Profile Nobler

[Andrew Saunders]

I was working on a Top Flite Nobler. Unfortunately the Fuselage was crushed. Started thinking today that i already have one Top Flite Nobler. The wing, stab and all control surfaces are still good. Im thinking of using all the good parts and making a profile nobler. Do i have a good idea here? What would be the pros and cons? What things do i need to consider when going into the building of this plane?

[Steve Helmick]

What comes to mind first is how to deal with the control horns being on fuselage centerline. For a profile, you'll normally need to offset them to one side of the fuselage. With the Nobler's asymmetry, I'd put the horns on the outboard side, to reduce the offset, rather than inside, which would increase the offset. You'd still need to either rework/replace the elevator horn or run the pushrod/horns inside the fuselage. That's been done before, but not real common.

You'd probably lower the thrustline a little bit...not enough to be concerned about aerodynamically, but make sure the LG will be long enough.

Making the profile fuselage both stiff and light is a major problem, but can be managed. I'd suggest a built-up profile with 1/64" plywood on the outside. Either that, or light 1/16" balsa on the diagonal (opposite on L&R sides) with .5 oz CF mat applied with a good hard curing epoxy. There will be other opinions!    Steve

[Don Chandler]

Hope it flys better than my profile Nobler. I built a Dare profile Nobler 3 years ago and I have fianally given up on it. I don't see anything wrong, out of allignment, nothing and the thing will not track in a straight line. Does inside stuff reasonably well but not outside, it wobbles and hunts.

I have had 3 built up Noblers over the years and the two Top Flight noblers flew well. But my profile and ARF both do not.

[Dennis Adamisin]

Hi Andrew
I am not a fan of solid slab bodied profiles that are Nobler sized - and if you are going to build up the profile, you would be just as far ahead to make a regular full fuselage.

You COULD pretend it was 1965 and do what a lot of people did then - use the Nobler parts but try to "hide" them into an "original" design.  Keep the basic layout & moments, maybe lengthen the tail and/or shorten the nose to accommodate today heavier engine/muffler set-ups.  WOW us with something we haven't seen before! 

[Shug Emery]

I have a profile Nobler...in this video. Did not build it though but reckon you could do one up. May have to off-set the TF Nobler wing?
Shug

[Tom Niebuhr]

I agree with Dennis. Build an airplane with a built up fuselage. Profiles do not give a good platform for engine runs. Vibration is a factor. Also, the twisting of the fuselage and tail surfaces do not contribute to good flight characteristics.

Over the years people would tell be that they are not ready for a built up fuselage, but in reality the profile was holding them back.

There are many Classic airplanes that used the Nobler wing. Build a Classic, or as Dennis said WOW us with a new look based on the Nobler wing.

[peabody]

Neal Beekman has a couple profile Noblers....they seem to fly okay....

[rustler]

There is/was a kit for a profile Nobler - "GMA Special"? I bought one already built and it was one of the best flying models I've ever had, particularly inverted. Before I could try to analyse why this might be I lost it in a flame-out about a 1/4 way through a wingover. I used LA 40 and 46 in it.

[Mike Griffin]

I have built many profiles that flew as good as built up fuselages. 

Mike

[Andrew Saunders]

Mike Griffin i agree with you. VIBRATION? HHHMMMM!!! I have a few profile planes and they  sll have grest engine runs. Matter of fact the plane that Mike starret and I designed (THE CARRIBEAN CRUISER) is a profile with a reworked LA .46 on it is my contest plane and the engine runs are perfect. If the profile is built correctly, you cut down on vibration allowing for perfect engine runs.