E-Combat in Tulsa

[gregore2992]

Kevin,

For all my stuff I take to the flying field, I bought a fishing tackle box with removeable trays. I use the removeable dividers that come with the trays and cut them into 1/2" x 3/4" pieces, drill a hole for the connector and there you go. I then cut a slot in the foam just smaller than the horn and push it through from the opposite side then CA, hot glue or epoxy it in place. Hope this helps. Some people use the "pointed end" of a plastic knife for control horns.

Greg

[gfdengine204]

Greg,

That's a good idea. I got tray dividers. A handful of 'em!

Can't wait to lose to you in Combat this month.

[gfdengine204]

I have a section of the onion skin that has started to peel off; does anyone remove it entirely? I see where I need to remove it if I am gluing that area (since it can come up pretty easy, not a great thing to glue to). Just curious if anyone removes it.

Also, the horizontal section is kinda floppy if I pick it up by the nose; does the vertical fuse stiffen it up enough?

Thanks for the help fellas.

[gregore2992]

Kevin,

A lot of luck and being in the right place at the right time is involved in combat. So I don't know about the whole winning thing.

The fuse does stiffen greatly when the verticals are glued on. On the onionskin, I've never had a problem with it peeling or hot glue or epoxy sticking to it.

Greg

[smokejohnson]

Posting a couple of pics for Kev. One of my elevator and one to show that there's nothing wrong with a Sharpie finish . You can also see where some of my onion skin peeled off the vertical stabilizer.

[Buzzsaw]

Combat at Muncie,Indiana Sept.8th.

Hers's a couple of our planes after a mid air yesterday.Also 3 WWII planes on the flight line.
Buzzy

[tiger86]

Had a great time flying combat today with Greg (gregore2992), Tom (Grasshopper) and Larry (Muffuletta) in Joplin, MO. We missed you James. Wish you could have made it. Had great weather and loads of fun! We shredded some streamers and some planes. Here's some of the carnage. Sorry about your new plane Tom...

[Buzzsaw]

Looks like you guys in Joplin have as many midairs as we do when we fly. Must be the streamers,we have taken the streamers off and can't even get close to having a midair.
Buzzy

[smokejohnson]

Sorry I couldn't make it yesterday guys . My wife is having problems from having her wisdom teeth pulled last week . I know it's not her fault and I know she would have had a hard time taking care of both kids by herself but I was pretty mad all day yesterday . Maybe next time...:o

[gfdengine204]

Originally Posted by smokejohnson

Sorry I couldn't make it yesterday guys . My wife is having problems from having her wisdom teeth pulled last week . I know it's not her fault and I know she would have had a hard time taking care of both kids by herself but I was pretty mad all day yesterday . Maybe next time...:o

James,

Maybe have her go back to have them all taken out, just so this never happens again?

BTW, thanks for the pics. Big help, and the Sharpie art looks good.

[gregore2992]

Originally Posted by smokejohnson

Sorry I couldn't make it yesterday guys . My wife is having problems from having her wisdom teeth pulled last week . I know it's not her fault and I know she would have had a hard time taking care of both kids by herself but I was pretty mad all day yesterday . Maybe next time...:o

James,

No problem, I also know about that life thing getting in the way of my hobby.

It is probably a good thing you weren't there, no one's plane came away unscathed. We all had damage from plane strikes, someone even cut the antenna lead on my new plane! It was brutal, just ask Larry. His plane broke in 3 pieces (see pics above) thanks to Tim, he got it repaired and we moved to another field. Then we're set to go again, we said "Go" and the next thing I heard was a foam buzzsaw. Tim had got him again cutting his tail completely off 2 seconds after take off! It was GREAT!! Oh, sorry Larry. All's fair in love and combat foamies.

Greg

[gfdengine204]

Greg,

Spektrum receivers would end the problems from those ugly long antennas......

[gregore2992]

Kev,

Yup, and maybe if I didn't put it running along the top of "back" of the fuse.

Greg

[gfdengine204]

Here is where I am so far. James, I still may bring down a sheet or two of FFF so we can work on one together to see where I can do better, but so far it kinda looks like a combat foamie.

I hinged the control surfaces with Blenderm tape; after hinging, the elevator is tight and moves about 1/4 inch or so; does that sound like enough? In fact, it is tight enough that I am considering using a spar on the elevator to make sure both halves move when the servo moves the surface. I also noticed the surfaces deflect away from the bevels. The hinges are on both sides; straight across the non-beveled sides, then bend the surface backwards over the taped side, and run tape on the bottoms.

Also, I noticed the motor stick is a little crooked, but I think it should be ok. Again, open to advice and all.

Any suggestions for control rod diameter? I have .032 and .047; I think the .032 will too-easily flex.

[gregore2992]

Originally Posted by gfdengine204

Here is where I am so far. James, I still may bring down a sheet or two of FFF so we can work on one together to see where I can do better, but so far it kinda looks like a combat foamie.

I hinged the control surfaces with Blenderm tape; after hinging, the elevator is tight and moves about 1/4 inch or so; does that sound like enough? In fact, it is tight enough that I am considering using a spar on the elevator to make sure both halves move when the servo moves the surface. I also noticed the surfaces deflect away from the bevels. The hinges are on both sides; straight across the non-beveled sides, then bend the surface backwards over the taped side, and run tape on the bottoms.

Also, I noticed the motor stick is a little crooked, but I think it should be ok. Again, open to advice and all.

Any suggestions for control rod diameter? I have .032 and .047; I think the .032 will too-easily flex.

Kev,

Looks good!!

My 2 cents. I use about a 6" spar on my elevator to ensure that both sides move together. On the tape hinges I only tape one side (the flat side) and have had no problems and I just use cheap 2" packing tape (a combator's best friend). Don't worry about the stick mount it looks OK, after you seen the damage our planes have taken and still fly good, small things like that are no big deal.

On the control rod diameter, I use .031" wire. On the run to the elevator I use two zipties to support the wire and reduce it's flex. Cinch the zipties down tight so the wire will glide through them smoothly. Then evenly space them down the run to the elevator, cut slots in the horz. fuse where they are to be placed, clip them off to the correct height and (CA, epoxy, hot glue, whatever) them in place.

Have fun,

Greg

[gfdengine204]

Thanks Greg. Can you take a pic or two of your zip ties and how they attach, please?

[gregore2992]

Originally Posted by gfdengine204

Thanks Greg. Can you take a pic or two of your zip ties and how they attach, please?

You can look at post #136 on this thread for a picture of my plane and the placement of the ties. You can kinda tell where they are (bad pic). If you need a better pic I'll take one tonight after work.

[smokejohnson]

Originally Posted by gfdengine204

Here is where I am so far. James, I still may bring down a sheet or two of FFF so we can work on one together to see where I can do better, but so far it kinda looks like a combat foamie.

Looks good to me Kev. Bring down a couple of sheets and I'll show you how I throw one together.

I hinged the control surfaces with Blenderm tape; after hinging, the elevator is tight and moves about 1/4 inch or so; does that sound like enough? In fact, it is tight enough that I am considering using a spar on the elevator to make sure both halves move when the servo moves the surface. I also noticed the surfaces deflect away from the bevels. The hinges are on both sides; straight across the non-beveled sides, then bend the surface backwards over the taped side, and run tape on the bottoms.

This part doesn't sound good. Your control surfaces should move freely. Give me a day or 2 and I will post some pics of how I do it.

Also, I noticed the motor stick is a little crooked, but I think it should be ok. Again, open to advice and all.

That won't hurt a thing.

Any suggestions for control rod diameter? I have .032 and .047; I think the .032 will too-easily flex.

I use .047 on everything. It is the largest control wire that will fit in the micro EZ connectors I use on all my servos.

[gfdengine204]

James,

Thanks. I was planning on bringing a couple sheets just for that purpose. Need me to bring anything else (epoxy, tape, etc...)? Also, I took it to a club meeting last night and one of my buddies said I probably applied the tape wrong; when I did it, I was pulling it taut as I laid it down. He said that can induce tension. I'll remove the tape and see if I can't get rid of that flex.

Greg,

The photos were a little too fuzzy for me to make out; if you have time, I'd appreciate a closer look.

Oh....what should I include in my "Combat First-Aid Kit" for my plane? I am sure I will need it with you Aces.....

[tiger86]

Originally Posted by gfdengine204

Oh....what should I include in my "Combat First-Aid Kit" for my plane? I am sure I will need it with you Aces.....

Here are some items that I have learned are essential for most field repairs:

1. Clear packing tape - cheap and works wonders for fixing prop strikes and cracks in foam.

2. 5 minute epoxy and/or hot glue - epoxy can get a little messy but has better holding power than hot glue. Hot glue is fast and easy and is plenty strong for most repairs.

3. Hobby knife with #11 blade - great for those quick surgeries.

4. Prop saver, spare prop and O-rings - I've converted my planes to utilize a prop saver and I go through a lot less props now.

5. A spare plane - keeps the fun going when the worst happens. Notice I said "when"...

[gfdengine204]

Well, I have my motor connections all soldered up, got a couple more lipo packs fitted with Deans Micros, and hot-glued (see James, I used it! ) 2 servos in place. Epoxied my control horns in, and cut my pushrods to length. Taped in my carbon fiber spar, fixed my hinges (now they move MUCH easier), and have to just mount my motor and put on some velcro for ESC, RX and Lipo.

I'll still bring some foam and we can do a little workshop, James, just in case this one ain't quite "right".... But I think she will fly.....til one of you fellas knocks her outta the sky.

Talk about right down to the wire.....I'll finish this one with no time to maiden her here. I still need to pack my stuff for my trip and figure how to store my planes with no damage (unlike LAST year's trip ).

[gregore2992]

Originally Posted by gfdengine204

James,

Thanks. I was planning on bringing a couple sheets just for that purpose. Need me to bring anything else (epoxy, tape, etc...)? Also, I took it to a club meeting last night and one of my buddies said I probably applied the tape wrong; when I did it, I was pulling it taut as I laid it down. He said that can induce tension. I'll remove the tape and see if I can't get rid of that flex.

Greg,

The photos were a little too fuzzy for me to make out; if you have time, I'd appreciate a closer look.

Oh....what should I include in my "Combat First-Aid Kit" for my plane? I am sure I will need it with you Aces.....

Kevin,

Hope these pics aren't too late.

Greg

[gfdengine204]

Originally Posted by gregore2992

Kevin,

Hope these pics aren't too late.

Greg

Greg,

Not at all. Thanks much.

I'm using the .047, and it hasn't much flex, but I like how you did that. I will have that in the back of my mind for another project (and may still use it on this one too. )

Thanks much. Can't wait to show off my beast and hear the laughter.

[gregore2992]

Originally Posted by gfdengine204

Greg,

Not at all. Thanks much.

I'm using the .047, and it hasn't much flex, but I like how you did that. I will have that in the back of my mind for another project (and may still use it on this one too. )

Thanks much. Can't wait to show off my beast and hear the laughter.

Did you notice the gouges in the side of my fuse?? That is from one good prop strike, the one that cut my antenna!!

[smokejohnson]

Kev just bring the foam and a couple of servos if you want the control surfaces hooked up. I have everything else.