Tango is starting to come together. I began by hinging all the control surfaces with Robart 1/8" pin hinges. Ailerons are hinged from the top, flaps are hinged from the bottom. 5 hinges per aileron, 3 per flap, 5 on elevator and three per rudder. Sorry about pic three, wrong image [X(] anyone need their sky mowed?

Next, I assembled the intake. The corners were missing a little glass that left an opening visible when installed. To fill the missing corners, I placed a band of masking tape around the area that that needed slight filling and from the inside, placed a bead of aeropoxy. Smoothed the aeropoxy out and let it set over night. Once set, the tape was removed and the aeropoxy shaped up with a dremel drum sander. The fit was checked and adjustments made with the dremel till it fit perfectly. I then CA'ed the intake in place followed by aeropoxy.
Todd

Next was the speed brake. I chose to use a BVM offset hinge here. The hinge was assembled and tacked into place. I cut the hinge holes out with a carbide cutter followed by permagrit files. With the hinge installed, I simply layed the speedbrake in place and glued it. Hinging done!

I made some servo mounts, mounted the servo and made the speedbrake linkage. More to follow....

Todd, does the kit come with the hinges? Are the holes pre-drilled? Thanks.

Wocketman, I was there and he did an excellent job hinging them. He had to drill the holes through a monokote and he was concerened about the monokote coming off in that area, I'm sure he'll explain in more detail, but he actually was inspired to mash that monokote down around the holes he drilled with a SOLDERING IRON! Todd does excellent work, it came out excellent.

While there, I saw the video of the facet, Even though everything went to hell in a handbag, You wouldn't believe the skills he applied to try to save it. I'll try to explain the best I can what I saw..................He had the wherewithall in a death spiral from full right aierlong deflection that everytime the model was at the point in the spiral that he could add up elevator to bring it level he'd put in full left aileron and pull back. This happened about 4 or 5 times on the way down, and you could actually see that if he had more time he might have been able to make something out of it. It was an amazing display of NON panic and great skill. There was no question I was watching one of the best. As always had a great time............ Really looking forward to next week!

Also, I might add seeing that Tango on the bench looked like a lot of work, Todd, it's looking awesome! And going as fast as he claimed!

Todd, you coming out this Sunday to fly? Will the Tango be ready by then? I will have the Mirage out on Saturday to burn out any ground bugs, break in the brakes get alignment right and just taxi some then sunday if nothing fails, maiden flight.

Call you later....

Dave

Sorry Mark, The hinges are not pre-drilled []. I hate hinging, it's the only part of building I really dislike doing. The wing hinges are a little tricky because you are hinging the surface from the top (ail) and bottom (flap) which means you have to drill by hand vs using a drill guide for center hinging. Not difficult just more planning and a bit of accuracy required. As sean mentioned, I was a bit concearned that air would get under the monocote around the hinge, my solution was to seal each hole by pressing a hot soldering iron into each, hot sealing the edges around the hinge. Worked perfectly!
Sean, Thanks fr the vote of confidence , you might be right... Perhaps if I had more altitude I may have found a surface setting that would have allowed me to pull the facet out of it's spiral death dive. Who knows [sm=confused.gif] It was nice getting to spend the evening with you monday, look forward to FIJR Big thanks for finding me that 8411....

Dave, Mirage is looking good. Not sure if I am going to make it sunday. Depends on how much I get done on the Tango, less than a week to complete it. If I dont, get the Taxi tests done and work out the bugs. I am planning to hit Lake Whales on thursday afternoon to get a test flight in on the Tango before the meet friday. Suggest you meet me out there so I can have unlimited runway for the maiden I'll call you tonight...
Todd

Hi

Todd that is the same way I did my Tango on the speed break I also used some BVM screws to help hold the speed break door.

I agree totally with that Todd. Hinging is what I hate the most too. But I also am the most paranoid about it and frankly am glad it is not yet done. If I could not do it myself, I would not trust it.

(quote) anyone need their sky mowed? (quote)


Way too much time on your hands!! Very funny though!

seems like dislike for hinging is a universal fact...I have not met another RC builder that likes hinging...infact this is one aspect of building that keeps me from building more planes...

I like to do the hinging, because then I know the plane is almost DONE! Ha Ha[8D]

in the words of the immortal Yosemite Sam "Ah hate hingin' !!"

lv2flyrc:
Your illustration of the brake hinge was very useful. I'm at the same stage - just finished hinging the surfaces.
Have you tried attaching the vertical fins to the fuselage yet? I was wondering whether to put a couple of blind nuts inside the fuselage, but I don't think you can get to the inside of the holes for the rear attachment screw. Maybe I could tap a thread in the plywood, but its not very thick. How are you going to do it?
Keep posting the pictures. It is really helpful.
What turbine are you putting in yours? I was putting a P80 in mine. I have to decide whether to use the engine mount that comes with the P80 or order a violet mount. I presume its real critical to get the alignment right. I can imagine this thing doing do-nuts on the runway if you get it wrong.

Eardoc,
The blind nut for rear attachment screw on the booms can be easily installed through the servo lead hole at the fuse root. A drop of glue on the finger to hold it in place while you install it is all that is needed. I have completed the canopy, fuel tanks, all servo installation and some linkage. Should have the airframe completed tomorrow less landing gear which I should have Monday. I plan to do a nose gear door as well.... Power will be a P-80, I have not checked the mounting bracket yet but dont expect any problems using the stock JetCat mount. Tank installation had me scratching my head for a bit as there is no room to make formers to hold the tanks in place. Pictures below was my solution to securing the tanks....2" wide Velcro locks them in perfectly! I'll post more pics tomorrow...
Todd

Hi Todd I had some good flights on the Tango today.

Todd:
The stock P80 mount will have to be cut down a little as the flanges are to large for the mounting on the fuse. I was planning to re-drill the base plates so that I had about 4 bolts on each side. I haven't tried drilling or tapping the mounting blocks in the fuse yet. Do you think that bolts or screws are going to be the best bet?
I'd be interested in seeing how you cut the fuselage to allow the glow plug, cables and fuel lines for the turbine to fit. It looks pretty straightforward.

Also, are you going to add plates behind the fiberglass for the fuel tank hatch covers. In one of the prior posts someone mentioned that their hatch ripped off in flight. I was going to make sure mine were good and secure!

Alec

Ok guys...here's a few more shots.

Canopy has a slide in tab at the rear. The front is locked in with a pin that is installed at the nose of the plane with a nyrod to guide it.

I made holders for both the fuel pump and fuel valeves and mounted them to the fuse between the tanks. ECU is directly above the pump/valves, using velcro to secure it.

P-80 fits just fine. Had to cut a slot in the engine bay to clear the thermocouple and rpm/temp cable. Also had to cut the mounting tabs on the allum mount to fit. Servo leads are in, engine is plumbed. Just waiting on gear now and I should be able to wrap the build up in another 6 or 8 hrs.
Todd

Getting close.....Should be done tonight. Pictures later if I have time...

Todd

Todd, I just turned the engine so the glow plug was on the other side, that put the
thermocouple on the bottom of the aircraft and there was no need to cut into
the bottom of the engine bay.

PLease keep the pics coming, I am gearing up my Tango now and enjoy seeing
how some one with more experience sets one up.

Thanks,
KIM FOSTER

Those shots are of the bottom of the plane, right? Is there any protection for the turbine in the event of a gear up landing??

Thanks for the pix!!

Nony....the fuse protects the motor....


Here's a few more.....