This is a continuation of the discussion under "E-Legacy." The model is Claus Maikis' China Clipper, built as E-power from the outset. The battery is set an angle to get it as far rearward as possible, under the wing LE a bit. I used Rudy's weight and balance chart to calculate where all the components had to go to achieve the same CG as the IC design w/o needing ballast anywhere. Even with the heavy (large) Turnigy 4250 it charts out the same as the IC verison with no penalty for the weight of components. Using a lighter motor like an Axi 2826 or similar the advantage on W&B goes to the electric system. This model has functional cheek cowls that pull air into the engine compartment. I hit on the idea of putting the ESC outside, under the right-side cowl. The motor slides in on rails and is held by 4-40 screws into tabs on the motor mount. Motor swaps will be easy with this system (thanks Rick Sawicki from whom I am pretty sure I stole it, also Bob Branch).

Looks great Mike! I love cheek cowls. Bob Hunt and I were just talking the other day about using them in future ECL planes. You and Claus are already ahead of us. Our E power systems lend themselves to cheek cowls and round cowls like Will Moore uses in his beautiful new plane and in his awesome twin bomber. I hope we see more variations on CL designs, something that will break with the same old 50+ year old Nobler's unrealistic looking thin fuse that is still used by almost all CLPA planes in the USA. 

Where did you get those neat cheek cowls? Are they cut down canopies? I was going to carve mine out of balsa, but I like your ARI ones better.

Please keep us posted with your future progress. I really look forward to seeing your completed plane. I have always admired this Claus design. I'm glad you are building one. :-)

FWIW: If you don't enjoy building wings, or don't have the time, you may want to consider ordering just a wing from Brodak. We sure have several great choices now. This is what I am doing with my Extra 300L. I don't think I can build a wing as good as one of the new ARCs. I'm not even sure that I could build one for less money, balsa, BC, etc. And I don't have the time, patience, table, jigs, talent, etc. etc. to do one. 

Clever battery and ESC mount. It looks like it will be a "cool" plane. 

Regards, 

Looks great Mike! I look forward to seeing this model completed.

Rob

How about this?

Mike,

Yours will look better --- it won't have that asymmetrical muffler hanging out on the nose!!! LOL

John