Author Topic: LittleAxe repair progress (Read 4524 times)

minnesotamodeler · « **on:** June 05, 2007, 04:12:09 PM »

Here's the current state of repair of the LIttleAxe. You migh recall, the pushrod and elevator horn parted company on the back side of a lazy eight, resulting in a suicidal wingover...don't let anyone tell you wingflaps alone give ANY kind of pitch control. That's a myth, and I have the evidence to prove it!

Just need to install a new rudder, and the fuselage formed deck; cover the wing, paint...I believe that's it. It went back together easier than I expected.

While I had interior access, I reworked the pushrod connection, in fact replaced the whole pushrod.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #1 on:** June 06, 2007, 11:33:29 AM »

You've been a busy guy Ray................

Looking good. I think it'll fly.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #2 on:** June 06, 2007, 02:45:41 PM »

Well, I hope...at least it looks really straight, that was my biggest concern--building a warp into it.

The sewn hinges on the outboard flap, and the rudder, popped on impact. Can't decide if that's good (relieving stress so something else doesn't break) or bad (too weak). I put them back the same way anyhow. Hinges on the inboard flap, and elevator, are unscathed and tight as ever.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #3 on:** June 06, 2007, 04:28:54 PM »

Quote from: minnesotamodeler on June 06, 2007, 02:45:41 PM

Well, I hope...at least it looks really straight, that was my biggest concern--building a warp into it.

The sewn hinges on the outboard flap, and the rudder, popped on impact. Can't decide if that's good (relieving stress so something else doesn't break) or bad (too weak).

--Ray

In my neck of the woods Ray--We say that model planes are supposed to break in a crash.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #4 on:** June 06, 2007, 07:50:01 PM »

Yeah, I know, that's something I've really tried to wrap my mind around the last year or so. Remember my "heritage" is combat and Rat race, the planes--at least back then--were designed to take a beating, even a moderate crash, and still go back up. So my tendency is to overbuild, at least by stunt standards. I been working on it, amazing myself with how much structure you can leave out and still have an airworthy ship. As evidence of my progress I submit my 10-ounce Frankenstone Arrow! And the current LittleAxe is around 10.5 oz., as contrasted with the original at nearly 16. So I'm learning, I'm learning...

--Ray

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2007, 09:42:39 AM »

Repair progress updated: About ready for re-covering, then paint.

--Ray

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #6 on:** June 26, 2007, 07:06:46 PM »

LITTLEAXE LIVES!

Finally found time to finish repairs/rebuild. Ready to go. It gained about 1/2 oz., not bad considering.

I was going to install a pilot, surely that's why it crashed last time, but forgot and closed it up without one. Oh well. Had him all picked out and everything, a black cat.

--Ray

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #7 on:** July 07, 2007, 12:01:37 PM »

Got the now-rebuilt LittleAxe out today. 48' lines, good steady engine run, that Norvel .061 is a dream engine, plane flies as well as before. I can make the prettiest triangles with it!

Still, it gets a little light in outsides, even bucked in at least once and slacked the lines, as though it hit some turbulence or something. The outside wing is level upright and inverted, so I'll add some more tip weight for next time. I have the leadout guides pretty far forward too, actually about as far as they will go; there is no yaw in the flight attitude that I can detect--all you see from the handle is one wheel, they align perfectly. So maybe the LOs could go a little bit back?

Here's something else: The CG shift as fuel runs out is noticeable on the handle, increasing sensitivity toward the end of the flight. I have to decrease handle movement more and more as the flight progresses. What do you guys do about that? Start out a little noseheavy? Set your tank on the CG? Just deal with it?

Finally, trying to spot-land on the 30' or so of asphalt walk that I can reach, I kinda bounced it in--and knocked the post off another Nelson plug! That's four now, I think. Guess I'll just work on grass landings.

--Ray

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #8 on:** July 09, 2007, 02:40:30 PM »

OK, I added tip weight (another nickel) and moved the LOs back about 1/4". That, and a little tweak of the outboard flap, cured the "light outsides" tendency. Much more consistent line tension everywhere.

Flew it several times today. I don't think I've ever put it through the complete pattern, in order, yet, but I have now done all the maneuvers anyhow, including the overhead eights, always scariest for me, and the hourglass although it insists on making a very round top (how DO you guys get that top flat?), and the clover which is just a very involved maneuver for me. Pretty sloppy looking but done.

I believe the reverse wingover is the nicest thing it does, nice square corners, the half-lap inverted very precise, positive tension everywhere, just good and solid...and I think I know why: The CG is farthest forward then, carrying a full fuel load (2 oz.). The plane is much touchier toward the end of the flight.

So I'm thinking, maybe the CG could stand to be moved forward a little. The landing gear is kinda springy, fine on smooth touchdowns but becomes bouncy if you drop it in at all, so I'm going to try to stiffen it up with a wire brace between the legs about halfway up, and wire doublers from there down to the wheels--thereby also adding a little nose weight. Maybe I'll even add some fairings while I'm at it.

Remains to be seen how it will come out but that's the next project. I LOVE how this airplane flies!

--Ray

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #9 on:** July 21, 2007, 02:57:01 PM »

Here are pics of the landing gear stiffener as imagined in the above post. Not real pretty as I thought I was gonna cover it with some fairings (and may yet). Did what it was supposed to, much less bouncy now. Maybe I won't ruin any more Nelson plugs.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2007, 06:58:38 AM »

These last few posts presented a great sequence of events. You've been working on the LA that's for sure.
I think if you add just a tad more noseweight (fairings?) you might squelch some of the sesnsitivity toward the end of the run.
What's the fuel blend you're using?

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2007, 03:11:31 PM »

I'm running 15% nitro, Sig Champion I think, can never remember the brand since I put it in a square jug that hangs on the end of my flight box, and threw the original away. I added about 6 oz. of castor (to a gallon of fuel) so the nitro is actually a percent or two lower than advertised. I originally castor'ed up the fuel to accommodate my Fox .35 stunt a couple of years ago, but it worked so well in everything else I just kept doing it. Runs a little sloppy but everything starts and runs well, from the .020s on up, and I haven't worn anything out...

Still thinking about the fairings, kind of a struggle between working on it some more and taking it out to fly. A heat wave is settling in here, air advisories out for about the entire week (don't breathe if you don't have to) so I'll probably go ahead with the fairings.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #12 on:** July 22, 2007, 07:39:50 PM »

Don't breathe if you don't have to----that's a rich one.
I'd say go ahead and do the fairings a great plane like that should have pants.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2007, 05:35:30 PM »

Working on fairings...probably not wheel pants though; not compatible with rough grass.

Kind of the same construction as you showed me on the Autogiro, remember Frank?

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2007, 07:00:46 PM »

I sure do remember Ray. The fairings should give you just the right added noes weight you wanted. I hope you plan on posting pix of the job when it's done.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #15 on:** July 23, 2007, 07:31:24 PM »

You know me, of course I will. Love that digital camera!

frank carlisle · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2007, 07:52:39 PM »

Pictures are what makes magazines popular. I wish everyone that posts would add pictures. It's a lot more fun. Even if they don't have anything to do with the topic.

~>

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #17 on:** July 24, 2007, 01:53:31 AM »

Oh yeah, me too.

frank carlisle · « **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2007, 04:08:19 AM »

Oh goody---Chinese food on the hoof!

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #19 on:** July 24, 2007, 07:35:37 AM »

Now you're just gettin silly.

frank carlisle · « **Reply #20 on:** July 24, 2007, 07:42:51 AM »

Silly?? That hurts....

I'll see your cat and raise you a dog.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #21 on:** July 24, 2007, 09:59:20 AM »

Heeere's Jefe (The Boss in Spanish)

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #22 on:** July 24, 2007, 01:33:06 PM »

Now that's one evil looking cat. Mine's just goofy.

Check out those eyes...

Larry Renger · « **Reply #23 on:** July 24, 2007, 04:00:40 PM »

Happily, he just looks that way. He is really gentle with his claws and friendly.

Ralph Wenzel (d) · « **Reply #24 on:** July 24, 2007, 06:50:47 PM »

Pandora, however, answers to all your particulars, Ray. She's the boss, and the 21# tomcat knows it!

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #25 on:** July 25, 2007, 08:44:11 AM »

Now that's a cat!!!!

I thought my Smokey was big at 16#.

Wait a minute...this is a "she", then can't be the 21# tomcat. Get us a picture of the brute!

--Ray

Ralph Wenzel (d) · « **Reply #26 on:** July 25, 2007, 06:42:31 PM »

Hi Ray,
This is "Screaming Flea":

frank carlisle · « **Reply #27 on:** July 25, 2007, 07:28:46 PM »

DOESN"T ANYONE HAVE A DOG?

This is Baby. He's a terrific watch dog. When the mailman goes by Baby doesn't bark.....he just watches.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #28 on:** July 25, 2007, 07:46:16 PM »

No dogs here, I love 'em but in this state you have to pick up after them with a baggie, even in your own yard...at least a cat uses a litter box.

What kinda dog is that? Looks like a skunk tail, no reflection intended. Little bit Border Collie, maybe?

frank carlisle · « **Reply #29 on:** July 25, 2007, 07:59:22 PM »

He's a Border Collie/Shepard mix. Great dog. 13 years old.
Detroit is a little lax about dog control.
Baby has a spot in the way back where he takes care of his business. I hose the place down regularly and everybody is happy.
I've been walking him every morning for all 13 years. He's getting old. I think he's going deaf but he might just be ignoring me.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #30 on:** July 25, 2007, 08:05:35 PM »

Border Collies are great dogs.

Bill Adair · « **Reply #31 on:** July 25, 2007, 10:55:40 PM »

This is my dog Ramsey. Smartest dog we have ever owned, and the most gentle.

Brought a new Lhasa Apso female puppy home earlier this year, and the first thing she did was run to his bowl, and stick her head between him and his food. All Ramsey did was step back and look at me, as if to ask "Do I have to put up with this?". He let her eat her fill, and only then did he go back to the food in his bowl.

Yes, we also have a cat. Classic tiger about fifteen years old, and mean as a snake, except with Ramsey and Dixie! They get along beautifully.

Bill

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #32 on:** August 06, 2007, 07:33:01 PM »

So OK, here's the new fairings on the LittleAxe, covering up the wire crossbrace attachment (messy soldering). Haven't flown it yet, looks like there'll be a little delay since I'm having my knee carved on this Thurs., probably be laid up for a bit.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #33 on:** August 06, 2007, 07:51:46 PM »

That's a nice piece of work there Ray...........nice design. Gotta love those fairings. They look great. Dresses It Out..

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #34 on:** August 06, 2007, 08:07:02 PM »

Yeah, now it's crying for some wheelpants but I'm resisting mightily...

frank carlisle · « **Reply #35 on:** August 06, 2007, 09:00:54 PM »

Yeah wheel pants would realy set it off.

Better get to it Ray.