Author Topic: Finally: LittleAxe flight report (Read 5668 times)

minnesotamodeler · « **on:** November 11, 2006, 09:31:03 AM »

Had an unexpected warm day Wednesday, so I snuck off from wifey's required home remodelling project to get in a few test flights on the new LittleAxe.

As a reminder, this weighs in at 10 oz.; older versions were closer to 15 oz. It made all the difference! Norvel .061 is plenty of power with 15% fuel, APC 6x2 prop, 48' lines, around 4.5 sec. laps, give or take a few 10ths. Upwind wingover entry done with ease, although overheads were kinda light on the lines. Didn't get to try moving leadouts forward, as often recommended, yet. Line pull at lower levels is substantial, I can afford to lose some there. I want to try more tipweight too, no wing droop or hinging detected.

No time to play with other props or line length, etc. yet. But it meets all my hopes and expectations so far! good flat stable level flight, smooth round maneuvers big or small as you prefer, sharp square corners with no bobbles, no bogging in consecutive maneuvers. Landings included full-lap glides before touchdown.

I'm really happy with it; I think it's a winner! Much more extensive testing planned in the Spring of course, but that'll just be fine-tuning. Don't think I can improve it any more. So I guess I'm pronouncing it "done", no more "mucking about", Frank! Only thing now is to get the plans into a form usable by others, which still may take a little time what with doing other kits and of course that LR remodel I'm supposed to be working on.

Reminder of vital statistics: 36" span, 200 s. i. area, full flaps, inverted engine mount, uniflow clunk tank, tip weight box, adjustable leadouts, wiggly rudder.

A long time coming but worth the effort, I think.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #1 on:** November 12, 2006, 05:40:02 AM »

AHHH!!! Nothing is as good as plan that works out!! I thought about the Little Axe Wednesday and said to myself "I'll bet Ray sneaks off and flies that new Axe today" SURE ENOUGH _ YOU DID!!
That flight report sounds real promising.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #2 on:** November 12, 2006, 06:12:13 AM »

You're psycho, Frank...I mean, psychic...

Promising, yeah, this is a real sweet flier now. Just needed to go on a diet, is all. 30% less wing loading makes a difference!

Refining plans as we speak...

--Ray

john e. holliday · « **Reply #3 on:** November 12, 2006, 12:57:54 PM »

Ray, I think you were right on the first name, but, glad to hear the plane is working out. Now do you think the new Brodak .061 will be enough engine for it? By the way put me on the list for a set of plans. Later, DOC Holliday

PS:The two kits I get from you sometime ago are ready for flight. They enjoyed building them they were so easy. Nothing but clear on them tho.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #4 on:** November 13, 2006, 07:58:40 AM »

Well Doc, lessee some pictures of those Minnie Deltas!

Re: the Brodak .061, I've never seen one run nor yet read a report on it...I would guess it is enough engine for the LittleAxe, especially at its new reduced weight. I'm thinking a really strong .049 (TeeDee, VA, etc.) would fly it well too.

I may be forced to buy one of the Brodaks just to see how it measures up against the Norvel.

Gotcha on my list of plans interest...you too Frank.

--Ray

Leroy Heikes · « **Reply #5 on:** November 13, 2006, 11:58:18 AM »

Too much to do

Maybe Frank can build me one of these.

Leroy

frank carlisle · « **Reply #6 on:** November 13, 2006, 09:31:59 PM »

Ray......I have an NIB b.049.....I would consider a trade of some sort.

Leroy.......I'll build you one.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #7 on:** November 14, 2006, 02:12:31 AM »

I'm all ears...I got an extra Norvel .049, or Black Widow.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #8 on:** November 14, 2006, 07:47:01 AM »

Here's a picture of the B.049 Ray. I had to make sure it was still there.

What kind of shape is the Black Widow in? Can you put up a pic?

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2006, 08:31:09 AM »

Yup...this PM. Headed for work now.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #10 on:** November 14, 2006, 11:11:36 AM »

I'll watch for the picture Ray.

BYW----We need you on the thread titled "HELP!!".

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #11 on:** November 14, 2006, 01:22:27 PM »

Been there, taken care of.

Pic coming this evening for sure. I figure I'll need to toss in an extra glow head to richen my end of the pot; don't have a Cox muffler, sorry...I could throw in a Norvel muffler if you could use it.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #12 on:** November 14, 2006, 01:40:31 PM »

props Ray.............props will sweeten the pot.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #13 on:** November 14, 2006, 02:55:36 PM »

Here's the pics...what kind of props, Frank? I have several Cox 5x3 wide blades, some 5x4 narrow blades, APCs of various persuasions, etc.

the Black Widow has an older brass (I guess, metal anyhow) backplate; also a stunt-vented tank. The fuel line loop you see is plugging off the redundant backplate vents.

Let me know what you think.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #14 on:** November 14, 2006, 06:03:41 PM »

5X3 - 5X4..............

Have you run this engine Ray?..........

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #15 on:** November 14, 2006, 06:59:17 PM »

Run it? O yes...last plane it was on was a Rayzor combat trainer. I believe it is this very engine in the pics below.

You don't think it got that worn-looking just sitting on a shelf, did you? It is not new. It has good compression. It runs well. Its life is surely partly over. More than that, I can't tell you.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #16 on:** November 15, 2006, 02:05:02 PM »

I am mulling..................

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #17 on:** November 15, 2006, 02:23:41 PM »

Here's some mulling help: The extra glow head is worth--what?--$10? and the props are around $3 each I think ($2.89+tax). How many of either one, or both, would it take?

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #18 on:** November 15, 2006, 06:09:25 PM »

I'll send you the engine and you send me what makes it a fair trade............

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #19 on:** November 15, 2006, 08:12:50 PM »

No, that's not fair, you have to say...Don't send it 'til you know what makes it a fair trade. Too much responsibility for me.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #20 on:** November 16, 2006, 02:19:50 AM »

Oh..................so I have to shoulder the responsibility............dang!! I've been avoiding that for the longest time.

Must mull.......................................Swap meet prices for used Cox engines range from $10 to $35................where does this one fit?

BTW---------the B.049 set me back about $40.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #21 on:** November 16, 2006, 08:54:48 AM »

OK lessee...maybe $25 value on the BW itself; $10 for extra new glow head, that's $35, 2 new props (your choice of size) approx. $3 ea., gets us to $41...close enough? You want that Norvel muffler too? I'll toss it in free for nothin'.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #22 on:** November 16, 2006, 09:11:24 AM »

2 5X3 props-one new glow head- one BW in exchange for one NIB B.049......hmmm-fair deal.

If it's a good deal for you, it's a good deal for me..............Wasn't that fun?

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #23 on:** November 16, 2006, 02:05:57 PM »

Oh yeah...fun. In retrospect, we probably should have taken it to PMs, rather than revealing our negotiating tactics to the whole controlline world!

So...the BW plus one new extra glowhead plus two (2) new 5x3 props, to be posted to you. I'll have it in Friday's mail. You still haven't commented on the Norvel muffler. You also can have one of my Norvel tank mounts if you want it--I don't really use 'em.

And I'll be watching for my new blue Brodak .049!

Thanks for the experience.

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #24 on:** November 16, 2006, 02:16:48 PM »

Ray I think we needed to run our bargain in the open air for the benefit of those that don't know how to do it. About 85% of most barter/swap deals start off with "what's the least you'll take for it". Which I find insulting. I mean if an item is offered and has a price tag then the shopper should offer a counter figure. Then fun can be had.
You my friend are very good at this and I always find our dealings pleasurable. I will box up the Brodak motor and send it tomorrow.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #25 on:** November 16, 2006, 04:10:37 PM »

OK so this serves as a tutorial...I didn't mean to imply it ought to be done in hiding, just that the larger community might find it boring. Never occurred to me someone might learn something from us! What a concept.

I heartily second your last statement except that you flatter me! If I'm "good" at it, it's for the same reason you are: I have no interest in trying to "take" someone; rather, to arrive at an arrangement satisfactory to both. I see the same intent in you. I too always enjoy our "dealings", both business and personal. Glad to count you as a friend.

Besides all that, you buy my kits...could it be any better?

So, what about the muffler and/or tank mount? You seem determined to not acknowledge them! I may throw 'em in anyway just for spite.

--Ray

Leroy Heikes · « **Reply #26 on:** November 16, 2006, 04:42:05 PM »

OK! Now, that I know how this bargaining works I can start negotiating with Frank on building me one of these here Little Axes. I have both a Norvel and a Brodak engine I could mount in it, but what will it take to have something to mount either of those engines to?

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #27 on:** November 16, 2006, 04:58:55 PM »

NOW, see what you've started, Frank...

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #28 on:** November 16, 2006, 05:30:54 PM »

MY MY MY...............

Ray--I guess we do have a tutorial going. And yes I agree with you that beating people out of things just isn't fun enough to do. Much better to be mutually satisfied. It's more human.

Your kits are like chocolate eclairs....after a long drawn out build it's like having my favorite desert getting to build a model like the Barndoor or the 1/2A Snapper.

I keep forgetting about the Norvel tank mount or muffler---hmmmm. I am thinking maybe you figure you'll never use them and rightfully so. Below is a picture of a small corroded fuel tank and a set of 1 1/2 or 2 inch Perfect ballon wheels which I will never use. If you send the muffler and tank I will be forced to send you the wheels and tank.

frank carlisle · « **Reply #29 on:** November 16, 2006, 05:42:14 PM »

Quote from: Leroy Heikes on November 16, 2006, 04:42:05 PM

OK! Now, that I know how this bargaining works I can start negotiating with Frank on building me one of these here Little Axes. I have both a Norvel and a Brodak engine I could mount in it, but what will it take to have something to mount either of those engines to?

Well Leroy it just so happens that I have some experience with deals like the one you're talking about, having done it a few times.

What I've done before is to give a guy who I thought could build a nice model two BlackHawk kits and two engines. Deal was -- he would build the two models then I would pick the one I liked best and he'd keep the other. I've done this with several guys and it worked out very well.

Does any of this sound good to you? AND---do you have Little Axe kits? And if you do--how come I didn't know they were being offered?

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #30 on:** November 16, 2006, 06:16:12 PM »

Frank: I will never kit the LittleAxe, and I'll tell you why (even though you didn't ask): Because it would be so labor-intensive I'd have to charge more than my conscience would let me, that's why. If I figure my time on the kits I do produce, I make about a buck an hour as it is. & that's OK, I enjoy doing it besides the ego boost that comes when someone actually WANTS one of my productions...but I'll have to settle for peddling plans only of the LittleAxe, when I get them ready. And, Frank, you'll be the first to know!

--Ray

P.S. If you send me that junky tank, I'll be forced to dig deep into my pile and send you some real crap...

P.P.S. I have started on the Queen Bee templates.

frank carlisle · « **Reply #31 on:** November 16, 2006, 06:53:53 PM »

Quote from: minnesotamodeler on November 16, 2006, 06:16:12 PM

Frank: I will never kit the LittleAxe, and I'll tell you why (even though you didn't ask): Because it would be so labor-intensive I'd have to charge more than my conscience would let me, that's why. If I figure my time on the kits I do produce, I make about a buck an hour as it is. & that's OK, I enjoy doing it besides the ego boost that comes when someone actually WANTS one of my productions...but I'll have to settle for peddling plans only of the LittleAxe, when I get them ready. And, Frank, you'll be the first to know!

--Ray

P.S. If you send me that junky tank, I'll be forced to dig deep into my pile and send you some real crap...

P.P.S. I have started on the Queen Bee templates.

The Little Axe isn't kitted. Man I thought I'd missed something there.Whew!!
I understand completely about the tiny bit of money there is in this business. It seems like there is an automatic stipulation that a vow of poverty will be taken when one decides to be in the model airplane business. When I started I thought I could make enough to pay for my stuff--now I've settled for selling enough to continue to get a dealer discount.

I'll keep the tank ( I think it's good though) and you keep out of your junk pile. The Norvel tank and muffler wouldn't get used here - best to hold on to them till the right person needs them.

You said the Queen Bee was a ways down the pipeline- your start up on the templates is more like immediate. I sure hope I can get my hands on an .020 that actually turns over.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #32 on:** November 16, 2006, 07:01:10 PM »

Oh, now it comes out...you didn't mention that .020 in your hand is frozen up!

I'm supposed to be receiving some .020 parts soon, courtesy of Russell Shaffer. Maybe there'll be something in there that'll help you out. I'll let you know when I get it. As I recall, I'm spose to share them with you anyhow.

--Ray

--Ray

frank carlisle · « **Reply #33 on:** November 16, 2006, 07:18:13 PM »

Quote from: minnesotamodeler on November 16, 2006, 07:01:10 PM

Oh, now it comes out...you didn't mention that .020 in your hand is frozen up!
-Ray

SO SAD.......................