Author Topic: 2012 Stunter - Thundervolt - A Build LOG (Read 22110 times)

proparc · « **Reply #200 on:** July 25, 2012, 11:06:51 PM »

Chris
What weight pound of Balsa are you using, and how are you controlling that selection?

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #201 on:** July 26, 2012, 05:56:24 AM »

Quote from: proparc on July 25, 2012, 11:06:51 PM

Chris
What weight pound of Balsa are you using, and how are you controlling that selection?

I like to use from 6.5# to 7.5# balsa. I use my gram scale and weigh each piece mark it and then assign a pound figure. Then I stack my balsa from the heaviest wood on the bottom to the lightest on top.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #202 on:** July 26, 2012, 09:25:24 PM »

Installed the flap and elevator pushrods tonight. Yeah, I used a left hand thread fitting on the flap pushrod. I figured it would be easier to center the flaps using it. I was right. I adjusted the length to close enough and bolted it to the flap horn. I centered the lead outs and then I just used my small wrench to center the flap horn - easy! Yeah the LH thread fitting cost a little more but it was worth it. I then installed the elevator pushrod. Notice that I use a 4-40 fender washer on the outboard side of the ball link. It acts as a "safety" just incase the link pops off the ball, I won't loose all control. Never had it happen, but it's a good policy none-the-less.

I then glued on the molded to and bottom blocks. I run a Q-tip soaked in water along the edge of both the fuselage and block before I add the glue. This is done to swell the joint slightly, thus giving me a nice tight joint.

I have not glued in the stabilizer yet. I usually do that after the fuselage is covered with carbon fiber and doped several coats. This then assures that the stabilizer, once glued in place, will not be "pulled" out of alignment due to the fuselage being covered and doped. I figure that after the initial coats of dope, everything has settled down and it would be ok to glue in the stab.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #203 on:** July 27, 2012, 05:55:03 PM »

The top and bottom molded blocks are sanded. I ran into a bit of a problem. On the right front corner of the long tapered block slipped when the glue was drying. This left about 1/16 of the fuselage side exposed. It would need filling then sanded down. Instead of filling, I cut the affected area away and then glued in a piece of 3/16 solid balsa about 1 1/2 long. I used my Pica Gluit glue and in an hour it was ready to sand. It turned out great. Beats filling, sanding, filling, sanding all along taking at least an extra day.

The fuselage is now ready to be covered.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #204 on:** July 28, 2012, 09:46:06 AM »

Amazing, had to look real close to see the patch after sanding. Great work.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #205 on:** July 28, 2012, 09:20:34 PM »

Thanks Doc.

Today's progress.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #206 on:** July 28, 2012, 10:31:50 PM »

Ya mon! that is looking really great. I thought you were going to paint the fuse..?

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #207 on:** July 29, 2012, 10:50:31 AM »

Quote from: Dennis Adamisin on July 28, 2012, 10:31:50 PM

Ya mon! that is looking really great. I thought you were going to paint the fuse..?

Dennis,
Thanks. I was going to paint it but it is getting late in the year to do that. Monokote is faster. I can always do the painting this winter. I want to get this pane in the air to see how well it performs.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #208 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:09:35 PM »

Looks like first flight will be Sunday!

Still have to do the rudder, mount the LG, install the motor, ESC, battery mount, and timer. Seal the hinge gaps and install some tip weight. I have other details that I need to do too. It weighs 26.1 ounces as you see it. It will come very close to my 50 ounce target. And yes, I have a red spinner on order!

James Mills · « **Reply #209 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:47:53 PM »

Crist,

Looks good buddy, hope it flys as well as it looks. I'm looking forward to seeing it in person.

James

Jason Greer · « **Reply #210 on:** August 02, 2012, 08:58:22 PM »

Looks great Crist!

Airacobra · « **Reply #211 on:** August 03, 2012, 01:09:41 PM »

Looks great Crist, Putting Monokote on that bird is no easy task but you sure seemed to have mastered it, great job!!!!

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #212 on:** August 03, 2012, 04:07:31 PM »

Thanks Jason and Keith.

Leester · « **Reply #213 on:** August 03, 2012, 07:56:16 PM »

Where you gunna fly Sunday

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #214 on:** August 03, 2012, 09:12:46 PM »

Quote from: Leester on August 03, 2012, 07:56:16 PM

Where you gunna fly Sunday

Haven't decided. Is Mt. Joy circles cut?

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #215 on:** August 04, 2012, 08:50:55 PM »

Ready for the first flight. It ended up weighing 50.9 ounces after adding a 1/2 ounce tailweight to have it balance at 23%. I still have to add the shorting plug and seal the hinge lines. I'll seal them before I go flying tomorrow. Then before the next contest, I'll add the shorting plug.

I think I'll add some bars and stars to the fuselage sides and maybe on the bottom of the wing.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #216 on:** August 05, 2012, 07:18:44 AM »

Wunnerful wunnerful wunnerful! GOOD LUCK and take it slow...

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #217 on:** August 06, 2012, 09:28:20 PM »

First flights are a success! This plane has potential. Working on the quality of turn. I'm running at 9625rpm, 62 foot lines eye to eye, lap time 5.3, 13 x 4.5P cut down to 12" and I use about 1650mah for a run time of 5 minutes and 15 seconds.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #218 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:04:34 AM »

That sounds great and hope you have mucho success with it. I also like the very clean lines of the plane. Maybe it is the paint scheme. But, I do like the layout of the plane. Now is this going to get published or kitted??

Allan Perret · « **Reply #219 on:** August 07, 2012, 12:23:55 PM »

Quote from: Crist Rigotti on August 06, 2012, 09:28:20 PM

First flights are a success! This plane has potential. Working on the quality of turn. I'm running at 9625rpm, 62 foot lines eye to eye, lap time 5.3, 13 x 4.5P cut down to 12" and I use about 1650mah for a run time of 5 minutes and 15 seconds.

Nice job on the finish.
Do you have plan or drawing for that stooge ?

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #220 on:** August 07, 2012, 01:45:17 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on August 07, 2012, 09:04:34 AM

Now is this going to get published or kitted??

Now THAT is a great idea!

CONGRATS on test flights. Really like the low power usage.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #221 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:06:28 PM »

Allan,
The stooge is "inspired" by Don Ogrens stooge that he sells. I have no plans for it.

Let me work with it a little bit then maybe I'll decide on a PAMPA article. One thing I'll have to redraw is to shorten the nose by maybe an inch or a little less.

Dennis, Yeah the low power usuage was lower that I expected. Using my spreadsheet, it comes to out to using 110 watts per pound or .7 watts per ounce. Dean Pappas used 112 watts per pound several years ago to help figure out E-Stunt power requirements. Pretty darned close Dean!

Remember that the airfoil on this plane is only 1 3/4 at the root and 1 1/2 at the tip for an effective 15.2% which includes the flaps. I refer these percentages as to either Nobler or "Classic" percentages. No need for the fat airfoils that we see with IC engines. I'll be interested in how it does in the wind in regards to wind-up. Jason Greer told me on Advanced finals day that the wind was blowing 18mph he had zero wind-up with his Geo-XL which is a "thin" winged model. He also had the CG far forward that what shows on the plans.