Hey guys, I'm relatively new to pattern (currently in Sportsman), and I recently acquired a Composite-ARF Revolution Pro NIB. I know it's an older design, but should suit my current abilities just fine. It looks like a nice plane nonetheless. I'm looking for any set-up tips and tricks that worked for this airframe in it's day. Any info provided would be greatly appreciated.
Also, it's missing some of the hardware. Mainly the large DEPS tube that joins the one front and two rear smaller aluminum tubes, and it's support (maybe a standard DEPS from Central Hobbies would be a good alternative?). And the support that holds the ele. and rud. servo mounts (the instructions state that the servo mounts screw to a wood support that I assume is glued into the fuse?), and the throttle servo mount and how it is secured in the airframe.
I was going to use the factory installed engine mount beams and go with an OS140RX or maybe YS. I know the 140RX is a good, reliable engine,(and cheaper) but somewhat lacking in power. I'm smart enough to know that most pattern guys are flying YS for a reason.
Thanks again for your help.
Kevin

Kevin,

The 1.40RX will be fine for the Rev Pro. I really like the DEPS system from Central, but others have used 2 servos in the stab for elevators. Personal preference thing.

Arch

Arch,
That really suprises me coming from you. I know you flew the 140RX a long time, but your totally YS now. Is it because the Rev Pro is an older design and less draggy than the newer designs? Do you think the factory installed engine mount beams will be sufficient? And what header, pipe, prop, and fuel combo do you reccomend for the 140? Thanx for the help Arch. I have the VF3 kit, just don't have the time or resources to build it right now.
Kevin

Kevin,

You are right, I love my YS stuff now, but I also realize that for the older more slippery fuses the 1.40RX is hard to beat. It is a bullet proof engine and must less expensive to run. Also, you aren't going to be flying Masters or FAI with it anytime soon. I personally ran the 17X12 with an ES pipe on 15% Cool Power. Very simple setup. Others have played with bigger props and different setups, but I think the 17X12 was easy on the engine and ran fine on 15% Nitro. You are in a position that you just need to fly and that setup will do just that.

Arch

I agree with Archie. This is a very good plane and you are lucky to have found it NIB

I owned one of these but sold it before doing any work on it. However, I set-up two of them for a couple friends. One was flying it with an OS 140 rx and it was OK powerwise (not great, just okay) and the other was flown with a YS 140L which was underpowered. Actually the planes were a bit on the heavy side for those engines pushing 11 lbs with a larger wing than the current trend. The plane was fairly draggy compared to most 6-7 years ago.

Consider using the YS170 cdi in it. That's probably an easier set-up and many guys have experience with it that can help. I am not sure how the soft ally beam engine mount would hold up to a 170 cdi. It's holding up fine for the YS140L for at least 7 seasons on one of my friend's planes

..................and don't forget to install a central fuse crutch from the fin base to up past the wing trailing edge!

The RevPro and Impact have "history" which is there for you to read up on, plenty of info can be found within these pages.

FWIW, I ran a 140L in an Impact which was "ok" for up to Masters but beyond that you will need as Matt say's a bit more grunt.

Enjoy!

regards,

Andy.

I've heard about these "issues" with the older Comp-ARF designs needing the fuse crutch. My work takes up most of my time, so I rarely have the time to sit in front of the computer for hours looking for info. Do you know where I can find this info about why and how to install the fuse crutch? I appreciate the help, guys. That's one thing about pattern fliers, most are always willing to help out a fellow competitor.
Kevin

Kevin,

Some (very few) Impact fuses had a construction flaw in them where, under certain conditions, the fuse would buckle under flying loads. The buckling almost always would occur either just behind the wing, or just in front of the stab. Some models crashed but not all. I don't recall if the Rev Pro had the same problem although construction was the same.

The crutch is a piece of 1/4" depron that is inserted into the aft part of the fuse, from the TE of the wing to the LE of the stab. It is glued in horizontally making sure that the rudder cables would not interfere. Some people built a ladder from balsa which worked the same. These things are very lightweight, on the order of less than 1 ounce installed (includes the glue). The "fix" worked fine.

The aft part of the fuse is voluminous and the composite skin not quite strong enough for the load. Turned out as I recall that the herex material used to construct the fuse was too light and too thin which means the glass layers were too close to one another. To make these types of composites light enough for the application, light glass (2 oz, 3/4 oz) is used on outside and inside res. They must be separated enough to make the composite structure work. Had the herex been twice the thickness or only moderately heavier (maybe 4 lb per cu ft, like soft balsa, rather than 1 or 2 lb), it would have worked better. Guess what....light balsa is used now to make many of the pattern models.

Yeah the depron crutch or a balsa ladder will do the job just fine, see here: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_17...19/key_/tm.htm post #464 from PeterP.

I have to say I really enjoyed this airframe albeit very slippery! I also heard of the Rev Pro's fuselages cracking right at the wing t/e hence my earlier comment suggesting taking the crotch past this point which should introduce greater fuselage stability for only a couple of grammes of weight. I really want you to enjoy this airframe and am only trying to extend your pleasurable experience, not bashing or anything ,I'm past that long since and recovered from the insults fired at me by a certain company owner .

Hope the link helps you somewhat!

Regards,

Andy.

Matt and Andy,
Thanks for the explanation. The link was a great help as well. What would be the best adhesive to use to glue this crutch in? That goes for the servo mounts as well. I've never owned a composite airframe, so not sure what to use.

Kevin

There are at least a couple types you can use and both require that you sand the fuse insides as well as you can and as far back as you can. In general laminating epoxy is pretty good at not blooming but one can't guarantee non-bloom. So you at least want to clean the surface as well as you can with 93% IPA from Walmart.

Epoxy mixed with microballoons is the first choice and gorilla glue the second.

Good luck

Thanx


Kevin