In reference to Dennis Mortizs 6/18 note about the Electric Smoothie crash at Brodak's June 13. I actually clipped the ground at the bottom of an outside loop, surgically removing the vertical fin. The plane continued smoothly around up to about ten feet, stalled and went in nose first due to lack of airspeed. The main parts of the plane stopped shortly before the landing gear, battery, and ESC stopped. The pilot sustained no injury. The spinner was already modified similar to the Adamisin Oriental.
Mike Palko was not encouraging when I showed him the battery. I didnt even touch that plane for over a month after returning home.
After the extended period of indecision, reconstruction cautiously began. It took a whole two or three hours. In addition to the battery, the ESC had smashed thru the firewall, which had been modified for wiring and ventilation, and posed no resistance. Battery damage turned out to be cosmetic. There is now a clearer path for ventilation. The motor feels different, but performs just fine.
What it is: Brodal ARF Smoothie, 50 oz. (ugh). Tank area modified to accommodate the ten oz. EVO 11.1 volt, 3.3 amp Li-Po battery, shoved way back into altered cockpit area. Rimfire 35-48-1300 motor. APC 11.5X4 gas prop. Viper 60-Amp ESC. Will Hubin FM-1 timer. BP Hobbies charger (as advertised in MA, August, pg.15) Flight time 5.5 minutes, 5 to 5.2 second laps, using 27 amps, about 75% of the battery.
All I need now is to learn how to fly.
Dave