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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: jim gilmore on September 24, 2009, 07:47:00 AM

Title: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: jim gilmore on September 24, 2009, 07:47:00 AM
ok,here's the first photo I've taken.

Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Bill Little on September 24, 2009, 11:00:15 PM
What engine do you have there?

Mongo
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: jim gilmore on September 25, 2009, 06:19:20 AM
Thats a thunder tiger .10.
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: minnesotamodeler on September 25, 2009, 08:01:39 PM
I thought calling an .061 a 1/2A was kinda pushing the envelope, but a .10???  Sorry, that's a solid "A" class.

What is the size of the plane you're putting it on? Surely not the little 1/2A Pathfinder?
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Richard Grogan on September 25, 2009, 09:16:34 PM
Is this gonna be a racer???  ??? ::) ???
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: john e. holliday on September 26, 2009, 08:37:24 AM
Some people say more power is better.  Have fun, DOC Holliday
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Dennis Adamisin on September 26, 2009, 08:59:48 AM
The little PF has a 35" span and 234 squares - that makes it bigger than a Flying Clown, so the 10 is not oversize from that persepctive.  It has a fairly long nose so BALANCE could be an issue.

Jim, you might want to keep an eye on that...
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: jim gilmore on September 26, 2009, 10:51:36 AM
True it is not a true 1/2A with a .10 on it. but then neither is a .061 a 1/2A a true 1/2 A.

It also is not a full PA stunt sized airplane. It's close to the .15 sized power of old.

I plan to mount the engine as far  aft as the space provides. I may when the time comes decide to mount the wing a little forward to lengthen the tail if necessary for balance. but so far little else seems necessary to me.
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: minnesotamodeler on September 26, 2009, 11:05:25 AM
Well, you won't want for power, and that's a good thing...long lines, brother, long lines.
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: dennis lipsett on September 26, 2009, 08:06:12 PM
Your going to be suprised when you find out how long a run you get with a 1.5 oz tank and a 7/4 prop.
Dennis
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: jim gilmore on September 26, 2009, 10:00:38 PM
i'm planning a 1 ounce tank.
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: George on September 28, 2009, 07:24:54 AM
Other than a possible balance problem, the TT .10 is a nice little engine.

George
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: jim gilmore on October 08, 2009, 11:00:00 AM
Ok, things have been slow so here is where I an now.
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Andrew Borgogna on October 08, 2009, 05:38:54 PM
I too am builing a 1/2a Pathfinder.  I took a little different tact, I did  all the options to lighten up the plane and will be using an AP Wasp .061.  For what it's worth this is a very complex airplane, I lost count on the number of parts in the wing.  When you add in all the additional work to lignten the flaps, fuse, horizonal stab and elevators its quite a project.  I keep telling myself it just a profile, just a profile.......
Andy n~
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: jim gilmore on October 08, 2009, 09:10:09 PM
Well you might notice i have not touched the tail or flaps yetr. I ran into the same problen as the shark 402. I was attempting to do the leadouts and found the leadout material is insufficent. I ran it from the bellcrank to the 2wingtip and bawck to the bellcrasnk and upon assemply it cannot possibly be cut to make it work. Unless itis expected to not run through the tubing 3 times it cannot be done as recommended by the ama.
Soooo I am on hold till I make my order for more stuff. So I'm prolly on hold till nov 1 st to make my order.... trying harder to create savings.
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Roger Vizioli on October 09, 2009, 01:04:18 PM
I too am builing a 1/2a Pathfinder.  I took a little different tact, I did  all the options to lighten up the plane and will be using an AP Wasp .061.  For what it's worth this is a very complex airplane, I lost count on the number of parts in the wing.  When you add in all the additional work to lignten the flaps, fuse, horizonal stab and elevators its quite a project.  I keep telling myself it just a profile, just a profile.......
Andy n~

Andy,
Yes, it is a profile. BUT - your efforts will be rewarded with a great flying model. Keep it light and have a ball.
Roger V.
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Andrew Borgogna on October 10, 2009, 12:57:45 PM
Thanks Roger, I am reaching the point where the thing looks like a plane.  I covered everything with Polyspan and clear dope.  I am working to keep it as light as possible.  I too almost got burned by the lead out material included in the kit.  Don't know what Brodak was thinking buy guys provide material that's long enough for the plane you pack it in.   ''  The die cutting on the ribs was darn near perfect, and the die cutting on the 1/32 plywood was very good, but the die cutting on the 1/16 plywood was die marking.  Making the nose ring was quite the project.  Brodak should give a prize to eveybody who  builds and completes a 1/2a Pathfinder.  Larry Renger sumed it up when he told me he opened up the box to one he bought then closed it and sold it.
Andy
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: George on October 10, 2009, 02:27:20 PM
I remember years ago on one of the forums (Isky's, I think) a British fellow was comparing the way many US modelers build to the way many British modelers build and made the comment that his philosophy was, "Why use one piece when five will do?".

It was his notion that most Americans tend to simplify as much as possible, while he did not. I guess whether a plane takes too long to build depends on the builder.

I guess we could catagorize modelers as having more fun...building the plane, twiddling with the engine, flying the plane, or all of the above.  ;D

George
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: john e. holliday on October 12, 2009, 05:56:19 AM
To all,  now you know why I buy in lthe bulk.  Like the leadouts,  I have had other kits other than Brodak in which the leadouts were not long enough.  Also this new generation needs one of the early kits which were printed wood.  We were in seventh heaven when die crunching came out.  Also I can remember SIG having some kits  in which some of the wood was printed.  Have fun,  DOC Holliday
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: George on October 12, 2009, 08:36:55 AM
...Also this new generation needs one of the early kits which were printed wood...
 Have fun,  DOC Holliday

...And also suffered through at least one Berkeley kit!   ::)

George 
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Andrew Borgogna on October 12, 2009, 11:06:55 AM
Hey Doc, I too built Comet kits and Berkley kits when I was a kid it was a true learning experiance to say the least.  As I have said many times "These are the good old days" of controline modeling.  Below are some pictures of my Pathfinder and the Norvell engine I plan to use until I switch to the AP Wasp.  The two engines are nearly identical.
Andy
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Larry Renger on October 12, 2009, 02:54:37 PM
So I should start thinking of decals?
Title: Re: 1/2 A Pathfinder photos.
Post by: Andrew Borgogna on October 13, 2009, 08:27:30 AM
Larry
In a word yep! 
Andy