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Building Tips and technical articles. => 1/2 A building. => Topic started by: Larry Renger on November 02, 2008, 07:30:12 PM

Title: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: Larry Renger on November 02, 2008, 07:30:12 PM
Here are photos of my recently completed Skyfire.  It weighs 7 ounces.  Power is a Tee Dee .049 running side port pressure, a Norvel plug and Kirn-Kraft needle system.  Prop is an APC 6x2.  Tank is 1 ounce.  Wing area is 165 sq.in.  The Cox folded foam wings have an added internal spar that punches the thickness up just a tad and keeps it there (they tend to collapse over time otherwise).  It has a 3" bellcrank, and I use the RSM Ultimate handle to smooth out the level flight and round maneuvers.

I fly it currently on 42.5' .008 cable lines, and may try 45'.  It is rock solid everywhere in the pattern, and a couple of expert fliers are interested in building one.  I may draw up the plans with a built up wing, as the Cox wings are getting rare.  Of course if one of you cottage-industry dudes learned how to mold Depron.....
Title: Re: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: Bill Adair on November 05, 2008, 09:21:29 PM
Larry,

Very nice!  H^^

Bill
Title: Re: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: ray copeland on November 06, 2008, 11:09:16 AM
Larry , very nice work!! I would like to do something similar this winter with a Hyper-Viper wing. Not familiar with the t-nut you had mentioned for the pressure nipple or the Kirn-Kraft needle assembly. I have a tee dee .049 that i would like to use on this project. Any info on the t-nut and needle would be appreciated.  Ray
Title: Re: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: Mike Anderson on November 06, 2008, 12:19:37 PM
Larry , very nice work!! I would like to do something similar this winter with a Hyper-Viper wing. Not familiar with the t-nut you had mentioned for the pressure nipple or the Kirn-Kraft needle assembly. I have a tee dee .049 that i would like to use on this project. Any info on the t-nut and needle would be appreciated.  Ray

Ray - maybe you call it a "blind nut".  A t-nut is the standard motor-mounting blind nut.  I think that
(judging from the picture), the outer diameter is ground down into a "lip" that the pressure tubing will
not slip off of and then the nut is just screwed right onto the plastic nipple.

A kirn-kraft needle assembly is a fine-thread (128 thread/inch) needle valve that replaces the Cox
needle, which is usually too course a thread when trying to run pressure.  Don't know WHERE you might
still be able to get a Kirn-Kraft needle - Ace RC used to have a similar unit, also.

Title: Re: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: Larry Renger on November 06, 2008, 08:59:31 PM
Right answers, Mike.  Good show!  y1
Title: Re: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: Robert W on November 07, 2008, 05:38:51 AM
You can get the fine thread needle assemblies from Texas Timers. I got a couple from there and they look like the KK ones I already had from my free flight days.
Title: Re: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: Larry Renger on November 07, 2008, 09:56:03 PM
Great tip! Thanks, I would like a couple more of them!!!   y1
Title: Re: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: Stan Tyler on November 10, 2008, 02:11:33 PM
Hi Larry,

Try http://www.texastimers.com/

The link to needle valves is on the left hand side under Accessories.

They also have  needle valve assys that may be useful in other small engines.

Later,
Stan
Title: Re: Skyfire 2, latest incarnation
Post by: Larry Renger on November 10, 2008, 05:34:59 PM
Thanks, Stan!  I have put in an order.