Anybody ever heard of this model??...
07-26-2003, 03:16 AM
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Anybody ever heard of this model??...
Hi all,
I recently picked up an electric powered sailplane(.05 motor size) called a "Rainbow Bird", on eBay.
It is prebuilt, open frame construction. Looks good in the pics...(I know--THEY ALL look good in pics!)
App 79" wingspan, "T" tailed.
It hasn't been delivered yet, so I don't have any more details.
I just can't find ANY info on it anywhere!
So, wondered if anyone here has ever seen one?
Opinions?
THANKS!
Pud
I recently picked up an electric powered sailplane(.05 motor size) called a "Rainbow Bird", on eBay.
It is prebuilt, open frame construction. Looks good in the pics...(I know--THEY ALL look good in pics!)
App 79" wingspan, "T" tailed.
It hasn't been delivered yet, so I don't have any more details.
I just can't find ANY info on it anywhere!
So, wondered if anyone here has ever seen one?
Opinions?
THANKS!
Pud
07-26-2003, 07:10 AM
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Anybody ever heard of this model??...
Here ya go..
Aeromax
It's no. 7 on the list. Unfortunately their pix are messed up so you can't see what it looks like, but at least there are some stats like area and wing loading.
I looked it up on eBay as well, the pic there sure looks pretty. Let us know how it flies.
And if you want to see my new eBay toy, click here
Aeromax
It's no. 7 on the list. Unfortunately their pix are messed up so you can't see what it looks like, but at least there are some stats like area and wing loading.
I looked it up on eBay as well, the pic there sure looks pretty. Let us know how it flies.
And if you want to see my new eBay toy, click here
07-27-2003, 12:12 AM
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Well, at least someone has heard of it!
Hey thanks steve-kerry
Now I have some idea of what it is--although I wonder about the "ailerons, but no rudder" part.
Maybe that went with the wrong model in the pics??
At least I got a whopping discount from the US$$ they show it retailing for!
Thank for the post!
Pud
Now I have some idea of what it is--although I wonder about the "ailerons, but no rudder" part.
Maybe that went with the wrong model in the pics??
At least I got a whopping discount from the US$$ they show it retailing for!
Thank for the post!
Pud
07-31-2003, 02:03 AM
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Anybody ever heard of this model??...
Some airplanes don't use the rudder to turn the plane. Just aileron and elevator. Pylon racers are one type. Rudder is nice but not necessary for basic flight. Depends on how much adverse yaw you have with the ailerons in a turn. Rudder is needed when landing or doing aerobatics. Some gliders do it to save weight. You could always cut out the rudder and add a servo if it is needed.
07-31-2003, 11:59 PM
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Got the "Rainbow Bird" some info...
Well the Rainbow Bird came in, a few observations....
Has a fiberglass fuse that look ok.
Darn thing DOES have ailerons on the inboard panels(!), and no rudder!
Now, I have built MANY planes over the last 27 years(over 100 R/C ones, and a few real ones) and I have never seen a sailplane with inboard ailerons and no rudder!
Don't know how much dihedral it has yet, so not sure how well it is going to turn--may have to try and add a moving rudder.
Now, that is going to be a little more difficult than it seems, because the fin area is pretty thick, and there is a curved pushrod coming up inside the back of the fin--supports a "T" tail.
Not sure of the airfoil, looks pretty much flat bottom, with just a teeny bit of undercamber toward the trailing edge.
NO directions or drawings showing where to locate CG were included, but I believe the spar area is gonna' be close.
Will have to see how it all works out, definitely different!
Thanks for the replies, guys!
Pud
Has a fiberglass fuse that look ok.
Darn thing DOES have ailerons on the inboard panels(!), and no rudder!
Now, I have built MANY planes over the last 27 years(over 100 R/C ones, and a few real ones) and I have never seen a sailplane with inboard ailerons and no rudder!
Don't know how much dihedral it has yet, so not sure how well it is going to turn--may have to try and add a moving rudder.
Now, that is going to be a little more difficult than it seems, because the fin area is pretty thick, and there is a curved pushrod coming up inside the back of the fin--supports a "T" tail.
Not sure of the airfoil, looks pretty much flat bottom, with just a teeny bit of undercamber toward the trailing edge.
NO directions or drawings showing where to locate CG were included, but I believe the spar area is gonna' be close.
Will have to see how it all works out, definitely different!
Thanks for the replies, guys!
Pud
08-01-2003, 05:38 AM
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Anybody ever heard of this model??...
You owe it to the designers to have a least a couple of flights as they intended, before making any alterations. Maybe those ailerons should be used as flaperons?
08-01-2003, 01:38 PM
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Yes, I plan on doing it stock...
Steve-Kerry, you are correct--
I plan on initially putting it together stock, EXCEPT I am going to use two servo's on the ailerons...so they can be used as flapperons.Nothing in the kit about this, but it is too easy a mod, may as well do it.
Sorry if I seemed frustrated, really am not blasting the designers (whoever they are), after all, it may fly absolutely FINE as is..just saying it is definitely a little "different".
Thanks,
Pud
I plan on initially putting it together stock, EXCEPT I am going to use two servo's on the ailerons...so they can be used as flapperons.Nothing in the kit about this, but it is too easy a mod, may as well do it.
Sorry if I seemed frustrated, really am not blasting the designers (whoever they are), after all, it may fly absolutely FINE as is..just saying it is definitely a little "different".
Thanks,
Pud
08-14-2003, 02:50 PM
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No flying yet...
How 'ya doin' rljumps,
No, have not even had a chance to put the radio in the Rainbow Bird, seems like you hurry and get a new toy, then do not have time to try it out!
Quality is OK, motor does not seem to be any good...put something else in it.
Overall plane seems to be decent though......
Best to 'ya,
Pud
No, have not even had a chance to put the radio in the Rainbow Bird, seems like you hurry and get a new toy, then do not have time to try it out!
Quality is OK, motor does not seem to be any good...put something else in it.
Overall plane seems to be decent though......
Best to 'ya,
Pud
08-14-2003, 03:57 PM
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Included items...
rljumps,
It comes with a regular "can type" 05 size motor, with a mounted folding prop .
I would put any kind of 05 motor in it's place..I personally am going to use a Strontium 05 from Hobby Lobby.
The one included does not look to be very good quality, actually has some rust on it!
No ESC or battery is included, best to get your own anyhow...all kinds of GOOD quality batteries and ESC's out there.
Will be glad to give you any info I can, just don't know how it flys yet!
Pud
It comes with a regular "can type" 05 size motor, with a mounted folding prop .
I would put any kind of 05 motor in it's place..I personally am going to use a Strontium 05 from Hobby Lobby.
The one included does not look to be very good quality, actually has some rust on it!
No ESC or battery is included, best to get your own anyhow...all kinds of GOOD quality batteries and ESC's out there.
Will be glad to give you any info I can, just don't know how it flys yet!
Pud
08-14-2003, 11:34 PM
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sailplane
Cermark sells a electric sailplane called the Phenix. It has aerions & elevator flies good ,turns good & will thermal like a thermal chaser. ARF .about $150 with motor
08-22-2003, 06:29 PM
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Anybody ever heard of this model??...
Pud,
Fed Ex just delivered mine today. I was looking it over and noticed the servo bays were cut for standard size servos. What is your thoughs on using 2 Hitec HS-55 for ailerons and maybe HS-81BB for elev. The motor in mine has a little rust on it also, will be getting a different motor for sure.
BTW mine did come with a set of instructions and the CG is supposed to be between 2 1/8" and 2 3/8" from LE.
Fed Ex just delivered mine today. I was looking it over and noticed the servo bays were cut for standard size servos. What is your thoughs on using 2 Hitec HS-55 for ailerons and maybe HS-81BB for elev. The motor in mine has a little rust on it also, will be getting a different motor for sure.
BTW mine did come with a set of instructions and the CG is supposed to be between 2 1/8" and 2 3/8" from LE.
08-22-2003, 07:59 PM
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Servos...
I was thinking about using HS-81's(2 of them) for the aileron/flapperon combo.
The 55's may work fine, I would rather have something a wee bit stronger, but just my opinion.
The HS-81 should be fine for elevator.
Any thought to putting an operational rudder on yours?
Will take a little work to do...
Keep me informed on yours, I do not see myself getting mine ready for flight for at least a couple of months.
So many planes, so little time!
Pud
PS...thanks for the CG info!!
The 55's may work fine, I would rather have something a wee bit stronger, but just my opinion.
The HS-81 should be fine for elevator.
Any thought to putting an operational rudder on yours?
Will take a little work to do...
Keep me informed on yours, I do not see myself getting mine ready for flight for at least a couple of months.
So many planes, so little time!
Pud
PS...thanks for the CG info!!
08-28-2003, 01:51 PM
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Anybody ever heard of this model??...
Flew my Rainbow today for the first time. Used the motor that came with it. Low power, but flyable. Almost came to a stop againest 10 mph head wind. Motor change a must.
I used 2 HS-55's for ailerons and set them up as flaparons. The 55's seem to work fine, but inboard ailerons are almost of no use. I could hold full right or left control and the ship would barely turn. Looks like rudder mod is going to be a must. I am thinking of using bellcranks to get elev. linkage around rudder opening once I cut it out.
One other problem I had was that the ESC I used did not have a brake, so prop continued to spin when motor was shut off. I think the sink rate of the ship will improve greatly with the proper ESC (w/brake).
All in all though the ship is fairly stable, and I think with a few mods it will be a fun ship to fly.
rljumps
I used 2 HS-55's for ailerons and set them up as flaparons. The 55's seem to work fine, but inboard ailerons are almost of no use. I could hold full right or left control and the ship would barely turn. Looks like rudder mod is going to be a must. I am thinking of using bellcranks to get elev. linkage around rudder opening once I cut it out.
One other problem I had was that the ESC I used did not have a brake, so prop continued to spin when motor was shut off. I think the sink rate of the ship will improve greatly with the proper ESC (w/brake).
All in all though the ship is fairly stable, and I think with a few mods it will be a fun ship to fly.
rljumps
08-28-2003, 05:52 PM
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Yup, that's what I thought!!!......
Hey rljumps,
good to hear you flew the "Bird".
You pretty much confirmed what I believed was going to happen...those inboard ailerons were not going to do much, and a rudder addition WOULD be neccessary.
That elevator pushrod IS in the way,---your bellcrank idea sounds good.
I am thinking of going a step beyond, and getting rid of the "T" tail altogether, and making a conventional, two-piece cross tail stab, midway up the vertical .
Don't you just love coming up with ways to make a plane a "keeper"??
Pud
good to hear you flew the "Bird".
You pretty much confirmed what I believed was going to happen...those inboard ailerons were not going to do much, and a rudder addition WOULD be neccessary.
That elevator pushrod IS in the way,---your bellcrank idea sounds good.
I am thinking of going a step beyond, and getting rid of the "T" tail altogether, and making a conventional, two-piece cross tail stab, midway up the vertical .
Don't you just love coming up with ways to make a plane a "keeper"??
Pud
