I have started this thread over on another site, However, A good friend of mine 69roadrunner suggested I also post this on RCU. One can never have enough input and ideas. So guy's I am open to any and all ideas as this build progresses.


While reading all the recent posts on the Laser 200's gave me the itch to break mine out from storage. I acquired My 200 in a trade a few years ago. The original owner had built the fuselage, wings and tail section but never finished it do to health issues. After weighing all the various parts including Aluminum wing tube and landing gear the initial weight is a hefty 12Lb 4.6oz. After adding in 1Lb 13oz for servos, extensions, linkage, hard points, receiver, Switches and A123 batts, an additional 2Lb for covering and paint, a 3 1/2lb motor and this 20lb bird needs to go on a diet. Since my work bench is clear what the hey! Lets get-er done!!!!

Thought I would post some preliminary pics.

Mike

First step is to shed some ounces from the fuselage. The original owner most have owned stock in the Epoxy market since every joint is oozing with the stuff. Very strong but extremely heavy. Spent several hours with the dremel just grinding out execces epoxy.

Fuselage Initial weight

4lb 0.8 oz ouch!!!

I decided on the BME 58 at roughly 3lbs including muffler that will save almost a 1/2 lb up front. I am hoping to remove at least 8oz from the fuse alone...

Mike

Having a goal in mind should help to keep me both motivated and focused at the task in hand. I'm hoping to remove at least 8oz from the fuse, 2-3oz by changing out the aluminum landing gear for carbon fiber and hopefully 2-3oz from changing from alum to a CF Wing tube.

I thought about removing some foam between the ribs of the wing. Not sure how much this will save from each wing panel, any guess's? can I safely remove foam all the way to the tip? or will that allow the tip of the wing to twist to much?

Starting with the Fuselage, I decided to expand the 2" circles into 3" squares leaving 1/2" verticle rise between cutouts.

Found time to remove some more material tonight. I started to lighten up the tail area as well, but not sure how radical I can go without sacrificing strength. Any ideas?

Spent more time on the Laser today. I finished the rear of the fuse and started on the front. Removed material between the Wing locating pins and started moving towards the firewall. Also, I removed the stringer turtle deck and will be replacing it with a new foam turtle deck I picked up from Bob last year.

Can I remove more material from the tail section without losing to much structural integrity ?

Mike

Just a reminder as you can tell from these pics, the previous owner built this bird with way to much epoxy and I still need do some more grinding....

Removed material from the fuel tank floor, Lower hatch and bottom of the motor box. I'm considering removing some material from the landing gear block. What do you guys think?

Mike

I weighed the Fuselage tonight and it came in at 3lbs 7.8oz. So far I've been able to shave off 9oz!!!

Starting weight: 4lbs 0.8oz
Current weight: 3lbs 7.8oz
= 9oz!!!

Still need to cut some holes in the firewall, but I'm waiting on the engine to arrive so I can get the bolt pattern and design a Motor mount.

I received my BME 58 yesterday and this motor is amazing. Smaller in size than my Brisson 3.2 and smaller than a buddies DL50. I did a quick mock up and it appears I need around 3-3 1/8" standoff platform. Also, That cowl really swallows up this motor. I might end up with about 1/2" of the head below the cowl. So with such a large opening in the cowl will I need to baffle this thing to restrict airflow over the motor only? Also, My air intake versus the exhaust looks to be about 10:1 instead of 1:2 one inch of intake to two inch exh.

After enlarging the area in the plywood fuselage aft of the wing, I found that the remaining 1/2" verticle riser's were to springy. To remedy this I glued in 3/8" balsa sicks between the upper and lower 3/8" balsa stringers. This Stiffened up the aft fuselage significantly.

My wife always designs my graphic schemes for me but she told me not to post the concept design for the Laser until we both can agree on it. So here is a couple of her other designs.

1st is a sig wonder. 3rd is a Dual ace w/canopy mod and the tribal graphics still need to be finished, but it should give you guys some idea of the finished product.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_73...tm.htm#7396063

I forgot to post a few pics of my Twinstar RIP!!!

Very cool and keep up the good work

Very cool and keep up the good work

Thanks Rcairflr,
Glad your following along. Feel free to share any ideas you may have.....

Mike

Alright, I guess I better get this thread back on track.

I started adding some horizontal diagonal supports to keep the fuse from racking.

I checked the wing and horizontal stab incidence today using my Aeroperfect precision angle measuring device. This is an invaluable tool for the modeler, not only does it measure down to an incredible .01 of a degree, but you can measure TWO axis (x,Y) at the same time. Check it out...

www.aeroperfect.com/

Marl Bell of Bell Electronic Technologies, is a fellow modeler that found a need for an accurate measuring device.

Using the plans as a guide, the top of the fuselage at the canopy is the same angle as the decalage, so I loaded the Aeroperfect program and placed the measuring device on the fuse and hit the zero button. Next, using my aluminum bars and clamps checked both wings and the stabs. Left wing was at zero measured at the root, Right wing is 1/10th of a degree positive. Both stabs were at zero. Verticle stab is offset by one degree to the left.

I also started on the motor mount today in between snow storms. I had hoped it would have come in a little lighter. BME recommends using hardwood dowels over aluminum standoff's in order to spread the load.

Mounted the motor today and removed a 2 1/4" diameter circle from the firewall, between the hardwood dowels. I also removed 1/2" from the height of the firewall and saved another 1.2oz.

I decided to stop lightening the Firewall until I can do a preliminary balance since this plane has such a long tail moment. I may need the extra weight up front.

hi - i have 33% laser getting re covered - going wiyh the red & white trim - ? - do you or anyone know where i can get trim or decal kit for a 33% laner laser 200 thank-you bill wrcflyer

You might try Bad Brad Graphics. I know he has done some Lanier stuff before.

www.badbradgraphics.com/index.html


Mike

Since the Sun popped out today, I decided to piece together the Laser outside and take some photo's to show you guys where I am going with this build. The canopy is from a Great Planes Patty Wagstaff Also, I will need to build a new hatch to accommodate this style of canopy.

A few more......

Here is a link to an old kit review of the 33% Lanier Laser 200 which is the same airplane as the Godfrey. Might be helpful.

http://webpages.charter.net/rcfu/KitReviews/Laser.html

Dick T,

Thanks for the link....