I thought it was time I built something conventional to prove to the angry mob that I don't need logarithmic controls on a canard twin to fly a decent pattern.  Chuck Lee gave me a solid (I thought) wing around 700 squares and a nice thick airfoil.  The tail feathers from Endgame III (the first canard) needed a home.  So I grabbed some balsa and the plans from Endgame II and here is the result.  It is inline and the controls exit the bottom of the wing.
The BA 3520-790, Spin 66 ESC and Fiorotti timer all were unemployed survivors of Endgame III.  Even the wheels had a prior home.  I was challenged to build something light and simple, so I set a target weight of 65 ounces.  Stripped all of the old finish and started chucking everything I didn't need.  Replaced solid flaps with built up carved away everything that I could.  Net gain on the wing and stab - 4oz. 

It wasn't until I mated the wing to the fuselage that I discovered a major flaw in the wing.  The LE sheeting out to about 2" had been over sanded and had cross grain cracks that did not show until you put pressure on them.  I replaced all of that wood and added some bracing, but the reality was that it was going to fold someday.  I was going to put a contest finish on it but opted for China coat instead.  So, it joins the ranks of the lighter "10' finish".

All up the plane tops out at 53oz (33 w/o the power train and battery).  The trim will be a flaming LE on the wing and stab ala Jerry Pilgrim.  Very simple and it's name is "Spare Parts".

Ken

Quote from: Ken Culbertson on August 19, 2026, 06:50:07 PMI thought it was time I built something conventional to prove to the angry mob that I don't need logarithmic controls on a canard twin to fly a decent pattern.  Chuck Lee gave me a solid (I thought) wing around 700 squares and a nice thick airfoil.  The tail feathers from Endgame III (the first canard) needed a home.  So I grabbed some balsa and the plans from Endgame II and here is the result.  It is inline and the controls exit the bottom of the wing.
The BA 3520-790, Spin 66 ESC and Fiorotti timer all were unemployed survivors of Endgame III.  Even the wheels had a prior home.  I was challenged to build something light and simple, so I set a target weight of 65 ounces.  Stripped all of the old finish and started chucking everything I didn't need.  Replaced solid flaps with built up carved away everything that I could.  Net gain on the wing and stab - 4oz. 

It wasn't until I mated the wing to the fuselage that I discovered a major flaw in the wing.  The LE sheeting out to about 2" had been over sanded and had cross grain cracks that did not show until you put pressure on them.  I replaced all of that wood and added some bracing, but the reality was that it was going to fold someday.  I was going to put a contest finish on it but opted for China coat instead.  So, it joins the ranks of the lighter "10' finish".

All up the plane tops out at 53oz (33 w/o the power train and battery).  The trim will be a flaming LE on the wing and stab ala Jerry Pilgrim.  Very simple and it's name is "Spare Parts".

Ken

The way it goes with planes like that?  Probably be the best flying airplane you've ever had.  Then you'll wish you had a finish on it.  But then, would it still be the best flying airplane?

Dave

Models don't fly right until they are so beat up that the earth doesn't want them anymore

Maden flight Friday.  Complete success.  Needed tail weight and a bit fast at 4.8. An 1/2 ounce to dreaded tail weight got it to Saturday and after a second 1 min hop at 5.2 I went for two min and gave the acid test - triangles outside squares and an hourglass. Still in one piece!  Opened up the handle and went slowed it down a bit more to 5.4 for it's first pattern.  Success!  It doesn't hunt, and it tracks rounds as well as my twin, maybe better.  I am already regretting the MonoKote finish. I was surprised that the 650sq" wing and small flaps cornered as well as it did.

 

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