Need help with 1/2 A electric FREE FLIGHT

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

I would like to start building my 1/2 A electric (Brodak) pylon wing mount Playboy kit.The plane shows the motor line straight ahead and no down thrust .

Should I add down thrust and a few degrees of right into it ??

Thanks
Charlie

[whitecrest]

I'd build it as shown by the plan. If you need down or right thrust later, it's easy to shim the motor a few degrees. You may not need any adjustments.

[Patsy2Shoes]

hi Guys

Just thought I would bring you up to date with a few pics

Charlie

[aeronca52]

I'd side with whitecrest. No need to build in something you might not need later. Just complicates things.

BTW it looks good so far!

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

I would like to post a few pictures of the build so far.

Charlie

[rcers]

Excellent work - looks very nice in the bones...

[aeronca52]

Lookin good! You're gonna love it.
Be sure to install a tail skid to keep the elevators off the ground. Avoid a wheel, too much weight too far back.

[Dragonflyer]

Thanks for the pics Charlie. It sure looks good.
Sparked my memory, so I took a look and sure enough I have a Leisure Models Playboy in the box downstairs. Also found a Leisure Models Eaglet.
The Playboy is cool with the pylon mount. Talk about a floater, it should be. Lawnchair flyin'

Bill

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

Just about finished .I will wait for some calm day to maiden it .

Charlie

[aeronca52]

Whoa, that is definitely a keeper. You're gonna like the way it flies. Nice job.

[Dragonflyer]

That is beautiful Charlie.
Now go buy one of those lawn chairs that has the foot rest.
Great job man.

Bill

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

I had the maiden flight today all went well considering it is a little tail heavy. I will have to work on that ..

I was thinking of moving the wing further back by changing the shap of the pylon .Any body have any ideas how that would work ?

Charlie

[Dragonflyer]

What does it take to balance ? Can you move battery forward any ?
That is a big wing and to add an ounce or two up front should not hurt.
I wouldn't do anything with the pylon. Is that a flat bottom wing where it could be scooted back a 1/4 inch or so ? Then keyed so it stays put.
JMA
Bill

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Dragon

I balancd the model according to the prints . I moved the battery out of the fuse and mounted it on the bottom as far forward as possible .I used a larger battery as well .The original called for was a 2 cell 750 MAH , to increase the weight I used a 3 cell 610 MAH.

I also added 3/4 ounces of temporary stick on lead weight to the outside as far forward as possible .

The wing is undercambered and has a definate shape and cannot be moved back easily.It fits in a definate groove.

Thanks
Charlie

[Dragonflyer]

Charlie,
Just to clarify, its does balance at the point specified on the plans ? If so why do you think it is tailheavy ?

Bill

[Dragonflyer]

Charlie,
I went back and re-read your post where you said "no down thrust". That may be part of your problem. I think it should have 4 to 5 degrees. With that high lift wing it is going to want to climb under power with no down thrust. JMO

Bill

[aeronca52]

Dragon, I have 3 r/c Playboys and just checked and none have down thrust. Don't forget the faster you fly the more the lifting stab will want to lift up and put the nose down. But that's just me.

[Dragonflyer]

I didn't know it had an airfoiled stab. That's inherent of the old free flight designs. We need to here more from Charlie. You can probably help him more than I as you have this very airplane.
I have time in a '46 Aeronca Chief.

Bill

[aeronca52]

Originally Posted by Dragonflyer

I didn't know it had an airfoiled stab. That's inherent of the old free flight designs. We need to here more from Charlie. You can probably help him more than I as you have this very airplane.
I have time in a '46 Aeronca Chief.

Bill

Neat of you to mention your time in the Chief. My brothers and I owned a '46 7AC for 31 years and somewhere in there also had a '46 Chief for about 4years Champ-N1561E Chief-N3496E
Yes, the Playboy had a lifting stab just like a lot of oldtimers (models). Makes trimming a little more thought provoking.

[Dragonflyer]

Owned a 152, Citabria, Cessna 180, built an Acro Sport II. Learned to fly in the 152, towed banners with the Citabria, hauled Skydivers with the 180, had fun in the bipe. Straight up, straight down, right side up, upside down.
Built models in the 50's, RC in the 70's, full scale in the 80's & 90's, back to models in the 2000's. Just doesn't get old....

Hey Charlie, how did the first flight go ? Details...

Bill

[Patsy2Shoes]

Hi Guys

I am under the opinion that It flys tail heavy because when I lower the throttle to zero instead of a glide I just get a porpousing action (mild) .Other times it will just hang against the breeze at a nose up angle and seem to not even move .It will not glide unless I add considerable down elevator.
Thanks
Charlie

[aeronca52]

Charlie, if it needs down elevator to penetrate the wind try a 1/16 shim under the front of the stab. This is the same as adding down elevator. You could also add a little weight to the nose, maybe a fender washer behind the prop on the motor shaft. Down thrust will help while under power but if your incidence settings are off then it will show up in a poor glide.

When adding weight is is best to add as little as possible to get the job done. Naturally the further front it is added the less overall you will need. Like moving 2 boys in and out on a see-saw. If you can move the motor forward about 1/4 to 1/2 inch this will make a big difference. Click this link and scroll down to see how this modeler moved his motor forward about 2". http://www.headsuprc.com/servlet/the...lectric/Detail

That's a little extreme for your Playboy but that's the idea. BTW that is Heads Up r/c's site and they do sell those motor extensions ( I believe they call them standoffs) and they only charge $2 shipping or something like that. And I am not related to them, just trying to help out.

I know a lot of folks on different forums stress light weight in a model. That's fine if you're only flying inside, but outside you need a little heavier model to penetrate the wind. Just as full size sailplanes use water ballast to penetrate for cross country flying. As silly as it sounds my oldtimers with their heavier nicad batteries fly great. Lighten then up and the wind starts blowing them around. Imagine trying to fly a feather in high wind. My Dad once had a flying buddy who built a 78" sailplane so light he couldn't fly it in any kind of wind. It just would blow downwind.

To reiterate, a heavier model will fly better in windier weather. Keep us informed how things go. Once trimmed out you will get great flights with the Playboy.

[Dragonflyer]

Charlie,
I just went to look at the plans for my Playboy. Here is where the CG is on my plans.
From the leading edge of the pylon - 4 3/8"
From the firewall - 6 1/2"
Had not looked at the kit for some time. All of the parts are cut out. No diecut sheets.
I have left the box set out..... It is now third on the list of builds this winter.
Finish the Daddy-O, Gyrocopter, then the Playboy.

Too Much Fun
Bill

[Dragonflyer]

You are right on Aeronca52. Good advice.
Get the glide, everything else will fall into place.

Bill

[aeronca52]

Thanks Bill. You said it all in just one sentence. Took me 4.

I just went out and weighed my better flying PB out of the 3. With a 6 cell 1800 mah nicad battery it balances at 4" behind the leading edge. But, note, my firewall is 2 1/4 inches ahead of the top (front most) of the pylon. I added a short fuselage 'bay' ahead of the plans firewall to extend my firewall for balance reasons.

The other PB I have is balanced a little further back to help thermal. It is squirrelly and not relaxing to fly.

The 3rd one is up in the rafters.

Hope this helps, Charlie.