What did you fly today?

[jetfool]

Congratulations Davegee! Your fleet is improving each year with all your gradual improvements. The scale mods are just icing on the cake too.

Yesterday was the first test flight on my E-Flite FW-190, flys beautifully with no problems. We fly off grass and the long gear holds up very well, also have the e-flite soft scale tires on. Next up is the Tigercat then later the Corsair which I'm sure my knees will be knocking.

Best Regards, Rex

[davegee]

I flew my P-47D Penrod and Sam as well as my P-51D LOU IV this morning. LOU IV couldn't have flown better, very nice flights on it. Regarding my Jug Penrod and Sam, I had a lot of issues with it "skipping" just a bit back into the air despite my best efforts to squeak it on without the bounce. Very little to no wind so that wasn't a factor.

Very minor damage to the tailwheel arm on the Jug which was easily "muscled" back into place ok. But I did look at the main gear and wheels closer afterwards. E Flite produces the LOU IV. For anyone who bought one with the stock wheels on it, you know what a pain it could be with "bounce" after touchdown with those hard rubber wheels. Well, today after my flights, I looked at the FMS P-47 wheels, and they are Exactly the same as those on the E Flite P-51. So, I removed the stock wheels from the P-47, and replaced them with the modified combo of the soft, hollow rubber 3.5" tires from Robart, and putting them on the E Flite hubs, which are the same in both the FMS P-47 and the E Flite P-51, as previously noted.

I have the new tires on my "I Wanted Wings" P-47, my oldest P-47 foamie that I have in my hangar, and if the winds are low in the morning, I"ll test out these wheels/tires and see if that helps with the landings. I suspect that it will help, just have to test fly it and see if that is true. Will report back

Cheers

Davegee

I installed the combo Robart 3.5" soft and hollow rubber tires onto the stock E Flite/FMS plastic wheel hubs yesterday on my I Wanted Wings FMS P-47 yesterday. This morning, did a test run with my dependable "weather ship" Beech 18 aircraft to warm up and get any reads on possible turbulent or problem areas aloft. That all went fine, a crosswind of 4/5 knots from the right, but fine for my purposes. I did some ground checks on my IWW P-47, taxi tests with the new wheels, and then took off.

Exactly as I was hoping and mostly expecting from my previous experience with these wheels on my E Flite P-51s. Tracking was beautiful, but the"acid test" was: how does it land? It was, in a word: "Beautiful!" Erased were all the problems I have had with bouncy landings, with the OEM tires, and some damage to the gear that was caused by the harder landings. Today, each landing "stuck" with no bounce. It tracked right down the runway with limited need for the rudder to keep it straight. It was almost eyewatering, the difference it made!

So, I have two more FMS P-47s that will get the new wheels/tires before I fly them again. I think this should spell the end to crappy landings when they didn't have to be, had the planes been outfitted with softer tires from the factory, IMHO.

So, I don't know if this info will be of any value to other modelers out there, but I highly recommend changing out the OEM tires on the 1.5M E Flite P-51s and the same with the FMS P-47D razorbacks. I changed out the tires and wheels on my Flightline 1.6M Corsair years ago, not because the OEM tires were "terrible" but they were smallish for scale, and did have a tendency to bounce a little bit on landings sometimes. But the replacement Robart 3.5" tires have been nearly flawless for the past few years that I have flown that airplane.

I"ll attach a few pics of my flight today, after the tests. One is a closeup of the new wheel/tire on the P-47. You can see the spokes on the plastic wheel. This will be covered over with a round mud cover for scale. I just needed to verify that the C clips wouldn't come off on the test flights, first.

So, have fun all!

Cheers

Davegee

[davegee]

I flew my P-47D Penrod and Sam as well as my P-51D LOU IV this morning. LOU IV couldn't have flown better, very nice flights on it. Regarding my Jug Penrod and Sam, I had a lot of issues with it "skipping" just a bit back into the air despite my best efforts to squeak it on without the bounce. Very little to no wind so that wasn't a factor.

Very minor damage to the tailwheel arm on the Jug which was easily "muscled" back into place ok. But I did look at the main gear and wheels closer afterwards. E Flite produces the LOU IV. For anyone who bought one with the stock wheels on it, you know what a pain it could be with "bounce" after touchdown with those hard rubber wheels. Well, today after my flights, I looked at the FMS P-47 wheels, and they are Exactly the same as those on the E Flite P-51. So, I removed the stock wheels from the P-47, and replaced them with the modified combo of the soft, hollow rubber 3.5" tires from Robart, and putting them on the E Flite hubs, which are the same in both the FMS P-47 and the E Flite P-51, as previously noted.

I have the new tires on my "I Wanted Wings" P-47, my oldest P-47 foamie that I have in my hangar, and if the winds are low in the morning, I"ll test out these wheels/tires and see if that helps with the landings. I suspect that it will help, just have to test fly it and see if that is true. Will report back

Cheers

Davegee

[davegee]

Sounds like your taking all the fun out of guessing the aircrafts orientation Dan! And LB always wondered why my aircraft are painted in psychedelic colors. "The better to see you with my dear."

Got Lasik in one eye a few years ago but all it showed me was how bad I flew. Ignorance was bliss. But I still kept using bright colors.

Seriously, you'll be amazed how much easier it is to fly when you see well. I also can diagnose my crashes quicker now that I see what stupid moves I've done.

Hey Hugh: a little off topic, but just wanted to let you know that I've been giving my test SMC 5000 a workout with several planes, especially my F-18C and F-15C. Flies great in anything I put the battery in. I plan to buy more of these soon.

Thanks!

Davegee

[Hugh Wiedman]

So I'm going for Lasik eye surgery on the 23rd of July, I'm really looking forward to it, hopefully no more glasses but at least no more cataracts. Maybe those pesky airplanes will be easier to see!!

Grossman56

Sounds like your taking all the fun out of guessing the aircrafts orientation Dan! And LB always wondered why my aircraft are painted in psychedelic colors. "The better to see you with my dear."

Got Lasik in one eye a few years ago but all it showed me was how bad I flew. Ignorance was bliss. But I still kept using bright colors.

Seriously, you'll be amazed how much easier it is to fly when you see well. I also can diagnose my crashes quicker now that I see what stupid moves I've done.

[davegee]

I had the new Spitfire and the old Bearcat up this morning, whew, is that Spitty hard to see in a blue cloudless sky! I put a new 760 kv motor in the Bearcat so I wanted to ensure I had properly aligned the motor to the fuselage. All worked out perfectly.
So I'm going for Lasik eye surgery on the 23rd of July, I'm really looking forward to it, hopefully no more glasses but at least no more cataracts. Maybe those pesky airplanes will be easier to see!!

Grossman56

Best of luck on that, Dan. A good friend of mine helped develop LASIK surgery and the use of the Excimer laser as a Navy ophthalmologist back in the 80s. I've been familiar with LASIK through him since the mid-'80s. Amazing developments and they're still improving techniques and machines to help people see better. I'm sure it will go great in your case. I myself had a procedure called PRK in one eye. It worked great and that was 20 years ago.

Cheers

Davegee

[Elbee]

Congrats, sounds like the perfect Win-Win.

[Grossman56]

I had the new Spitfire and the old Bearcat up this morning, whew, is that Spitty hard to see in a blue cloudless sky! I put a new 760 kv motor in the Bearcat so I wanted to ensure I had properly aligned the motor to the fuselage. All worked out perfectly.
So I'm going for Lasik eye surgery on the 23rd of July, I'm really looking forward to it, hopefully no more glasses but at least no more cataracts. Maybe those pesky airplanes will be easier to see!!

Grossman56

[davegee]

Thanks Dave and LB! I'm just happy to have it behaving better in flight. Now just need to finish up the Shuttle..

That would be AWESOME!!

Good luck with that. Keep us posted on HS!

Cheers

Davegee

[F106DeltaDart]

Wow! Great picture and perspective of you standing next to this beautiful airplane! Per my last email to you, it has and will probably always be one of my favorite airplanes with its iconic lines, size, and power. Congrats on the best civilian aircraft award, richly deserved, I'm sure!

Thanks Dave and LB! I'm just happy to have it behaving better in flight. Now just need to finish up the Shuttle..

[davegee]

[ATTACH]n405344[/ATTACH]




Dave, find attached a G-Code file for the the 'attach point' fillers.

These are plugs. for lack of a better term. designed to 'look' like something.

The forward 'plug' should be there if using a bomb rack, the rear is simply there to cover the hole.

The "V" won't be seen really and is easy to grab with a pair of forceps.

These should have been with the other files, but I overlooked 'em obviously.

I will post these on Prusa Printables later today.

Best, LB

Thanks, Elbee! Funny, I did print them up with all the other parts for the bomb rack a while ago. I didn't really know where they went, until now. I'll paint them up and stick them in place when not using the bomb rack.

Thanks!

Dave

[Elbee]

Brewster Bomb Rack Off.zip

....The attach points inserted into holes in the fuse fit flush and can be covered with a flat plate, if so desired, when not flying with the Brewster rack/bomb......

Dave, find attached a G-Code file for the the 'attach point' fillers.

These are plugs. for lack of a better term. designed to 'look' like something.

The forward 'plug' should be there if using a bomb rack, the rear is simply there to cover the hole.

The "V" won't be seen really and is easy to grab with a pair of forceps.

These should have been with the other files, but I overlooked 'em obviously.

I will post these on Prusa Printables later today.

Best, LB

[davegee]

davegee

No Hanger Queens here, my friend.
Otherwise, it is nothing more than a lump of foam and paint.

Sadly, I have been retesting ALL the OEM servos since I found my right aileron fluttering. So far so good.

The next step is permanently wire all the new lighting to quick disconnect connectors.

Voltages vary by color, but I have soldered in resistors to run all on 6volt +/- a smidgen.

This should finish the wiring work then it is back to fading and weathering.

I have found a method I like, more on that when the results are in.

The decals worked out well, but truly a task for long cold Winter days when the weather sucks.

I needed to chart sizing for scaling as I reprinted almost everything at least once trying to get a match between font sizes and millimeters.

But I digress. Best, LB

I wish you all the very best whenever you do your test flights on your Corsair. Hopefully you can get someone with a good camera for some classic in-air shots when you do fly it! If I lived closer to you, I'd be happy to do it myself!

Take care,

Dave

[davegee]

Nice work Davegee, looks fantastic. Thanks for being Elbees Beta-tester on his designs. I trust Elbee's designs and your flight reports I plan to add the bomb rack and bomb to mine this winter, also planning to add Elbee's cowl flaps but with a simpler spring loaded operation. I won't have to remove as much foam and the airstream will allow the flaps to open and close. ME THINKS?
Keep us updated on your flight reports P.S. Wife says it's time to move Corsair out of dining room, so taxi test and maiden are approaching. LOL

Best Regards, Rex

Sounds great, Rex! Do you have your 3D printing apparatus up and running yet? I think you'll find this to be a pretty straightforward project with the parts well designed by Elbee. Easy on, Easy off, as you choose once you get it finished.

I'm not sure that the airplane that my model represents (VMF-215) even added these racks as I think they were almost exclusively air to air fighters and bomber support in the Solomon Islands, but it was still worth "plumbing" my model with the attachments in the bottom of the fuse just to test the concept, which of course worked beautifully. The attach points inserted into holes in the fuse fit flush and can be covered with a flat plate, if so desired, when not flying with the Brewster rack/bomb.

Please keep me in touch with your progress on your bomb rack plans. You shouldn't have any concerns about it, in my opinion, after today's test flights with the rack and bomb on my airplane.

PS: just tell your wife that she can place a nice bottle of wine as a tasty accent on either side of the wings of your Corsair on your dining room table. Very classy! (LOL)

Cheers

Davegee

[Elbee]

F106DeltaDart That is just so very cool Outstanding. Best, LB

[davegee]

Had a great time flying the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft at the Waco Big Bird event this weekend. Got in flights #2 and 3, and with a large open flying box and an 800 ft runway, this model is in its element. Very relaxed and easy flying. 6 min flight times, with a 30% reserve. Had the gear hang up on a door on the first flight, but on the second flight, all the gear finally cooperated! At the end of the day, I also took home the best civilian aircraft award. Thanks to the HOTMAC RC club for putting on a great event, and to Richard Guy and Randy Larsen for the photos!

Wow! Great picture and perspective of you standing next to this beautiful airplane! Per my last email to you, it has and will probably always be one of my favorite airplanes with its iconic lines, size, and power. Congrats on the best civilian aircraft award, richly deserved, I'm sure!

Best,

Davegee

[F106DeltaDart]

Had a great time flying the 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft at the Waco Big Bird event this weekend. Got in flights #2 and 3, and with a large open flying box and an 800 ft runway, this model is in its element. Very relaxed and easy flying. 6 min flight times, with a 30% reserve. Had the gear hang up on a door on the first flight, but on the second flight, all the gear finally cooperated! At the end of the day, I also took home the best civilian aircraft award. Thanks to the HOTMAC RC club for putting on a great event, and to Richard Guy and Randy Larsen for the photos!

[jetfool]

Nice work Davegee, looks fantastic. Thanks for being Elbees Beta-tester on his designs. I trust Elbee's designs and your flight reports I plan to add the bomb rack and bomb to mine this winter, also planning to add Elbee's cowl flaps but with a simpler spring loaded operation. I won't have to remove as much foam and the airstream will allow the flaps to open and close. ME THINKS?
Keep us updated on your flight reports P.S. Wife says it's time to move Corsair out of dining room, so taxi test and maiden are approaching. LOL

Best Regards, Rex

[Elbee]

davegee

No Hanger Queens here, my friend.
Otherwise, it is nothing more than a lump of foam and paint.

Sadly, I have been retesting ALL the OEM servos since I found my right aileron fluttering. So far so good.

The next step is permanently wire all the new lighting to quick disconnect connectors.

Voltages vary by color, but I have soldered in resistors to run all on 6volt +/- a smidgen.

This should finish the wiring work then it is back to fading and weathering.

I have found a method I like, more on that when the results are in.

The decals worked out well, but truly a task for long cold Winter days when the weather sucks.

I needed to chart sizing for scaling as I reprinted almost everything at least once trying to get a match between font sizes and millimeters.

But I digress. Best, LB

[davegee]

davegee

I am impressed with what you've done here.

Flying with a new addition of anything is challenging or at the very least adds a bit-o-angst.

Let's call you "the test pilot of novel innovations" and know that I am grateful of your consideration.

Looks pretty-dang awesome, I must say, especially on someone else's Corsair.

Many thanks, Dave.

Best, LB

You did a fantastic job designing this up. I am still far away from designing my own parts which is my eventual goal, but am inching closer to that eventuality with each project, like this bomb rack in figuring out how it's done. I see no issues for you to fly with your scale rack and bomb if you decide to put it up in the air with your beautiful Corsair someday.

Cheers

Davegee