jvaliensi

My Feedback: (1)

Hi,
I am building a Ranger. I noticed from photos on FB that folks place the batteries between the fuel tank and turbine. Apparently, the model tends to be nose heavy.
The fuel tank is largely in front of the CG. Why do designers do this?
It seems to me the fuel tank can goes more rearward by cutting out the most rear fiberglass fuselage strap. The strap does not appear to be a structural necessity.
Has anyone else done this?

jvaliensi

My Feedback: (1)

The instruction manual does not indicate where the vent line should be installed on the tank. The builder must drill a hole and epoxy-in the supplied brass vent fitting.
I chose the high point of the tank. That is generally the place to put a vent. However, that is not the spot. The canopy will not fit with the vent sticking out the top of the tank.
The spot that works is high up on the front face of the tank.
Now this makes me unhappy, because I have a patch on top of the tank that I will have to look at each time I fly.

jvaliensi

My Feedback: (1)

The finish of the Ranger is horrible. There are many runs in the clear coat and it feels like 80-grit sandpaper.

ballistic1

My Feedback: (27)

I took a razor blade and scraped off the runs in the clear coat.
then I wet sanded with 1000,2000, and followed by 3000.
I finished with buffing with some light compound.
This helped the appearance a lot and may have removed a oz or two

jvaliensi

My Feedback: (1)

I know how to fix it. But I want to stick the servos in and go fly it. I guess ARF doesn't mean what it says.

jvaliensi

My Feedback: (1)

Hi,
I finished the Ranger. Just working on the CG next. The empty weigh is 18.94lbs (8.61kg).
Here are my comments:
1. The clear coat has a few runs.
2. The wing does not seat up to the fuselage well enough. It would be better if there were screws holding the wing on, rather than the tabs. The wing fits fine but doesn't seat without a push. The tabs have no tension. I was careful tape the wing tightly to the fuselage when I drilled the tabs. It looks worse in real life than in photos.
3. The canopy frame has to be sanded to clear the tank. I added a split piece of tubing to seat between the former and the tank.
4. It is best to glue the ailerons on first, before the flaps. The aileron hinges lock them in place, while the flap hinges can slide back and forth along the wing. I did not pay close enough attention to this fact and ended up with different gaps for each wing.
5. My canopy shipped with a crack and I hope it don't grow. But I screwed it on, so it can be easily replaced.
6. Screw the rudder on before you insert the pipe. Fitting the pipe is a real puzzle once you get it together you'll never want to take in apart.
7. The gear has to be down to slide the wings on. The wing joiner seems too short to do this. I use spare JP gear controller to drop the gear before I put the wings on.

It appears to be a strong airplane. The JP landing gear is very beefy. I have had good success with JP. I wish the fuel tank was only 2.2l and over the CG. I would like to have been able to us 10-pin connectors for the wing harnesses (there isn't room).

I am looking forward to flying it.

jvaliensi

My Feedback: (1)

I think the recommended CG is too far forward. At 160mm behind the leading edge of the wing at the fuselage, the CG is 95mm in front of the landing gear.
Please chime in with the CG position that you have used.
Thx

joeflyer

My Feedback: (48)

An 80 oz. Dubro tank fits in there nicely. The Boomerang tank is way too large for this plane. No sense carrying around all that extra weight unless you want to fly for 15 minutes.

After the first couple of flights I moved the CG back to 165 mm.

MFIGHT43

So far yes, I followed the herd with the the nose heavy sentiment. 3D printed battery holder and affixed to a cross brace from 1/4 birch ply.

Desert Fox 1

Cheers!
Desert Fox 1

Gary Szetlak

My Feedback: (13)

I've read many say that the throws are too high (at least for aileron) has anyone settled on a comfortable throw setting for Aileron, Elevator and Flap?
Thank You
Gary

joeflyer

My Feedback: (48)

Hi Gary,

The recommended control throws in the manual are about twice what they should be. Here's what I'm using:
AL: 18 mm.
EL: 21 mm.
RU: 30 mm.
FL: 25/72 mm. Flap:Elevator compensation -1/ -4 mm.
CG: 165 mm. Use 160mm. for your first flight.

I'd also recommend using your triple rates to set a little more and a little less than the above to see what suits you best.

Joe

Gary Szetlak

My Feedback: (13)

Thanks Joe, sounds like a plan.
Gary

ledd4u

My Feedback: (23)

For a little more you could get the T-1 jet. Perfect finish plus electric retracts. Probably the most affordable sport jet out there. No paint sanding or buffing necessary.