RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Oh.. I dont know Mike.. Northamptonshire is lovely today.. So much so, i think a spot of gliding is called for this afternoon :D

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

For most of us that would mean getting out our Multiplex Easypro Glider for a chuck around the park...but for you 'glider' means one of these doesn't it Ali?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7cL_0Z96XA[/youtube]

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Sort of... it is in fact this I will be playing with... :D

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Ali

You will have to take me up sometime I do miss the occasional cross country, bit out of practice now I'm afraid.

Mike

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Progressing with my EDF Futura build...just finished the canopy and although challenging was a fun job.

Fan and electric retracts are turning up next week so will do some pics then.

Anyone know what the AUW (fully fuelled) is for the Futura with a P80SE? Will be an interesting comparison. Not sure what capacity lipos at the mo. Would like to carry more for a longer flight. Am thinking 12S12000.

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Now that what I would call a flight pack! What sort of duration are you looking for Dom?

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Less than my 40% Extra Ali. Got 14S12000 in that so nice to be doing a slightly lighter setup.

Flight time? I'd hope for 7 minutes mixed flying but I'd settle for 6. I've been doing electric conversions for a few years now so have learnt how to be light on the gas pedal through necessity. It's not something you can calculate that easily as it really does depend on the style of flying. General approach is to be conservative for a the first few flights and check the voltages on landing. Usually aim for 3.7V per cell. Go for all out full throttle and I would probably run out of juice in less than 4 minutes.

My Extra setup draws 280A at peak 15.5KW and I get 8 mins flight time with combined 3D/aerobatics so I'm hoping for good flight times as long as the Futura can take the weight of 12S12000.

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Does this mean Ali will do your video? :D

What kind of weights are we talking about for the edf, esc and lipo in your setup?

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Did some rough sums and I'd guess 19-22lbs AUW and that's with the 12S12000.

As for Ali video'ing. We'll have to see. I should have it ready in time for Bickley Jets in June. ;)

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Sounds like a plan, Futura flood at Bickley!

I'm starting to think that someone should tell Thomas to attend as this might be the largest Tomahawk fly-in... or maybe send something for the raffle. :D

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

80% of my build is done. Just waiting for retracts and the fan. Should be here next week and then I can finish up so I can apply a simple vinyl colour scheme.

One question. The wings need some adjustment to fit. The alignment pins on either side of the wing joiner do not go fully into the fuselage. What's best approach to resolve this?

And should I be using the provided self tapping screws for retaining the wings and elevators into the joiners? No indication on the build manual where these should be although I see Ali put two in each elevator half about half way across into each joiner.

http://claregrace.brinkster.net/futura/futura_11.JPG

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Looking good Dom.
Ref wing and tail retention.. No self tappers [:@] Mine has 3mm screws going into the tail alu joiners.
As for the wings. These have a 4 or 5mm bolt that goes into a captive nut in the wing root. I put a wing nut on it so that I could tighten it by hand.
Hope this helps?
Regards Al

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

OK. Thanks Ali. That does help.

Using the screws provided for the elevators. Just difficult to get the holes in the second side in the right place so the elevators are tight to the fuselage.

I like your idea for the wing. B&Q tomorrow for some wing nuts then :D

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Elevators done so moved onto cutting intakes before the fan arrives next week. Intake size is critical to EDF performance unlike cutting them out for turbines where you have the luxury of making them look aesthetically pleasing. In total the intakes needed to be 120% to 130% of the fan swept area (basically the area of the rotor minus the area of the hub). Too little and the fan would be starved of air and too much and drag would be a factor. Made a calculation and used some squared paper (out of my daughter's maths homework book) and cut it to the required area. Applied with pencil to the fuz and carved it out. Probably need to use some aeropoxy or similar to give a nice rounded edge to the intake lip but otherwise was fairly simple.

http://claregrace.brinkster.net/futura/futura_13.jpg

http://claregrace.brinkster.net/futura/futura_14.jpg

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I didn't post. This past week was Easter Holidays so I decided to fly on another field other than Hobbyland, a polo field over to the east coast of my country in a nice resort. Here are some pictures of the setup.

I believe this build thread is of my Futura that Ali sent me in no time...along with the other 2 airplanes...:D

Regards,

Axel

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Nice scheme Axel. Can I ask what type of bag you are using in the second picture to carry the Futura fuselage in?

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Thanks! I was a fan of the BMW M3 racing scheme back in those days.

The Futura fuselage bag was made down here in the DR by a guy who makes a living of putting leather cover seats to cars and suvs. It came out really good actually especially to carry the airplane inside a car for the fuel and scratches.

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Very nice, I like that scheme more and more each time I see it.

I wonder if Duncan has any hair left on his head after wrestling with those squares. :D

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

You're implying he had some before LOL

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Now that you mention it... :eek:

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

I have more on my chest than i do on my head !! LOL

That scheme did take some head scratching, but the end result was worth it.

Duncan

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Lander retracts arrived. Dropping them into the mounts showed that I had to make some new ply mounts for a nice fit.

http://claregrace.brinkster.net/futura/futura_15.jpg

All retracts fitted and the eFutura stands on its feet for the first time.

http://claregrace.brinkster.net/futura/futura_18.jpg

Ramtec 127mm fan arrived this morning.

http://claregrace.brinkster.net/futura/futura_16.jpg

Big Scorpion motor. 19-23lbs thrust on 12S.

http://claregrace.brinkster.net/futura/futura_17.jpg

Some work to do to get it fitted on the turbine rails. Need to cut some new rails and fit them ontop. Not too difficult but will then need to make a thrust tube. Inlet lip for fan will arrive soon but will start working on a closed system by making some intake ducting from a foam plug.

http://claregrace.brinkster.net/futura/futura_19.jpg

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Looking good Dom! Why the non-standard landing gear?

Ready for Bickley do you think?

Mark

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

Hey Mark. I prefer electric retracts as I've had a lot of success with them on other small EDF projects and the stock air retracts for the Futura from Tomahawk aren't cheap. As regards Bickley, I'm hoping to have it done and a maiden complete before the May electric meeting. I'm coming up for the Jet meet in June with Marc and Rich but I'm not keen on flying with turbines after I did last year. Us EDF pilots like to hear our fans...just in case the ESC smokes. :D

RE: Futura 1.9m Build
 

For something a little different, I'm sure we could arrange a little solo/quiet slot for you at Bickley! ;)

Cheers
Mark