Author Topic: Crossfire Extreme XLTC (Read 20903 times)

Bob Hunt · « **on:** March 10, 2013, 12:23:10 PM »

Hi all:

Just thought you might like a sneak preview of my newest Crossfire variant. I call this one the Crossfire Extreme XLTC. The XLTC stands for Extra Long, Tricycle Landing Gear. As the name suggests, this one is longer than the previous variants in both nose and tail moment. The wing and tail are also increased in span. Overall this is a more stretched look and I think it is much sleeker. Yes, those are simulated gear doors and they will hide the arming switch, the timer start button and the timer pin access. I wanted to be able to get quickly to the timer pins just in case I needed to change the program just before I have to fly in competition. Not having to open the hatch to do this makes life easier.

The projected weight is 61 ounces with the battery on board, so it is on track to be about an once and a half lighter than last year's ship. The motor will be a Power 25 from E-Flite and I plan on being able to use a 3300 mAh pack.

I have wanted a another tricycle landing gear ship for years. I have had a few of them in the past. The first of my competition trike gear ships was my Avanti design. Those of you who might think that is a Bob Baron design, well, you are half right. Bob did have an Avanti, but it came years after I had mine!

I also had a semi-scale F-105 Thunderchief that had trike gear. I just love the way they ground handle and I also like the aggressive look of the trike gear. I'll throw in a couple of shots of those planes here as well.

I have to detail fit the hatch, make "real" main gear spats and then I'm ready for finish on the XLTC.

Later - Bob Hunt

Matt Colan · « **Reply #1 on:** March 10, 2013, 12:58:11 PM »

Hi Bob,

Looks great so far!!! Can't wait for the finished product!

How much did you stretch it?

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #2 on:** March 10, 2013, 01:31:39 PM »

Hi Matt:

I extended the nose just about one inch in length and the tail was moved back 1/2 inch. The wing span was extended by 2 inches and the tail span was also increased by about an inch. The flap chord was reduced just a bit from the 2012 rebuild's dimensions. I've also installed somewhat slower controls. I think all these tweaks are in the right direction...

Later - Bob

Jeff Traxler · « **Reply #3 on:** March 10, 2013, 02:15:36 PM »

Hi Bob,
I like the trike gear.That and the subtle changes make it look like it just came in from a 1600 mile crosscountry.Is there enough room in there for a Power 32 so you can use 5s packs?I like the extra voltage.
Trax

john e. holliday · « **Reply #4 on:** March 10, 2013, 02:59:23 PM »

Looking at the pics with out color reminds me of the RPV's our heroes are flying. I love it and imagine it will be even better when finally dressed in colors.

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #5 on:** March 10, 2013, 04:13:00 PM »

Gee Doc, ya' know, it does! The paint will fix that for sure...

Here are a couple more shots. I made the "real" spats (the spats shown in the previous photos were just templates to get the right "look") and installed and sanded them. I'm pretty happy with the looks of this one. It has an aggressive look I think.

Jeff: At the weights we are attaining I just don't think the Power 32 and the 5S are necessary, but, yes, I could install a 700kv motor and a 5S battery if I wanted to.

Later - Bob

George Grossardt · « **Reply #6 on:** March 10, 2013, 05:11:52 PM »

Cool...different...bet it will get some style points...

Have fun with the finishing process.

Dan Bregar · « **Reply #7 on:** March 10, 2013, 06:17:54 PM »

Hi Bob

Interesting ventral finnage fore and aft.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #8 on:** March 10, 2013, 08:01:17 PM »

Looking mighty fine! Also looks like quite log jam at the paint booth - git em done Bobba!

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #9 on:** March 10, 2013, 08:25:17 PM »

Hi Dan:

The thingies in the front on the bottom are not fins, they are simulated nose gear doors...

I've always liked Jim Kostecky's Formula S design and it had similar doors; I just took the illusion a bit farther. Maybe too far? I'm sure they will look more like they were intended to when the paint goes on. I may even de-emphasize them a bit... Naaah!

I wanted an extreme "rake" on this one, and such an aggressive look that -- as Frank Imbriaco just emailed me -- people will fear it will bite them if they get too close. I've drawn probably hundreds of sketches of aggressive looking designs over the years (Well, who hasn't?), and when it came time to build a few of them, I've toned down the extreme looking features. On this one I wanted to just let it all hang out.

Denny: Yeah, the old spray booth is going to receive quite a workout pretty soon. I'm finishing the Second Wind twin design, this one and perhaps even the Rounder that is here on another thread.

Later - Bob

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #10 on:** March 10, 2013, 08:37:29 PM »

Bob,
How do you do the LG in the wing for a foam wing and trike gear? I'm guessing instead of ribs going forward they go aft!

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #11 on:** March 10, 2013, 08:44:44 PM »

Hi Crist:

You guessed it. And I put a secondary spar in the aft foam support spar. See the attached photos...

Later - Bob

James Mills · « **Reply #12 on:** March 10, 2013, 10:11:16 PM »

Bob,

Very cool, I like the trike gear. The gear doors on the nose and flavor to a point are reminiscent to the Formula S to my eye, one of my favorites. I've played with the idea of dressing up a modern electric with the Formula S aesthetics.

James

Howard Rush · « **Reply #13 on:** March 10, 2013, 10:16:58 PM »

I don't like the color as well as last year's, but it's better than the metallic brown.

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2013, 05:57:53 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 10, 2013, 08:44:44 PM

Hi Chris:

You guessed it. And I put a secondary spar in the aft foam support spar. See the attached photos...

Later - Bob

Great idea! Thanks Bob.

bob whitney · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2013, 09:23:42 AM »

Bob, what is the wing area ??

Randy Powell · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2013, 01:22:07 PM »

Very slick. I like the idea of hiding the arming switch and start button and such. I may steal, ah appropriate, that idea for my new plane.

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2013, 02:02:50 PM »

Hi Bob:

The wing area is about 660 squares.

Randy: Steal away; I stole the idea from Kostecky...

Later - Bob

Bill Little · « **Reply #18 on:** March 11, 2013, 02:31:50 PM »

Hi Brother Bob,

I think this one is another awesome design from the mind of a great innovator. Thank you for sharing all of your "secrets" with us!

Bill

Bob Hudak · « **Reply #19 on:** March 11, 2013, 07:36:52 PM »

Awesome plane Bob ! Can't wait to see the paint scheme you cook up for this bird.

Mike Ferguson · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2013, 12:01:56 PM »

Looks great, Bob!

If anything, it reminds me a little of the original R/C Crossfire you built ...

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #21 on:** March 12, 2013, 12:07:02 PM »

Hi Mike:

Yeah, there is more than just a little dose of that ship here...

Hey, call me sometime dude! You now live just around the corner. I still have a wing in the shop that belongs to you. It is well aged...

Later - Bob

bob whitney · « **Reply #22 on:** March 12, 2013, 03:04:33 PM »

Bob, what prop do you think you will start with on the E-25,

Bob

bob whitney · « **Reply #23 on:** March 12, 2013, 03:05:51 PM »

Bob, thinking about doing an E-formula-S

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #24 on:** March 12, 2013, 04:18:16 PM »

Hi Bob:

That's an easy one! The 12 x 6 EP APC. That is the prop that made last year's Crossfire "come alive." Albeit after the Nats...

Not sure that would be the right prop for a Formula S sized ship, however. The Crossfire is about 40 square inches bigger than the Formula S.

Bob

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #25 on:** March 14, 2013, 07:23:48 AM »

Bob,
Looks great. Can't wait to get back to my e-project!

Mike Ferguson · « **Reply #26 on:** March 14, 2013, 01:45:57 PM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 12, 2013, 12:07:02 PM

Hi Mike:

Yeah, there is more than just a little dose of that ship here...

Hey, call me sometime dude! You now live just around the corner. I still have a wing in the shop that belongs to you. It is well aged...

Later - Bob

Aged a bit longer than I would've liked! Hopefully it's like a fine wine ...

Will touch base with you soon - hopefully I can pick your brain about how to turn the wing into something e-powered ...

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #27 on:** March 14, 2013, 04:01:34 PM »

Quote from: Mike Ferguson on March 14, 2013, 01:45:57 PM

Aged a bit longer than I would've liked! Hopefully it's like a fine wine ...

Will touch base with you soon - hopefully I can pick your brain about how to turn the wing into something e-powered ...

Well, that might be slim pickings, but I'm more than sure we can turn that into an E-wing!

Give me a call - Bob

Allan Perret · « **Reply #28 on:** March 25, 2013, 08:19:37 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 10, 2013, 04:13:00 PM

Gee Doc, ya' know, it does! The paint will fix that for sure...

Here are a couple more shots. I made the "real" spats (the spats shown in the previous photos were just templates to get the right "look") and installed and sanded them. I'm pretty happy with the looks of this one. It has an aggressive look I think.

Jeff: At the weights we are attaining I just don't think the Power 32 and the 5S are necessary, but, yes, I could install a 700kv motor and a 5S battery if I wanted to.

Later - Bob

In second picture, looks like the fuse is open at the rear. Is that for cooling ?

Dean Pappas · « **Reply #29 on:** March 27, 2013, 08:14:39 PM »

Yes, Allan it is.

Dean

James Strickland · « **Reply #30 on:** March 27, 2013, 10:08:01 PM »

Quote from: Jeff Traxler on March 10, 2013, 02:15:36 PM

Hi Bob,
I like the trike gear.That and the subtle changes make it look like it just came in from a 1600 mile crosscountry.Is there enough room in there for a Power 32 so you can use 5s packs?I like the extra voltage.
Trax

Hey Jeff, What exactly is it that you like about the "extra" voltage of a 5s over a 4s pack?

Jeff Traxler · « **Reply #31 on:** March 29, 2013, 11:22:13 AM »

Hi James,
I like the extra voltage because it offers a bit more headroom.I can find 5s packs that weigh close to a 4s pack so I don't pay too much of a weight penalty.I feel that my 5s setups run cooler because of the reduced amperage.Some may think it's overkill but having a little too much comes in handy on the windy days.
Trax

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #32 on:** March 29, 2013, 01:23:00 PM »

I'm only using 1800 to 2100 mAh out of a 4000 mAh pack. I have tons of head room!

Bob Hunt

Jeff Traxler · « **Reply #33 on:** March 29, 2013, 05:59:41 PM »

But Bob,It was the extra voltage that got Frankenstien goin'.....Extra amperage would have cooked him

Bob Hudak · « **Reply #34 on:** March 29, 2013, 08:52:52 PM »

But Jeff,
Current in amps is equal to the applied voltage divided by the resistance.

Peter Germann · « **Reply #35 on:** March 30, 2013, 05:29:52 AM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on March 12, 2013, 04:18:16 PM

The 12 x 6 EP APC. That is the prop that made last year's Crossfire "come alive." Albeit after the Nats...
Bob

Bob, what is your T/O RPM with the 12 x 6 EP APC and which was the prop(s) you've used before?
rgds, Peter

Allan Perret · « **Reply #36 on:** March 30, 2013, 06:16:20 AM »

Hey Bob:
Will you be offering foam wings and/or lost foam jigs for the XLTC version ?

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #37 on:** March 30, 2013, 06:58:58 AM »

The Crossfire looks great as a trike. Everything you have done here looks like a bold step forward. Keep plugging away!

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #38 on:** March 30, 2013, 07:38:57 AM »

Quote from: Allan Perret on March 30, 2013, 06:16:20 AM

Hey Bob:
Will you be offering foam wings and/or lost foam jigs for the XLTC version ?

Hi Allan:

Yes, certainly both foam and Lost-Foam components are available for the XLTC. The only real differences in the XLTC compared to the Crossfire Extreme standard are a 7/8 inch longer nose moment, a 1/2 inch longer tail moment, a 2 inch longer wing and a 1/2 inch longer tail. Oh, and the tricycle landing gear...

Denny: It's starting to look more like your Eclipse isn't it?

Later - Bob

Howard Rush · « **Reply #39 on:** March 30, 2013, 11:40:01 PM »

I would be worried that with tricycle gear, a tailwind could flip it over.

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #40 on:** April 01, 2013, 05:07:25 AM »

Quote from: Peter Germann on March 30, 2013, 05:29:52 AM

Bob, what is your T/O RPM with the 12 x 6 EP APC and which was the prop(s) you've used before?
rgds, Peter

Hi Peter:

The TO RPM is in the 8,700 range. I initially used a 13 x 5EP APC prop. The 12 x 6 works much, much better! Thanks go out to Paul Walker for the suggestion to try the 12 x 6.

Later - Bob

Ward Van Duzer · « **Reply #41 on:** April 01, 2013, 08:59:52 AM »

Bobba,

Slick as sn-t. but which way is forward?

Ward-O

Tom Niebuhr · « **Reply #42 on:** April 01, 2013, 10:33:08 AM »

Ward-o,
That was BAD!

I can't wait to see the new Crossfire and the Twin completed. And they will not have Brown or bronze on them.

But I will have some metallic brown on my new airplane!

PJ Rowland · « **Reply #43 on:** April 01, 2013, 06:08:43 PM »

Bob : Finish one project at a time....

You're making us look bad.......

Crist Rigotti · « **Reply #44 on:** April 01, 2013, 08:56:26 PM »

Quote from: Bob Hunt on April 01, 2013, 05:07:25 AM

Hi Peter:

The TO RPM is in the 8,700 range. I initially used a 13 x 5EP APC prop. The 12 x 6 works much, much better! Thanks go out to Paul Walker for the suggestion to try the 12 x 6.

Later - Bob

Bob,
When you say try the 12x6 prop, which prop do you mean specifically? Thanks.

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #45 on:** April 02, 2013, 05:29:17 AM »

Quote from: PJ Rowland on April 01, 2013, 06:08:43 PM

Bob : Finish one project at a time....

You're making us look bad.......

Hi PJ:

Each one of my many personalities is working on only one project each...

Bob Hunt

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #46 on:** June 02, 2013, 01:39:43 PM »

Here's a progress report on my new Crossfire Extreme XLTC:

The main trim color is on here. Red is next!

Later - Bob Hunt

Tim Wescott · « **Reply #47 on:** June 02, 2013, 02:04:29 PM »

Bronze highlights would look good on that.

I'm partially colorblind so I can't tell if that's a gray-blue, a dark green-blue, poiple, or what. What is it?

(and yes -- my wife helps me out on color schemes if I venture beyond red, white and blue)

Bob Hunt · « **Reply #48 on:** June 02, 2013, 02:08:23 PM »

Hi Tim:

It's a dark blue. All my planes will be Red, White, and Blue from now on to show my patriotism...

Here are a couple more shots of it as it sets now.

Bob

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #49 on:** June 02, 2013, 02:41:30 PM »

That canopy (?) style seems to be popular. I suppose it doesn't matter on a model, but on a real plane it would be uncomfortable if the pilot had to lie down (feet get in the way of a clear view of oncoming traffic?)
Floyd