Author Topic: Look Ma! My little airplane is finished! (Read 10888 times)

Claudio Chacon · « **on:** March 11, 2010, 06:37:34 AM »

Hello everyone!
Well, after a years work or so (

not bad at all according to my own building rate standards

) my new SeventySeven is finished.
Final weight, RTF, is 63,5 oz which I think it's a good power-to-weight ratio, considering it has a Saito .72 in the nose.

In case you are not bored

yet with the building pictures, you can check them out by clicking the following links:

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=11233.0
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=11555.0
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=13258.0
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=13830.msg125134#msg125134
http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=15137.0

I hope you enjoy the pictures of the (finally) finished product!
See ya....

Claudio.

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #1 on:** March 11, 2010, 06:41:57 AM »

Second batch (out of 165.....................

) NOOOOOO !!!!

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #2 on:** March 11, 2010, 06:44:27 AM »

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 11, 2010, 06:47:36 AM »

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #4 on:** March 11, 2010, 06:51:51 AM »

Okay, that's all Gentlemen. Last batch.
Kindest regards to you all

Terry Bolin · « **Reply #5 on:** March 11, 2010, 06:53:16 AM »

VERY VERY Nice , good job on the finish and the weight! Let us know how you like the first flights!

Allan Perret · « **Reply #6 on:** March 11, 2010, 08:24:22 AM »

That looks great.
Yea, I'm liking that power/weight ratio too. What is your wing loading ?
Like your colors and paint scheme, especially the dice on the rudder. Did you do that with decals ?

Weren't you building two of these together. I started a doubled project of 2 Magnums about 15 years ago. Stayed with it about halfway thru. Then put #2 aside to get #1 in the air. Didnt pick up on #2 untill about 5 years later when I crashed #1..

john e. holliday · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2010, 09:22:34 AM »

That is one AWESOME looking plane, but I have to only give 19.999999 appearance points as I found the one flaw on the left wing leading edge.

If she flies as well as she lookds, the competition better leave their planes in the car. Again, AWESOME LOOKING, or did I say that already.

Ariel Manera · « **Reply #8 on:** March 11, 2010, 09:46:12 AM »

FELICITACIONES !!! (acá se dice CONGRATULATIONS !!! )

Es hermoso como se venía gestando. It's wonderful, a gorgeous job. Enjoy your work!!
Ariel

Randy Powell · « **Reply #9 on:** March 11, 2010, 09:49:43 AM »

Claudio,

Awesome, just awesome. I love a lot of the details. The "77" and dice are a nice touch. I also like the color combination. Looks very good. But you do know that you're supposed to have the good looking female model hold the plane and mug for the camera, right?

Martin Quartim · « **Reply #10 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:07:17 AM »

Claudio,

Awesome!

Loved the square end flaps! I hope it does it's magic as it did in my plane.

Martin

Mario Verol · « **Reply #11 on:** March 11, 2010, 10:18:31 AM »

Very Nice, Claudi!
It´s looking like a brazilian flag. Nice, vere nice.
Congrats,
V

Brian Massey · « **Reply #12 on:** March 11, 2010, 12:44:17 PM »

Do you have any pictures?

Brian

Allan Perret · « **Reply #13 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:24:00 PM »

Quote from: Martin Quartim on March 11, 2010, 10:07:17 AM

Claudio,

Awesome!

Loved the square end flaps! I hope it does it's magic as it did in my plane.

Martin

What do you mean by square end flaps. Are you talking about the cross section of the TE. What kind of magic did it do for you ??

Dalton Hammett · « **Reply #14 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:34:32 PM »

Absolutely beautiful plane.....................

Dalton H.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #15 on:** March 11, 2010, 01:47:10 PM »

Holy Crap!!!!!!!!! What a fantastic airplane, and beautifully finished!!!

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #16 on:** March 11, 2010, 05:33:01 PM »

Hello guys!
First of all, let me thank to each and everyone of you who took the time to send such encouraging and positive remarks. As you all know, this is a very rewarding hobby and receiving acknowledgment from your colleagues constitutes a big part of it. And, as most of you know as well, I find this Forum a priceless site in which we can give free rein to one of our great passions: TO SHARE !

Despite some flaws it has here and there (indeed John!) -which most expert finishers may find unacceptable, AS it should- , I'm quite satisfied with the final results.
Mainly, the plane has no warps whatsoever, it is perfectly aligned and solidly built. And the final weight came out three grams lighter than expected!

Allan,
I don't know yet about the wing loading but, at 670 sq.inches and 63,5 ounces, it might be on the "heavy" side. However, I do know that with a Saito .72 in the nose, the power-to-weight ratio is more than acceptable.

The dice and small lettering are made with decal paper, everything else is painted. I use an animation software called "3D Studio" (from Autodesk) to create the dice and Corel Draw X3 for the rest of the graphics.
And yes, I'm building two "77's" toqether. Number 2 will resume as soon as I can get #1 trimed. Our Nationals are coming soon...

Randy,
Glad to know you liked my toy airplane!
Concerning the female model, let's see what I can do....

Martin,
To be honest, I never tried square ended flaps but read several times that somehow improves the planes response.
Is this a myth or a fact?
Can you tell us more about your experience with this kind of flap trailing edge?

Brian,
Pictures?
Whats that?

The maiden flight will be this next Saturday (IF the wind is CALM).
I'll shoot some video if I can borrow a camcorder.

Thanks again folks!
See you soon...

Claudio.

John Miller · « **Reply #17 on:** March 11, 2010, 05:59:32 PM »

Congratulations on a great job. The total package "rocks." You should be able to do very well in competition with this plane.

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #18 on:** March 12, 2010, 05:28:27 AM »

Quote from: John Miller on March 11, 2010, 05:59:32 PM

Congratulations on a great job. The total package "rocks." You should be able to do very well in competition with this plane.

Thank you very much John!
I hope so. First flights will take place tomorrow. We shall see...........

elizio · « **Reply #19 on:** March 12, 2010, 06:46:01 AM »

Claudio Chacon is one of the best builders of models I have seen.
Congratulations!
elizio - Brazil

Gene O'Keefe · « **Reply #20 on:** March 12, 2010, 07:26:50 AM »

As us old guys would say from our generation: DROP DEAD GORGEOUS !!!!!

Geno

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2010, 04:12:36 AM »

Thank you so much Elizio and Geno!
I'm getting ready for "M" day ("M" for maiden!)
Will be heading to the club in a few hours. Weather seems to be decent this Saturday morning...calm winds, cloudy...nice. We'll see if it stays that way this afternoon....

Best regards,
Claudio.

Derek Barry · « **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2010, 07:23:35 AM »

Beautiful!!!!

sainte · « **Reply #23 on:** March 15, 2010, 09:34:43 AM »

Congratulations Claudio!, beautiful model. I hope to continue seeing the best flights. Un abrazo

Guillermo Sainte Cluque

Martin Quartim · « **Reply #24 on:** March 15, 2010, 04:11:15 PM »

Claudio,

The reason No 1 I know for fact a rectangular section flap is better is because it has better Torsion Resistance.

There is an article about how air flows near the TE in the web, I thought it was at Igor Burgers website but I couldn’t find it there. What I recall is that air flow makes a wave or bubble near the Trailing Edge which is associated with the turbulence aft the TE, and with the square TE (the sharpest the corner the better) this wave is canceled or diminished making the flap more efficient and supposedly with a smoother airflow aft the TE.

Many of us here in Brazil built the Super Tucano and I built mine with a few modifications, making the flaps rectangular was one of them and many people told me my plane was flying much better then the others. If I hadn’t made some silly mistakes in my initial flights I would have finished in the top 10 at last Brazilian Nats, still I end up 19th ahead many people with a lot more flying hours then me. I find it is much easier to turn and lock in a straight line with my Super Tucano, I can’t do the same with other models.

Martin
p.s. try to look at the T.E. of crop dusters, the section is like this ===| Why ? heck I don't know, I am just a glider pilot

john e. holliday · « **Reply #25 on:** March 16, 2010, 04:16:42 PM »

I guess I am getting too old to remember things. Years ago when I was starting to play with stunt there was an article about flaps, elevators and wings. One was the Fockwolf(

spelling). The flap was part of the airfoil and hinged so there was no gap, even when deflected. Then the airfoils of Al Rabe with different type flaps. Then the one in which the writer of the article stated was the best was the flat flap or rectangular section. As you stated the squarer the trailing edge of the flap the better. On some designs with the tapered flaps, narrower at tip than at root was hard to get taper without inducing some alignment problem. Since I have hardly tried tapering the flaps and when I do the trailing edges are as square as I can keep them. If your plane is flying to your satisfaction that is all that matters especially when you start taking the hardware home.

George Grossardt · « **Reply #26 on:** March 20, 2010, 06:41:52 PM »

What a great looking plane. And it's evenpainted in Packer colors!

Osni Renato · « **Reply #27 on:** March 20, 2010, 07:01:39 PM »

Wow...........

For me it's 20 in appearance!

One day I get there

Best regards

ps* To Master Elizio - lacked a little tuned pipe.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #28 on:** March 20, 2010, 07:04:38 PM »

Quote from: George Grossardt on March 20, 2010, 06:41:52 PM

What a great looking plane. And it's evenpainted in Packer colors!

It IS a great finish on a fabullous build. However we can FORGIVE the Packer colors..!

Steve Helmick · « **Reply #29 on:** March 20, 2010, 09:01:09 PM »

Quote from: Dennis Adamisin on March 20, 2010, 07:04:38 PM

It IS a great finish on a fabulous build. However we can FORGIVE the Packer colors..!

Packer colors? I thought right off that it was in Aussie "Green & Gold"...and I like it.

Steve

Joe Rice · « **Reply #30 on:** March 21, 2010, 06:25:09 AM »

Great attention to detail and execution.... congratulations

Joe

...Hon, another one of your airplane thingy boxes arrived at the front door today....

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #31 on:** March 21, 2010, 10:01:17 AM »

Derek, Guillermo, Martin, George, Osni, Dennis, Steve, Joe...
Thanks a lot for your positive words and replies guys!

The first three complete patterns were flown yesterday. I just can't begin to tell you how HAPPY I am with my "77"!!!
The plane grooves and tracks like a dream. Firm and steady throughout the whole flight...solid line tension EVERYWHERE (and I mean everywhere!)
And gotta tell you: That Saito 72 is an insanely powerful engine !!!

I'm heading to the club after lunch. Fine trimming will begin today.

More details coming soon....

Best regards to you all from a man !
Claudio

Osni Renato · « **Reply #32 on:** March 21, 2010, 12:39:36 PM »

Friend Chacon!

Congratulations for the success of your plane, really great!

I know the strength of 72 SAITO because already had 2 of these and they are brutal strength.
I am follower of piped engines (always fun shooting with Elizio).

We are scheduling to go in Argentina next year to participate in the national.

Big hug - Osni

John Sunderland · « **Reply #33 on:** March 21, 2010, 08:27:46 PM »

I am a little bit late here Claudio.

The other guys said it all! Truly good looking and all business at the same time. The dimensions and color scheme just look perfect. Now we need flying reports!

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #34 on:** March 22, 2010, 05:45:54 AM »

Quote from: Osni Renato on March 21, 2010, 12:39:36 PM

Friend Chacon!

Congratulations for the success of your plane, really great!
I know the strength of 72 SAITO because already had 2 of these and they are brutal strength.
I am follower of piped engines (always fun shooting with Elizio).
We are scheduling to go in Argentina next year to participate in the national.

Big hug - Osni

Hello Osni

, Thanks!
I'm a piped engine fan too. I've been flying my "Voodoo" since 2003 -and still do- with a piped PA 61, the BEST and more reliable two stroke stunt engine ever made. Period.
But this time I wanted to give these four bangers a try and so far, I'm more than amazed, to say the least.

Glad to know you folks will join us for the Nationals!
Looking forward to meet you soon...

Kind regards,
Claudio.

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #35 on:** March 22, 2010, 05:58:57 AM »

Quote from: John Sunderland on March 21, 2010, 08:27:46 PM

I am a little bit late here Claudio. The other guys said it all! Truly good looking and all business at the same time. The dimensions and color scheme just look perfect. Now we need flying reports!

Hey, hello John!
Glad to see you! And many thanks for your remarks.
You'll find a preliminary flying report four posts above.
Could not fly yesterday...we had a quarter scale tornado in the afternoon, but we have a holiday next Wednesday, so stay tuned...

Best regards,
Claudio

elizio · « **Reply #36 on:** March 22, 2010, 09:44:25 AM »

Salud!

elizio - Brazil

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #37 on:** March 22, 2010, 11:24:18 AM »

john e. holliday · « **Reply #38 on:** March 26, 2010, 11:29:51 AM »

Bravo guys, if I could manage it I would join you.

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #39 on:** March 26, 2010, 03:48:47 PM »

Quote from: john e. holliday on March 26, 2010, 11:29:51 AM

Bravo guys, if I could manage it I would join you.

Are you planning a trip to Argentina John?
That would be great so we can meet each other!

Cheers,
Claudio.

john e. holliday · « **Reply #40 on:** March 26, 2010, 07:00:46 PM »

If I win the big lottery I will be there.

mike hartung · « **Reply #41 on:** March 27, 2010, 11:15:44 AM »

Just amazing airplane. Best wishes for the maiden flight. Great pictures also.

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #42 on:** March 27, 2010, 05:15:33 PM »

Quote from: mike hartung on March 27, 2010, 11:15:44 AM

Just amazing airplane. Best wishes for the maiden flight. Great pictures also.

Thanks Mike! Glad you liked the plane and pics.
See 10 posts above in this very same thread for some info regarding the maiden flight.

Cheers,
Claudio.

Clancy Arnold · « **Reply #43 on:** March 27, 2010, 05:38:53 PM »

How many of you "Stunt Hangar" regulars noticed the special markings on the trailing edge of the left wing???

Look at the First picture in Reply #2 and the last picture in Reply #3.

Thanks Claudio!!

Clancy

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #44 on:** March 28, 2010, 04:51:44 PM »

Quote from: Clancy Arnold on March 27, 2010, 05:38:53 PM

How many of you "Stunt Hangar" regulars noticed the special markings on the trailing edge of the left wing???

Look at the First picture in Reply #2 and the last picture in Reply #3.

Thanks Claudio!!

Clancy

You're welcome Clancy!

Best regards,
Claudio.

Bill Little · « **Reply #45 on:** March 29, 2010, 05:56:46 PM »

Hi Claudio!

I thought for sure that I had already replied to how pretty your latest model is, but I see I didn't. I am so sorry! It is gorgeous, and I cannot say anything more than has already been said. The first flight reports sound great and I wish you all the best of luck with this plane!

Big Bear

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #46 on:** March 30, 2010, 05:49:19 AM »

Quote from: Bill Little on March 29, 2010, 05:56:46 PM

Hi Claudio!

I thought for sure that I had already replied to how pretty your latest model is, but I see I didn't. I am so sorry! It is gorgeous, and I cannot say anything more than has already been said. The first flight reports sound great and I wish you all the best of luck with this plane!

Big Bear

Hi Bill, how are you!
Thanks very much for your encouraging words. This has been my best effort to date, so I hope everything goes as expected...and this is actually happening...so far.

I'll keep you all posted.

Kind regards,
Claudio.

Jose Javier Rodriguez · « **Reply #47 on:** May 10, 2010, 04:05:13 AM »

Congratulations on your work expectacular model "77." Very very nice.
waiting to see the finish of the other "77"
Thanks for delighting us with your work.

Enhorabuena por tu expectacular trabajo en el modelo "77". Muy muy bonito.
en espera de ver el acabado del otro "77"
Gracias por deleitarnos con tu trabajo.

Un Saludo

Claudio Chacon · « **Reply #48 on:** May 10, 2010, 11:14:05 AM »

Quote from: Jose Javier Rodriguez on May 10, 2010, 04:05:13 AM

Congratulations on your work expectacular model "77." Very very nice.
waiting to see the finish of the other "77"
Thanks for delighting us with your work.

Enhorabuena por tu expectacular trabajo en el modelo "77". Muy muy bonito.
en espera de ver el acabado del otro "77"
Gracias por deleitarnos con tu trabajo.

Un Saludo

Thanks a bunch José! I'm glad you liked it.
#2 ship is in stand-by mode for the moment, as I'm on the final flight trimming stages of #1.
Our Nationals are coming in 14 days, which gives me only one week end left to get a competitive package.

By the way...
Welcome to the forum!

Muchas gracias José! Me alegro que te haya gustado.
El modelo #2 está en espera por el momento, ya que estoy en las etapas finales de trimado en vuelo del #1.
Nuestro Nacional tendrá lugar en 14 días, lo cual me deja sólo un fin de semana libre para dejar todo mi equipamiento "a punto".

A propósito...
Bienvenido al foro!