New Cardinal Arf

[Sam Laughery]

I just brought home a new Cardinal ARF.  My old one was getting pretty ratty looking after a few unintentional landings.  This is my third one and the first two were great.  I'm going to put a Brodak 40 on it and wanted to get some opinions on what setup has worked best such as prop type, wing tip weight, ballancing, etc.  Thanks in advance!

Sam

[Ralph Wenzel (d)]

Mine was excellent with a B.40, Rev-Up 12-5 cut to 10½, PowerMaster GMA 10-22 fuel. I used a Tettra tank on muffler pressure and the combo delivered beautiful, rock-solid engine runs. There was one 5-month period in 2006 when I never touched the needle valve!

[Andrew Borgogna]

I run a Master Airscrew 11x4 on my B-40/Cardinal setup.  1/2oz of tip weight and some tail weight, I kept adding utill I like the feel.  I am currently using a 6oz clunk tank with muffler pressure.  Originally I had the supplied hinges installed, later I cut them and replaced them with stiched hinges made from spider wire fishing line.  I just fly sport and some P-40 and really enjoy the plane.  For fuel I use Excalliber 11x11x10.
Andy

[Larry Renger]

Andy, I am pretty sure that is a Zinger Pro 11x5, not 4.

[peabody]

Around here we have terrific luck with APC 10 1/2 X 4 1/2's

[Bill Little]

Around here we have terrific luck with APC 10 1/2 X 4 1/2's

So have I!  On several engines including the Brodak 40 and Leo 37. 

[Andrew Borgogna]

Larry
The Pro Zinger is on the Stuka Stunt (wood prop) the Master Airscrew (black plastic) is on the Cardinal.  I think it is a 11x4 but I could be wrong on the pitch.  We have tried several props on the Cardinal but we always seem to go back to the Master Airscrew.  For whatever reason my B-40 seems to like it.
Andy

[Sam Laughery]

Thanks for your help.  I'm going to start with an APC 11X5 then try the 11X4 and 11.5X4.5.  I hope to fly it tomorrow weather permitting.  I'll let you know how I make out.

Sam

[Phil Spillman]

Hi Sam, I've been using the 11 X 4 MAS black jobs on my B.40's with fine results. My fuel has been 10 11 11 with the 10 being the nitro content. This prop works well on the FP and Tower .40's as well. Next choice for me would be the ProZinger 11X4.

Phil Spillman

[Sam Laughery]

Pne more question.  I've heard different numbers concerning the ratio between flap and elevator throw.  What have you guys found to work best with the Cardinal?

BTW Phil, I got a 7:14 engine run with 4 Oz of fuel on my LA 46 running fairly lean.

Sam

[Bob Zambelli]

Hi, Sam.

Believe it or not, I'm still flying the original Cardinal ARF - not only the prototype but the first ARF to carry the Brodak name.

To this day, it's definitely the best flying profile I've ever had. 

It's been splattered and rebuilt.

It has flown with more than 10 different engines and of the 2-strokes, the Brodak .40 and the LA .46 were the best.

Of the 4-strokes, my favorite is the OS 40 4S, non Surpass.

Regarding flap/elevator ratio, I have tried 1-to-1 as well as .8 to 1 and it seemed to behave about the same.

I have mine balanced around 1/2 inch forward of the recommended position.

Around 1/2 ounce of tip weight.

It's also become the test bed for the Z-Horn, which is working flawlessly.

The wing is covered with red on the top and blue on the bottom, which really helps in the turns.

Bob Z.

ps - anyone want to see the before/during/after shots from the crash? 

[Warren Leadbeatter]

> The wing is covered with red on the top and blue on the bottom, which really helps in the turns.

Hey Bob, how does this help in the turns?

FWIW I built a Kit Cardinal and love it... even after I crashed it and broke it in 3 places then rebuilt it, it flies awesomely well with a B.40.  I'm using a 10x5 APC on mine.

Cheers

[Sam Laughery]

Hi Bob,

Have you made it to SC yet?  They're finally starting our hous just outside of Raleigh and We"re planning on being in by Sep or October.  I auctioned off a bunch of our 'stuff' a couple of weeks ago and first on the list was the snow shovel.

I could have repaired my old Cardinal ARF and still might but for the price why not go with a new one.  I also have one I built that I will probably fly in the flyin that has a TT 46 on it with a 12.25  3.75 APC on it.  Great combination. 

Yes I'd like to see your before and after pics.

See you in 10 days or so.

Sam

[Bob Zambelli]

Hi, Sam - I've been back and forth a few times.
The house is done and the hangar is complete except for inside panelling and doors (I had them custom made.)
I plan to retire before fall. 

Anyhow, here are the Cardinal pictures
The first is when it was brand new. 
The next three show the carnage.   
The last shows after the repair.   

I like to show these pictures to keep people from getting discouraged when they wreck a plane.
The entire repair took around five evenings and it looked (and stilll looks) GREAT. 

When I was in pampa, I did an article on the entire repair,
which I will gladly mail to anyone interested.

Bob Z.

[Bob Zambelli]

I forgot to add - when the Cardinal crashed (I WAS NOT FLYING IT!!!), it went straight in on asphalt.

It hit so hard that the decals EXPLODED off the wing,
                              The spinner was smashed,
                              The muffler was torn off
                              The fuel tank was never found.

And, here's a testimony to the ruggedness of the Brodak .40 - other than a tiny chip on the rear fins where the tank impacted, there was NO DAMAGE!!!

Bob Z.

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Hi Bob, Mine looked very similar to that after "I" crashed it.  But it was due to the pushrod becoming disconnected from the elevator horn. I must not have connected it properly.  I crashed while flying inverted so I broke the needle valve clean off the B.40.  Other than that, it's all just glued back togther with a few patches on the wing covering.  It's all part of the fun eh!

[Sam Laughery]

Pretty amazing pics Bob.  Miracles do happen.  I flew the new ARF today.  Other than engine speed, no adjustments necessary.  Total build/trim time less than 4 hours.  How can anyone argue against arfs?  I guess some people will complain about anything. 

BTW-I had a good pit man today.  John B himself.

Sam