HorizonHobby's Firebird

[pablo]

Buenas tardes all
I have been flying one of these for 4 months,with some sucess. I am an old hand at RC MAC but this bird has a V tail with elevators that only go one way,Up. The thing flies fast, 20 mph so it gets gone quick. Have lost it three times so far and had it returned each time.

Has any one had luck with this model?

[haldyjv]

I have a firebird an have numerous good flights (and one not so good). The key seem to be to ensure that the instant you move the rudder stick, the rudders move and move as much as possible. Accomplish this by first moving the pushrods to the inner most hole on the control horns. Then adjust the V-bends in the pushrods so that even the slightest stick movement causes the appropriate rudder to move. Even with these adjustments the Firebird is slow to turn but can be kept in the area of 50 meters square. As with all rudder only airplanes, try to stay upwind if possible. Without elevator control it is much more difficult to return from a downwind position.

You can also control the flying speed and climb rate by placing thin 1 mm or less thick shims under the trailing edge of the V-tail then tightening the mounting screw only enough to hold the shim in place.

[LarryF]

Pegasus,
What does the shim do that you can't accomplish just by adjusting the mounting screws? Any other mods people have done to these? It was great to learn on but I'm getting a little bored with mine.

[Ras]

Pegasus is right about getting more action out of the V-tail on the Firebird. I actually drilled new holes down close to the tail (just where the bend in the horn occurs).It turns quite a bit sharper now. But now you can't just jam the stick to the left or right and leave it there or you'll be standing on your wing. If you make this modification get a little height before you do much turning...