I just bought a Great Planes Venus 40. My intent is to use a new Evolution 60 that I have, it's broken in and runs great.

The weight difference between the OS 50 and the Evo 60 is about 7 ounces. My thoughts were to use a 5 cell 6 volt 1100 mah battery and place it under or aft of the servo pan. This should help with the weight difference and CG although I do believe I will be in need of some aft weight on this.

I have an Airtronics RD8000 radio and am using the higher quality BB high-torque servo's. The aileron will get two servo's and I intend on using channels 2 and 6 for the aileron setup rather than the Y cable.

I am also thinking of using Sullivan carbon fiber rods for the elevator and rudder in place of the wooden stick and wire pushrods.

I saw that someone put the throttle servo (micro) in the engine compartment although I may not want to do this because of the weight issue with the EVO 60 engine. Any thoughts on this?

Any comments or hints on this setup or general hints or ideas on putting this together?

I do have a fairly new (maybe 20 flights or so) OS 50 SX that I could use on this, but wanted more power.. if needed. Don't know what engine I should use. Suggestion on this are also appreciated. I just hate to see that new Evo 60 sitting there.

DS.

I dont recall wooden and wire push rods when I built a Venus, the OS 50 will be plenty for this plane I had a GMS 47 in mine and it was a rocket

I have a Venus 40 with an OS 46 AX. That is plenty of power for the Sportsman and maybe the Intermediate patterns. It doesn't quite have unlimited vertical, but the pattern schedules don't need that. I feel the Evo 60 will have much more power than usable and you will be better served to use your OS 50. It will also save you some weight, and will likely be easier to balance.

I also did not have wooden pushrods. Just wire ones running in a sleeve.

I built it per instructions and put the battery in the compartment under the fuel tank and it balanced just forward of the instructions 4-5/8". The plane flies great (have 25 flights so far) and I have had no issues with its handling or strength so far.

The Great Planes website has an addendum for the instructions. It had a change in the distance the thrust washer was from the firewall when installing the engine and a change in how to install the cowell.

Hope you have as much fun with it as I am.

A friend use to have a Venus with a OS 70 4S and it was fast. For pattern you dont need HUGE power, just a smooth plane and if you keep it light it will be that. Try the 50 and see how it goes first.

The Venus 40 with the OS 50 is a very capable set up. No problem with the Sportsman or Intermediate schedules.

I'd avoid packing a heavier motor in this airplane,and then having to add even more weight to balance. Boat anchors don't make good pattern planes.

Think LIGHT and stay with the .50SX


'Race

Sounds like a consensus.. Ok, guys.. I'll stick with the OS50. Thanks for the input!

I have not yet received the Venus 40. I ordered it on Tuesday, supposed to be in tomorrow (Friday). That's the reason I said the wire-stick-wire pushrods, because I didn't know what was in the ARF. I still like the idea of using the Sullivan carbon rods, though. Only problem will be access to securing points in the fuse aft of the wing saddle. Again, I will see once I get the model on Friday.

DS.

It could be very FAST with that engine so I would suggest propping it for constant power rather than flat out speed.

I run mine with a Magnum 61 4 stroke and a 13x6 prop, I've also run it with a Super tigre 51 with an 11x6 prop. The Super Tigre made it waaaay fast.

It doesn't need to be fast to perform well and pretty but that is just my opinion. With the 61rfs it will go verticle nearly 2 rolls worth and holds knifedge well, I think that the saito 72 is probably the perfect power source for it (or the 82 or a YS63 - dreaming...).

Enjoy it though, it's a great plane.

I use an OS61FX in mine and the only mod I had to make to get it to balance first time with no extra weight added was to reposition the rudder servo to a hole I cut under the rear of the fuselage, using a double push/pull rod to two rudder horns.

I must have had at least 200 flights by now, and it still is the only model (of many!) that I have that always seems to be ready to fly without any effort.

I great model in every way.

-David C.

Wouldn't you know it. I installed the OS 50 this week and forgot to read the build addendum provided by Great Planes for this aircraft. The change was significant. Moved the engine back from the 4 15/16 inch as indicated in the plans to 4 1/2 inch as indicated in the addendum. Jeech. What was good was that the change put the mounting holes right smack inbetween each other so there was no real need to do anything but drill new holes and remount the engine.

I originally put a large Z bend in the throttle linkage so that it mated properly with the throttle, but fotunately, it was in a position that the reduced almost 1/2 inch of length did not turn out to be a problem. The throttle works just fine. By the way, I opted to use an inner hole in the servo so that I had more throttle resolution. Inner hole in the servo linkage and outer hole on the throttle. Does that sound right?

I mounted the vert/horizontal stabs last night. Nice and solid this AM. Tonite, it will be installing the rudder, elevator, and the pushrods. If time permits, installing the RX and Battery, using a 5 cell 6 volt 1100 mah by the way. Servo's are all high-torque Airtronics 92738's except the throttle which is a micro hi-torque, Airtronics 94141. I don't think I need a lot of torque to operate an engine throttle using steel rods, Dubro plastic clevis, through teflon tubes. Slips pretty good.

Does anyone have any suggestions regarding installation of the engine cowel? I have never installed one before and want to make sure this one looks good.

Hey, with any luck, maybe I can maiden it this weekend! We'll see, and I will report how things turn out next week.

Thanks, all, for your input.

DS.

I used card board templates for engine cut outs the transfer over to the cowl

Yeah, I saw that done once before. If my memory recalls, I tape the cardboard to the fuse then mark and cut out the places that the items, muffler, needle valve, ls mixture adjustment, and so on, then slip on the cowel without removing the cardboard templates, transfer the cutout positions to the cowel then cut them out. Sounds simple enough.. but believe me, I can make any simple project turn into a major headache..ha.. oops... sorry about that.

One more quickie. I have seen some pilots set up the fuel lines so that they pass from the tank to outside the cowel on the side, through a metal tube (brass) then back into the cowel to the engine. This seems to facilitate refuel and a place to pinch the fuel line to check hs mixture. Ever done that one?

DS.

It's been a while since I had my Venus, but I flew it on YS53 and YS63. It had unlimited vertical even with the 53, so your 50SX will be more than ample power. Mine came with two steel pushrods for the elevators, coupled to one servo. I replaced the steel with carbon fiber, saved a bit of tailweight. Rudder was pull/pull using nyrod instead of cable.

As to the fuel line set-up, I like the short loop outside the fuselage, but I've done that only when the tank is around the CG and I have fuselage space to work with to get the lines out and back in. No question this is the simplest and most foolproof for fueling, de-fueling, running engine dry, pinch test, etc. Also saves the expense of fancy and failure-prone fueling devices. Also no plugs to drop and lose in the grass. I use the Tetra ell fittings from Central Hobbies, also available at my LHS. I guess for a non-CG tank you'd put your tank right behind the firewall, run tubing from tanks out holes in the cowl with a hemostat from your hot air exit area, then do the same for your carb & muffler pressure lines through two more holes, then connect them with brass tubing. Neat idea, think I'll try it sometime. I would put plastic grommets around the holes in the cowl; these are not expensive at Radio Shack.

I set my Venus up with very moderate pattern throws--ailerons & elevators connected from closest hole in to hub on the servo arm and furthest hole out on the control horns. If you do this, you won't need high torque servos. If you're setting it up for 3D, then go the reverse of the above.

I have done throttle servo (Hitec 85) in engine compartment a couple times, and it has worked well. I like to err on the side of nose-heaviness, since that condition is easily corrected with a small amount of tailweight where needed.

As to rx battery, if you're thinking of a pattern setup you won't need anything more than standard servo torque, and you'll do well to avoid the weight of the fifth cell. If 3D, depending on how wild you want to get, the extra torque may be useful. However the Venus is not a heavy model, so I really think 40 in-oz servos on 4.8 volts would be plenty even for 3D.

I do recall that the Venus was my first occasion of CA hinges cracking and breaking (on the ailerons). If I were doing another Venus (and I might) I'd either use Radio South CA hinges (the best IMHO) or conventional hinges (Dubro, GP, Hayes). For 3D, I think I'd definitely use conventional hinges.

Majortom.. thanks for the input. The main reason for using the servo's that I am using is because I had them... lying around. The standard servo's are alread installed in other aircraft. I bought these servo's to put in the Excelleron 90 that I bought and intend to put together this winter. The Venus is a pattern practice plane, although from what I read, performed very well in the Sportsman category, which I am.

I intend to use what I have learned from the build of this aircraft on the Excelleron. It's interesting that they are almost the same in appearance and what is necessary for build experience except in a larger scale and it does have the pull-pull system using cables vs the wire system on the Venus. Oh, the new Venus has only one pushrod for the rudder but a dual setup metal pushrod for the elevator.

The fuel tank does exit at the firewall, however, I put in 'bent' metal tubing pointing toward the right side of the aircraft where I can exit the cowel, make that loop, then reenter the cowel adjacent to the needle valve, which on the OS50 is on the rear of the engine. That reminds me.. I have to make sure I put the wire extension on the needle valve adjustment screw so I can get at it.

As far as the battery is concerned, again, it is one that I bought for the Excelleron 90 (5 cell so 6 volt, 1100mah) system so I will just stick with that.

Yes, this plane is VERY light. I was impressed with it yesterday when I put the wing on with the engine, three of five servo's, receiver, and battery, then lifted it. I was expecting something on the order of my Tiger 60 but this is much lighter. I will definitely weigh it when finished just to see how it turns out.

I've heard suggestions from 11-8 to 13.6 props. Not sure what one I want to turn on this yet... have all sorts ranging in length/pitch combinations so I can just about try any combination until I get what I want.. or what I seem to think I want...

I will report next week, if I do finish it this weekend, and let everyone know how it turned out and how it flew... pictures included.

DS.

I'd be inclined toward the 13" diameter prop. I flew a 46FX powered profile this summer on 13x6 and had mucho vertical on a 5 pound profile. Bigger diameter will help you with braking on downlines, and you won't need the speed of a higher pitch prop. With the 50SX maybe even a 14" prop, if it will have enough ground clearance.

The other thing I'd mention is to make sure you can get your idle down very low for landing in light or no breeze. First time I tried to land my Venus there was no wind to speak of, and the plane absolutely would not get down through ground effect. I had to take it up and run out the tank and then deadstick it in. After that I learned all about Idle Down and Throttle Kill on my Futaba 8U.

Sounds like your original question was about C.G. What I have learned, & I do with all my planes, is set the C.G. where the instructions tell you to. Fly the plane, trim it for straight & level. Roll it inverted & see how much down elevator it takes to fly level. If the nose drops, nose heavy. If opposite, tail heavy. Most will be nose heavy. l If so, move weight back. Get it so it takes a tad of down elevator to fly level inverted. I have done this with all my planes & they are a blast to fly. Set the C.G. where the plane wants it. The only adverse effect to doing this is they tend to float when landing. I correct this by setting a couple of clicks of down elevator trim on the base leg of my approach. This allows me to fly it in to the landing.
Hope this helps
Mark

Great input from everyone. Today, I maidened the plane. Several issues before today, so I will address them one at a time.

1. Weight, when finished is 5.65 pounds.

2. CG. I marked the plane as indicated in the build instructions. I am using the OS 50, and a 5 cell 6 volt 1100mah battey that was placed as far forward in the radio compartment as possible, just behind the fuel tank compartment. It balanced out exactly where the instructions said it would. There was no nose dip nor any tail dip, perfect point of balance. I added 2 ounces of withgt to the nose to give it some initial nose weight for the first flights. I can remove that as necessary/needed.

3. I set the throws by eye. I wanted to make sure I had enough to fly. As it turned out, my maiden flight showed that there was to much elevator and aileron throw. Ther is never enough rudder throw..ha.. oops. After landing the first flight, I took out some of the elevator throw. By the way, it took three clicks of down to get it to fly straight. That was all. No problems with take off or aileron. Happy happy!! OK..

4. I flew it again then did some aerobatics. Flew just grand. But, I was still a bit unappy with the snap of the roll and the fact that I felt there was still to much elevator, so I landed it and removed some throw from both the aileron and the elevator. I put it back up and it flew just great, throws were,. what I felt anyway, very comfortable and the aircraft was veryu capable.

Battery recharge time.

After I recharged the batteries (TX and RX). I refueled and put it up. Problems. The engine surged, and did not behave very well. I opted to land immediately, however, during landing, the throttle went to full then back to idle without input from me. I struggled to get it down, but manage dto land without incident. We (Ron is our club 'pro') looked it over and got the immediate impression that it was not the engine .... duh.. again I guess.

Ok.. took the wing off and turned on the TX and RX. With no input, the throttle servo kept moving, often to full open then to full shut. Not sure what happened to this servo, but it's history!!! Lucky for me, I discovered it and managed to get the plane on the ground before it caused problems. By the way, all other servo's were solid, no gitter, no irregular movement.. so it's either the servo or... the RX with a bad channel. I'll see and report.

Thanks to all for your input and recommendations. I do love the way it flys and think it will be my favorite plane.

DS.

Boy you dodged a bullet that time! Glad you got it back down OK. I wondered when I saw your comment about the high-torque micro for throttle servo. I have no experience with Airtronics equipment, but I know they're favored by some pattern fliers. A normal carburetor throttle should move easily, requiring not much at all in the way of servo torque, but I have seen some that find something to catch on or get sticky in some part of their range. I've been known to use the Hitec 85MG for throttle servo, but I always feel better when using at least a standard servo, and often standard digital.

If a servo with a mind of its own starts thinking independently on a control surface, that of course can easily be fatal. On throttle it may not be so bad, unless it goes to full in the pits when you're not paying attention. I hope you send it back to the mfr and give them a blast. I suppose the trouble could have been interference, but manufacturers need to know about this stuff when it happens.

Anyway it sounds like one more happy Venus flyer, and that's great. Enjoy your plane, you should get a ton of fun out of it.

Hello, MajorTom.

Yeah, it was a bit hairy on landing when the thing went to full then back. Ron was with me and he said 'Did you just do that?' I replied NO!! I gotta get it down NOW. So, the landing was a tad long cuz of that burst of throttle (man that plane is slippery, accelerates with authority, even in a burst like that). Anyway, the servo was definitely moving by itself, the other two in the radio compartment were perfectly still until I moved their stick. I would think inteference would effect all servos????

Anyway, the servo has been swapped out, did that last night, and the plane is ready to fly. Only one problem.. I am headed over to Europe for a few days tomorrow night so won't get to fly till the 8th.. blah!!

Thanks for the input and the encouragement. Yep, it flys great and I love it!!

DS.

Told you the 50SX would be plenty...Good to see you like it..

Yup.. it sure has lots of power for that plane. Good choice, and thanks for the recommendation.

DS.

What prop did you end up running on that? I'm taking my 61 4 stroke out this week and putting a 46 or 51 2 stroke in because I want a little change and I need to break one of them in for my upcoming Kougar.

With the 51 I would normally run an 11x6 or so.

CG,
I´ve been flying my Venus 40 with my O.S. 50 (fitted with a Tower Hobbies muffler) for more than a year now, I´ve tried several props, 11X5, 11X6, 12X4, 12X5, 12X6 and 12.25X3.75.
The best set up for me is the 12X6, 12200 rpm, nice sound, fast, very fast, and unlimited vertical.
Best regards.

RVE

Hi Guys.

Sorry I have not read the postings in a couple weeks. After I got back from Austria, I had to head south to Florida and..yep, Wilma.. saw both sides of that damned storm.. we were in Sarasota/Bradenton so we got wind and some rain but not the solid hit like they got in Naples. Then I flew home on Tuesday only to greet the storm of the NJ coast causing some serious issues along the coast.

Anyway, needless to say, I have not flown the Venus since my last report when I encountered the servo problem. As I said, I replaced the servo and am ready to take it up again. The weather is supposed to improve this weekend so hopefully I can burn some fuel.

I have been also working on the Excelleron 90. Expect that will be done by Thanksgiving or so, but going to focus my flying with the Venus for a while to get used to that slippery airframe.

Regarding props.. I forgot what prop I am using right now, I believe it is a 13-6 APC. I have a small collection of props ranging in diameter from 11 to 14 inches and pitch from 4 to 9, and have one 14-10 prop somewhere, but that's not going to be used on anything. Bought it to mount on the Tiger 60 w/Super Tigre 75 and tuned pipe. Probably fly the wings right off that Tiger..ha.

I will get out a flight report after this weekend to let you guys know how it all went for the 'second maiden'.

DS.

Hi Guys.

We (several of us) were flying yesterday (Sunday). Although it was a tad windy, we had a good flying day. I found my engine problem, it would surge and behave strangely after about a half tank was run through it. So, I took the tank out and found that the clunk was wraped around the vent tube and stuck in about the center of the tank. I re-adjusted it so it would'nt to that again and then put a different prop (had been using an APC 12-7, someone suggested an APC 13-6 which is what I changed to).

With the OS-50, it accelerates nicely, climbs like there is no tomorrow, and slows down nicely for landings. Performs great. So, the Venus 40 is doing just great.

Four of us are starting out new in the Sportsman level Pattern. So, we started doing the maneuvers yesterday, going to practice as much as we can during the winter months getting ready for the 2006 season. Should be an interesting season.

I intend to practice with the Venus 40 as I am building an Excelleron 90, that build is about half completed. I have to put on the control surfaces on the tail, then the linkage for the pull-pull system, servo's for the tail surfaces and engine throttle. The wing is done, complete with servo's and linkage.

Meanwhile, though the Venus is doing just fine. The club 'pro' flew it and said it is a good airplane. Sooo.. onward we go into the pattern world.

So, as it is now, it is equipped with the OS 50 SX and an APC 13-6 prop. S&W 15% Hi-Rev fuel, Airtronics RD8000 using high torque Ball Bearing servo's for all control surfaces, and a standard servo for the throttle. All throw settings are according to the manual. I set in 35% expo and no dual rate. I am going to disable the spoiler function by setting all switch settings at 100% (or 0% which ever effectively disables that function) as I am using dual servo's on two different channels rather than a Y connector. The radio has 8 channels so I am using 2 and 6 for the ailerons and setting the system for spoilerons. Other than that, the plane is stock.

DS.