Nobler - How Heavy?

[Chris Gilbert IRL-1638]

Guys,

My 20+ year old Nobler was recently found in an attic (not mine). I'm told it needs some "rework".

I'm planning to use an Enya 40 (NIB) to haul it around, the original was powered by an ST46.

What would a good target weight be?

Apart from changing the power plant I'm planning to put adjustable leadouts, tip and tail weight boxes and ball link controls into it during the rebuild. If I recall correctly it has a 3 inch bellcrank with solid leadouts, which I wouldn't mind replacing either.

As far as I can gather from the docs I have it's the Topflite 57 Nobler.

[Bill Little]

I have seen Noblers fly very, very good at 42 or so oz.  I think George said his best one was 45 oz.

Bill <><

[Richard Grogan]

What does it weigh now? Mine is 46oz, with the original designed metal tank, DuBro 2.5"wheels(rubber not foamies), silkspan and dope and strong fox 35.From a Classic Aircraft Models kit (CAM) now defunct..

[Warren Leadbeatter]

45 oz seems to be the consensus on most 50+" 40-46 powered models I've learned.

[Bill Little]

45 oz seems to be the consensus on most 50+" 40-46 powered models I've learned.

Hi Warren,

I agree with you that today's engines in the 40-46 size range can easily handle 45+ oz.

Actually I like the 'Werwage' Vulcan w/ Aero Tiger 36 weighing about 36 oz.     Or my USA-1 w/T&L St G51 that is 53 oz. (700+ sq. in.)

Noblers, however really don't like to be light.  The worst flying one I've seen was in the mid upper 30s, and built as perfect as it could have been.   It was a dog.  And I have seen them well up in the 40s that fly good!  Strange plane. 

Bill <><

[Chris Gilbert IRL-1638]

Thanks guys,

Hoping to pick the model up next week and start the restoration then. I've no idea what it weighs right now, but it was originally a bit heavy, or at least what we thought was heavy. The other guys at the time were flying foamie flapless jobbies, designed by Stu Holland, with mostly OS Max 35s, though one guy had a Merco 35 in his, and compared to them my Nobler was heavy.

At the time I was the only stuntaholic flying here, everybody else was into combat and team racing. Seems the wheel has turned a bit since then. Of course, there was no internet either, made finding all this information much much harder.

Thanks guys,

Chris

[WestCoastOldie]

Don't even bother building a light weight Nobler!

Mine is 35oz and while its beautiful, its an absolute dog. Someday I'm going to load it up with about six more coats of clear, just to see if the plane improves. I'm betting that it will.

Also: Add in an adjustable horn on the flaps. The 50/50 ratio gives too much flap for 100% good corners. GA once told me that his "secret weapon" was to back off of the flap movment to increase the corner but he never told anyone..

[W.D. Roland]

MAN!
i hope my sig chipmonk will be ok at 45-46oz with S.T. .35 stunt!
hopefully with all the ajusability bult in it will be ok after triming.
adj leed outs
adj tip weight
adj side& up down thrust
Adj and serviceable removable control system
keeping fingers crossed till cooler weather!

David