Trophy Trainer/OS .46LA

[Bill Little]

(posted this also in the engine tips section, but no takers there)

We are nearing the end on building Aaron's TT from UHP (??) plans.  We have set it up for an OS .46LA which I understand could make it fairly nose heavy.

Anyone have experience with this plane/set up?  The model does have a fairly long nose and it seems to me that a nose heavy condition could/will exist when finished.  We took some extra pains using a built up profile fuselage (many of his models have come out tail heavy) to ensure a fairly light tail.

Thanks!
Big Bear

[Brian Massey]

Hi Big Bear;

Yes, I have that exact same setup, and yes it came out nose heavy. I think it would be better to put a tongue muffler on the OS, that should bring it much closer to balance without adding tail weight. I'm going to order one for mine.

Yea, the nose is long, but it's about 2 inches shorter than the original TT plans. (I have a set the original plans drawn by Tom Warden in the sixties). I built my current TT from the plans drawn by Bob Kruger in 2005 (I think). I believe these plans were drawn for Walter Umland's kit of the TT. While somewhat different, it is the same basic plane. When comparing the two, you can see differences, (construction techniques are more modern) but they are probably normal evolutionary changes from almost 50 years of flying.

I'd like to build a new one, but make it with modern numbers; like make the elevator/stab larger, make sure the fuse is stiffer, things like that. It's a good flyer though, I'm sure you'll like it.

Let me know how yours comes out! Finished, mine came in at 51 ounces, probable a tad heavy.

Brian

[Bill Little]

Thanks Ty and Brian. 

Brian, Aaron did the "built up profile" fuselage deal with diagonals in the 1/4" core behind the wing then some fairly stiff 1/8" sides.  Pretty twist resistant.  Everything else is done "by the plans".  A good size profile and should fly real well!  At least it will be something other than a TEOSAWKI at the field! LOL!!  (I really like the way the TEOSAWKI flies, just can't get used to looking at it in the air)

Ty,  I don't know (can't remember) where I got the plans so that's why I put the *??* after UHP.  They could easily be Walter's plans since I did get some plans from him, and they are good CAD drawn plans.  Unfortunately, Walter seems to be perturbed with me right now, and I have no clue as to why.  He did call after I came home from the hospital, though I missed it.  I returned the call, left a message, but haven't heard from him. 

I will give more details once it is ready to go.  The .46LA should be a good power choice on this model.  Hopefully it will be finished by Huntersville in Oct.

Big Bear

[Brian Massey]

The built up fuse is a wise choice; I didn't, and mine flexes.

Brian

[john e. holliday]

If I remember right there were two Trophy Trainers at VSC this year.   Sitting side by side you could see minor differences.  I the built up one was Andy Borgonia's.   

[proparc]

Not about the Trophy Trainer but, I am very gald to see you are okay and posting like your old self Bill.

[Bill Little]

Not about the Trophy Trainer but, I am very gald to see you are okay and posting like your old self Bill.

Thanks, Milton!  The past couple months were no picnic, but it ain't nothing but a thing.

Chemo starts in about 2 weeks, got the "port a cath" installed Friday in my left upper chest.  Feels odd! LOL!!  Got too many tings to do and Grandkids growing up so this ain't gonna stop me.

Thanks, again
Bill