Christmas in August
 

Look what Santa brought me today...............

RE: Christmas in August
 

Pried the lid off the box.......................

RE: Christmas in August
 

Franticly dug thru the Styrofoam..................................

RE: Christmas in August
 

pst panther ----i win

RE: Christmas in August
 

And guess what I found....................

RE: Christmas in August
 

30 Minutes later.............................

RE: Christmas in August
 

Awwwwwwwwww, Gerry.......................Come on howed you know????????

RE: Christmas in August
 

Hi terry,

Sweet bird, What are you going to power her with? Are you going to do the sliding canopy again.


Chris

RE: Christmas in August
 

Mw54 SS and.............................Yep!

RE: Christmas in August
 

see, it happened again. Santa passed me by again.........

no more cookies for him, maybe a case of beer


Mark

RE: Christmas in August
 

SSAAWWEEEETT[sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

RE: Christmas in August
 

Very,very nice Terry! With the SS it will be a super combo!
Roman

RE: Christmas in August
 

Terry,that is super nice.Wish I had one

RE: Christmas in August
 

Congratulations Terry!;) Now I see what to expect during the next week.:D Guess that I will need to borrow the mimivan to my wife.:eek: Can not figure how I'm going to transport that box in my Susuki Sidekick. Mine should be departing from warehouse to Puerto Rico during this week. I will be powering mine with a P-80. Now I can't wait to get it home. Terry can you give me some tips on how to make the canopy functional?

Rgds,
Alejandro

RE: Christmas in August
 

It is gonna be more work than it was on the Ziroli. But it should look better due to the separate canopy frame. You will need a 3 5/16" air ram from GN models some 3/16" brass or Aluminum sq tubing, 4 -1/16" dubro ball links and some 1/16" aluminum stock for the open front of the canopy. refer to the pictures of my Ziroli

RE: Christmas in August
 

Thanks Terry, but where exactly are the rails and where do I find them? I never did this job before. Want to try it in my cat, the way she take off and land was with the open canopy if I'm not wrong. I saw some pics of the AW cougar tha may help.

What servos are you plan to use in yours?

Rgds
Alejandro

RE: Christmas in August
 

In the pictures above there are 2 rails behind George and one on each side of his shoulders. The ball links that are attached to the front of the canopy frame slide in the rails on each side. (by his Shoulders) and you can see the frame, I built, that goes across with the other 2 ball links that slide in the rear rails. The cylinder is not yet installed in these pictures. It goes between the rear rails, which are covered when the canopy is closed, and all are visible when open. AS per full scale.

RE: Christmas in August
 

oops! I looked the pic again and saw them. Are those the 3/16 sq tubin for?

rgds

RE: Christmas in August
 

Mine arrived today. Here it is 15 minutes out of the box (wife was a little peaved since I didn't even make it to the workshop!) I decided to go with my own paintjob and have Glennis wheels & brakes with Robart gear for the Ziroli Panther. Mine's getting a P-70 for power. I'm glad to see the speed brakes and dive flaps are all separate molded pieces and don't have to be cut out or fabricated. I was also pleased with the quality of the internal construction. Mine had one of the tip tanks split in two, but there was no damage that little glue won't cure.

RE: Christmas in August
 

Glad to see that the panthers are making their ways to the front lawn and tabletop!! We are working on the sliding canopy option and will let you know as soon as it is available.

Terry, thanks for the notes and tips. From the first pic, I see that you have an elf helping you unpack...:D

Rongreg13, 15 minutes is pretty fast [X(]. Which color scheme? Thanks.

Rgds,
Kraivuth S.
PST Jets

RE: Christmas in August
 

Haven't decided on my paint scheme yet. I wasn't happy with the light shade of the blue straight from the factory, so I'm planning on painting my own with the correct shade of blue. Now I just have to choose one of the seemingly unending choices! The big question will be Marines or Navy.

RE: Christmas in August
 

Congratulations Terry! This is a very fine looking model that I would love to have someday. Wren SS would be my first choice too. Please give updates of the build and your comments about quaility and fit.

Regards,

Joe

RE: Christmas in August
 

We will have "Gloss Sea Blue" (as from the movie) on future Panthers. Problem is that -2, -4, and -5 have different shades of blue depending on their missions. :eek:

Kraivuth S.

RE: Christmas in August
 

I have one on order for a blue one with the scale options from Helijet. My friend Steve got tired of hearing me talk about mine coming, so he had me order a "Blue Tail Fly" for him. Of course, His came in Monday and now I have to listen to him!!!

When I get my PST Panther, that will be the sixth Panther between 3 of us. 2 Ziroli, 2 PST, A Dan Gill Panther and a JHH Panther.

RE: Christmas in August
 

How much fuel does it carry?

Think an Artes Falcon would be too much?

RE: Christmas in August
 

Comes with a 2L tank but there is tons of room up front for much more fuel. A Falcon will be just fine. There is also ample room for most any engine size!

Dean Wichmann
www.pstna.com

RE: Christmas in August
 

I saw the kit at Liberty Bell Jet Rally at the GNM booth. VERY impressive. I have my eyes on one of these for sure. Just curious to see if anyone has built one yet and how they would rate the building as well as time needed to build?

Thanks - Adil

RE: Christmas in August
 

I have one of the first ones. The building is superb, and the quality is nice, it goes together very fast and everything fits togethers very nicely. The elevator servo is probably the toughest thing to mount, but otherwise everything else is straight forward.
Mine is due to fly, I have put it off as long as I can and plan on doing this weekend. One thing after another has impeded my progress. Last time out, I lost a screw on the landing gear and t was an hour back home from the airport. My biggest concern is the weight. I had to put a good bit in the nose to get my CG correct. And I was really careful about making sure everything was as far forward as possilbe. After the test flight I will feel better I am sure. My plans are for Saturday morning, weather permitting, and the video will made. The real shame for me is that I have had this plane in my possession since November and have been so busy with work and other things that I have not flown it yet...[:@]
WIll update you when I give it try.
Tommy

RE: Christmas in August
 

Test Flight Report
The day finally came to test fly the PST Panther. My Panther (serial number 8 I believe), was delivered via special freight in Novemebr 2005. Mine was shipped in primer and painted by me, so you can find those particulars in another thread. I used the PST pipe, custom PST retracts and wheels with hydraulic brakes. No speed brakes nor inboard (fuse) flaps. Powered by PST 600R with PST fuel tank and BVM UAT in the nose. The plane required about 14 ounces of lead in the nose to balance at the reported CG of 3.75 inches rear of the LE of the wing at the root rib where the wing attaches. Temps today in the low 90's with a pretty stiff breeze, 7-10 with gusts to 12 down the runway, from the south. Humidity around 85%.
Engine fired right up, temps were in the 400's, everything looked good. Nothing but butterflies in my stomach to keep if from flying at this point. Taxied down wind for turnaround, flaps down to 15 degrees, turned into the wind and applied the brakes. I throttled up and released the brakes. Previous taxi testing had showed that you want lots of expo in the steering, the nose gear is very sensitive. So this time I was easy on the steering and she stayed right on the centerline, I eased into the elevator and she lifted off at about 200' and started skyward with authority. My immediate response was one of elation and my concern about it being too heavy faded. I retracted the gear and it was amazing to see the gear doors operate like they were supposed to do. The flaps came up and she immediately started to pick up speed. I decreased the throttle to cruise at around 75%. The aileron throws as suggested are very responsive, use expo in them to make it more manageable and soften it up. I noticed it took a little more elevator in the turn than my Ziroli, but that is probably due to the extra weight. As the Panther burned off fuel I noticed it became a little more pitch sensitive but did not appear to need more trim, it just became more sensitive. After take off I only needed about three clicks of up to fly level. This thing is beautiful in the air, pics to follow.
The interesting part of this story comes in around the 4.5 minute of the flight. I started to enter the pattern for landing and dropped the gear. I noticed right off that the speed started to decrease when the gear deployed so I increased the throttle a bump or two to maintain speed. I entered the down wind leg and everything felt fine. I put a few clicks of down in to maintain a solid rate of descent. When I dropped the flaps to the first degree (15 degrees), she immediately dropped the left wing. I throttled up immediated and started to retract the flaps. I was only about 80 feet high. THe engine was coming up to full power, but the gear was down. I gave it right rudder and she straighted up, but it was obvious that it was going to hit the ground. I hit the engine kill switch as it hit a small hill at about 30 degree angle. The plane bounced back into the air hitting at its front. It landed about 15 feet from where it first made contact. There was no fire.
Damage assesmment. The airframe was totally destroyed. The two main gear were destroyed, a testament to how well the landing gear blocks were in place. The frames were both twisted and the trunions ripped out, but the blocks were still in place. The tank ruptured, but there was no fire. The pipe was not hurt. The engine got a small ding in the can, but everything appears to move freely, but I have not attempted to start it again. One servo was destroyed, the rest appear to have made it thru without damage. The pilot lost his right hand
Lesson learned. The CG as quoted appear correct but the elevator is really sensitive here, make sure the fuel tank is empty when you check the C.G.. I did this, and even cut a small hole in the duct to move the engine as far forward as possible. If I get another one I will do the same but may even add a little more weight in the nose. The plane flew fine but felt like ti was becoming a little tail heavy as the fuel burned off. You may want to make sure that you have a good bit of expo in the elevator for the first flight at least when it is on high rate. Make sure you are on high when you start introducing the flaps and do not add the last bit of flaps unless you have altitude and throttle in play. The plane stops on a dime as the flaps come out. I had a little tail wind which contributed to my demise here. I let it get to slow, when you take into account the wind at my back. The plane flies nicely and looks so damn good in the air. I am mostly sick because I paid so much to get it here months ago, now mine is gone and there is a waiting list to get one....[:'(]...also my gear damage will have to be repaired at the factory. The brakes work nicely and are very realistic and smooth. The plane flies well on 14 pounds of thrust. Pay attention to the CG and be conservative with the flaps. PST has a winner. I just need to get back on the horse....
Tommy

RE: Christmas in August
 

Tommy, I'm glad you enjoyed the 4.5 min fligth. So sorry it ends with totaled plane. I got few pics of the aweson work you did to she. It's sad knowing that you lost that beautifull plane in the very first fligth. At least we have some inputs of the flying characterists and start learning from your experience. I hope you get the second one soon. I make it to the first batch and should be at home by the next week. Mine will be a blue tail with pst gear. For power my only P-80. So how much you think I can move the cg to the front for the first fligths?

Let's her RIP

Brgds,
Alejandro

RE: Christmas in August
 

Just stick with the described CG, mine was at 3.75 inches rear of the LE, as stated in the manual.. Yeah it was an expensive 4.5 minutes...LOL... She was unique and the color scheme looked really good in the air.

RE: Christmas in August
 

Here are the pics, R.I.P ole girl......

RE: Christmas in August
 

More....[:o]

RE: Christmas in August
 

Ok! How much expo you suggest? Are they apply to all surfaces? or just elv. and ail. I think a gyro for steering will help me. I can borrow the gyro from my BoomerXL she's not too sensitive in the runway. What servos did you used?

Alejandro

RE: Christmas in August
 

I think I am gonna go off somewhere now and cry.......

RE: Christmas in August
 

I would use expo on the nose steering, the elevator and the alierons. i was using the JR radio and had mine set at 40% and they seemed fine on the ailerons. I would increase mine next ne to 50 on the elevator, and I had about 60 set in the steering servo. You don't want too much steering, if she starts rocking back and forth, you are going to scuff a wingtip, not a doubt about it.,,,

RE: Christmas in August
 

I'll cry with you Tommy.... That just plain s*@&*

RE: Christmas in August
 

AS to servos I will have to look for specifics, but I do remember I did not use digitals on the flaps, I just used HD metal gear with lots of torque. I used a digital Hitec on the elevator, and a HD standard on the brake mechanism. Be sure to get all of the air bubbles out of your brake lines.

RE: Christmas in August
 

The sad remains, and Buck is crippled for life, he may never fly again.....:(

RE: Christmas in August
 

Ouch!!!! Now my tears are falling. You make me cry Bud. I think Buck will fly again, just few month in therapy and he'll make it.

I'm planning to use Fut.3305 on flaps, Jr digital for ail and elev, not sure yet for rudder if Digi. or analog. Still have 4 spares HT5625 one will go to the brake valve. the manual suggets lot of torque here.