Well, I finally took some time to work on the Edge. As suggested in the instruction manual I started with the engine and cowl installation.

I drilled and tapped for 8-32 bolts the Great Planes 1.20-1.60 mount to fit my Evolution 26-GT and allowed for a 1/8" clearance between the cowl and the spinner backplate (Photo 1). With the cowl attached in position with some small sheet metal screws I set and adjusted the engine (without the carb mounted) so the backplate was centered in the cowl. The engine was temporarily bolted with a couple of 10-32 bolts to the engine box. I used plastic templates (the kind used to make quilting templates) to transfer the location of the engine head and then cut the hole in the cowl (Photo2).

I epoxied a couple of 1/2" square hardwood pieces right in front of the second former to increase the wood thickness behind the engine box sides. I drill and tapped for 8-32 nylon machine binder head bolts right were the previous sheet metal screws were positioned. I use #60 O-Rings as washers for these bolts to prevent the bolts from turning loose and/or cracking the cowl (Photo 3). I have used this setup before and it works great with the added advantage that they can be dyed with Ritz fabric dye to match the cowl color.

After the cowl was set in its final position I installed the carburetor and freehand cut the clearance hole. (Photo 4).

Next I am going to reinforce the rear of the firewall, were the engine mounts go with 5/32" Lite Ply. I am going to use 10-32 bolts with nylon lock nuts on the inside for the engine mount and want to make sure there is enough strength so the washers will not rip through the firewall.

Hi you’ll,

Mike from Graph Tech informed me that he is in the process of lying up the molds to build the carbon graphite landing gear assembly for the Baby Edge and Baby Extra 260. He will update his website to include these units as soon as they become available. He doesn't have a firm price yet but told me they will go for around $40 to $50 bucks.

For those of you interested you may contact Mike at [link]http://[email protected][/link]. It seems the Funtana X graphite gear is a good alternate option but it's not available anywhere. I like the polished finish on the supplied aluminum unit, though it seems a little weak. I will install the supplied unit until the composite gear becomes available.

Great news on the gear, Airtech. I'll spring for a set.

Finally had a day where nothing more pressing was vying for my attention. Made a bit of progress... pics and text to follow.

Next up was the throttle servo. The firewall exit hole location was determined when the engine was mounted; I worked backward from there. The Futaba 3401 servo used is quick, for good throttle response, but that particular servo is shorter lengthwise through the case than normal. So a custom mount was called for.

Here's the finished installation.

Note the tri-stock to add rigidity, and the hole for the servo wire; quite important on flush-fit mounts like this.

.

Here's the completed mount, sans servo. Best to install this sort of mount with everything in place (servo screwed to the mounts, etc), so there won't be any alignment problems later.

Next was the SlimLine Excel Fueler. I have this unit on two other models, and it is simply exemplary; makes fueling a cowled glow engine, without flooding it, a no-brainer. And there are NO moving parts, valves, etc., to break.

Naturally, there is no free lunch. You have to "anchor" the thing, otherwise engine vibration will eventually cause it to start turning when you loosen/tighten the cover screw.

First, I determined the location of the stamped locking nut. You need to do this for a clean, flush fit. Then I JB-Welded that nut in place. Now, locate and glue in some bits of scrap wood against the nut flats, to keep it from turning once installed. This makes the unit easily removeable, should that be necessary.

Here's the Excell installed. Sorry for the poor photo; I didn't realize the focus had shifted.

The second photo shows the exterior; the blue feed line coming out of the firewall next to the fueler, and the red vent line coming from the front of the tank.

That pretty much takes care of the front end. Now, to move back; temporarily install the receiver/battery/switch, get the wings assembled and fitted and aileron servos zeroed.

I am waiting for my muffler to arrive so in the meantime I decided to finish all the electronics inside the fuse.

I decided to fuelproof the engine box area with water based Minwax Polycrylic in gloss clear. First time I try this product for fuelproofing and I really liked it. It dries very fast and looks much better than thin epoxy. It's hard to tell from the photo but believe me you can see the difference.

Right now I have the ignition battery on the rear shelf next to the receiver (I know that's not that good), but this is only temporary. I have plenty of wire (16 AWG) to move the battery around when it comes time to balance the plane. The ignition is switched with a FROMECO Badger failsafe slider switch. The receiver is powered from another FROMECO RELION 2600mAh LiIon pack thru a Reliaswitch regulator with a failsafe pin switch.

I'm using a Hitec 645MG for the rudder, which I know is a little lethargic but it will put out around 133 inch ounces of torque at 6.0V which should be plenty. When I get some extra cash I will like to swap it for an HS-5985MG which is a 0.13 sec. servo. On the choke and throttle I am using HS-81's which are fairly fast (0.09 sec. over 45 degrees). I had to install some simple 3/16" shims to accommodate the minis on a standard servo hole. I haven't installed the choke control rod because the muffler location may be of consideration in the cable routing.

I received the engine muffler yesterday afternoon and today I finished cutting down the cowl clearance holes. As I suspected the muffler was on the way for the choke cable so that needed some modification to the choke actuating arm. I bolted a servo arm from a Hitec servo to the choke arm in order to obtain the necessary clearance around the muffler. The only drawback is that the lever being so much longer than the stock one requires a bigger clearance hole on the cowl. Photos 2 and 3 shows the choke in the closed and open positions, and one can see how much the lever protrudes through the cowl.

By the way for those of you using an Evolution 26-GT2 be advised the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHMF0&P=7]True Turn 10X1mm Spinner Adapter Kit Part No. TT-0100-A [/link] fits perfectly with any 18" prop or smaller. This adapter cost around $9 dollars versus the [link=http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHMF1&P=7] short adapter kit (TT-01005-A)[/link] which goes for approximately $15 dollars.

I decided to paint the frame of the canopy for a more scale like look. I used Pactra RC251 (Sprint White) polycarbonate spray paint. I attempted to paint it on the inside, like I usually do, nerveless because the slight smoke color tint on the canopy I had to paint it on the outside. To this I first outline the frame and the canopy (on the turtledeck) with a Sharpie felt tip pen (Photo 4). I then masked the frame with vinyl electrical tape, and then masked the clear areas with regular masking tape and paper (Photo 5). Before applying paint make sure to lightly scuff the areas to be painted with "00" Fine Steel Wool to remove all the shine (Photo 6). That will give the paint better adhesion.

Finally I cut a 1/8" stripe of the covering on the inside of the areas I previously outlined on the turtledeck in order to expose the balsa and get a good bond with Super RC Z 56 canopy glue. I let it cure overnight before removing the hold down tapes.

Here there are a couple of photos of the completed canopy. The frame paint is not quite as glossy as the white covering but the color is a very close match.

I am all done and waiting for a good day to maiden the Baby Edge. With the Evolution 26GT2 up front I ended up adding 3 oz. of lead on the rear (elevators) servos to attain a CG of 4 5/8" from the leading edge at the root. It's been windy as heck here in northern Texas the last few days but if tomorrow turns out to be good day I will, at least, break in the engine.

My setup is as follows;

Evolution 26GT2 gas engine w/ 12 oz. tank
Hitec HS645-MG on ailerons and rudder
Hitec HS635-HB on elevators (will replace them with HS-625MG, on order)
Hitec HS-81 on Throttle and Choke
Stock Pull-Pull system on rudder, 4-40 rods with CF tubes from optional Parts Kit and 2-56 Ball Links
FROMECO 2400mAh LiIon batteries for Receiver and Ignition system
FROMECO ReliaSwitch voltage regulator with Failsafe pin switch on receiver and Badger Switch on Ignition

Looks nice and tidy. I think you have enough electrical power for several of these planes.

TF

Do you know what you final all up weight is. Plane looks really good.

I am sorry I don't have a scale right now. Maybe one of my buddies at the flying club may lend me one. I will post the AUW as soon as I weight the plane.

Well guys....the only thing I can say about the Baby Edge is SWEEEEET!! Today turned out to be a perfect day for the maiden flight, temperature of 65 degrees, light and variable winds, and humidity of 40%.

The engine will take some time to break in since its so fuel efficient it ran for 45 minutes and it burned 4 or 5 oz. at most. On the first flight it needed only four clicks of right aileron and two clicks of down elevator. I am afraid I may not have the engine trust straight on the mount or the thrust is too much with the Evolution 26 torque. I was measuring 7550 RPM’s with an Evolution 18-6 prop. I may need a couple more degrees of right trust, and that's no fault of the design.

On 90 degrees uplines it tends to turn left but 45 degrees inverted lines don’t need any correction, seems like the CG is dialed in perfect. With the CG at 4 5/8" the factory recommendations for travel are perfect; this baby is a *****cat, real smooth with no bad tendencies. On landing approach it settles on a perfect nose level attitude with a slow descent at idle. Rudder authority is excellent as all previous bunnies I have flown before. I didn't pushed the limits to hard for the first few flights, but I am sure the Baby Edge and the 260 will 3D more radical than their 28% counterparts due to the much lighter wing loading.

Kudos to Tom on this upgraded version of the Baby Edge, I think the Big Bad Bunny have another winner here. It was time someone delivered a quality built and affordable quarter scale ARF for the folks with space limitations on their vehicles. Thank you tom.

B.T.W. the HS-81's are still running fine

In planes of this type, I consider precise throttle control more important than the small weight savings gained by the HS81. I have gone to using an inexpensive full size digital servo for throttle control on my 25% to 30% models, including my Wildhare 28% Edge.

Hey Mike,

I agree with you on considering throttle precision as very important factor. For that reason any servo with a very narrow dead bandwidth (i.e. 1 microsecond versus 8 microseconds) will be adequate. You can get that type of servo resolution from any good digital micro servo like an HS-5245MG that sell for about $48 bucks a pop, and only weights 32 grams.

On the other hand most gas engines are equipped with industrial type Walbro carburetors which are notoriously known for having extremely poor throttle response curve . Usually they accelerate 50% on the first quarter stick input, and will be running at 80% power at half stick input. Remember that they are designed to work on a power tool that's going to run either at low idle or full bore, so they don't need a nice linear throttle response.

In my humble opinion I rather spend the money in a good computer radio than expensive servos. Most top of the line computer radios will have a program to adjust the throttle linearity and apply curve exponential to smooth out the transition and even provide for two switch activated user controlled throttle curves ( i.e. one for normal maneuvers and a second one weighted around the engine best thrust for hovering, torque rolls, etc.). So to keep cost to a minimum I rather use the cheapest, fastest servos available, and the best available computer radio. Now………….if my hobby bank account was unlimited you can bet I’ll be flying with all the latest bling.

By the way I also agree with you that on a 30% plane the weight advantage will be negligible. Taking in consideration the much lighter wing loading of a 30 pound plane a few grams won't make a BIG difference. In any case in my experience one thing I know for sure Lighter Planes Fly Better and when you are flying with low surface areas every gram counts.

Say hi to the guys up in Converse if you get to see them and please email me a copy of the latest roster which I need for the AMA club charter renewal,

PS: Go [link=http://wyliewarbirds.com/video/bwh540/bwh540.wmv]HERE[/link] for a short video of the baby Edge fellow club member Terry Farmer from Wylie TX. shot Sunday afternoon. If you like check his web site at [link=http://wyliewarbirds.com]wyliewarbirds.com[/link] there are lots of videos shot at the Richardson RC Club field in beatiful Lake Lavon TX.

Airtech, after seeing the electronics you always put in your planes, I would think the last place you would skimp would be on a servo.......I like both, good computer radios and servos.

I will send you the roster and also a schedule of events for the club. Please post the schedule on our website as soon as you can as we will be starting meetings again in less than a month.

You got that right, and with a 2200mAh nMh on my transmitter I can fly a couple of days without recharging

Just weighted the Edge, and right now is tipping the scale at 10lb. 15oz. (practically 11lb.). When I get the carbon/graphite landing gear I may be able to remove an ounce or more from the rear ballast and keep the CG where it's now. I am looking to replace the tank with a 10 oz., so in total I may be able to reduce the AUW down by 4 to 6 ounces.

ust received mail from Mike at OhioCarbon...............

"The mold is done. I will be making parts early next week. They will be ready mid week to ship.
I should have them listed on the site in the next day. I only list parts once I have a mold made for them.

Thanks for your help.

Mike
Graph Tech"

Check [link=http://www.graphtechrc.com/]Graph Tech[/link] web site often and order soon since I think the first batch isn't going to last long.

In the meantime I have replaced the 16oz. fuel tank with a 12oz. one and removed 1/4oz. of lead from the tail ballast. That should keep the CG in the same approximate position as before and shave off 4.5 to 5oz. from the Takeoff (wet) weight.

AirTech
Why don't you just remove all of that ballast from the rear of the plane and put you flight pack battery on a platform behind the canopy. It just seems really counter productive to carry all that extra weight around when you can use what you already have on board. I can send you a picture of my setup if you would like. My plane on an Evolution 26 GT is just over 10 lbs..

Hey Guys how are you? I have a Wild Hare Baby Edge for a year now and for one thing or another never have time to put togheter anyway I am really entusiatic with the plane now but I have a problem I try to put a 3W 24 on it and I have a lot problems with first I ordered the standoff out guy in Canada and I just receive them and find out the the standoff it will interfere with one side of the carburator is anybody has some can od idea to put one of those engines on this plane I really need help with please ??
the engine came from another plane the a frined of mine sold me the was a 3W Xtra-fun the plane was alright but i buy it because the engine any way that plane comes with Plasitc mount that replace the firewall box that came on the baby edge. The cowl of the extrafun is smaller than the baby edge so I am and a really confused area so please if is anybody can help me I will apreciated. by the way this is my first gas plane the i put togheter.
Thanks in advance for all your sugesstions

You have had the plane for a year? They have only been out for about 6 months, which plane is it that you have?

TF

wild hare baby edge 73 inches wing span is probably the old version and not the new one the you have now. I did buy the from you at the end of 2006 or begining of 2007 I can't remeber exactly