aclemons23
06-26-2005, 05:50 PM
After finishing my latest kit, the GWS PT-17 and adding brushless power to it, I decided to go back and build another ES only this time do some modifcations to make it a bit more fun. I loved my last one and it really helped me learn how to fly well.
My major goal in this project was to first build a plane that would be relaxing and easy to fly. Next, it needed to have enough power to get me out of trouble and basic aerobatics with ease. Finally, it needed to be able to be stable at both slow and fast speeds and have a decent run time.
This is only my fourth plane I have ever built or flown, so I am still what I would call a newbie at all of this. With that in mind, here is the shopping list I can home with:
E-starter slope glider kit. Himax 2015-4200 brushless motor. 15min epoxy and 1/2oz cloth. Misc wire and better foam wheels. Balsa sheeting for the airlerons.
Lets get starter shall we. Any other tips or questions during the biuild are very welcome.
====================================
To get started on the fuselage - the first things I wanted to do were cut out the battery compartment to allow my 3S Lipo packs to fit, and strengthen the rear tail assembly. Some very minor mods were also made to allow for a tricycle landing gear setup instead of the tail dragger.
Attached, you will find photos showing how the the battery compartment was trimmed and the glassing process for the tail. For the tail, I used several small strips of 1/2oz cloth and 15min epoxy. I then used epoxy to glue the fuse halves together. This was my first attempt at using fiberglass cloth. I thought this would be great practice as I plan on glassing my next plane, the formosa.
I have also attached a photo of the himax motor. I didn't need to purchase an ESC, as I already had an E-flite 20amp laying around.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST5.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST4.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST6.jpg
======================================
Next up to bat was the new airleron assembly. Since I wanted the plane to have a greater aerobatic capability than the stock ES, I decided to modify the airlerons.
I removed the stock foam versions, and replaced them with balsa stock trimmed and sanded down. This will give it a much more rigid control surface, allow for a larger surface area, and also give the linkage a much more sturdy grip and remove the slop found in the foam.
In the attached photos, you can see just how much larger the new airlerons are vs the stock ones.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST3.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST2.jpg
The next step was to sand the wing and tail surfaces and fill in the mold circles with spackling. Once done, the surfaces were sanded again and paint was applied.
White Tamiya paint was used throughout followed by neon orange on some sections afterwards. This should give some great visability in the sky, and still keep it lightweight, as the lighter colors don't need alot of coverage.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST1.jpg
My major goal in this project was to first build a plane that would be relaxing and easy to fly. Next, it needed to have enough power to get me out of trouble and basic aerobatics with ease. Finally, it needed to be able to be stable at both slow and fast speeds and have a decent run time.
This is only my fourth plane I have ever built or flown, so I am still what I would call a newbie at all of this. With that in mind, here is the shopping list I can home with:
E-starter slope glider kit. Himax 2015-4200 brushless motor. 15min epoxy and 1/2oz cloth. Misc wire and better foam wheels. Balsa sheeting for the airlerons.
Lets get starter shall we. Any other tips or questions during the biuild are very welcome.
====================================
To get started on the fuselage - the first things I wanted to do were cut out the battery compartment to allow my 3S Lipo packs to fit, and strengthen the rear tail assembly. Some very minor mods were also made to allow for a tricycle landing gear setup instead of the tail dragger.
Attached, you will find photos showing how the the battery compartment was trimmed and the glassing process for the tail. For the tail, I used several small strips of 1/2oz cloth and 15min epoxy. I then used epoxy to glue the fuse halves together. This was my first attempt at using fiberglass cloth. I thought this would be great practice as I plan on glassing my next plane, the formosa.
I have also attached a photo of the himax motor. I didn't need to purchase an ESC, as I already had an E-flite 20amp laying around.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST5.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST4.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST6.jpg
======================================
Next up to bat was the new airleron assembly. Since I wanted the plane to have a greater aerobatic capability than the stock ES, I decided to modify the airlerons.
I removed the stock foam versions, and replaced them with balsa stock trimmed and sanded down. This will give it a much more rigid control surface, allow for a larger surface area, and also give the linkage a much more sturdy grip and remove the slop found in the foam.
In the attached photos, you can see just how much larger the new airlerons are vs the stock ones.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST3.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST2.jpg
The next step was to sand the wing and tail surfaces and fill in the mold circles with spackling. Once done, the surfaces were sanded again and paint was applied.
White Tamiya paint was used throughout followed by neon orange on some sections afterwards. This should give some great visability in the sky, and still keep it lightweight, as the lighter colors don't need alot of coverage.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y283/nitroaddict/EST1.jpg