Tango Assembly
 

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? :D

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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!

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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!

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Sorry Mark, The hinges are not pre-drilled [:o]. 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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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.

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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.

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


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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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...

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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.

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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.

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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.

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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

Todd

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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

RE: Tango Assembly
 

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!!

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


Here's a few more.....

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Few more....

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Todd,

Where did you get the air pressure indicator's that you have mounted in the model?

Your Tango is looking great!!

Thanks, Wayne

RE: Tango Assembly
 

You are one heck of a builder Todd...this is such neat work...and in such short time...way to go pal!!!

RE: Tango Assembly
 

That's an SMC pneumatic pressure gauge. BVM sells them. Look in the 'air cylinders and accessories' page at www.bvmjets.com

Kelly

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Few shots of completed Tango....

RE: Tango Assembly
 

few more

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Put six more flights on the Tango yesterday, finally got it dialed in just the way I like it.

Did some high speed full power passes with the P-80 and clocked the plane with a stalker radar, top speed recorded was 172..... No speed limiter needed ;)

For those looking for Bobcat performance at 1/3 the price and in ARF form, you wont be dissapointed with the Tango!

Todd

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Hi Todd,

Glad to hear that you're enjoying the Tango ! I'm working on mine but can't do much more until I get the gear ( almost 2 months already !). A few questions if you don't mind.
How is your accessory tray held in ? It looks to be removable. What control throws are you using ? In an earlier post you mention a mod to the nose gear mount. Could you elaborate ? Did you seal the aileron gap ?

Thanks,
Marc

RE: Tango Assembly
 

As far as gap questions go, is it me, or does the elevator have the worst gap than all the other control surfaces? Mine didn't line up well at all cause the elevator itself was bowed out in the middle a little.

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Todd, I just got my Tango in the air last week, P 80 power but with fixed gear.
I have added about 1/8th inch of Ail. differential to get the roll straight. I might try
to add a little more as I get more flight time on it. Is this what you are finding on
yours? Also mine has a slight pitch to the canopy on the vertical up line, could be
a result of the fixed gear. Did you notice this on yours?

For all those interested, this is a very solid flying airplane, should work well on short
grass fields, very aerobatic, and a good first jet.

Also, I did seal the elevator with a strip of monokote.

KIM FOSTER

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Marc,
I did make the accessory tray is removable, I just installed a 1/4 x 1/4 spruce stick to the foward former and the top tray screws into it to lock it in place. Contol throws.... Have to check them for you tonight since I increased some this weekend. As for the nose gear mod, it's very easy..... The original setup top mounted the gear, the retract comes with both top mount and firewall mount. What I have done is placed a spacer block between the forward bulkhead and the retract, my gear is now mounted using the four top mount bolts and the two lower firewall mounting holes. This secures the gear in the directions of load, both upward and rearward. The spacer will be pre-installed and mounting holes pre-drilled on future kits. I did not seal any of the contol surface gaps, I wanted to see if it would have any issues unsealed. No problems experienced with not sealing the gaps but would expect better surface response with them sealed.

Sean,
Should have let me know about the elevator!!! All the surfaces should be straight and true, let me know if you want to replace it.....
Todd

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Kim,

Because of the top hinge line on the ailerons some differential is built in that needs to be programmed out for axial rolls, some opposite differential in the setup is required. I do not experience any pitch in the vertical lines and suspect that is your fixed gear creating this affect. Strange though, I would think it would want to pitch towards its belly? Have you noticed any pitch change with throttle?
Todd

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Todd, I'm not sure I want to cut the hinges off and do it over again. I'll take a pic tonight and you can see that at each end of the elevator it butts to the horizontal stab and then at the center, there is about an 1/8th inch gap. I'm not sure that's enough to warrant doing it over. I've never sealed gaps on any airplane I've ever had. So I'm not sure even how to do it properly. If you tell me it's necessary, I'll call you tonight to ask how to do it.

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Thanks Todd, My differential is more up then down throw, I did not notice any pitch
change with thrust changes but honestly only have 4 flights. I will need a few more
before I can really tell whats going on, I also noticed a pitch to the canopy on long
inverted climb outs. I imagine I will need to shim the engine somewhere down the
line. These are only slight pitch changes, nothing that is terribly wrong.

Sealing the hinge line is something that should really be done on every airplane.
On the Tango it is easy, just cut a 3/4 inch strip of monokote, fold it in half, and
seal it in place with the elevator held in the full up position.

Did I mention how great Don and Carla are to work with?

Thanks
KIM FOSTER

RE: Tango Assembly
 

Kim,

I did notice on mine the first flight that I had some slight pitch change toward the canopy at high power. One washer under the rear mounting lug bolt corrected the thust line. You may need to add a washer (perhaps two with the extra drag of the fixed gear). Trim the plane at a low thrust setting then add full power and see if the plane tends to climb or sink slightly.

Sean, I'll call you later ;)
Todd