Rascal 40 AXI Conversion

[CAFplanekid]

I havent posted here in a while, so here is my new toy. Blue Sig Rascal 40 ARF with an AXI 2820/10 in the nose. 10 cell CP2400, Jeti 70-3, APC 12/6 E, and an old spinner i got from a friend. My AUW is ~5 pounds, 10 ounces. I was shooting for 10 ounces, i may go to lighter NIMH batterys and HS-81 servos to save 9 ounces, though. Ill post a flight/crash report as soon as i fly/crash it, hopefully next weekend. Enjoy!:

[CAFplanekid]

business end:

[CAFplanekid]

I just got back from flying my Rascal out at the glow field today. It flies extremely well! Even at 5 lbs 10 ounces, it was crusing nicely at less than 1/2 throttle, able to easily climb. Could maintain altitude easily at 1/3 throttle, and penetrated extremely well in the moderate winds. Only went to full to see what it would do. Didnt try any aerobatics yet, my radio was running out of juice and set her down after about 15 minutes of flight, and a landing in between to see how everything was. Batteries were slightly warm, ESC was cold, but the motor was sort of hot, sort of like a cup of coffee. I need to cut a cooling hole in the firewall or add an airscoop.

The only hitch was when the wind suddenly picked up. The windsock went from strait down to almost full horizontal, and it just went into slow motion. I was at my car checking the battery, and the plane just lifted up, drifted to the side, and slammed down upside down. Only damage is lots of little dents on the tops of the wings from the gravelly pavement, but it is just fine.

I highly recommend this setup. It has plenty of power and floats very well. I hope to fly next weekend. A glow flyer said hed bring his 'powered' Rascal with a YS 52 next weekend, too. (he hasnt seen my rascal fly yet)
Jonathan

[jfail]

Hi Jonathan

I am seriously considering convering my Rascal 40 to electric and have been collecting ideas from several guys on here and on rcgroups.com. I can't see clearly how you attached your motor to the front of the plane. Could you please elaborate on that? Also how did you account for the offset of the motor for thrust? It certainly looks good and with a minimal amount of work. I am considering the AXI 2826/10 with 3S3P 2100 Mah 10C Li-Po's for mine.

Thanks

John