Author Topic: 2013 Crossfire first flights (Read 3169 times)

Alan Resinger · « **on:** March 22, 2013, 12:29:29 PM »

Well the weather decided to cooperate a little so I decided it was time to get the new Crossfire out. This is the second one I've built after last years foam wing and tail version that had some weight problems due to a painting mishap and basically a double paint job resulting in a 72 oz. model. This years uses a lost foam wing and built up tail which saved about 8 oz. with power remaining the same with an E-flite 32, CC Phoenix 60 ESC and Hubin FM-9 timer. Batteries are Thunder Power 5S 2700 mAh 25C G6.
Started with 3, 2 minute flights with a flap tweek and a line spacing adjustment at the haqndle after the first flight. Reduced the rpm by 80 or so after the second. Another minor flap tweek and verifying everything during the 3rd 2 minute flight. Changed the timer to 5.5 minutes and flew the entire pattern on the first full flight. Second full flight was a contest worthy pattern with one of esiest to fly planes I've ever owned.
I'm a happy camper.
Alan Resinger

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #1 on:** March 22, 2013, 12:42:11 PM »

Sweet!!!
I might have to put this one one the list.

Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2013, 12:48:02 PM »

Very handsome plane Alan. Love the Snowbirds theme. Really suits the ship.

Vincent Judd · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2013, 02:00:51 PM »

Hey Alan,

I have a very similar set up in my new SV-11 and one of my questions had to do with the size of the battery that I was going to need to fly the pattern. I really wanted to go 2700, but I wasn't sure that would be big enough.

Ii realize you've only flown a couple of full patterns, have you had a chance to see how much of your pack you're using on each flight?

Your Crossfire is beautiful, congrats on a job well done.

Larry Wong · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2013, 02:17:25 PM »

Vary Cool Alan

Now were is Chris's ?

Alan Resinger · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2013, 02:20:30 PM »

Vince,
I used the 2700 mAh battery all last year. During the warmer weather the draw was between 1800-1900 mAh. Lots of reserve. The TP battery was chosen because it was the lightest available. This has been the battery of choice here in the Pacific Northwest with Walker, Rush, Whittle, Cox and myself using them or some slight variation. Some use the TP 65C 2700 for competition flights.
The TP is expensive at $100 each but you get what you pay for.
Alan

Randy Powell · « **Reply #6 on:** March 22, 2013, 02:22:59 PM »

Well, Alan, I'm happy you're happy.

Alan Resinger · « **Reply #7 on:** March 22, 2013, 02:26:24 PM »

Larry,
Chris' is being buffed out. His a full take apart with removalbe wing panels, two piece stab and two piece fuselage. Same color scheme as last years but slightly different shade with a little lighter color blue and better gold. He also stole my bottom markings.
We're planning on making it down to Madera again in October.
Alan

George Grossardt · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2013, 08:02:35 PM »

Awesome build. Hope it works well for you

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #9 on:** March 23, 2013, 06:15:00 AM »

Hi Alan:

Very, very nice my friend! I love the trim scheme. I can't wait to get my new Crossfire Extreme XLTC done. It should come in at about the same weight as yours.

If anyone is interested, Bob Kruger and I have just about finished making changes/adjustments/additions to the CAD plan for the Crossfire Extreme that shows a foam wing. They should be available by next week. I can provide Lost-Foam fixture sets (The same one that Alan used to build his wing) and even fully built Lost-Foam built-up wings for this model. I also make foam wings that have integral foam flaps, and foam stab and elevator sets for this design.

Again, Alan; great job! Enjoy it man!

Bob Hunt

john e. holliday · « **Reply #10 on:** March 23, 2013, 08:32:18 AM »

The plane looks great and the flight report sounds good. Now go whip up on your competition.

Allan Perret · « **Reply #11 on:** March 23, 2013, 08:40:41 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 23, 2013, 06:15:00 AM

If anyone is interested, Bob Kruger and I have just about finished making changes/adjustments/additions to the CAD plan for the Crossfire Extreme that shows a foam wing.
Bob Hunt

Yes, interested in plans.

Peter Germann · « **Reply #12 on:** March 23, 2013, 09:29:07 AM »

Quote from: Allan Perret on March 23, 2013, 08:40:41 AM

Yes, interested in plans.

Me too... Peter Germann

George Grossardt · « **Reply #13 on:** March 23, 2013, 09:43:47 AM »

Quote from: Peter Germann on March 23, 2013, 09:29:07 AM

Me too... Peter Germann

Bob,

What do we need to do to get plans?

George

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #14 on:** March 23, 2013, 10:07:58 AM »

Okay guys:

I'm now taking orders for the plans. I didn't do this in the past as I wasn't sure when Bob and I would have the time to work out the last of the fine details. We are just about done with that process now and will have plans ready to ship in about a week. If you are interested, please give me a call at 610-746-0106. I'll take your order and send the plans the minute we start printing them off.

In case you are wondering, Chris and Alan got an early pencil version of the plan from me. Chris groveled, and begged, and pleaded to the point that it was embarrassing, so I ran off a set of the original pencils and sent them to him. He shared them with Alan. Let's be clear here, however... Alan didn't grovel, Chris did!

(Chris: I told you I would get you back for teasing me with those shots you took from your plane...

)

Attached are a few photos of my re-finished Crossfire Extreme.

Later - Bob

Chris Cox · « **Reply #15 on:** March 23, 2013, 06:58:23 PM »

Ouch - Bob, I thought we were friends and you were not going to bring up the grovelling. That said, I'm glad I did, as the Crossfire is a wonderful airplane. Don't forget to call when you need some "trim" suggestions. Suggest sealing the flap and elevators before first flight!

Alan Resinger · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2013, 07:22:34 PM »

Bob,
Thanks for the kind words. The Crossfire is truly a wonderful design.
I see that the trash talk has begun.
Pics of the pair should show up next week.
Alan

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2013, 08:16:53 PM »

Great job Alan. That is a great color scheme too. No doubt your battery packs will thank you for losing all that weight too!

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #18 on:** March 24, 2013, 06:40:22 AM »

Quote from: Alan Resinger on March 23, 2013, 07:22:34 PM

Bob,
Thanks for the kind words. The Crossfire is truly a wonderful design.
I see that the trash talk has begun.
Pics of the pair should show up next week.
Alan

Trash talk? No trash talk here, just the cold hard truth...

In all seriousness (and those who really know me also know that this is a stretch for me...), Chris and Alan have been a delight to work with. It is a great honor to have someone ask if they could have plans for your design, and a greater honor to have them actually build a model from those plans. However, when the results are models like those that Chris and Alan have turned out over the past couple of years, there are no words to convey the joy that it brings to the designer.

Chris, Alan, and I have been exchanging trim ideas and findings for the Crossfire, and I have to admit that most of the stuff that Chris has suggested has indeed improved the performance of my ship. Same for Alan, although he files in the "wrong" direction...

While I'm giving due credit, I must make mention here of the help I've received from Paul Walker. Paul has been great in sharing information about electric specific trim issues, and we have all learned from it.

I have three new Crossfires in the building process. One is nearing the paint booth. Except for my new twin, I have no intention of using any other design for competition in the foreseeable future. The swept forward hinge line reduces stick load in high winds and the airplane is, well, just friendly to fly. This all stared back in 1979 when I watched Bill Werwage fly his Juno in some ferocious wind in Lincoln, Nebraska at that year's Nats. He ended up in second that year, but I was mesmerized by how well his ship seemed to handle the wind. I came home from that Nats and worked up some airfoils of my own and designed a swept forward hinge line variant of my Genesis aesthetic to incorporate that wing. That model was perhaps the best maneuver "scriber" I've ever owned. It was a bit "twisty" because of a too thin fuselage at the rear, and that cost me dearly at the 1980 Nats. I ended up in second there to Les McDonald, just as I had a few weeks earlier in Poland at the World Championships. That ship did prove out that those airfoils and that swept forward TE wing design were valid. The Crossfire has that exact wing design and it exhibits all the good traits of that 1980 Genesis, but it also has a much more rigid aft fuselage and it doesn't "twist" when the wind blows. I believe it to be my best model to date.

Later - Bob Hunt

john e. holliday · « **Reply #19 on:** March 24, 2013, 09:05:14 AM »

That sounds great Bob and I like the scheme of the refinished plane.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #20 on:** March 24, 2013, 05:59:50 PM »

Ok.
Enough is enough..
I want one too...

We'll talk soon Bob... It is really a beauty!!

Marcus

Paul Gentile · « **Reply #21 on:** March 30, 2013, 08:16:36 PM »

How can I get plans, kit?

john e. holliday · « **Reply #22 on:** March 31, 2013, 07:03:14 AM »

Contact Bobby Hunt himself for the plans, wings, tail assemblies and what ever else is needed. He is one of the good guys ready to help anybody that needs help.

Alan Resinger · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2013, 02:01:02 PM »

This past weekend the other half of the Vancouver dynamic duo finally got his new Crossfire put in to one piece and out to the flying field. As you can see it totally disassembles for ease of travel in the back of Chris' RV-7. His also has an E-flite 32, CC Phoenix 60 and Hubin timer. Total weight is 62.5 oz ready to go.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #24 on:** April 06, 2013, 09:46:39 AM »

That is totally awesome.

MarcusCordeiro · « **Reply #25 on:** April 08, 2013, 04:05:27 PM »

And i will second that!!!
Outstanding!!

Marcus