Akromaster questions

[Russell Shaffer]

I am starting to assemble a Sig Akromaster, my first kit in many years.  I am very impressed with the quality of the die cutting - I can remember in the old days balsa badly crushed and still not cut through.  Is this very nice die cutting typical of modern kits?   I sure hope so.  On the other hand, the bellcrank is very light.  Should I go ahead and use the supplied one or go with a much heavier duty Sig 3 inch that I have on hand?  If you guys think the supplied one is good enough I'll just stick it in and save some trouble.  I'm going to power with an old but never flown Enya 19 4004.  I'm not trying to do anything more than sport flying, loops, lazy eights, etc.  thanks

[Alan Hahn]

The Akromaster flies nice and light, so I am sure there is no need to go to a heavier bellcrank. I flew mine with an FP10, which provided plenty of power, and was light to boot. The biggest problem is that the plane will be nose heavy with a "modern" 15 and its muffler. I am not sure about your Enya 19.

[Leester]

My Enya 19 4003 without muffler weights 5 1/4 oz no muffler ears. My FP10 with muffler weights 5oz ,your choice if you can fly W/O mufflers.

[Dwayne]

Hi Russel wellcome back  
I flew a stock kit for years with a Fox .15 with no probs at all but you will get a smoother feel with a 3" bellcrank.
Good luck
Dwayne

[Russell Shaffer]

The 19 will probably over power it, but I am at4100 feet and the winds tend to be gusty.  I just want it to fly and do some mild aerobatics.  Actually, if I can keep the nose out of the dirt I'll be pretty happy.

[Leester]

Hey, I'm in the Mississippi valley of Illinois and I'm not only happy but just plain releaved when I keep the nose out of the dirt.

[Jim Oliver]

I powered my Akromaster with Thunder Tiger 15 C/L engine, stock muffler with some extra holes drilled in the baffle.  Using Master Airscrew Scimitar 8x4--engine seems to like it.  Flying on 52 ft. eye to eye.

I shortened the nose about 5/8 inch to avoid adding tail weight; good idea, except I couldn't find a tank to fit.  I cut about 3/8 in. off the back of a metal wedge tank and wound up with about 2 1/4 oz. capacity; more than enough for the little TT 15.

Cheers,
Jim

[L0U CRANE]

Russell,

Emphasizing what Dwayne suggested a few posts above...

The "1/2A" bellcranks, IMO, have been the curse of the small models! Not so much strength, but feel. They are too small to allow a reasonable handle line-spacing and easy wrist motion. 

A 3" bellcrank is heavier than that plastic miniature, but not a lot. The greater throws for the line motion are much more comfortable to fly. Remember, tho, to get the same relationship between the bellcrank pushrod radius and the elevator control horn. Or at least set up the elevator horn so you have a hole each side of one that gives you about 30° each way.

If it's too touchy, move the pushrod out on the elevator horn to slow response. And, vice versa...

[George]

Russell,

It may be too late for you to consider this but the last Akromaster I built I did not trim off the extra LE and TE of the wing. I extended the wingspan. This requires extra ribs and redesigning the bellcrank mount but I think the results are worth it.

Here is a pic of a standard one (Fox .15X) and the expanded one (FP .10).

BTW, don't forget to break-in that Enya on the bench awhile before flying it. Time well spent.

George