I picked up a used Rusty Ashley this weekend. I have never flow one, but have heard a lot of good things.

What is the optimal C.G. and good starting throws?

I always set my Ashley CG's at 3.875" back from the root leading edge (at the fuse). Can't remember throws, I always just set each one up the same mechanically and copied the radio program from my previous ones. Ballpark throws would probably be about 3/16" on ailerons, 3/16-1/4" on elevator, whatever you feel like on rudder.

Thanks Gary,

I'll start there.

I gotta repaint the fuze first, its a mess. Spent a good part of the day sanding down through the paint to the glass, and re-priming.

I start out with the throws set as 1/8" on low rates and 3/16" on high rates. But I tend to run 4" on the CG. Anymore high rate throw with the CG that far back and you get snappy on landing... Probably no advantage running 4" CG, Travis runs 3 3/4" and turns the same times...

A little off the main topic, but the above quote caught my eye. Trying to sand paint off a Q40 is not my idea of fun. I have been trying to find a paint stripper that will remove automotive paint without attacking the epoxy fuselage. Most strippers, (Paint that is) even those sold in the automotive stores warn against using on plastic. I tried one some years ago on a wing. What a mess, it took every thing off, the paint and the glass cloth.

Anybody?

Ed S

I just used elbow grease and wet sanded with 240 grit.

A couple hours on Saturday, and a couple more on Sunday got it down to the white gel coat.

I got it primed and the white base coat down yesterday.

3 7/8" sounds about right.

Ed,

I discovered the hard way that raw 15% fuel works pretty well if it sits overnight. For quicker, more thorough action you can use a higher nitro content. The materials in my unwitting trial were catalyzed urethane paint (Sherwin-Williams) and an epoxyglass fuselage (Pole Cat).

Here's how it happened: One evening we had a sudden rain squall at the flying field and I threw the fuselage into my cargo box upside-down without draining the fuel out of the tank, then went home and straight to bed without unloading the car. When I came back to it in the morning, the fuel had leaked out in a puddle with the top of the nose immersed in it. The paint curdled and peeled off of the exposed area, leaving the epoxyglass untouched. I was able to clean it up with lacquer thinner, sand lightly and re-shoot with no problems.

To do a whole fuselage, just wrap it in an old T-shirt or paper towel and squirt the fuel on until it's fully soaked. Don't light up your cigar to celebrate, though.

Duane

I had luck with a paint remover designed for removing automotive paint from bumpers. My local automotive paint shop guy told me about it. It worked good. Not too strong. It took several applications. You spray it on, let it sit for a minute or two, and then scrape off the gunk. I can find out what the name of it was if you really want.

Kurt

Hi Kurt,

Yes Please.

In the meantime I will try Duane's method. I have some old Nitro that has gone yellow I will use it. I thinkI will try that outdoors though! Duane probably learned that during his radical student days and "Bomb making 101" classes

Ed S

Ed,

Yow! When I was in college, Frank Zappa warned us not to eat yellow snow. I never took Bomb Making 101, but I suspect yellow nitro is probably in the same category. Don't shake the bottle!

Mr. Air Chem

__________

Duane Gall
RCPRO

I got the last coat of color down tonight. Turned out pretty good (for how I paint), just gotta get the clear down tommorrow, and hopefully I'll have time to get the radio in so I can test on Saturday.

The Klass Kote works great, but the humidity we've had lately has slowed down the drying process.

The wing still needs to be stripped down and painted, but that can wait for now.

Ed,

I don't have the can I used anymore but I'll call my paint guy on Friday and get the name of the paint remover that I used.

Kurt

Ed,

The paint stripper I used was "SEM Bumber Stripper." Evidently safe on plastics too.

Kurt

I flew the Ashley today, and I am very impressed.

The plane was dead nuts trimmed perfect on the test flight. I didn't quite have enough elevator throw, but plenty to fly the plane. After two passes, I put it on the course and was able to fly a semi-decent course right out of the chute.

This plane must be 3-4 years old, but you'd never know it.

If you can't tell, I really liked how it flew.