She flies again!!! (pic)

[Matt Colan]

After 3 weeks of repairing the Oriental Plus, she flew again for the first time.  I only had time for 2 flights because grandpa has a dentist appointment, so I couldn't fly all day.

The plane is lighter than it was before the repair.  It weighed 58 ounces before the repair and now it weighs 54.3 ounces!!!  I put a 3 bladed prop on it, and it flew smoother than it was with the two blade.  Frankly I like the two blade better, so we'll put that back on to see what happens.

The plane does fly better than it did before, and has a better glide.  I got a whole pattern in on the first flight, but aborted flying the second half of the pattern on the second flight because she started to run lean, so there is probably junk still in the venturi, so when we fly again I'll blow out the venturi again.

I managed to take one picture, but I can't find the camera since I probably left it in grandpa's flight box   .  When I get it back, a pic will be posted.

edit:  In other news, grandpa basically gave me his PA 51, since he is going to stick with the smaller airplane.  I've now been eyeing Randy Smith's SV-31 Rapier, maybe I'll build that after the Cobra...

[Paul Taylor]

That is great new Matt!!!

Now how in the heck to you rebuild a plane and lose weight. I always pick up a pound or two in the rebuild process.
But heck I build heavy any way so what is a few more pounds.  

[Tim Wescott]

You realize that you have a treasure in your grandfather, I hope!

My father was passionately interested in cars (see http://www.wescottsauto.com, for an idea of just how), I'm passionately interested in model airplanes and (thankfully for my career) electronics, and my brother is passionately interested in trains.  So when it came time to go off and do really interesting stuff, we'd go in three different directions.  I envy families that actually manage to overlap their interests to the degree that you and your g'dad do.

Of course your grandfather may feel the same about you -- neither of my kids caught the model airplane bug, nor my niece or nephews.  This in spite of me making it as contagious as I could manage.

[Randy Powell]

Glad to hear that Matt. She sounds like she will be a very good plane for you.

>>In other news, grandpa basically gave me his PA 51, since he is going to stick with the smaller airplane. <<

Really? I have gone to smaller planes with really big engines.   

[Matt Colan]

That is great new Matt!!!

Now how in the heck to you rebuild a plane and lose weight. I always pick up a pound or two in the rebuild process.
But heck I build heavy any way so what is a few more pounds.  

Well, we made new elevators and shed one ounce of weight off the tail.  Then we needed less noseweight.  Also we didn't put on as much of a finish in the rear end as before, so even more nose weight could be taken out.

Now it's time to start practicing, and getting ready for Brodaks!!!

[Matt Colan]

Glad to hear that Matt. She sounds like she will be a very good plane for you.

>>In other news, grandpa basically gave me his PA 51, since he is going to stick with the smaller airplane. <<

Really? I have gone to smaller planes with really big engines.   

He's heard about Dave Fitzgerald putting a PA 75 in a relatively small airplane, and such, but really doesn't want to pursue that, he just wants the smaller airplane in general, which also includes a smaller motor.

[Tim Wescott]

Well, we made new elevators and shed one ounce of weight off the tail.  Then we needed less noseweight.  Also we didn't put on as much of a finish in the rear end as before, so even more nose weight could be taken out.

Ever since I started weighing every piece that goes into my planes, they've been getting lighter.  It helps to keep track of the distance from the CG, too -- so when something is going into the tail feathers, I weigh it then multiply by three to account for the nose weight it takes.

[Bill Hummel]

Nice job, Matt!  Fly carefully...for a while!

[Tim Wescott]

Nice job, Matt!  Fly carefully...for a while!

And keep the backup plane in good shape!

[Matt Colan]

Got the camera back and here is the one picture I was able to take before the battery died.

[steven yampolsky]

Is the tape on yet?

If I were you, I'd put that PA51 in this model. Otherwise, give Rick Campbell a call. He will hook you up with drawings for his Eurostyle or Stoli Special. If you are really nice, you might get him to part with his next design: sidewinder mount with cheek cowls. Super hot!

I have all sizes from .40 to .65 in my Stoli Special and it flew best with .51. Go figure.

[Tim Wescott]

That paint job really ought to be too busy to look good -- but it looks good!

[Eric Viglione]

Great job Matt (and Don)! Glad to see you stuck with it and got her back in the air. You learned a lot in the process too. Can't put a price on that.

I can't tell you how many times I used to leave the wreckage in a hefty bag in my shop for days, weeks or even months, until I could stand to look at it. Then comes decision time, strip out the hardware and junk it or attempt a fix.

Why I bother to strip the hardware, I'll never know, because I have YET to re-use and hardware from a crashed ship. At least not control systems. Maybe a set of wheels, or something similar if not damaged. But never a fuel tank or control system, or much of anything else would I trust again. But, for some reason I have a drawer with just such re-claimed wreckage in it. Funny huh?

Here's hoping she brings you lots of enjoyment and years of good service.

EricV

[john e. holliday]

Matt,  she looks as good as ever.  Without seeing it in person, doubt if I could find te breaks.  Also glad she is working for you.   

[Matt Colan]

Is the tape on yet?

If I were you, I'd put that PA51 in this model. Otherwise, give Rick Campbell a call. He will hook you up with drawings for his Eurostyle or Stoli Special. If you are really nice, you might get him to part with his next design: sidewinder mount with cheek cowls. Super hot!

I have all sizes from .40 to .65 in my Stoli Special and it flew best with .51. Go figure.

Hinge Line tape, yea.  can't put a PA 51 in this plane, not enough room for a big enough tank.

Stoli Special plans would be nice, hmm, lotta choices for that size motor...

[bob branch]

Matt has figured out my neighbor Jerry Lelachur's key to a light airplane. Crash it to pieces, then rebuild only using 2/3 of the pieces. Works every time!

bob branch

[Matt Colan]

Matt has figured out my neighbor Jerry Lelachur's key to a light airplane. Crash it to pieces, then rebuild only using 2/3 of the pieces. Works every time!

bob branch

  .  Or make new lighter pieces!!!

[Matt Colan]

After flying the Oriental Plus 4 times since the crash, I couldn't understand why the motor wouldn't 4-2 anymore.  Last night we checked the pipe for leaks and all along the pressure fitting, there was basically a ring of bubbles.  Good thing I suggested it, and now I'm hoping this willl get the motor to go into a 4 cycle again.