Maybe I'm just silly, but why not use a single CF or fiberglass pushrod with forked rods to operate the elevators, ala Piedmont Focus2?

Why go to all that trouble ?
The pull-pull tubes are already installed in the fuselage . works great.

tommy s

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYBODY !!

I was thinking about this discussion last night and about how long it has become. It's
obvious there is a lot of interest in the Excelleron 90 , so I want to say something just
so there won't be any misunderstanding about anything I have said.
The changes Eddie, Bob, myself and others have made to this ship are not needed
or necessary to have a great flying airplane. If built entirely by the assembly instructions ,
with the included hardware , it will be a very good airplane. I think it's great when someone
changes things to put his or her own personal touch on an airplane , that's kind of what this
hobby is all about , but I just don't want anyone thinking they have to change things just
because I did it , it's just my personal preference.

Happy Flying

tommy s

Very well put, and I agree COMPLETELY!!!
And Merry CHristmas to all, too!

Particularly, I want to be "on record" as stating that the ST 2300 is an obscenely-overpowered setup. One MUST be fully aware of the limits of airframes, and the need to have "perfection" in control and radio setups to withstand this kind of power.

The only area where I may possibly disagree with the "build it stock" recommendation is the steel hinges. If you fly a lot, you will find them troublesome over the long haul. And refitting CA hinges AFTER there's a lot of wear and tear could prove a challenge.

ANYWAY - for all those following this thread....it is a WONDERFUL airplane, and it truly looks like, acts like, and "feels" like a 2 M ship. You could spend a LOT more money and get far, far worse performance!!!

Merry Christmas to you and all tommy s,

I am always open to learning something new and this is a good learning experience as I hopefully progress in Pattern flying and plane building.
I appreciate everyones input and especially Aerobob for his contributuions on many topics.
I was sizing up my TT 120RP for installation in to my Excelleron and then I placed my Saito 1.50 in there. Fits fine and is lighter then the TT 120 and pipe. I'm trying to fight off the urge as we speak.

If I had a Saito 150 just laying around, I'd install it in a heartbeat. Just too easy to do otherwise. Having said that, I doubt that it will produce as much umph as the TT 120, but it may.

If there's an easy, less-expensive, and equal-performing way to set ANYTHING up, that is ALWAYS my choice....

Chronic laziness begats creativity and "MacGyver-ism". Guilty on BOTH counts.

Gee I don't know Bob, I think by the time I get done with mine, I'll be hovering this puppy with high rates, and making another feeble attempt at Sportsman in D4 with the low rates.

I just love the power, but as we talked earlier, I do remember where the throttle stick is.

Back to my Dad's for a Christmas visit.

Merry Christmas to all, I'll be back later.

Ken

I must admit that I was thinking the 1.50 would be easier to install, no pipe tunnel. Well, I've got time to think about it.
I'll have to check out tank height vs carb on the Saito. I like the idea of the pump on the TT 120. I knew haveing too many engines would be a problem. I've got a Saito .72 on my Javelin II and it is performing very well.
The last 2 days the temperature got up to freezing, sun shineing and no wind. I went flying.

Bill

Allrighty - had some time before kids/g-kids come over, so I wrapped up the refit of the Exc for the ST. It took more work, and more tail weight than I had calculated.

So - to make the additional 2 ozs meaningful, I installed my 4 cell, 2700mah NiMh. Where, you ask?
Right in front of the stab l.e., in the fuse. Had to cut out a hatch, etc. Wasn't a big deal, and the pack is fresh, so I'm figuring it will be awhile before I have to get back in there. Took an 18" extension (had a 22 ga. one, new, in the bag).

It now balances with EMPTY tank exactly at 7 3/8" aft. Figuring since the tank won't be empty, I'll actually be somewhere around 7.25, about half through the flight.

Been an interesting refit for the ST.
Now all I need is the header (I used a nearly identical Mueller from my OS 1.60. Length and weight is the same.
I think I'm gonna call it "good".

Hey Bob,

What happened to the old avatar?

What is the final weight with the ST 2300?

I rotate 'em periodically.

9 lbs. 3 oz.

Hi Guys,
Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Thought I would post my planned setup for the Plane. Mostly stock, except for hinges, which will be Radio South 1/4 scale ca, then I will use Dubro control horns #867. As for the power plant I found a Tiger Shark 1.20 ABC with muffler for $139.00 and got it ordered. I'll let you know how it all screws together.
Greg

Should be good combination . The only modification you have to do without
exception is reinforce the landing gear area. The stock mounting is much too
weak. It WILL break loose. Good luck.

tommy s

Hi all,
I've decided to go with my TT 120RP for power. The Saito 1.50 would have taken some major surgery on the front of the motor mounting flanges. If they were just squared off I might have tried to use the 1.50 but cast braceing to the front crank shaft housing that connects there. The pipe header will require some cutting at the bottom of the firewall. From there on a modification similar to AreoBobs setup should work. The end of the pipe will clear the fuselage past the trailing edge for the wing. I am going to use Sig hinges as per AreoBob and I purchased some of his pipe coupling tubing to connect the pipe and header. Ordered some hardware (Dubro horn, etc), servos and a battery pack (6 Volt) so here I go.

Bill

Tommy,
How did you reinforce your landing gear area?
Greg

Just used some 1/2" triangle stock in the corners and lightweight f-glass cloth
with Z-Poxy finishing resin inside the fuselage under the tank area , strengthens
and fuel proofs.

tommy s

Thanks,
I'll do the same.
Greg

Aerobob,

How did the header fit? I'm waiting to hear how yours works before I order my own.

So are a couple others! Karl told me it shipped on the 22nd, Priority, so....that means it should be here tomorrow/Friday at the latest. I have rechecked all the measurements though, and it will be very good, I'm sure.

When I get it, I'll assemble and post pics... I am really itching to get this one going!

Update - getting final touches done. Header isn't here yet....but...I solved the landing gear height issue, pretty inexpensively. Distributors of the Icepoint [link=http://www.ultra-rc.com/store/]Ultra RC Distributors[/link] have spare CF gear FOR the Icepoint that measures 7 5/8". That's just about right to do a 17" with great clearance on the Excelleron. $40, including shipping. Thought ya'll who are doing the big motor install on the Exc would want to know.

Hello Bob....Glad to see this thread on a fine product ; really a fine built and flying aircraft.
If anyone is interested... the canopy from the Icepoint adds alittle side area, looks cool and only cost $13.00.... its also on the Ultra RC website. I'm going to tint and mount it later on and can upload pics if anyone is interested....
Doc

THAT is a pretty cool canopy....and the additional area is probably exactly where it needs to be to even FURTHER enhance rolling and knife-edge flight. Thanks for posting!!

You guys have me thinking about push rods, control takeoffs, etc.. Did any of you swing your aileron push rods a few degrees toward the wingtip so they would be at a 90 degree angle to the aileron hinge line, or is that getting a little too INTERGALACTIC?
Greg

Well, I don't know about intergalactic stuff...but...I use a JR 10X, so I have pretty good control over travels, sub trims, etc. Wonder what, if any, difference that span-wise angular difference DOES make?

Anyone know for sure?
Good question, Greg!

Hi Bob,
Good tip on the Icepoint landing gear. I was comparing the Bolly F3A-Std and F3A-Large gear to the stock landing gear today. It looked like the large would be none too tall. Then I saw your note for the Icepoint gear. That will definitely be enough clearance. Mine is on order.
The pipe tubing arrived today. Great service! Thanks.

Best regards,
Bill