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General control line discussion => Open Forum => Topic started by: Shawn Kuntz on October 17, 2006, 11:45:59 AM

Title: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: Shawn Kuntz on October 17, 2006, 11:45:59 AM

Does anyone out there have any experience with one of these?

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: john e. holliday on October 17, 2006, 11:59:23 AM

My flying partner has been flying one ever sice they came out.  Of course he ditched the control system that came with it.  He also beefed up the landing gear mount after watching Allen Brickhouse take his out on a landing in grass.  He has not flown it much since finishing his kit built Thunderbird.  Says it is the best plane he has since the ARF Nobler is no more.  He says 48 hours and a leadout gave up on the ARF Nobler.   DOC Holliday

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: peabody on October 17, 2006, 02:17:25 PM

I assembled one, and the only modification, other than screwing around to get the fuel tank to fit, was to sleeve the stock pushrod (flap to elevator) with a carbon tube, and to offset the rear control horn to allow the pushrod to be run through the side of the fuselage, enabling the horn to be exposed and a real Du-Bro clevis installed there...I built more elevator throw into it while doing this, so that the ratio is about 2/3.

There is a cautionary piece about the gear....I suggest reinforcing them prior to assembly (I didn't, BTW, and it has been okay).

I also added a 4 square inch "area" tab onto the outboard flap...this got rid of huge amounts of wiggle....

I think that this is a terrific flying ARF, with very little needed to get it airborne in a reliable manner.

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: frank carlisle on October 17, 2006, 06:33:13 PM

I put an ARF Smoothie together last winter. I used everything that came in the box. My only complaint is that the landing gear are pretty fragile and prone to get knocked off pretty easily. After epoxying them back on twice thay are holding up very well. You might want to add a little lite ply in that area.

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: Zuriel Armstrong on October 18, 2006, 12:43:56 PM

What motors are you folks using for this plane.  It is the only ARF I have any interest in at the moment.

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: peabody on October 18, 2006, 02:29:51 PM

I stuck a Randy modified OS 40 into mine....they work well with Brodak 40s, too.....

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: John Paris on October 18, 2006, 08:34:38 PM

Fox 35 Stunt stock with the stock muffler for balance.  Pulls it well.  May not be as quiet or clean as Frank's, but I can surely do more consecutive flights.  Also using an APC 10x5 at around 10K with about 3 oz of fuel.

John

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: frank carlisle on October 19, 2006, 03:49:25 AM

I have an AXI electric motor in mine. Two batteries each takes about 70 minutes to charge so John is getting in a lot more flights with his.

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: Phil Spillman on October 19, 2006, 05:34:59 PM

Hi All, I am running an LA .46 with a Randy Mufffler in mine which makes it a fine stunter! The motor mounts were routered down 1/8", the controls were beefed up, and the last former in the fuse was moved back to allow for a larger tank. Flew this baby in very brisk winds in Columbus last month to second in ARF and third in Adv. It tracks quite well on 63' lines eyelet to eyelet. Phil Spillman

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: Steve Holt on October 19, 2006, 07:10:40 PM

The ARF assembles a bit tail heavy with a light engine.  The Magnum 36 with a tongue muffler balances just about right.  The worst part of this ARF other than the covering is the landing gear mount.  A  great improvement (and more accurate for OTS) is a wire gear attached to the aft firewall.  Attaching it to the forward side is a little difficult, but there is a lot of room on the aft side.
Steve

Title: Re: Brodak Smoothie ARF
Post by: Manuel Cortes on October 20, 2006, 01:02:10 AM

Hummmmmm!!!!!! #^
A 46 in a Smoothie!!!
I´n thinking in a Stalker 46 for mine, power slightly below a good Tigre 46 but sweeter....
What do you think about that?
Regards.