Elan Has Arrived!
10-15-2007, 03:54 PM
#1
Elan Has Arrived!
Just opened up the triple boxes and this is what I have! All looks good so far! Paint is very good and the fuse seems light or at least not heavy! Covering is excellent. All surfaces are prehinged. Nice hardware pack. Aluminum wing tube. VERY VERY nice!
Dave Rigotti
Dave Rigotti
10-15-2007, 08:07 PM
#5
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
ORIGINAL: iamxist10
What are you go to use for retracts?
What are you go to use for retracts?
10-15-2007, 10:07 PM
#6
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Digitech/Jet1a are supposed, I say again supposed to be shipping drop-in gear soon. Right?
Is my memory correct? If so, well, I'll believe it when I see it. But if they truly are drop-ins then they should be worth the wait and expense in my opinion.
Is my memory correct? If so, well, I'll believe it when I see it. But if they truly are drop-ins then they should be worth the wait and expense in my opinion.
10-16-2007, 12:04 AM
#7
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Bummer, you confirmed what I suspected about this kit. One of the reasons I took my name off the waiting list. Not that big of a deal, but still you need to do a little TLC to that area of an ARF that you wouldn't normally need to deal with. Still, it's a very nice looking jet exteriorly. Good luck with the build.
10-16-2007, 12:07 AM
#8
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Dave, you said the surfaces are pre-hinged - are they already glued in or just the slots cut?
From what I've read in other posts, the Jet-1A's & sullivan tanks are still a couple weeks away.
I thought Sandor said his retracts need a shim or minor mod done, but that piece will be included in his gear package.
From the pics, I'm shocked to see there really isn't enough lip on the cutout for many retracts to just drop in.
My Elan should arrive Wednesday.
From what I've read in other posts, the Jet-1A's & sullivan tanks are still a couple weeks away.
I thought Sandor said his retracts need a shim or minor mod done, but that piece will be included in his gear package.
From the pics, I'm shocked to see there really isn't enough lip on the cutout for many retracts to just drop in.
My Elan should arrive Wednesday.
10-16-2007, 01:54 AM
#9
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Hello Gents
the CNC machine is working 24 hours a day at the moment , first up are the upper parts
tommorow are the lower parts.
after this anodising will be done and the new oleo,s will be done
about the mounting:
there will be a little work , but surely not more then 10 minutes.
you do NOT have to modify the jet-1A at any time!.
you will however have to cut a bit of the thunnel away.
Alan and myself have spoken about this and be reasured it has NOTHING to do with the strenght of the model.
there will be even a small cover plate included in the kit , that will cover the opening left on the rails of the main LG.
you do NOT see anything optical
there will be also a new former , that is included with the Landing gear that needs to be glued on top of the existing 2 rails.
1 is to strenghten it more
2 is to lift the front retract by 5mm , to clear steering and a small nose up.
you can start the build even withouth the landing gear.
EDIT: added picture
you can see when we where prototyping , dont mind the oleo or pin this is for measuring only.
as you can see the retract fits perfect , just need to make some space for the cylinder and connector to the LG.
the side of the retract will be covered with a small piece of fake carbon plating.
the CNC machine is working 24 hours a day at the moment , first up are the upper parts
tommorow are the lower parts.
after this anodising will be done and the new oleo,s will be done
about the mounting:
there will be a little work , but surely not more then 10 minutes.
you do NOT have to modify the jet-1A at any time!.
you will however have to cut a bit of the thunnel away.
Alan and myself have spoken about this and be reasured it has NOTHING to do with the strenght of the model.
there will be even a small cover plate included in the kit , that will cover the opening left on the rails of the main LG.
you do NOT see anything optical
there will be also a new former , that is included with the Landing gear that needs to be glued on top of the existing 2 rails.
1 is to strenghten it more
2 is to lift the front retract by 5mm , to clear steering and a small nose up.
you can start the build even withouth the landing gear.
EDIT: added picture
you can see when we where prototyping , dont mind the oleo or pin this is for measuring only.
as you can see the retract fits perfect , just need to make some space for the cylinder and connector to the LG.
the side of the retract will be covered with a small piece of fake carbon plating.
10-16-2007, 02:27 AM
#10
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RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Ok
This may sound like sour grapes but surely, as Alan took so long to get the Elan to production he could have designed a landing gear mount that would accept a range of retract units! All he had to do was make the gear plate around 1/4" wider? Or is this just our Chinese friends doing there own thing again?
John
This may sound like sour grapes but surely, as Alan took so long to get the Elan to production he could have designed a landing gear mount that would accept a range of retract units! All he had to do was make the gear plate around 1/4" wider? Or is this just our Chinese friends doing there own thing again?
John
10-16-2007, 03:01 AM
#11
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RE: Elan Has Arrived!
With many different retract makes out there, there is a generous spacing between the rails and a few minutes with your dremel sees any make mounted. You can please some of the people all of the time, all the people some of the time and then there are jet modellers! I didn't make the mounts to fit just one make of retracts.
10-16-2007, 03:11 AM
#12
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RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Alan
Don't get your knickers in a twist.
All I said was if the mounting plate had been 1/4" wider it would have accepted a bigger range or retract units. From the photograph the width of the plate looks very narrow. BTW you are not alone with issues like this, the Velox had retract mount problems even with the retract units supplied with the kit, the Phoenix was just the same requiring packers to be fitted to the retract mounts so you are in good company!
I have not removed the Elan from my shopping list yet! I do seem to recall you were happy to have my input when I built one of the first Boomerang Intros in the UK, my comment was intended to be constructive.
Best regards
John
Don't get your knickers in a twist.
All I said was if the mounting plate had been 1/4" wider it would have accepted a bigger range or retract units. From the photograph the width of the plate looks very narrow. BTW you are not alone with issues like this, the Velox had retract mount problems even with the retract units supplied with the kit, the Phoenix was just the same requiring packers to be fitted to the retract mounts so you are in good company!I have not removed the Elan from my shopping list yet! I do seem to recall you were happy to have my input when I built one of the first Boomerang Intros in the UK, my comment was intended to be constructive.
Best regards
John
10-16-2007, 06:44 AM
#15
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
ORIGINAL: digitech
Hello Gents
the CNC machine is working 24 hours a day at the moment , first up are the upper parts
tommorow are the lower parts.
after this anodising will be done and the new oleo,s will be done
about the mounting:
there will be a little work , but surely not more then 10 minutes.
you do NOT have to modify the jet-1A at any time!.
you will however have to cut a bit of the thunnel away.
Alan and myself have spoken about this and be reasured it has NOTHING to do with the strenght of the model.
there will be even a small cover plate included in the kit , that will cover the opening left on the rails of the main LG.
you do NOT see anything optical
there will be also a new former , that is included with the Landing gear that needs to be glued on top of the existing 2 rails.
1 is to strenghten it more
2 is to lift the front retract by 5mm , to clear steering and a small nose up.
you can start the build even withouth the landing gear.
EDIT: added picture
you can see when we where prototyping , dont mind the oleo or pin this is for measuring only.
as you can see the retract fits perfect , just need to make some space for the cylinder and connector to the LG.
the side of the retract will be covered with a small piece of fake carbon plating.
Hello Gents
the CNC machine is working 24 hours a day at the moment , first up are the upper parts
tommorow are the lower parts.
after this anodising will be done and the new oleo,s will be done
about the mounting:
there will be a little work , but surely not more then 10 minutes.
you do NOT have to modify the jet-1A at any time!.
you will however have to cut a bit of the thunnel away.
Alan and myself have spoken about this and be reasured it has NOTHING to do with the strenght of the model.
there will be even a small cover plate included in the kit , that will cover the opening left on the rails of the main LG.
you do NOT see anything optical
there will be also a new former , that is included with the Landing gear that needs to be glued on top of the existing 2 rails.
1 is to strenghten it more
2 is to lift the front retract by 5mm , to clear steering and a small nose up.
you can start the build even withouth the landing gear.
EDIT: added picture
you can see when we where prototyping , dont mind the oleo or pin this is for measuring only.
as you can see the retract fits perfect , just need to make some space for the cylinder and connector to the LG.
the side of the retract will be covered with a small piece of fake carbon plating.
Dave
10-16-2007, 06:48 AM
#16
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
I didn't make the mounts to fit just one make of retracts.
]I personally do not like attacking a brand new model with a dremel on the gear mounts. surely it wouldn't have done any harm to widen the mounts slightly?
10-16-2007, 07:12 AM
#17
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
ORIGINAL: rcguy!
Why not mount the units all the way out for a much wider ground stance? Are you saying the nose gear rails are not strong enough as is?
Dave
ORIGINAL: digitech
Hello Gents
the CNC machine is working 24 hours a day at the moment , first up are the upper parts
tommorow are the lower parts.
after this anodising will be done and the new oleo,s will be done
about the mounting:
there will be a little work , but surely not more then 10 minutes.
you do NOT have to modify the jet-1A at any time!.
you will however have to cut a bit of the thunnel away.
Alan and myself have spoken about this and be reasured it has NOTHING to do with the strenght of the model.
there will be even a small cover plate included in the kit , that will cover the opening left on the rails of the main LG.
you do NOT see anything optical
there will be also a new former , that is included with the Landing gear that needs to be glued on top of the existing 2 rails.
1 is to strenghten it more
2 is to lift the front retract by 5mm , to clear steering and a small nose up.
you can start the build even withouth the landing gear.
EDIT: added picture
you can see when we where prototyping , dont mind the oleo or pin this is for measuring only.
as you can see the retract fits perfect , just need to make some space for the cylinder and connector to the LG.
the side of the retract will be covered with a small piece of fake carbon plating.
Hello Gents
the CNC machine is working 24 hours a day at the moment , first up are the upper parts
tommorow are the lower parts.
after this anodising will be done and the new oleo,s will be done
about the mounting:
there will be a little work , but surely not more then 10 minutes.
you do NOT have to modify the jet-1A at any time!.
you will however have to cut a bit of the thunnel away.
Alan and myself have spoken about this and be reasured it has NOTHING to do with the strenght of the model.
there will be even a small cover plate included in the kit , that will cover the opening left on the rails of the main LG.
you do NOT see anything optical
there will be also a new former , that is included with the Landing gear that needs to be glued on top of the existing 2 rails.
1 is to strenghten it more
2 is to lift the front retract by 5mm , to clear steering and a small nose up.
you can start the build even withouth the landing gear.
EDIT: added picture
you can see when we where prototyping , dont mind the oleo or pin this is for measuring only.
as you can see the retract fits perfect , just need to make some space for the cylinder and connector to the LG.
the side of the retract will be covered with a small piece of fake carbon plating.
Dave
i did this so it stays low to the ground , and dont tip over to fast..
the front:
for wire struts they are fine...
for a oleo and a bit of a rough landing no...
i want everyone to have fun flying , and not return home after one flight and fix the LG.
i did that myself to much in the past ...
Believe me you wil like it.
10-16-2007, 03:04 PM
#18
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RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Guys.
You will love the Elan. It flies like a dream and is quite fast too. I got 8 flights over the weekend. Here are some pictures taken by Flemming Jensen.
You will love the Elan. It flies like a dream and is quite fast too. I got 8 flights over the weekend. Here are some pictures taken by Flemming Jensen.
10-16-2007, 03:37 PM
#19
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RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Mine just got here too, looks AWSOME, going to put an ARTES falcon in it. I will finish the build when my accessories get here. One minor problem my ROBUST wing tube spar will not fit into either the fuse bore or the ones in the wings! some adjustments are in order!
TURN and BURN!
TURN and BURN!
10-16-2007, 07:14 PM
#22
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
ORIGINAL: iamxist10
What are you go to use for retracts?
What are you go to use for retracts?
Dave
10-16-2007, 09:54 PM
#23
RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Got my Elan today. Exterior finish is excellent - actually a lot better that I ever expected.
Nothing major, but I definitely need to go over the glue on the wood in the fuselage & hatch.
I'm thinking of Robart hinges instead of the CA ones. I know the CA hinges work, but I feel more secure with Robart's & then sealing the gaps with clear Ultracoat.
Nothing major, but I definitely need to go over the glue on the wood in the fuselage & hatch.
I'm thinking of Robart hinges instead of the CA ones. I know the CA hinges work, but I feel more secure with Robart's & then sealing the gaps with clear Ultracoat.
10-17-2007, 02:50 PM
#25
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RE: Elan Has Arrived!
Just got mine too. Excellent finish (US Navy version), better than expected. So far I have only fitted the flaps & servos. I am going to wait for the Jet 1As so it wont be flying for a while. Any of you guys found any problems during the build?