Official FlightLine RC 2000mm B-24D/J Liberator Thread

[hwhite815]

Do you have all the props on the correct sides? If you've mixed a counter-rotating prop with a "normal" one, the plane will drive itself in a circle. Are the motors rotating in the direction they ought to be?

That did it! Complete user error on my end. I had the counter-rotating props mixed with the standard ones. Everything seems well now and can taxi in a nice straight line. I feel a little dumb, but I appreciate the tips. And thanks for not laughing me out of the forum!

"Mammy Yoakum" of the 424th BS / 307th BG / 13th AF

[xviper]

That did it! Complete user error on my end. I had the counter-rotating props mixed with the standard ones. Everything seems well now and can taxi in a nice straight line. I feel a little dumb, but I appreciate the tips. And thanks for not laughing me out of the forum!

"Mammy Yoakum" of the 424th BS / 307th BG / 13th AF

We've all done "been there, done that" at some point in this hobby. I've even put on a prop (single prop) "backwards" and wondered why the thrust (or pull) was almost non-existent.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Man, still having major problems with the retracts. Ordered 3 spare retracts a few weeks ago and none of them worked properly. The original retract (which was a replacement since the one installed with the plane was dead) I had to replace because after 6 flights it was working slowly on the bench, making funny noises and working intermittently . Replaced it with retract #1, but it too didn't work smoothly and was intermittent. Installed #2 which worked on the bench, but this weekend on the first flight it stuck in half position-no recycling changed it. Had to land with 2 1/2 retracts (couldn't even belly in with one down half way). Fortunately, I was able to keep it on the runway so it didn't cartwheel, but did brake two props and messed up my customized front turret (which fortunately I was able to repair last night). Replaced that retract with #3 last night and it did the exact same thing-always sticking at half mast. I thought it must be another problem, so I changed out all the circuit boards and wiring with a spare set, but no change. Even plugged it into the other side, but still half mast. At this point, I thought only a Viagra can help it, but had one more retract spare that I got when I bought the plane and it worked beautifully (on the bench-over a dozen times).

Taking it out again maybe Thursday, but a little apprehensive about that gear. After the retract fail on the first flight this weekend (and replacing the broken props), I still flew it 2 more times but left the gear locked down. I didn't notice any difference in the handling (still rolled fine, did Cuban 8's and other non-bomber maneuvers), so if you have to leave the gear down, no problem. Called Motion and Derek was very helpful, set up a ticket, and am sending them back for testing. He also told me they would check the 3 replacements before sending them to me and he would add a couple of props. WOW, nice to deal with Motion. BTW, I do love to fly this plane and with the customized painting, decals, multi-engine sound card, operating turrets and cockpit/pilots/gunners modifications it gets lots of attention.

[xviper]

Check that the retract struts are not slightly bent from a harder than usual landing. This can bend the strut so that when it goes up into the wheel bay, the tire can hit the wheel bay prematurely, making the retract have to force itself that last little bit, trying to unbend the strut. This resistance can prevent the retract from hitting its end stop. When the retract is deployed, this is the time that you can bend the strut more straight to alleviate the resistance when retracted.

[SoLongSidekick]

I swear I see people on this forum say "wow I can't believe you're having problems with Motion!" so often it hurts my brain. After a certain point you guys are going to have to accept that either Motion's quality has gone downhill over the years, or there is a *really* strange coincidence going on. I personally have only had 1 issue with Motion (which in my opinion they didn't handle very well) and don't have anything against them, but it just astonishes me how often I've seen that exact same sentiment repeated.

In fact just between the last person complaining in this thread alone and this post was another person complaining about Motion's new standard of announcing parts/components that never see the light of day. While for most people I would imagine it's not a huge deal, but if you bought a specific model because of those announced features then it can become a very big deal.

[TiredIronGRB]

I swear I see people on this forum say "wow I can't believe you're having problems with Motion!" so often it hurts my brain. After a certain point you guys are going to have to accept that either Motion's quality has gone downhill over the years, or there is a *really* strange coincidence going on. I personally have only had 1 issue with Motion (which in my opinion they didn't handle very well) and don't have anything against them, but it just astonishes me how often I've seen that exact same sentiment repeated.

In fact just between the last person complaining in this thread alone and this post was another person complaining about Motion's new standard of announcing parts/components that never see the light of day. While for most people I would imagine it's not a huge deal, but if you bought a specific model because of those announced features then it can become a very big deal.

Name a RC company that is even close to Motion RC in quality and customer service.

[dahawk]

Lexus

[TiredIronGRB]

Man, still having major problems with the retracts. Ordered 3 spare retracts a few weeks ago and none of them worked properly. The original retract (which was a replacement since the one installed with the plane was dead) I had to replace because after 6 flights it was working slowly on the bench, making funny noises and working intermittently . Replaced it with retract #1, but it too didn't work smoothly and was intermittent. Installed #2 which worked on the bench, but this weekend on the first flight it stuck in half position-no recycling changed it. Had to land with 2 1/2 retracts (couldn't even belly in with one down half way). Fortunately, I was able to keep it on the runway so it didn't cartwheel, but did brake two props and messed up my customized front turret (which fortunately I was able to repair last night). Replaced that retract with #3 last night and it did the exact same thing-always sticking at half mast. I thought it must be another problem, so I changed out all the circuit boards and wiring with a spare set, but no change. Even plugged it into the other side, but still half mast. At this point, I thought only a Viagra can help it, but had one more retract spare that I got when I bought the plane and it worked beautifully (on the bench-over a dozen times).

Taking it out again maybe Thursday, but a little apprehensive about that gear. After the retract fail on the first flight this weekend (and replacing the broken props), I still flew it 2 more times but left the gear locked down. I didn't notice any difference in the handling (still rolled fine, did Cuban 8's and other non-bomber maneuvers), so if you have to leave the gear down, no problem. Called Motion and Derek was very helpful, set up a ticket, and am sending them back for testing. He also told me they would check the 3 replacements before sending them to me and he would add a couple of props. WOW, nice to deal with Motion. BTW, I do love to fly this plane and with the customized painting, decals, multi-engine sound card, operating turrets and cockpit/pilots/gunners modifications it gets lots of attention.

No way that many retracts in a row are bad, there's either something in your wiring/wing connectors or the mount that holds the retract is distorted.

[OV10]

No way that many retracts in a row are bad, there's either something in your wiring/wing connectors or the mount that holds the retract is distorted.

AGREED ;)

[xviper]

Lexus

When did Lexus become an RC company? :Confused:

[Hardway]

Lexus

Goof Ball!!! LOL Lexus R/C cars and boats... :Silly: CALL BR-549

[rifleman_btx]

I want mine with automatic wipers lolLOL

[MikeT]

I swear I see people on this forum say "wow I can't believe you're having problems with Motion!" so often it hurts my brain. After a certain point you guys are going to have to accept that either Motion's quality has gone downhill over the years, or there is a *really* strange coincidence going on. I personally have only had 1 issue with Motion (which in my opinion they didn't handle very well) and don't have anything against them, but it just astonishes me how often I've seen that exact same sentiment repeated.

In fact just between the last person complaining in this thread alone and this post was another person complaining about Motion's new standard of announcing parts/components that never see the light of day. While for most people I would imagine it's not a huge deal, but if you bought a specific model because of those announced features then it can become a very big deal.

Seems to me that complaints about Motion quality along with customer service are few and far between. I keep tabs on this stuff. Wish I could deal with them wholesale so I could sell them thru the LHS here. You want issues look at FMS.

Mike

[taz101]

Man, still having major problems with the retracts. Ordered 3 spare retracts a few weeks ago and none of them worked properly. The original retract (which was a replacement since the one installed with the plane was dead) I had to replace because after 6 flights it was working slowly on the bench, making funny noises and working intermittently . Replaced it with retract #1, but it too didn't work smoothly and was intermittent. Installed #2 which worked on the bench, but this weekend on the first flight it stuck in half position-no recycling changed it. Had to land with 2 1/2 retracts (couldn't even belly in with one down half way). Fortunately, I was able to keep it on the runway so it didn't cartwheel, but did brake two props and messed up my customized front turret (which fortunately I was able to repair last night). Replaced that retract with #3 last night and it did the exact same thing-always sticking at half mast. I thought it must be another problem, so I changed out all the circuit boards and wiring with a spare set, but no change. Even plugged it into the other side, but still half mast. At this point, I thought only a Viagra can help it, but had one more retract spare that I got when I bought the plane and it worked beautifully (on the bench-over a dozen times).

Taking it out again maybe Thursday, but a little apprehensive about that gear. After the retract fail on the first flight this weekend (and replacing the broken props), I still flew it 2 more times but left the gear locked down. I didn't notice any difference in the handling (still rolled fine, did Cuban 8's and other non-bomber maneuvers), so if you have to leave the gear down, no problem. Called Motion and Derek was very helpful, set up a ticket, and am sending them back for testing. He also told me they would check the 3 replacements before sending them to me and he would add a couple of props. WOW, nice to deal with Motion. BTW, I do love to fly this plane and with the customized painting, decals, multi-engine sound card, operating turrets and cockpit/pilots/gunners modifications it gets lots of attention.

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

[TiredIronGRB]

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

Welcome to Hobby Squawk Taz, I would say that you hit the nail on the head with this one.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

Lurch, you may have found the issue. I know it was not the wiring, as I replaced all the circuit boards and wiring with a new spare I had and the issue persisted. On the Motion video regarding the suspension strut upgrade, they did say to put it in ALL THE WAY, but that just may be interfering with the screw drive. Thanks for your input. Man, there are a lot of smart pilots out there!!!

[radfordc]

I swear I see people on this forum say "wow I can't believe you're having problems with Motion!" so often it hurts my brain.

All too often, "problems with Motion (or any other dealer)" is really just user error or misunderstanding. I know people who curse the dealer for any and all problems they've created.

[rifleman_btx]

As you know the issue I had with a product was resolved. In a way I never thought would have happened. But to me it shows the caliber of their devotion to customer satisfaction. For a fact, my experience alone probably created 25 to 30 more customers who never would have taken a look before now. When things happen that is just so out of left field no one can tell how or why until you dig into it. This is what happened to me, and I wrote out a ticket, they asked me for a few things and I gave them everything they asked, once I gave them what they needed they replaced the problem product promptly. Tell me who else would do such a thing this late in the game for an item purchased back almost 3 months ago? The way I see it, dont bitch, be professional about it, and everyone wins, they get word of mouth advertising, and you get ready to fly again. That's how it is with motion and how it should be everywhere.

[Hugh Wiedman]

Sounds to me like you have put the gear leg in the trunnions to far!!
when you put them in to far, and then cycle the retract, it will only move to half mast and then stall the retract. It may also bend the screw drive.
It may only be a mater of 1mm, but that will do it.
Also if it is working on the bench and then you fly it and it becomes stuck as you are describing, it could mean the gearleg was slightly loose and a small bump on takeoff could have pushed it that 1mm.
Ive seen it happen many times. People replace the retracts, but don't check for clearance between the end tip of the gear leg and the screw drive.

LURCH

I removed the suspension strut and you are exactly right, it looks like the post goes too far in, possible affecting the screw drive when deployed. I ground about 1 1/2 mm off, re-sanded it, and now when installed with the strut all the way in, the post just comes to the surface of the hole. No way it can interact with the screw drive now. With the strut all the way down, even a ruff landing won't push it down further as it is already bottomed out. Going out tomorrow to give it a fly around, along with my Spitfire, 1700mm P-51 and Corsair (another Warbirds day). I'll probably throw my Yak in to practice a little more 3D. Thanks again Taz, it's nice to know there are some bright and helpful people out there willing to give their time and expertise to a numb nut like me.

[Grossman56]

Hey guys, the Collings Foundation airplanes were in town, here's some video we shot of Witchcraft taking off and landing, I'll post the pictures later. Unfortunately, they were closed for the day, but we got some goods shots anyway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFO2eBs06K8

Grossman56