movement at all. I think I'll be happy with it as it is. However, I do think I want to re-enforce the root of the v-stab, so might try some there. Although before I do that, I'm going to put it all together (minus the covering) and check the balance. That'll give me a chance to balance it out and keep any weight modifications hidden. (I also need to find a good scale for weighing. I tend to build heavy, but don't have a clue about what the weight's looking like.) I'm also curious how my Corsair's coming out too.

--
Tom

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Well, I got a scale today and weighed all of the components of the plane. Without covering, I'm coming in at 7 3/4 LBS That's about 1/4 LBS over what the box says, and that's without the covering, nor canopy. On the bonus side, assuming ailerons count as wing area, I've added about 140 more sq inches of wing. I am going to go through and see where I can reduce weight though. Later this week, or this weekend, I'll get all the stuff put together so I can check balance. I think I can take quite a bit out of my elevator without weakening it, and a touch from the rudder too. I can probably hollow out the inside of the wing tips for a bit of savings also.

--

Tom

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Tessex, 8lb tiger 60s are common. I fly mine at 8 pounds with a .61 and it is a very gentle airplane that
is very aerobatic and still lands smooth and precise.

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Cool!! I'll still see what I can do to lighten it some, but won't sweat it too much. Thanks!!

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Here's an update on my 2nd "maiden" flight. (In case you're wondering...on my 1st maiden it only got about 6 feet in the air before the engine flamed out...had a very creative landing given the takeoff attitude I was in! Also, had to repair a cracked firewall.)

Anyway...I count my 2nd maiden flight as my REAL maiden flight since it actually flew and landed! This is the deluxe (retract) version. It came out at 9 lbs. 10 oz. and balanced very close to the forward limit of 3 3/4". Control throws were set at recommended throw. VERY touchy controls during first flight. As most people have commented, mine is very light on the nose wheel even though it balances far forward. After the first flight I mounted the battery in a small box compartment in the wheel well so that it would be as far forward as possible. This obviously moved the CG somewhat...I did not check the balance point so I don't know exactly where the CG is now. The idea was to get a bit more weight on the nose whaeel...it was struggling to turn with the original battery location strapped to the forward former in the radio compartment.

I also reduced the control throws to about 60% of the recommended and threw in about 50% expo on ailerons. The second flight was like it was on rails! Because of the combination of control reduction AND expo, it did not have as much agility as it really needs or can have...I'll be tweaking that somewhat, but just wanted this "on record" in case it helps anybody else.

I'm running an OS .91FX with a 3 blade Master Airscrew 12x8 prop. I'm still not quite happy with this combination. Based on what others have said, a .91 gives "near unlimited vertical". Well, I'm definitely not seeing that, but the combination of this being a new engine and the higher overall weight no doubt are affecting this. Also, I'm only getting slightly under 10,000 RPM on the top end. I would have thought that I should get closer to 11 or 12,000, but this is my first experience with 3-blade. Can anyone comment on this? Should I go back to a 2-blade? I went 3-blade because I was afraid that given the larger engine I *might* have had a clearance problem since I was using a tricycle gear configuration...others have skirted the problem by doing the tail-dragger mod. So...my real question here is: Is a 3-bladed prop causing me to lose some top-end RPM or do I just need to be a bit more patient in breaking in the engine? (Engine has about 6 12 oz tanks of fuel run through it at this point.)

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Hi Rcurtis
We have the same set-up . I was useing a 14x6 at the start , than I tryed a 13x8 . It gave me about the same performance . Than I did something much different . I bought a 14x8 ( APC ) , chopped it down to 13 inch , by just cutting off the tips , and ballanced it . The difference was night and day . now it was moveing and very graceful . I used 50% expo on mine . the OS90 has the power to handle it . I strongely reccommend you try this . I still hit 10,000 RPM with 20%

I like this plane


Happy flying


Mike ;)[8D]

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Okay, I took off from work early today and did a lot of work on the Tiger. I finished up forming the edges of the tail structure, drilled out the holes in the elevator and rudder, mounted the servos, slipped in the tank and all the gear that's going inside. Overall weight, minus covering and canopy is now 7 1/2 LBS. CG appears to be about 4 1/4" to 4 1/2" behind the leading edge, which puts it right on target. Here are photos of my tail structure and the whole plane with control surfaces in place. (Oh yeah, and the PVC stand I built for it last night. Basic concept for the stand is from the Nov 2007 issue of Fly RC. I increased the height enough that the wing will slid in underneath the fuse for storage and transport.)



--
Tom

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Hi Tom
It looks really good , and that stand looks handy , as for the weight , you are on the way to a good build , right on target . please keep us informed . Great mods

Mike

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Ok, I have a question.

When building the wing, using the 'jig's' in the kit, are they necessary?
Is there supposed to be some dihedral in the wing or can it be assembled flat on the bench?
I have both halves built and ready for the next step. I am builing it up as a taildragger for two reasons.
I has some difficulty interpreting the instruction on the doublers in the wing and second, I just think it
will be nicer as a taildragger.

Also, the dowel for the wing pin in my kit is 3/8th instead of 5/16th mentioined in the plan. I noticed that krossk is
using two pins in his wing. Will one at 3/8th be sufficient???

Thanks!!!!

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Thnks again!

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

dlan,

There is supposed to be some dihedral in the wing, and that is what the jigs are for. However, I chopped 1/2" off the bottom of the center one to reduce the dihedral. I don't know what the effects of a straight flat wing would be. I suspect it would be more aerobatic, but a lot less stable. I noticed the error in the wing dowel diameter as well. I'm proceeding with the single dowel.

I started covering my wing tonight. Then decided I wasn't happy with part of it and ripped that chunk back off. As it stands now, I have the bottom covered and the leading edge of the left wing. I'll start in again Sunday evening and see where I get.

--
Tom

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Thanks for the response Tom! I'm glad to hear your dowel was a similar situation. I think one at that diameter should be fine....

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Hi

There are two dowels in the kit . One dowel is for the wing 5/16 and the other dowel 3/8 , is for the elevator joiner .. I got them confussed when I did my kit . Correct me if I m wrong . Check the plans



Mike

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Mike,

Come to think of it, I think you're right!!

--
Tom

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Yeah, there are two dowels, but then I didn't use either one.:)

I would be very hesitant to take all the dihedral out and use a flat wing. I did that with my Avistar and was not overly pleased with the result. It was a lot more unstable than I anticipated and completely changed the handling of the plane. The Tiger is a very good design to start with and I didn't really have any complaints with my T2 in the stock wing configuration. The only reason I reduced the dihedral on this build is that I'm looking for a little more pattern-like behavior and I'm told that some of the more advanced maneuvers are easier with a bit less dihedral. In short, I'm sure it will fly with a flat wing, but it may not be as comfortable as it could otherwise be.

BTW, there's been some really good discussion here and the participation has been great. Thanks!
(Now if the originator of this thread would just get off his rear and get on with the covering...[sm=bananahead.gif][sm=bananahead.gif])

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Dang it! You guys are write, the 5/16 dowel is now part of my elevator :(. I checked the length and it should not be an issue. Besides I was very generous (and tidy) with the epoxy.

Thank you for info on the dihedral. It's somewhat frustrating working with the center and tip jigs. Any suggestions on how to make 'fitting' the two wing halves go easier? I have included
a picture to show the currentl alignment. And the 'off set' gauge, there was barely any noticed after using the small ply triange to set the top spare. Critical, yes/no?
Any feedback would be much apreciated!!

Once I get the wing assembled I may end up incorporating two dowels, the same as kroskk. I seems like good insurance for 'high-G' turns...:D

Anyway, here's where I am after ~20-25 hours of build time: vert & horiz stabs, elev & rudder and now the wing halves.

BTW - I have put up a picture of my current plane, a Dragon Lady 40. It's fun and was given to me as a beater after I was too daring with my Avistar - poor plane...:eek:

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Once I decided to reduce the dihedral, I cheated. I too the plane out to my table saw and used the crosscut sled to cut both wings perfectly square with the leading edge and the long part of the chord flat on the table. Then I sanded just a touch of the dihedral back in. This also allowed me to make sure that both wings are exactly the same length. Although I think I blew it and one is 1/16" longer than the other! But that much difference can be accounted for in forming the wingtip.

I love having a full blown (almost) woodworking shop!! (Just need a bandsaw and a disk sander!!)

--
Tom

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

all is well, cooler heads prevail!!

I needed to get away from the build for a while and everything worked out fine!!

Curious- I have an OS FS 91 to be used on this plane. I would like to know if anyone has a prop recomedations.

Thanks!!

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

Hi

I started with a 14x6 , than I went with a 13x8 , than I went with a 14x8 , I cut the tips and balanced the prop to make a 13x8 , mine changed completly . It really moves around the sky with the modifyed 13x8 ( APC )

Mike ;)[8D]

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

I have also started building this kit... my third. I am considering the Taildragger but want to know what you are using for the landing gear for the tailgear as far as size and what type and also the main gear. Any suggestions would be helpfull.

RE: Tiger 60 Build Thread
 

tagore,

Welcome to the thread.

I'm using an Ohio Superstar Products, small tailwheel setup with about a 1" tailwheel. This gear is rated for 6 to 12 Lbs.

I pretty much finished covering my wing this evening. The only thing I need to do yet is put the pattern on the top. Right now the top is basically plain white. I'm going to do a pattern that points at the nose for help in keeping track of orientation when it's at a distance.

--

Tom