Strega ARF Progress

[Warren Leadbeatter]

I found some time to work on assembly of my ARF Strega today...

[Terry Bolin]

VERY NICE, good color lines and I like the "Brodak" decal under the canopy.
Good Job!
Terry B

[Paul Taylor]

Looks great Warren !!!!

I hope your flying lake is all drained off.

[Bill Little]

Hi Warren,

I know you will enjoy that Strega!  I can tell you take pride in whatever you do from the care you are taking in assembling the ARF/ARC.

I see the Saito decal, which one are you planning to use?

Take your time trimming, the Strega is a world class airplane.  It should give you many, many high quality flights!

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Hi guys,

I'm very impressed with the quality of the Brodak ARF build.  I decided to design my own wheel spats as it doesn't come with any. Also the addition of "Ja Ja Binks" from Star Wars as the pilot was a must.  You always need a pilot I reckon.

The engine will be / is a brand new Saito 62. Currently on the bench running in. It has about 20 mins on it so far and it's a very nice engine. Easy to start and very smooth and quiet.  Tank is a home made 5oz clunk tank. Starting Prop will be a 13x6.

I'll keep you posted... and yes Paul the lake has dried up so I can fly again. The weather has been awesome here this past week.  The water (ocean) is still warm and the days a sunny and windless. Perfect for flying control line. I'm in heaven  .

Cheers

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Just putting on the finishing touches... My ARF is now a RTF.

[Bill Little]

My good friend, Kent Tysor, has been flying Strega for a long time now!  He won Advanced at our NATS a couple years ago with one.

He has even gone as far as putting a radiator on the bottom and a turtle deck to more accurately depict the real Strega.  Last time I checked, he was using a RoJett 76!  I hope to fly with him this Saturday.

You should enjoy the Strega.  It is an excellent, proven design!

(I would take a look at the flap/horn connection as described by Bob B. in a thread here!)

[Bob Reeves]

Just putting on the finishing touches... My ARF is now a RTF.

I really want to hear how well that Saito 62 does on the Strega, am going to do the same when things get to the point I have some time to play. Need to know all the details of how you perceive the power match is. We have a Strega in the club and came to the conclusion a stock ST 60 just isn't quite enough.

[proparc]

Want information on the Saito 62 crazyfast.  Saito 62 and Strega be veddy veddy veddy rewarding!!!

[Warren Leadbeatter]

I wonder why the kit says 51 to 61 engine, but everyone's saying Windy uses a 76?

So anyway while waiting for the weather to settle I thought I'd whip up a Flying Clown.
Nice little plane but I had to shorten the nose - nose heavy with a Leo 15 BB.

[Bill Little]

I wonder why the kit says 51 to 61 engine, but everyone's saying Windy uses a 76?

So anyway while waiting for the weather to settle I thought I'd whip up a Flying Clown.
Nice little plane but I had to shorten the nose - nose heavy with a Leo 15 BB.

The whole idea now, it seems, is to use a bigger and bigger engine as long as you can get a prop on it and balance the plane!

[Dick Fowler]

Why anybody that would build one of them thar ARFs is a low down, rotten no good varmint!   (I'm sorry, I just can't help myself )


(Looks good!)

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Hi Dick 

I thought I would like to try an ARF. I like to build but for some reason the Strega ARF appealed to me. As I have mentioned I am very impressed with the quality and strength of the Strega ARF. It is all very straight and went together easily.   I have seen none of the issues mentioned by others ie Flaps to soft or warped, Flap boxes.  I was amazed when it balanced perfectly straight up. (~1 7/8" back from the LE) and the controls are spot on.

I can't wait to fly this baby.

Cheers

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Hi All,

I put the first 5 flights on my ARF Strega today... wow! After the 5th flight I was impressed!!!!   It motors along just great.  The Saito 62 is a very impressive power plant. 

1st flight I was worried but it turned out I was just a little rich. 2nd and 3rd just a bit leaner each time did not try to fly pattern. 4th flight spot on but I forgot to remove the Glow starter so it was a tad nose heavy but flew most of the pattern except for outsides. 5th flight was right on the money. Flew the full pattern plus a couple of outside loops to untwist the lines and it flew for 7 mins 55 sec.  The glide in for landing is very smooth and controlable, better than anything I have ever flown before.

5oz tank is right on. I reckon I'll need to take 20mls out to get it under 7 mins. Will try that tomorrow (weather permitting). I'm using a 13x6 APC and the speed seems to be just right. Motor is reving at ~9200 rpm. Fuel is 10% nitro 18% synthetic.   I have set it up exactly as per Mr Brodak's instructions. I'm very happy and am looking forward to the NSW State Championships in a couple of weeks time.

One thing that does bother me slightly is that with muffler pressure these Saitos don't mind running backwards.  Anyone else found this? Any suggestions to avoid this? I suppose I could use an electric starter but that's just not control line is it? 

Here she is!  I will post some pics of it flying when I get some.

[john e. holliday]

Great to hear the plane is working as well as the power plant.  I have been told that on a 4C, turn that prop back on compression, then pull forward enought that you can really smack it backwards.  Should fire off every time.  My Enya 4C wouldn't do it.  Had to pull thru compression, then up to compression and flip it.  Anyway have fun at the contest.  DOC Holliday

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Doc Thats what I do. Most times it starts ok but when it's warm it seems to want to run backwards.  I'll keep trying to work it out.

BTW here's a pic of the proud owner holding his new toy in his new workshop.

[Alan Hahn]

Yes with muffler pressure the 4 strokes tend not to be very fussy about choosing which tube to be the intake manifold and which to be the exhaust! Nothing like the exhaust all being blown inside the cowl, especially when it probably is really running rich (of course you could put a needle on the muffler pressure line!  )
That's why I usually use an electric starter to get the darn thing rotating the right way. Back flipping also tends to work. I think you need to be carfeful if the engine is a little flooded, because then I think all bets are off on directionality with a hand start.

[Bill Little]

Good luck with your upcoming meet, Warren!

[John Christensen]

I have had a couple of 4-strokes run backward on me. I believe that it is caused by having too rich a mixture on the start attempt. I always use an electric starter. Those big 4-strokes are like a diesel, they do not want to stop running just because a finger is in the way.

[Bob Reeves]

Warren,

Ya starters may not be CL but you'll get over that, starters and 4 strokes are a good thing. Can't remember if you said.. Is your tank plumbed uniflow? If it is you might think about running muffler pressure to the conventional vent. It typically isn't covered with fuel and if it does start backwards it won't run long.

Are you running a UHP/Pat johnson manfold or the RC carb? In a stiff breeze see if you have any problem with it rushing on the down legs, Like the down leg of the hourglass. If it is try going to a 7 pitch prop and choking down the intake so it peaks at about 8200... Just wondering if the 62 responds like my 40 and 56 did..

Good luck
Bob

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Hi guys,

I decided to stick with the electric starter and had some very good, consistent practice flights yesterday.    Bob, I have the RC carby setup so the throttle is adjustable. And yes the tank is plumbed uniflow.  I have the throttle not quite fully open (now at 9500rpm) and with the 13x6 it's lapping at approx 5.2 secs on 70's   It uses just on 4 oz for fuel for a 6.5 min flight.  I now feel ready to compete in F2B at the state champs.

On another note, I'm so happy with the way my Ringmaster performs with the Saito 30, I've decided to enter it in the Classic Stunt at the state champs as well.  Been out practicing the Classic Pattern today.

While I was at it, I think I may have recruited a couple of new fliers.  A couple of young blokes came up and started asking questions, so I pulled out the trusty Cox PT19 trainer and let them have a go.  They learned very quickly and got the hang after just a few attempts and they were so impressed, that they now want to build their own models.  I invited them over to see my collection of planes and when they come we will discuss it further.  They expressed and interest in building their own planes so it looks like I might be doing classes soon.  Who know's, they might be the first members of the (yet to be formed) Port Stephens Circle Burners. :-)

Life is great!

Cheers

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Flew my Strega today...

[youtube=425,350]klQsJkahMYo[/youtube]

Enjoy!

[Gary Anderson]

Hi, your plane look and sounds great. What is your lap time, what length lines are you flying on? I have a Strega also, just haven't started on her. I'll be using K&B 61, maybe Enya 60 or a good old Merco 61. Would use my ST 60 but she's resting in the Shark 45. I've just being reading all the reports on the Strega. Some good, some bad, yours looks great. I'm afraid of the pull she may produce, I'm old and not very strong. I try to set lead-out forward so there isn't as much pull. Here's the question, how hard does she pull? I've found most mine pull the hardest coming out of a wing over. Thanks for showing us your new toy and great write up, Gary

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Hi Gary

Thanks!  Here's my specs:

Engine: Saito FA62 on muffler pressure.
Prop: APC 13X6
Lines: 70' x 0.018"
Fuel: 10% Nitro, 18% Synthetic Oil, 72% Methanol (Std Hobby Shop R/C fuel)
Lap Time: 5.2 sec
Weight: 70 oz
Fuel Tank: Home made uniflow metal clunk tank. 5oz (but it only needs 4oz to do the pattern)

It does pull harder than anything else I've ever flown, but then again my next biggest model (Brodak Cardinal) has Brodak 40 in it.  It seems to pull hardest when flying straight and level. I did get a sore shoulder after flying it the first time but that may have been from flick/finger starting the engine. I had a bit of trouble with it starting backwards so I'm now using my electric starter.  I have my leadout set forward but I also have a touch of engine offset and a touch of rudder offset too.  It probably doesnt need it.

I'll be flying it in the NSW State Championships in Sydney next weekend in F2B Advanced. I'll let you know how I go.

Cheers

[Bradley Walker]

Well, I think that is pulling around that Strega!!!  Wow!!!  That Saito 62 looks to be a real winner.

I would suggest closing the carb some more.  With a 6 pitch you will need very little throttle. 

With a 6 pitch it should be much less racy sounding than that.  More of a chug chug chug chug than that varrrrrroooooooommmmm sound.

I would also not use the uniflow vent, or better yet go to a clunk tank with a standard vent.

[Keith Spriggs]

Warren, The next time the engine starts backwards, just go ahead and fly it.  I bet the judges would be impressed to see a canard pusher flying , even if the pattern wasn't perfect.

After I wrote this message I got to thinking. I wonder how a combat wing would do with the elevator on the front of the wing? Think about it. You let your opponent come in behind you and just as he is about to make a cut you suddenly do a turn and approach him head on. When he flinches and goes a few inches over or under you , you make a cut.

Sometimes I think so far out of the box that I cant even see the box.

[Warren Leadbeatter]

Brad

Yes I agree that the throttle could be closed a little bit more.  It is still a little bit too fast I think.  I will give that a go.  Thanks.

Regards
Warren