Quote:


Bob
I read an article once that said, after a modeller puts together his first airplane, he then starts to make changes to the plans to "improve the performance". Boy, am I guilty of that one. And then the next thing he wants to do, is design his own plane. This has been on the back burner since day one for me. But with how many designs that are out there, it's hard to come up with an original design, which I guess what has stopped me from designing my own. What the article did suggest was, to take an existing successful plan, keep your moments/arms and surface areas about the same. I just drew over the Ringmaster tail, and eyeballed that the changes I made were about the same as the original. And kept it the same distance from the wing. As far as the rounded wingtips, I just figuered it was kind of a little more wing area. But when I wonked on that heavy landing gear, I had to cut the nose/engine mount aft almost an 1 1/2" to get my CG back. Which luckely, I planned for when I glued the hardwood blocks in for the engine mount. And extended them aft also before glueup. And barely ended up with enough room for the tank. As far as flying right now, she is a stable design. But some how, I ended up with way to big a prop on it. I have a 12" x something pitch on it and the engine comes no where close to powering up. I thought something odd sounded about it when I test ran it in the back yard. Thought it was the muffler. Right now she is like a 55 Cadillac going up a windey mountain road. Slow, sure footed, taking her time, and enjoying the sights. The president at the club said I should have a 10x5 prop on it. Maybe a 10x6. And maybe take the muffler off it. I don't like to promote "loud" at the fields these days. I never did get my repairs/improvements done yesterday like I said. My lt knee is bothering me somewhat, so I wound down the day working on my Focke Wulf teather flyer. I can just sit to work on it. Maybe I'll post some picks of it today. I have no clue how I am going to cover/finish this one.

What a beauty!  Some nice innovation going on here.

I agree with Bob about the "priceless stuff" drawer.  I couldn't build without one.

Nice work Dave.

John

Dave,
She's a beauty.  Sorry to hear about the rough landing, but looks like you have everything in hand!  Would love to see some video sometime!
Tom

Put the newfangled adj weight box on it. Which vibrated loose and fell out on the first flight. My fault, never put locktite on it. Saw the weight fall loose from the plane, and did not notice any change in the flight characteristics of the plane at all. Not going to put this on the Stuka.

Then I knew in the junk drawer there was this cowling. After installing it, then I had to stick these wheel pants on it from the junk drawer also. Thus the 1937 Texaco Trophy Winner Control Line Modified was born.