Northstar
05-16-2005, 04:53 PM
#26
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RE: Northstar
Hi
I have Flown North Stars for approx 10 years at the Scottish Waterplane events here in Scotland. It is regarded here as one of the best seaplanes to have.
Over the years i have made modifications such as a miniture servo for the throttle in the engine compartment and a servo behind the fuel tank for the elevator. Also blue foam in the hull to absorb any hard landings. We fly from Lochs and it is very rare that we have any beach area it is normally gravel or stones, therefore i put expanding foam in the tip floats this helps to protect them and of course you do not get any leaks.
We also compete in a friendly way as to who can make the lightest North Star mine weighs in at 6.5 lbs but a friend has one just over 5 lbs and the fastest one was recorded at 91 mph with a Super Tigre 51.
It's been great to talk to you. Here's to next time. If you are ever in Scotland email at
[email protected]
Colin
I have Flown North Stars for approx 10 years at the Scottish Waterplane events here in Scotland. It is regarded here as one of the best seaplanes to have.
Over the years i have made modifications such as a miniture servo for the throttle in the engine compartment and a servo behind the fuel tank for the elevator. Also blue foam in the hull to absorb any hard landings. We fly from Lochs and it is very rare that we have any beach area it is normally gravel or stones, therefore i put expanding foam in the tip floats this helps to protect them and of course you do not get any leaks.
We also compete in a friendly way as to who can make the lightest North Star mine weighs in at 6.5 lbs but a friend has one just over 5 lbs and the fastest one was recorded at 91 mph with a Super Tigre 51.
It's been great to talk to you. Here's to next time. If you are ever in Scotland email at
[email protected]
Colin
06-13-2005, 04:24 PM
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RE: Northstar
Hi there guys just a word from the bonny banks of loch Tay in Scotland.On the 11th June 05 just after mid-day it finally happened. My 150% Northstar powered by a TJT 3000 Turbine took to the air on its first successful flight,Yippee!!! All you northstar lovers like me will probably appreciate that this was a very special day. I have to thank all that were there to allow me to have my 7 minutes in clear sky. all landed to watch and give me the freedom of the sky. Apart from some trim changes she flew very well and it was very satisfying to see her in the air. I then gave my mate Phil the transmitter to let him have a go. I think he enjoyed it the 'STAR' did a roll and cuban eight before landing perfectly,thanks goes to him for a great landing.I will try to put some onto a video clip once we go through the many that were taken.Happy flying
06-26-2005, 02:55 PM
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RE: Northstar
It will not be long now, I have a video tape in my Possession, not seen it yet as I don’t have a video player connected and I have to capture the video to my computer.
Don’t tell Typhoo as he will want to know the source of the video, it’s top secret at the moment.
Just come back from Kielder the Northstar came back in one piece again, not often that happens
Regards
Philsmodels
Don’t tell Typhoo as he will want to know the source of the video, it’s top secret at the moment.
Just come back from Kielder the Northstar came back in one piece again, not often that happens
Regards
Philsmodels
06-28-2005, 03:20 PM
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RE: Northstar
Here we are a few Turbine Northstar pictures for you to see. These are with the permission of Typhoo and courtesy of Frank Garner’s video tape the quality is not brilliant as I have captured a copy from a Pal video tape. The Northstar flew at Loch Tay Scotland Saturday the 11th of June.
Nice one Typhoo
Regards
Philsmodels
Nice one Typhoo
Regards
Philsmodels
07-26-2005, 07:13 PM
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RE: Northstar
Ok guys, here is the latest to come out of my shop. Will have flight stats at a later date. Has a YS .63 on it with fuel tank mounted at the C/G. Dual aileron servos and all Hitec gear. I sure hope the new owner has a lot of fun with it.
07-28-2005, 12:30 PM
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RE: Northstar
We have a great interest in North Stars up here. When the Arrow came out a few of the fellows built them with varying success. One of the things we soon found out was to use lots of exponential in the elevator to counter the pitch down with such a high thrust line. Everyone has used a 60 engine so far. The Arrow is potentially a much faster airplane with such a skinny wing. The fastest one so far is powered with a YS 61 RE with a pipe. I was flying it once and put it into a slight dive; when it unloaded it came on the pipe, I have never seen such acceleration. What a rush. It seems the North Star is a much nicer plane to fly but the Arrow will out run it. Ah, the need for speed. The Arrow is very sensitive to tip drag. When horner tips were tried and then tip floats aka Northstar they made the takeoffs squirrily. The best seems to be just the straight tips and keeping the wing level.
My North Star is powered with a ST 51,, has a mid mounted tank and is generally cleaned up and is quite light. The Arrow above will outrun it but not by as much as you would expect. I am turning a ASP 9 X 8 at aroung 15000.
Our favorite sport up here is playing follow the leader, consisting of making consecutive passes as close to a formation as we an get. We had six up together once but unfortunately one of the fellows started flying the wrong plane. He wondered who crashed until he realized the plane he was flying wasn't doing what he wanted. The crash boat recovered all the expensive pieces. We have named this type of formation flight a North Star Flurry. Great Fun.
Peter
My North Star is powered with a ST 51,, has a mid mounted tank and is generally cleaned up and is quite light. The Arrow above will outrun it but not by as much as you would expect. I am turning a ASP 9 X 8 at aroung 15000.
Our favorite sport up here is playing follow the leader, consisting of making consecutive passes as close to a formation as we an get. We had six up together once but unfortunately one of the fellows started flying the wrong plane. He wondered who crashed until he realized the plane he was flying wasn't doing what he wanted. The crash boat recovered all the expensive pieces. We have named this type of formation flight a North Star Flurry. Great Fun.
Peter
07-28-2005, 05:01 PM
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RE: Northstar
Peter
Is it possible to post some pics of the set up for the mid mounted tank? Do you use a pump?
I use a ST.51 and a mini pipe and get about the same RPM as you on an 11x7 APC
I have mounted the elevator servo behind the fuel tank and mounted the throttle servo (mini) on the side of the engine mounting, so I could do with loosing a bit of weight from the rear.
Your preferred sport with the Nortstar is ours but the most we have had up at the same time was 4 then one dropped out because he lost his nerve .oops sorry John.
When flying in formation we usually designate one of us to call the manoeuvres. That’s fine until my Pal called inverted low pass and we were all in a high speed dive at the time, but it was worth it as we received a hand clap and a cheer as 3 Northstar came screaming past at full speed inverted 10 feet above the water. I don’t think we have a name for it but one of our friends who writes for one of the model mags in the UK called us the Northstar Hooligans that’s nice int-it
PS Strykaas
I have a DVD of the turbine flight if you PM me your address (Home) ill copy it and send you a copy it’s not a bad quality.
Phil.
Is it possible to post some pics of the set up for the mid mounted tank? Do you use a pump?
I use a ST.51 and a mini pipe and get about the same RPM as you on an 11x7 APC
I have mounted the elevator servo behind the fuel tank and mounted the throttle servo (mini) on the side of the engine mounting, so I could do with loosing a bit of weight from the rear.
Your preferred sport with the Nortstar is ours but the most we have had up at the same time was 4 then one dropped out because he lost his nerve .oops sorry John.
When flying in formation we usually designate one of us to call the manoeuvres. That’s fine until my Pal called inverted low pass and we were all in a high speed dive at the time, but it was worth it as we received a hand clap and a cheer as 3 Northstar came screaming past at full speed inverted 10 feet above the water. I don’t think we have a name for it but one of our friends who writes for one of the model mags in the UK called us the Northstar Hooligans that’s nice int-it
PS Strykaas
I have a DVD of the turbine flight if you PM me your address (Home) ill copy it and send you a copy it’s not a bad quality.
Phil.
07-28-2005, 09:24 PM
#43
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RE: Northstar
Hi Phil,
I have a problem with posting pictures; firstly, I haven't yet figured out how to do it, and secondly, my digital camera was stolen so it may take a while to get a new one.
The installation is fairly simple though. The tank goes right behind the V formed by the spars. The center rib is cut down to the bottom planking and the space for the tank is boxed in. I use a 10 oz sullivan tank and route the lines over the spar into the area behind the canopy.. I use a Dubro remote fueler which exits on the side of the fuselage just above the LEX along with the vent. 1/8" hard nylon tubing is used for the fuel line with connections being made with regular fuel tubing. For a pump I use a Perry diaphram pump and I tapped the backplate for a small fuel nipple. (I hope this gets by the word police). All my servos are up front as I have had no problem with long Nyrods and this keeps the weight forward. I probably only carry about 2 oz. of ballast. With the tank where it is the CG can be right on the step and it stays there as fuel is consumed.
Other mods I made were to make the pod smaller in cross section, (no tank to enclose) and to taper it towards the rear.
I tried a 9 X 9 APC but it was just too much. The takeoffs took forever and I lost my vertical. Right now others are attempting to make their North Stars faster to keep up. Another Engine I have been considering is an OS 46 DF RE with a pipe. I think that should be ballistic.
I will attempt pictures as soon as some issues are sorted out.
Many thanks for the offer of the turbine NS video. We were talking of that possibility before you posted pics of yours. The one you fellows did is almost exactly how we would have done it . Congratulations on a great project. You may have read of our 1.5 Northstar on a different thread. I did the early flights on it and it was really enjoyable. Have you seen the video of it on our club web site? www.ercs.ab.ca
I'll send my address via e-mail.
Cheers,
Peter
I have a problem with posting pictures; firstly, I haven't yet figured out how to do it, and secondly, my digital camera was stolen so it may take a while to get a new one.
The installation is fairly simple though. The tank goes right behind the V formed by the spars. The center rib is cut down to the bottom planking and the space for the tank is boxed in. I use a 10 oz sullivan tank and route the lines over the spar into the area behind the canopy.. I use a Dubro remote fueler which exits on the side of the fuselage just above the LEX along with the vent. 1/8" hard nylon tubing is used for the fuel line with connections being made with regular fuel tubing. For a pump I use a Perry diaphram pump and I tapped the backplate for a small fuel nipple. (I hope this gets by the word police). All my servos are up front as I have had no problem with long Nyrods and this keeps the weight forward. I probably only carry about 2 oz. of ballast. With the tank where it is the CG can be right on the step and it stays there as fuel is consumed.
Other mods I made were to make the pod smaller in cross section, (no tank to enclose) and to taper it towards the rear.
I tried a 9 X 9 APC but it was just too much. The takeoffs took forever and I lost my vertical. Right now others are attempting to make their North Stars faster to keep up. Another Engine I have been considering is an OS 46 DF RE with a pipe. I think that should be ballistic.
I will attempt pictures as soon as some issues are sorted out.
Many thanks for the offer of the turbine NS video. We were talking of that possibility before you posted pics of yours. The one you fellows did is almost exactly how we would have done it . Congratulations on a great project. You may have read of our 1.5 Northstar on a different thread. I did the early flights on it and it was really enjoyable. Have you seen the video of it on our club web site? www.ercs.ab.ca
I'll send my address via e-mail.
Cheers,
Peter
07-29-2005, 06:33 PM
#44
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RE: Northstar
Some answers to questions about my last star.
I mounted the fuel tank just like PeterC instead I used a 12oz. One thing that makes some difference from the normal tank engine mount is that the fuel tank weight is over 1oz. Moving that to the c/g takes what would have been in the tail out. This reduces the all up weight with the bigger engine and is closer to what the tail area would weigh with a 2 stroke and tank. I then put some lightening holes in the plywood doublers in the vertical fin. I used 1/8" brass tube from the tank up to the engine and because the YS engine runs about 9psi I soldered barbs on every connection. I have a fill and vent fuel dot mounted in the side of the turttle deck for fueling. Every fuel line connection has clamps and the system was tested at 5psi for 30 minutes with no leaks. Of course I epoxy sealed the whole compartment where the fuel tank is.
As far as how much weight in the nose, I think I am around 6oz or so. I also moved my radio gear as far forward as possible. I do not build my stars with the option of landing gear so I have the room forward.
I mounted the fuel tank just like PeterC instead I used a 12oz. One thing that makes some difference from the normal tank engine mount is that the fuel tank weight is over 1oz. Moving that to the c/g takes what would have been in the tail out. This reduces the all up weight with the bigger engine and is closer to what the tail area would weigh with a 2 stroke and tank. I then put some lightening holes in the plywood doublers in the vertical fin. I used 1/8" brass tube from the tank up to the engine and because the YS engine runs about 9psi I soldered barbs on every connection. I have a fill and vent fuel dot mounted in the side of the turttle deck for fueling. Every fuel line connection has clamps and the system was tested at 5psi for 30 minutes with no leaks. Of course I epoxy sealed the whole compartment where the fuel tank is.
As far as how much weight in the nose, I think I am around 6oz or so. I also moved my radio gear as far forward as possible. I do not build my stars with the option of landing gear so I have the room forward.
07-31-2005, 04:45 AM
#48
RE: Northstar
PeterC, very nice pix, thx ! I just love the "touchdown" ones !! Man, it's time I moved on to my Northstar kit, but target will be next '06 summer ...
Regarding the Arrow (of which I've bought plans ), my understanding is that there is room for heavyweight engines, are there is no CoG issue with this design, right ? How heavy is a YS61 ? You must have used a mini-pipe with it BTW ??? I would opt for a TT Pro 61, which must be 550 grams (19.5 OZ) heavy, what do you think ? What are the powerplants used by your club mates and their results ? thx
Regarding the Arrow (of which I've bought plans
), my understanding is that there is room for heavyweight engines, are there is no CoG issue with this design, right ? How heavy is a YS61 ? You must have used a mini-pipe with it BTW ??? I would opt for a TT Pro 61, which must be 550 grams (19.5 OZ) heavy, what do you think ? What are the powerplants used by your club mates and their results ? thx
07-31-2005, 08:31 AM
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RE: Northstar
I'm not sure of the weights of the various engines but the Arrow has the engine placement closer to the CG than the North Star so the effects of a heavy engine are not so serious. As far as the pipe on the YS is concerned it is a full pipe and hangs out the rear a bit. It actually looks quite good.
As far as the cowl is concerned my engine pod is quite a bit smaller in cross section than standard so the cowl that came with the kit does not fit without a lot of surgery. Also some of the hardware hangs out of the cowl line so it will be difficult to include it in the cowl. Also consider the lazy factor.
Cheers,
Peter
As far as the cowl is concerned my engine pod is quite a bit smaller in cross section than standard so the cowl that came with the kit does not fit without a lot of surgery. Also some of the hardware hangs out of the cowl line so it will be difficult to include it in the cowl. Also consider the lazy factor.
Cheers,
Peter