Author Topic: Got my Brodak Jr. Nobler Kit today! (Read 4551 times)

Larry Renger · « **on:** September 13, 2012, 11:36:38 PM »

Well packed, delivered in perfect condition. Fast shipping after my order. Very complete kit with an excellent instruction book. Lovely wood, well laser cut. I will document the build as it goes on.

Several problems noted so far:

First, it has a 2" bellcrank. This will make the plane extremely squirrely, and possibly not even allow it to pull full control due to the Netzband wall. Sadly, the holes in the ribs for the leadouts are small, so I will need to enlarge them both for a 3" bellcrank and then for adjustable leadouts. I use 3" bellcranks on my 1/2As; I'm sure not going smaller on a .15 ship.

Second, this is a .15 size model and they spec a 1.25 oz tank. Lots of luck making THAT through the whole pattern. Even a Tee Dee .049 needs 1.125 ounces!

Third, I think that they used the landing gear from some other kit, rather than custom ones for this model. .15 engines like 8" props, and there is not enough clearance for one. They even show the position of the ORIGINAL gear on the plan! But not a pattern for it. C'mon John!

Finally, they don't include a tipweight box or provision for adjustable leadouts. I can only presume that they assume that nobody will ever compete with this plane. Or want it to fly really, really well.

None of the above sour me on the kit as the hard stuff is done, and done well. I may grumble, but fixing the above problems is no big deal.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2012, 08:32:21 AM »

Yeah, most guys//gals that fly just for the fun of it probably don't know about the stuff we do.

Terrence Durrill · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2012, 01:49:55 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on September 14, 2012, 08:32:21 AM

Yeah, most guys//gals that fly just for the fun of it probably don't know about the stuff we do.

FLY FOR FUN GUY!!!!....THAT'S ME.....ME!!!!!!!!!!............TD

Bill Little · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2012, 02:08:25 PM »

Hi Larry,

You "can" make a 3 1/2" BC from a 4" one.

Bill

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2012, 05:52:26 PM »

I've been using hand crafted 4 inch bellcranks for 1/2 A, 09 and 15 size airplanes. It is a trick getting them into a 6 inch chord wing to suit.

John Sunderland · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2012, 07:42:48 PM »

I did my first ever reverse wingover with one of these at age 12. My OS Max 15 was propped incorrectly and my lines were to heavy. I used whatever fuel I was givien. I had no idea what line drag was and figured I was doing good if I didnt crash.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2012, 02:56:16 PM »

Brodak responds! John has decided, as a result of my badgering him, to make 3" bellcranks optional on all his .15 size planes. The leadout cutouts will be modified so the conversion is easy! Thanks, John!

Jay · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2012, 07:28:25 PM »

Looking at Brodak's website I noticed they he now sells a Brodak 15. Kinda pricey at $79.99. Has anyone tried this engine? Good choice for the Jr Nobler?

Jay

john e. holliday · « **Reply #8 on:** October 06, 2012, 03:45:50 PM »

Quote from: John Sunderland on September 14, 2012, 07:42:48 PM

I did my first ever reverse wingover with one of these at age 12. My OS Max 15 was propped incorrectly and my lines were to heavy. I used whatever fuel I was givien. I had no idea what line drag was and figured I was doing good if I didnt crash.

Weren't we all in this boat at the beginning?? Also John is really a great person after I got a Brodak kit off the bay and it was not the kit on the box. He sent me the correct kit. I paid for it anyway as I wanted to keep both kits.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2012, 08:04:50 AM »

Quote from: John Sunderland on September 14, 2012, 07:42:48 PM

I did my first ever reverse wingover with one of these at age 12. My OS Max 15 was propped incorrectly and my lines were to heavy. I used whatever fuel I was givien. I had no idea what line drag was and figured I was doing good if I didnt crash.

Great stuff John. I think a lot of these early airplanes, especialy the small ones got a less then steller rep for all the reasons you stated plus they were probably a little (or a lot) heavy, with the wrong lines & such. I remember the kit box pix showed it with the tank on the OUTSIDE of the fuselage for AYSC events - that was always a turn-off for me..,

No doubt, DesignMan's will be light with great power flown on the right lines and actually TRIMMED OUT!

Paul Smith · « **Reply #10 on:** October 15, 2012, 01:10:57 PM »

It's too bad I learned so late in life that 2" bellcranks don't work. I wouldn't have wasted 45 years of my life flying with bellcranks that can't possibly control an airplane.

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #11 on:** October 15, 2012, 10:25:06 PM »

1) My best flying plane in Jr. High (Fox .15 steel fin, 8-4 Tornado nylon, Blue Blazer) used a 2" Perfect ball bearing bellcrank. Would it have been better with a 4" BC? Yes, probably, but it was pretty decent. I don't recall what elevator horn I used, but that was before nylon ones came out.

2) The biggest challenge was that one of my lines was .015", and the other .018". Had to use what I could dig up, considerably impaired by mean older bothers.

Steve

Larry Renger · « **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2012, 11:08:34 PM »

Considering the performance we are getting locally with .061 machines, the Jr. Nobler should be spectacular. Imagine, another .3 to .5 seconds per lap to do the maneuvers! (I kid you not, that is VERY noticable!). I got a 457 at the Hi Johnson with a model turning 4.5 second laps. 5 seconds becomes "all the time in the world", the big guys at 5.2 should be falling asleeeeeep.

You want to sharpen your skills? fly a good 1cc model. It is like swinging a bat with weights on it before going to the plate. (Don't forget to take the weights off!)

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #13 on:** October 20, 2012, 06:17:40 PM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on October 19, 2012, 11:08:34 PM

Considering the performance we are getting locally with .061 machines, the Jr. Nobler should be spectacular. Imagine, another .3 to .5 seconds per lap to do the maneuvers! (I kid you not, that is VERY noticable!). I got a 457 at the Hi Johnson with a model turning 4.5 second laps. 5 seconds becomes "all the ime in the world", the big guys at 5.2 should be falling asleeeeeep.

You want to sharpen your skills? fly a good 1cc model. It is like swinging a bat with weights on it before going to the plate. (Don't forget to take the weights off!)

No doubt. I do not have much experience with seriously good small airplanes, when I first flew my 1/2A Pathfinder I was (and remain) blown away at the level of performance. Causing a general re-look at any/all of the smaller birds that I have dismissed in the past.

Jim Howell · « **Reply #14 on:** October 27, 2012, 07:59:28 PM »

Quote from: Larry Renger on October 19, 2012, 11:08:34 PM

Considering the performance we are getting locally with .061 machines, the Jr. Nobler should be spectacular. Imagine, another .3 to .5 seconds per lap to do the maneuvers! (I kid you not, that is VERY noticable!). I got a 457 at the Hi Johnson with a model turning 4.5 second laps. 5 seconds becomes "all the time in the world", the big guys at 5.2 should be falling asleeeeeep.

You want to sharpen your skills? fly a good 1cc model. It is like swinging a bat with weights on it before going to the plate. (Don't forget to take the weights off!)

So, Larry, have you decided on what motivation you will use on your Jr. Nobler?
Hmmm,
Jim Howell
Huntsville, AL

Leester · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2012, 10:24:53 AM »

Jay, at 79.99 the Brodak 15 is not that bad of a price considering it's set up for C/L. A OS 15 LA is 69.99 then you have to buy a NVA and Venturi which will put it above the B-15's price.
I have two but haven't run them yet (future project) but if there like the 25 and 40 they'll be good engines.

Jim Howell · « **Reply #16 on:** November 12, 2012, 05:59:00 AM »

Quote from: Ty Marcucci on October 27, 2012, 08:38:56 PM

HI Jim. Do you still have your kit of the Top Flite Jr Nobler or have you sold it??

Still got it. Never could quite pull the trigger on offering it up for sale. Been watching what Larry has to report about his build for inspiration.

Jim Howell

Leo Mehl · « **Reply #17 on:** November 26, 2012, 06:07:21 PM »

I also have a kit coming from Brodak. I campained one of these planes in the 60's and it did quite well as I recall. I flew it on 50' .15 thousand lines with a Fox fifteen swinging a 7x6 prop. Build it light and it will do the pattern with ease.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #18 on:** March 17, 2013, 10:03:51 AM »

the original Aldrich plans show a Cox Medallion .15, and I have that engine and the TD .15.

RC Storick · « **Reply #19 on:** March 17, 2013, 10:11:07 AM »

My very first contest was at Whitter Narrows I flew a JR Nobler powered with a Veco.19. Its a good flying airplane.

E Lee · « **Reply #20 on:** March 21, 2013, 05:21:58 PM »

I am planning to use a Medallion 09 for my Jr Nobler (original TF version) due to the limited tank spacing. Would the plane be under powered?

john e. holliday · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2013, 09:22:29 AM »

If you don't plan on doing the pattern and just flying around, yes it would be under powered. I flew mine years ago with a Medallion .15 which was a good combo for me back then.

Bill Little · « **Reply #22 on:** March 22, 2013, 09:26:09 AM »

Several years ago Tower had a close out on Jr. Nobler kits so I got one. Finished it with moneycoat and powered with a new Fox .15X. It has a total of 4 flights!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

E Lee · « **Reply #23 on:** March 22, 2013, 02:19:23 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on March 22, 2013, 09:22:29 AM

I flew mine years ago with a Medallion .15 which was a good combo for me back then.

Thanks for the advice. I do have a Medallion 15 to use - got it in a trade with Larry Renger.

Larry Renger · « **Reply #24 on:** March 26, 2013, 05:17:46 PM »

Quote from: Bill Little on March 22, 2013, 09:26:09 AM

Several years ago Tower had a close out on Jr. Nobler kits so I got one. Finished it with moneycoat and powered with a new Fox .15X. It has a total of 4 flights!

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Yes, but how many attempts to start the engine?

Jim Thomerson · « **Reply #25 on:** March 26, 2013, 07:50:02 PM »

I had always thought, from looking at the ads that the Jr Nobler was an ugly little airplane. Once I saw the plans, I changed my opinion. I won't ever build one, but if I did I would put a TD 09 in it If I could keep it at 17 oz or less it would fly the pattern fine, I expect. If you look at engine reports, the TD 09 is very comparable to the Fox 15X in horsepower, even on 10% nitro fuel.