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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: rich gorrill on October 12, 2017, 02:17:44 PM

Title: Brodak Pathfinder
Post by: rich gorrill on October 12, 2017, 02:17:44 PM

Hello all, does anyone know if the Pathfinder has a solid 1/2" fuselage or is it built up like the Cardinal? Anyone flying a Pathfinder comments  please either pro or con.

t.i.a.

Rich

Title: Re: Brodak Pathfinder
Post by: peabody on October 12, 2017, 05:59:34 PM

Pathfinders are terrific flying profiles...
The fuse does tend to flex because of the size of te tail....most have reinforced the fuselage with glass or carbon fiber mat on their second version.

It can also be build as a taildragger by inventing a tailwheeL and reversing the landing gear legs....

I suggest a 46 (or an ST 51) as power.

Have fun!

Title: Re: Brodak Pathfinder
Post by: Gerald Arana on October 12, 2017, 07:35:28 PM

Quote from: rich gorrill on October 12, 2017, 02:17:44 PM

Hello all, does anyone know if the Pathfinder has a solid 1/2" fuselage or is it built up like the Cardinal? Anyone flying a Pathfinder comments  please either pro or con.

t.i.a.

Rich

Yes, I built one with a Jett BSE 40. It has/had a solid 1/2" fuse. I never noticed it flexing, but then again that was when I flew intermediate. I crashed it when I couldn't decide which way to pull out of the W.O. Duh!

Cheers, Jerry

OBTW: It had plenty of power!

Title: Re: Brodak Pathfinder
Post by: Norm Furutani on October 13, 2017, 02:56:02 AM

My Brodak ARF Pathfinder has a built up profile fuselage. It is completely skinned in balsa, but the rear section is hollow. The fuse does flex but doesn't seem to affect performance.

Norm

Title: Re: Brodak Pathfinder
Post by: rich gorrill on October 13, 2017, 09:25:23 AM

thanks for the replies

Title: Re: Brodak Pathfinder
Post by: Perry Rose on October 13, 2017, 04:18:06 PM

Somewhere in here is Gordon Delany's recommendation for improving the Pathfinder profile. I scratch built one like he said and it flys a lot better than the kit version.

Title: Re: Brodak Pathfinder
Post by: Brent Williams on October 13, 2017, 04:43:23 PM

Quote from: Perry Rose on October 13, 2017, 04:18:06 PM

Somewhere in here is Gordon Delany's recommendation for improving the Pathfinder profile. I scratch built one like he said and it flys a lot better than the kit version.

Gordan's usual build tips/mods are:
1.  Set the hinge to hinge measurement at 16" (this may require cutting a bit off of the end of the supplied Brodak fuselage)
2.  Build the stab and elevator from 3/8" material.
3.  Sand a mild taper into the tips of the stab and elevator
4.  Keep it light.
5.  Build it straight.

Also, I would recommend that you laminate two 4x36 x 1/4" pieces using 30min epoxy for the fuselage.  Much stiffer than a single 1/2" plank.

Title: Re: Brodak Pathfinder
Post by: Gordan Delaney on October 16, 2017, 09:37:03 AM

Brent has most of the changes right except one.

I only use 3/8 stab on my .15 twin.
I use 1/2 in stab and taper it to the tips, and sharpen the leading edge more than the plans show.

Gordan Delaney