DONT OVER THINK IT!!!
11-18-2003, 12:55 PM
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DONT OVER THINK IT!!!
Guys,
I'm not a frequent reader of this forum, but I pop in now and then 'cause I have a SPA3D. I'm reading a lot of posts asking if it is okay to do this or that,what about the weight penalty, will this work, blah, blah, blah...
These planes are SPAD's...dont over think them. If you want to try something, by all means do it. If it does not work, take it off and try something else. It is not like you have to do major sugery on a stick built airframe on a giant scale warbird that is overweight and has a high wing loading that has to be flown at the same speed as the full scale version.
If you want 2 servos in the wing for flaperons, cut a hole in the wing and put the servos in. screw them down and hook your linkages up and fly. If you dont like the results, take the servos out, tape over the hole and try something else.
I don't mean to rant, but geeze...keep in mind what SPAD means, especially the first letter...SIMPLE (Plastic Airplane Design).
Now, go fly.
Jon
I'm not a frequent reader of this forum, but I pop in now and then 'cause I have a SPA3D. I'm reading a lot of posts asking if it is okay to do this or that,what about the weight penalty, will this work, blah, blah, blah...
These planes are SPAD's...dont over think them. If you want to try something, by all means do it. If it does not work, take it off and try something else. It is not like you have to do major sugery on a stick built airframe on a giant scale warbird that is overweight and has a high wing loading that has to be flown at the same speed as the full scale version.
If you want 2 servos in the wing for flaperons, cut a hole in the wing and put the servos in. screw them down and hook your linkages up and fly. If you dont like the results, take the servos out, tape over the hole and try something else.
I don't mean to rant, but geeze...keep in mind what SPAD means, especially the first letter...SIMPLE (Plastic Airplane Design).
Now, go fly.
Jon
11-18-2003, 01:21 PM
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RE: DONT OVER THINK IT!!!
Big Daddy,
I did not mean to offend anyone, I just wanted to reinterate that these are not Top Gun scale models. Experiment and have fun
Jon
I did not mean to offend anyone, I just wanted to reinterate that these are not Top Gun scale models. Experiment and have fun
Jon
11-18-2003, 03:20 PM
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RE: DONT OVER THINK IT!!!
If it's any consulatiuon, Kraut and I have built hundreds of Spads...a lot more than have made it to the web page...we tend to fly first and think later...it's a lot more fun that way. A drill, exacto, duct tape and zip-ties are always in the car at the field
11-18-2003, 03:49 PM
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RE: DONT OVER THINK IT!!!
Its funny...because it seems like when I first started in this hobby some 28ish years ago....even 18 years ago...it seemed to be more like that. I tend to get in and out as I get bored easily.
Now, the radios are so complicated. Everyone is an expert and theres only one way to do anything and only one kind of product works. It certainly is refreshing to get back to basics....
Now, the radios are so complicated. Everyone is an expert and theres only one way to do anything and only one kind of product works. It certainly is refreshing to get back to basics....
11-18-2003, 03:50 PM
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But what if you just want to go fly?
If you are a regular SPAD reader (like me), you will know that
many of those who do NOT stick to the plans, will often post:
"What's wrong with my SPA3D (QHOR etc)"?
If a person is not overly interested in experimentation,
and actually wants to end up with a good flying plane on his
first try, he will stick to the plans as much as he can.
BUT, if he has been reading all those "What's wrong" postings,
he might want to check with others before making ANY
changes to the basic designs.
---
For me, an interesting element of this hobby is the
brainstorming and on-line research that comes
before making that first Coroplas cut.
5/32 wire landing gear isn't in the standard SPA3D plans.
I stole 2 or 3 neat ideas from other SPADers to create
my own wire landing gear that doesn't require any extra
nuts, bolts etc. How did I do it? (one might ask)
I posted questions: "How did you mount that 5/32 LG?"
a few times and no one said "Just do it", they just showed
me how they did it. I used a combination of their ideas
to make mine. (IMHO, mine is totally cool)!
LOL
Anyway, that's what I thought these forums were for.
Am I wrong?
many of those who do NOT stick to the plans, will often post:
"What's wrong with my SPA3D (QHOR etc)"?
If a person is not overly interested in experimentation,
and actually wants to end up with a good flying plane on his
first try, he will stick to the plans as much as he can.
BUT, if he has been reading all those "What's wrong" postings,
he might want to check with others before making ANY
changes to the basic designs.
---
For me, an interesting element of this hobby is the
brainstorming and on-line research that comes
before making that first Coroplas cut.
5/32 wire landing gear isn't in the standard SPA3D plans.
I stole 2 or 3 neat ideas from other SPADers to create
my own wire landing gear that doesn't require any extra
nuts, bolts etc. How did I do it? (one might ask)
I posted questions: "How did you mount that 5/32 LG?"
a few times and no one said "Just do it", they just showed
me how they did it. I used a combination of their ideas
to make mine. (IMHO, mine is totally cool)!
LOLAnyway, that's what I thought these forums were for.
Am I wrong?
11-18-2003, 04:09 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
ORIGINAL: rlt55
5/32 wire landing gear isn't in the standard SPA3D plans.
I stole 2 or 3 neat ideas from other SPADers to create
my own wire landing gear that doesn't require any extra
nuts, bolts etc. How did I do it? (one might ask)
5/32 wire landing gear isn't in the standard SPA3D plans.
I stole 2 or 3 neat ideas from other SPADers to create
my own wire landing gear that doesn't require any extra
nuts, bolts etc. How did I do it? (one might ask)
I've not crossed that creek yet, but I thought the idea I was thinking about was going to be the best. But, mine does require screws so maybe it isn't....lol
11-18-2003, 04:18 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
Now, the radios are so complicated.
It certainly is refreshing to get back to basics....
11-18-2003, 05:46 PM
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RE: DONT OVER THINK IT!!!
ORIGINAL: XtremeAerosport-RCU
These planes are SPAD's...dont over think them.
These planes are SPAD's...dont over think them.
11-18-2003, 05:51 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
The new radios arnt complicated (at least the major name brands arnt). Take the book with you to the can and read it. You can do some amazing stuff with just a little reading. Also I agree with the original poster. Just try stuff, I bet thats how SPAD started. I doubt the forefathers of SPAD sat down with advanced formulas for success. I have made a lot of changes. Some of them no so good but some of them were great. If your afraid to try anything then we will never discover anything new.
11-18-2003, 06:10 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
Another good read about Spadding, posted by Ross Kean on spadworld.
I originally posted this on the RCCA forum, but I thought it might be useful for new SPADers visiting here. Slightly edited, but essentially the same information.
Newbies
Welcome to the SPAD forum. Here, you will find a friendly bunch who are willing to help you with your projects and with almost anything else RC related! We listen and make recommendations based upon what has worked for us and based upon what we have read. Please remember that we have gained this knowledge over the years from many different sources - it doesn't happen overnight and we all know that an appropriate word at the right time from a more experienced builder/flier etc can save a lot of time, trouble, heartache, and expense.
We are a resource, but don't assume that our ways are the only ones that are effective. (Don't assume that our opinions are even necessarily correct.) I would suggest that if you have a question or need information about a building related topic, USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION on the forum. At the time of this writing, this forum is relatively new and there is not (yet) a lot of information here. On the RCCA forum, there have been thousands of posts on almost every conceivable topic for over a year. I am willing to bet you might have some difficulty in finding an RC topic that hasn't been touched. The RCCA forum (linked from the SpadWorld index page) is also searchable.
Read what's been written here first and go to other Internet sites for more information. We have posted many links to some really fabulous resources out there. Get familiar with www.spadtothebone.com , in particular.
Once you have a little understanding of the topic, but need some further insight, ask away! As you may have noticed, you will get lots of prompt answers. Not all will agree with each other but there are many different viewpoints and seeing different sides is part of the learning process.
I am only now getting to the point of this thread. TRY STUFF!!! When it comes to building SPADS, there is no "right way" to do things. Think outside the box and give it a go. Nobody here went to SPAD school and we aren't all design engineers. The real fun of this kind of building is CREATIVITY. Nothing provides a nicer feeling than discovering a new technique or developing your own airplane design or modification. This is a very expensive and time-consuming proposition for balsa builders, but is very do-able for SPADS. The more you do on your own, the more you will learn and the more fun you will have. Solve a problem by yourself and share your experience with the rest of us! There's nothing like a new idea to spark discussion and get the creative juices flowing.
SPAD is our name and TLAR is our mantra. (That Looks About Right)
This is all about fun, fellowship and learning. Go out there and ENJOY!
Ross
Newbies
Welcome to the SPAD forum. Here, you will find a friendly bunch who are willing to help you with your projects and with almost anything else RC related! We listen and make recommendations based upon what has worked for us and based upon what we have read. Please remember that we have gained this knowledge over the years from many different sources - it doesn't happen overnight and we all know that an appropriate word at the right time from a more experienced builder/flier etc can save a lot of time, trouble, heartache, and expense.
We are a resource, but don't assume that our ways are the only ones that are effective. (Don't assume that our opinions are even necessarily correct.) I would suggest that if you have a question or need information about a building related topic, USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION on the forum. At the time of this writing, this forum is relatively new and there is not (yet) a lot of information here. On the RCCA forum, there have been thousands of posts on almost every conceivable topic for over a year. I am willing to bet you might have some difficulty in finding an RC topic that hasn't been touched. The RCCA forum (linked from the SpadWorld index page) is also searchable.
Read what's been written here first and go to other Internet sites for more information. We have posted many links to some really fabulous resources out there. Get familiar with www.spadtothebone.com , in particular.
Once you have a little understanding of the topic, but need some further insight, ask away! As you may have noticed, you will get lots of prompt answers. Not all will agree with each other but there are many different viewpoints and seeing different sides is part of the learning process.
I am only now getting to the point of this thread. TRY STUFF!!! When it comes to building SPADS, there is no "right way" to do things. Think outside the box and give it a go. Nobody here went to SPAD school and we aren't all design engineers. The real fun of this kind of building is CREATIVITY. Nothing provides a nicer feeling than discovering a new technique or developing your own airplane design or modification. This is a very expensive and time-consuming proposition for balsa builders, but is very do-able for SPADS. The more you do on your own, the more you will learn and the more fun you will have. Solve a problem by yourself and share your experience with the rest of us! There's nothing like a new idea to spark discussion and get the creative juices flowing.
SPAD is our name and TLAR is our mantra. (That Looks About Right)
This is all about fun, fellowship and learning. Go out there and ENJOY!
Ross
11-18-2003, 07:17 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
ORIGINAL: 2MuchThrow
Ok, so post how you did it...
I've not crossed that creek yet, but I thought the idea I was thinking about was going to be the best. But, mine does require screws so maybe it isn't....lol
ORIGINAL: rlt55
5/32 wire landing gear isn't in the standard SPA3D plans.
I stole 2 or 3 neat ideas from other SPADers to create
my own wire landing gear that doesn't require any extra
nuts, bolts etc. How did I do it? (one might ask)
5/32 wire landing gear isn't in the standard SPA3D plans.
I stole 2 or 3 neat ideas from other SPADers to create
my own wire landing gear that doesn't require any extra
nuts, bolts etc. How did I do it? (one might ask)
I've not crossed that creek yet, but I thought the idea I was thinking about was going to be the best. But, mine does require screws so maybe it isn't....lol
Check out the SPA32D folder at
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/nj1a
You should get the idea.
The hard part is routing a 5/32 channel
between the two wire holes.
Push the hairpin into the holes, mount the
channel and bend the wires out with
short section of AL tube. Use a vice to
put on the wheel bends. Simple and light.
11-18-2003, 07:46 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
SPAD is meant to be FUN, heres 1 reason i like them..
about 8 months ago i was at the field with a new scrach design made from 50mmx50mm cable duct it had a 52" wing span and a v tail
one of the naysayers at the club chalenged me to a rolling comp (how many rolls in the length of the strip) he kicked my butt [:@]so i landed and hacked the wing down to 48"[>:] with a hack saw.. now we were close so i landed and hacked the wing down to 40" beat him hands down,, he said i cheated[X(] but i said he was quite welcome to land and hack off his wing span he declined the offer.
i love SPAD
about 8 months ago i was at the field with a new scrach design made from 50mmx50mm cable duct it had a 52" wing span and a v tail
one of the naysayers at the club chalenged me to a rolling comp (how many rolls in the length of the strip) he kicked my butt [:@]so i landed and hacked the wing down to 48"[>:] with a hack saw.. now we were close so i landed and hacked the wing down to 40" beat him hands down
,, he said i cheated[X(] but i said he was quite welcome to land and hack off his wing span he declined the offer.i love SPAD
11-18-2003, 08:54 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
ORIGINAL: rlt55
Check out the SPA32D folder at
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/nj1a
You should get the idea.
The hard part is routing a 5/32 channel
between the two wire holes.
Push the hairpin into the holes, mount the
channel and bend the wires out with
short section of AL tube. Use a vice to
put on the wheel bends. Simple and light.
Check out the SPA32D folder at
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/nj1a
You should get the idea.
The hard part is routing a 5/32 channel
between the two wire holes.
Push the hairpin into the holes, mount the
channel and bend the wires out with
short section of AL tube. Use a vice to
put on the wheel bends. Simple and light.
It sounds familar to how I was going to do it....though from your description, I was just going to forego creating a channel and use some landing gear straps....which I just happen to already have anyway. Thats how my biplane landing gear is mounted and it works there.
11-18-2003, 09:03 PM
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RE: DONT OVER THINK IT!!!
Jon,
While I do agree with you (have to agree since I never think before flying), its actually a compliment that people are "over thinking" SPADS. By that I mean that people are giving the same amount of concentration and attention to SPADS as they would to a B@!%@ model. And that goes to show how much of an impact SPADS have made on this hobby!!
While I do agree with you (have to agree since I never think before flying
), its actually a compliment that people are "over thinking" SPADS. By that I mean that people are giving the same amount of concentration and attention to SPADS as they would to a B@!%@ model. And that goes to show how much of an impact SPADS have made on this hobby!!
11-18-2003, 09:13 PM
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RE: DONT OVER THINK IT!!!
I think that SPAD opens the hobby back up and requires creativity. You are literally building something to fly off of "any old stuff" And, the fact that there is no right way, but several right ways...and the wrong way is discovered fairly quickly, but at the same time, the plane can take a few mistakes.
We ARE NOT use to that...lol We are trying.
We are use to---This is how you do it and any other way should promptly lead to a crash at which point you will need a trash bag.
If I were to teach a friend to fly at this point....I would insist on them building a SPAD first.....
We ARE NOT use to that...lol We are trying.
We are use to---This is how you do it and any other way should promptly lead to a crash at which point you will need a trash bag.
If I were to teach a friend to fly at this point....I would insist on them building a SPAD first.....
11-18-2003, 09:20 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
ORIGINAL: RC_Fanatic
rlt55 -- followed the link but the only pictures I saw under SPA3D (no SAP32D there) were of a flat Al gear.
rlt55 -- followed the link but the only pictures I saw under SPA3D (no SAP32D there) were of a flat Al gear.
Darn it. The other stuff was locked again. (I didn't do it)!
Should be wide open now. If anyone wanted to take the
LG pics and put them on a regular site where they can
be seen with a simple URL, that's fine by me.
11-18-2003, 10:29 PM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
I don.t quite understand rt55, I just posted a picture of Spa3D landing gear, 5/32 wire put on with zipties about 4 posts before this. 
thudriver
thudriver
11-19-2003, 09:42 AM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
I do not mind answering questions that I have the answers to and I enjoy reading posts put up by others (I learn alot that way). I tend to overthink things, because I have alot of time to spaddream. I love to test ideas I come up with and with my spad I dont have to worry much when something goes wrong. I always test, and practice when there are not people at the field, so I dont risk damaging other peoples property. These early morning outings are one of the things I enjoy most about spadding.
In my opinion, no question is unimportant or stupid and if I have the answer, I'm happy to share.
I do agree though, Just Do It. Try your ideas and let everyone know what happened.
WILLIAM
In my opinion, no question is unimportant or stupid and if I have the answer, I'm happy to share.
I do agree though, Just Do It. Try your ideas and let everyone know what happened.
WILLIAM
11-19-2003, 09:53 AM
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RE: But what if you just want to go fly?
BRAVO!!!
I think we all have the idea.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Experiment, if it works, let us know. If it didn't, let us know.
I think we can put this thread to rest.
Thank you! Try the veal. Stick around for Frank.
Jon
I think we all have the idea.
Most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Experiment, if it works, let us know. If it didn't, let us know.
I think we can put this thread to rest.
Thank you! Try the veal. Stick around for Frank.
Jon