Author Topic: The Brodak T-Rex Lives (Read 26085 times)

Randy Powell · « **Reply #50 on:** December 10, 2007, 10:32:34 PM »

Brad,

>>Not to pick, but John does not make any higher percentage on ARF's than he does on kits . Just so you know he sells everything at the same markup.<<

Doesn't really matter if he does (I have no idea). If he charged 10 times the markup for ARFs, that's his business. He can do what he wants. It's his business. As a customer, I would make the decision if the price was worth it to me and make my purchasing decisions accordingly. But pricing is the seller's decision. I have no problem with whatever business decisions Brodak decides to make. It's his business.

Louis Rankin · « **Reply #51 on:** December 10, 2007, 10:51:59 PM »

ARF, ARC, RTF, kit built, and scratch built. I fly them all. Currently building the Umland Colossus and after that will assemble and cover a TMQB. I am on the list for the new G. Nobler componet kit, but will be scratch building a Ringmaster 576 too.

The motors I use range anywhere from old McCoy 40s I rebuild into Hybrids, to ready made and tuned PAs purchased from Randy.

I guess I am trying to say that I am very diverse in what I buy and fly. I love the laser cut kits, especially Walter's, and I love the new ARFs, ARCs, and compent kits. To everyone who produces equipment for the sport I love, thanks. Keep up the good work.

Brad, do not get discouraged. Your T-Rex is looking good and will be a hit. Do you have any other designs that you are working on?

Mark Scarborough · « **Reply #52 on:** December 10, 2007, 11:58:42 PM »

Brad,
whether or not it is my "style" whether or not I will purchase and fly one, whether or not I will complain or even comment about whether it meets BOM or not, I commend you for your efforts, it looks to be a quality piece. people drive Fords, Chevys, and foreign cars, its a matter of taste. Having designed my own planes, most recent, my 109, I appreciate the amount of effort it takes to desing and build a competative plane. to do it with an eye for mass market( or niche market ) is a step above.
congrats, you have accomplished something here that some people only dream they can do. keep on keepin on,
oh and please change the rudder

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #53 on:** December 11, 2007, 06:01:07 AM »

Quote from: Louis Rankin on December 10, 2007, 10:51:59 PM

Do you have any other designs that you are working on?

Yes, I do!!! I am pushing every day to get more through the que.

I have another design called the Sirius. It is a complete rework of my Solace design. Should be kewl!!!

BTW, the Solace is covered in mylar and was painted.

Eric Viglione · « **Reply #54 on:** December 11, 2007, 06:56:39 AM »

I've been following this thread with interest. Not only because I like Brad's designs, but I think Brad's enthusiasm for what he is doing is infectious. But Brad old buddy, you made one mistake, you made too much noise, you are far too happy, positive and optimistic for some people.

It's kinda like when grumpy old farts call the cops on kids flying C/L at a school yard, they just can't stand young people having fun and making noise, it reminds them that they are old and no longer in charge so they have to flex their muscles and show a little authority and call the cops to throw them out, then push to make new city ordinances to keep them out of flying in schoolyards.

Good job on the TRex, keep on making noise and having fun!

EricV

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #55 on:** December 11, 2007, 07:41:57 AM »

Don't let the curmudgeons bug you Brad, that thing is totally cool!

A thought to the spinner crowd. Brad commented on planes like the F4U and the P-47, but don't forget many radial engine planes did have spinners, and looked totally cool, like the FW-190, early Helldiver, even the first Hellcat had a spinner. Having the "radial" style front end just means you don't have to wrestle with the ARF front end and the typically metric OD of the ARC planes spinner rings. Just put whatever spinner you want on it and go.

I did a spinner on a little Brodak Mauler kit one time, and it both totally enhanced the looks of the model, and gave me that protection if I decided to pile my plane straight in.

Don't forget that one of Brad's most important statements in this thread (that seems to have been overlooked in the effort to excoriate him for the covering), is attention to detail.!!! I would MUCH rather have a component kit plane that I didn't have to fix 100 aggravating small issues!, than the coolest looking plane that had the fuselage break in half because the Chinese used communist glue to assemble it. Oh, and another thing for the guys who don't like the looks. Maybe there will be more designs? Something for everybody? I can't wait to see what comes out next.

gary tultz · « **Reply #56 on:** December 11, 2007, 09:11:44 AM »

What Bill said. And in two known cases,actually WON the NATS. ---The Rainman.

Dick Byron · « **Reply #57 on:** December 11, 2007, 09:34:24 AM »

My 2 cent worth.
I wil probably purchase one and fly again. I love it. Keep up the good work Brad.

Doug Moon · « **Reply #58 on:** December 11, 2007, 09:43:40 AM »

Steve,

What is Communist Glue??

That comment made me laugh!!!

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #59 on:** December 11, 2007, 11:04:09 AM »

Quote from: Dick Byron on December 11, 2007, 09:34:24 AM

My 2 cent worth.
I wil probably purchase one and fly again. I love it. Keep up the good work Brad.

That would be great.

Dick, what is that plane is your avatar? I like the fin.

The nose on the T-Rex is actually more like a WW1 plane I saw in the Great Waldo Pepper. I am still working on the nose. It is a work in progress. Heck, all it was before was a CAD plan, now its a plane. How cool is that? Its friggin' awesome!!!!

Doug Moon · « **Reply #60 on:** December 11, 2007, 11:28:33 AM »

Quote from: Bradley Walker on December 11, 2007, 11:04:09 AM

That would be great.

Dick, what is that plane is your avatar? I like the fin.

Brad,

That is an AT-6 Texan.

Think "Akrobat" for the rudder. Straight up LE and curved TE to match the curve on the read of the fuse with a flat top. Could be tall with rounded off corners. That is what I think would look great! Just my .02 on it.

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #61 on:** December 11, 2007, 11:46:29 AM »

I like this. I may have to try it.

Jim Treace · « **Reply #62 on:** December 11, 2007, 01:10:34 PM »

Absolutely neat, I like the T-Rex will definitely give it a go.
Also, I get to fly this SNJ next week. Kind of an early Christmas present from my wife!
Jim

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #63 on:** December 11, 2007, 02:20:01 PM »

I am glad you like it Ty.

What is the NFFS?

BTW, I am liking that AT-6 rudder!!! I would work on the CAD drawing right now but I went to the dentist this morning and had a tooth pulled and bridge installed. The pain meds are making it difficult to focus. I am seeing cross eyed, but at least it does not hurt!!! Whew!!!

Bill Little · « **Reply #64 on:** December 11, 2007, 02:59:56 PM »

NFFS=National Free Flight Society

Wynn Robins · « **Reply #65 on:** December 11, 2007, 03:28:51 PM »

Brad,
I love what you are up to here - the thing looks good - will be a far better product then what is currenlty available, and will be well recieved.

I will put my order in for 2 of them right now.......albiet that I love building airplanes, I also like to fly - I have a kid on the way - so I see my building time being cut drastically in the near future - so a plug-n-play component kit is something that appeals to me greatly at this time.

Look forward to the Solace derivative also -

KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING.....

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #66 on:** December 12, 2007, 06:22:39 PM »

Here is the wing test panel after one coating of Sherwin Williams Ultra Fill Spray can primer and maybe 10 minutes of sanding. This is pretty much ready for color. it is slick as a baby's bottom and sealed with very little paint.

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #67 on:** December 16, 2007, 07:58:35 AM »

Installing the engine mount.

Here you see the Dave Brown 60FS engine mount (retail $6.95). I basically designed the T-Rex for this mount, as I have tested them and I would not use anything else (at least in 4 stroke length-there are other good alternatives in standard length). I will be suggesting this mount for the kit. I have attached the mount to a piece of 1/4" ply that that will serve as the main firewall (this will be included with the kit). I use standard blind nut installation with 6-32 bolts. I really hate working on mounts once the plane is built, so I decided on this method. It is really easy attaching the mounts outside of the plane.

As you can see, the plane comes with one 1/8" firewall attached. This will be the "guide firewall" for attaching the actual 1/4" firewall (I am not sure why they put that clearance hole in the firewall, but I will have it eliminated). Here is the whole thing clamped up for fiberglass filled 5 minute epoxy gluing. The finished 3/8" firewall is more than substantial for mounting the nylon mounts.

Here you can see the tank floor installed. I used a piece of 1/4" balsa capped with 1/64th ply. This will be included in the actual kit. It was omitted from the prototype so I could see inside.

This is the finished install. Note the fillets inside and along the engine firewall (they are hard to see as they are light brown). This is fillet mixture is 5 minute epoxy filled with West Systems micro light filler (the best-it ends up working like Epoxolite but takes only a few minutes to use). This not only serves to strengthen the whole installation, it will serve to totally fuel seal the tank compartment. This area is ready for fuel proofing.

Here is the PA 65 installed. Unfortunately, I ordered the wrong rise header!!! Argggh!!! Randy!!!

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #68 on:** December 16, 2007, 09:37:45 AM »

Brad, might I offer a suggestion... Have them make the cutout/hole in the built-in firewall big enough to only have an outline left. All that is needed is a reference to glue the 1/4 inch fire wall in/to and a 1/8th lip would be plenty. This will eliminate a little unnecessary weight and give clearance for the rear of the blind nuts. A 1/8 lip would give you a little added glue/epoxy area to lock the 1/4 firewall into the fuselage.

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #69 on:** December 16, 2007, 10:27:02 AM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on December 16, 2007, 09:37:45 AM

Brad, might I offer a suggestion... Have them make the cutout/hole in the built-in firewall big enough to only have an outline left. All that is needed is a reference to glue the 1/4 inch fire wall in/to and a 1/8th lip would be plenty. This will eliminate a little unnecessary weight and give clearance for the rear of the blind nuts. A 1/8 lip would give you a little added glue/epoxy area to lock the 1/4 firewall into the fuselage.

That is true.

Hmmm...excellent.

Larry Cunningham · « **Reply #70 on:** December 16, 2007, 10:38:38 AM »

Brad, your paint scheme is nice. High contrast, with some dark colors can
be awesome.

Nice work.

L.

"The more we do, the more we can do; the more busy we are the more leisure we
have." -William Hazlitt

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #71 on:** December 16, 2007, 12:28:41 PM »

Quote from: Larry Cunningham on December 16, 2007, 10:38:38 AM

Brad, your paint scheme is nice. High contrast, with some dark colors can
be awesome.

Nice work.

L.

"The more we do, the more we can do; the more busy we are the more leisure we
have." -William Hazlitt

Do you mean the Solace?

Yah... that guy just never panned out. Almost folded up though!!! Not to mention the fact that after the 3000th RO Jett runaway, I think I shank shy...

Pretty POS... Looks good on the wall though.

Bill Little · « **Reply #72 on:** December 16, 2007, 12:58:18 PM »

Quote from: Bradley Walker on December 16, 2007, 12:28:41 PM

Do you mean the Solace?

Yah... that guy just never panned out. Almost folded up though!!! Not to mention the fact that after the 3000th RO Jett runaway, I think I shank shy...

Pretty POS... Looks good on the wall though.

Brad,

At least you can take *SOLACE* in the fact that it LOOKS GOOD!

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #73 on:** December 16, 2007, 02:16:06 PM »

This is the engine compartment fully sealed with Zinsser Bullseye 1-2-3 Primer Sealer (water based). This is a water based, very fuel proof, brush able product that you can find at Home Depot. It goes on white and thick and smells like latex house paint.

I use this in place of epoxy for fuel proofing engine compartments.

Of course, this is another innovation from the Master...Bill Wilson.

Author Topic: The Brodak T-Rex Lives (Read 26085 times)

Eric Viglione