SMASHER 424 RACER
03-15-2009, 06:52 PM
#1
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (67)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Liberty,
SC
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
SMASHER 424 RACER
Just finished my first SMASHER 424 Q-500 RACER. Turned out pretty good. I don't spend a lot of time with a lot of designs. It's covered with Ultracote. TT 40 engine, JR 2.4 radio. Weight came out at 3lb 9oz. It rained all weekend so I didn't get to fly it today.
The wing has a 66-012 airfoil. Stab is wood. This is a Stegall Hobbies kit.
James
The wing has a 66-012 airfoil. Stab is wood. This is a Stegall Hobbies kit.
James
03-16-2009, 06:19 PM
#3
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MonroeNorth Carolina
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: SMASHER 424 RACER
James,
Can you take some photos of the radio compartment and post them?
Did you have any balance issues? It sounds like you are way under weight so adding weight shouldn't be a problem. And if you need to add weight in the tail you can just take the tail off and add it on the inside.
Is this your first bolt-on tail? If you build another for 424, will you do a bolt-on tail or just glue it on?
Can you take some photos of the radio compartment and post them?
Did you have any balance issues? It sounds like you are way under weight so adding weight shouldn't be a problem. And if you need to add weight in the tail you can just take the tail off and add it on the inside.
Is this your first bolt-on tail? If you build another for 424, will you do a bolt-on tail or just glue it on?
03-16-2009, 06:43 PM
#4
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Waseca,
MN
Posts: 8,456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: SMASHER 424 RACER
Where is it balanced, my concern with that design was always the long nose, and servos in the wing saddle.
No reason you can't run that airfoil around 3" (2 7/8" - 3 1/8")
No reason you can't run that airfoil around 3" (2 7/8" - 3 1/8")
03-16-2009, 07:18 PM
#5
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MonroeNorth Carolina
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: SMASHER 424 RACER
Dave,
I balanced mine at 2 7/8" to 3".
The composite tail weighs about 2.5 ounces. On one I did add two 1/4 ounce pieces of lead inside the tail stuck to the skid plate in the bottom of the tail. Attached is a photo of the inside of the bottom of the tail.
On another I put the battery pack behind the servos in a little pocket I made. I've thought about making a fiberglass pocket and installing it during the lay-up. If people need to put a battery back there I will start doing that.
That was before the weight increase. Now you just add more paint on the fuselage and it is probably a non-issue.
The nose is 4.5" long, but the tail is also longer at 14.125" from the rear of the wing to the front of the tail.
I may also start adding some tow in the rear just as additional stiffness and that will also add useful weight. I used to run 12K tow down all of the rear corners but I determined that the tail is plenty stiff without it. I can always go back to that.
Another thing I did is use a ventral fin on one. I really liked that. I don't think it was faster or slower, but yaw stability was incredible.
I balanced mine at 2 7/8" to 3".
The composite tail weighs about 2.5 ounces. On one I did add two 1/4 ounce pieces of lead inside the tail stuck to the skid plate in the bottom of the tail. Attached is a photo of the inside of the bottom of the tail.
On another I put the battery pack behind the servos in a little pocket I made. I've thought about making a fiberglass pocket and installing it during the lay-up. If people need to put a battery back there I will start doing that.
That was before the weight increase. Now you just add more paint on the fuselage and it is probably a non-issue.
The nose is 4.5" long, but the tail is also longer at 14.125" from the rear of the wing to the front of the tail.
I may also start adding some tow in the rear just as additional stiffness and that will also add useful weight. I used to run 12K tow down all of the rear corners but I determined that the tail is plenty stiff without it. I can always go back to that.
Another thing I did is use a ventral fin on one. I really liked that. I don't think it was faster or slower, but yaw stability was incredible.
03-20-2009, 10:33 AM
#7
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: MonroeNorth Carolina
Posts: 1,840
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: SMASHER 424 RACER
In case anybody missed it, James posted this in another thread.
I'm VERY happy he had a good experience with his Smasher.
While a number of them have been built with glued on tails, this is the first one with a wood bolt-on tail other than my prototypes that I know of. Someone may have done it, but I didn't hear about it.
ORIGINAL: rcpilot32
Just got home with a big smile on my face. My Smasher is possibly one of the smoothest flying Q-500 racers I have ever flown. It looks fast but since I was the only one flying, it's hard to say. First flight, I had to add just small amounts of trim. Within a minute of my first flight, I was banking and yanking.
I set my CG at 3.0 inches. Put the battery in front of the servos.
It is really nice to have a racer that I don't have to fight. The wind was blowing 10 to 15. No bouncing of the plane. I can definately say that I want another one to back this one up.
James
Just got home with a big smile on my face. My Smasher is possibly one of the smoothest flying Q-500 racers I have ever flown. It looks fast but since I was the only one flying, it's hard to say. First flight, I had to add just small amounts of trim. Within a minute of my first flight, I was banking and yanking.
I set my CG at 3.0 inches. Put the battery in front of the servos.
It is really nice to have a racer that I don't have to fight. The wind was blowing 10 to 15. No bouncing of the plane. I can definately say that I want another one to back this one up.
James
While a number of them have been built with glued on tails, this is the first one with a wood bolt-on tail other than my prototypes that I know of. Someone may have done it, but I didn't hear about it.
03-22-2009, 07:15 PM
#8
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (67)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Liberty,
SC
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: SMASHER 424 RACER
I flew my Smasher again late Saterday afternoon. The landing gear I had started with was too soft so I had changed it. Bounced too much on landing. Made a prop change and took a shim out from under the head. Rpm was at 17,000 max. Took off at 16,500 allowing myself 500 rpm pinch. This plane is awsome. Full up elevator on turns. No climb or dive. Went back to normal eleverator rate and flew 15 laps around myself. Flies like a dream.
With only 5 full flights on it, I would be comfortable racing it on it's 6th flight.
Takeoffs were straight. No climbing or fighting to keep it straight.
I have had a request to take photos of my radio installation. Will post photos tomorrow night.
James
With only 5 full flights on it, I would be comfortable racing it on it's 6th flight.
Takeoffs were straight. No climbing or fighting to keep it straight.
I have had a request to take photos of my radio installation. Will post photos tomorrow night.
James
03-23-2009, 03:04 PM
#9
Member
My Feedback: (30)
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Beekmantown NY
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: SMASHER 424 RACER
James- what battery did you use, and where did you end up placing it? Fuel tank also. Any problems with the linkage to the v-tail? Pictures please, I'm impressed so far! Randy
03-23-2009, 07:14 PM
#10
Thread Starter
My Feedback: (67)
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Liberty,
SC
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: SMASHER 424 RACER
The battery I use is a 6 volt 850ma nimi. I have had a request to show my radio installation. It's nothing exotic. Used 1/4 balsa sandwiched between carbon fiber sheet. Epoxied to fuse. Battery and receiver are held in place by velcro. Throttle is stuck with double sided servo tape.
One thing I did notice after flying it today was that there is a very slight nose up when I shut down the engine for landing. Nothing serious. Just something I noticed.
The tail linkage was easy. Just hooked it up and slid it thru the fuse to the servos. Tightened the screws that hold the stab on.
James
One thing I did notice after flying it today was that there is a very slight nose up when I shut down the engine for landing. Nothing serious. Just something I noticed.
The tail linkage was easy. Just hooked it up and slid it thru the fuse to the servos. Tightened the screws that hold the stab on.
James
