Good Bye Ol' Iron Ass

[xplaneguy]

I'll be sure to check out those vids as well. Thanks Ryan!

[TSHobbies]

got everything set up ,now setting the CG..wanted to check with those who have the sound system..Im having to add 1.7 oz to the very tail end..I'll have to cut a hole to be able to insert into the fuselage..my lipos are 4S 3300 40c and 3S 1500 ,both as far back as theyll go..CG at 100mm ..just wanted to double check with others,because the last 2 planes a balanced, both were balanced ,just slightly nose heavy ,and yet once I got it in the air they were both tail heavy..so does my set up sound even close to anyone else with the sound system? hate to add all that weight and be wrong again. think I need to replace my GP CG machine

[Aros]

I wish I could remember what my CG was for my sound version last year...I'm trying to find out what the sweet spot is for the non-sound version I have now. I have mine set at just past 4". Pretty much in the middle of recommended (-/+). Now I am waiting on the replacement motor shaft (hopefully not bent this time, lol) and the rain to stop.

Also, I don't recall the battery being slanted to one side...Seems that would mess with lateral stability. Any thoughts?

[Grossman56]

Eh? the battery is slanted?? Never heard of that. In my sound version, the main battery sits on its side and the sound battery is right beside it, flat, pins them in quite nicely.
Lon is my official go-to guy when it comes to the soundless version as he has many hours on his. Maybe he'll chime in on this.
He also is running an 85A ESC and using 5s batteries, not exclusively, but he says they're great in this plane.

On a high note...........
MINE ARRIVED TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so torn as to what to do to/with her. Part of me says she's the last of her breed, keep the paint scheme stock, but another part says use the metal tape on her.
Still waiting to hear if anyone has tried Ultrcote.

Decisions decisions!!!!

Grossman56

[Grossman56]

Oh wait, I think I know what you're referring to, the battery being over to the port side instead of down the center!?
A left over from the sound version. You can probably reroute the Velcro strip, but industrial strength Velcro on the deck and the back of the battery and that thing will NOT move. I had to use that in the Pitts and its like ripping skin to get the battery out.

Great stuff

Grossman56

[TSHobbies]

How was your CG grossman? did you need any weight in the tail ?

[Aros]

Oh wait, I think I know what you're referring to, the battery being over to the port side instead of down the center!?
A left over from the sound version.

Yep, that appears to be it exactly. I'll just remove the stock velcro strip on the port side all-together and go the central velcro route like you mentioned.

[Grossman56]

just got her pretty well assembled, but forgot that it isn't like the FMS birds and you have to hook up the elevators before you put the wings on to adjust the control rods!!
Dang, one thing about the Freewing (Among many great things) the wings come off pretty easily and line up just as well.
I'll have to pick up one extension as well to lengthen the tail wheel wire to the control box, a little short, that way if I want to pull wings its not such a struggle.
I haven't CG'd it yet, tonights work I guess, but it'll be interesting as it doesn't have the extra battery up front or the sound system so it should balance itself out. We'll see.
I decided to leave her stock for now, I'm thinking I want to see her fly first and then maybe in the fall start applying tape.
The left aileron has a dent it in about middle so the trailing edge is dented inwards a bit. I'm thinking of trying the hot water method of expanding it back, anyone had success doing this?
That industrial strength velcro I got from Wally World was definitely the answer for me, battery straps become unnecessary with that stuff, but it did make me wonder about the positioning as well, but its so close to the lateral CG it might not make a noticeable difference. Why take the chance though, right?

I'm really excited about this airplane, the power to weight should be awesome. One thing I did try was to put an FMS 70A ESC in her but the bullets are a different size!
Got to get Lon to tell us what he did to put his 85A Mantis ESC (I think thats what he used) Unless he changed the ends, possibly, I personally avoid soldering when I can, an old guy thing.
Now the beauty of doing this is that he can use 5S batteried in her as well and he was saying its great, hopefully he'll tell us himself

Grossman56

[Aros]

Dan, check the prop shaft...Does your spin without any wobble? I have been unlucky twice now...Both stock and the replacement. My maiden is delayed until I get another to try. I'm also having a problem with the velcro. When I put the velcro strips down on the battery tray floor and on the battery, when I put the battery down and take it off, the grip is so good that the adhesive doesn't hold on the battery and stays velcro'd to the one on the tray floor...So I tried epoxing both, and it still does the same thing! Any thoughts?

[Lon]

Gman,
The Mantis 85a ESC plugged right in....if i remember right:)

Aros,
Attached is a picture of velcro in mine, but then on the batteries i have a strip of 5/8 wide velcro accross the battery a inch from both ends. The adhesive that came on the velcro has held, no exception. Wonder if because i have such long strips of velcro in the plane is why it has held up so well for me.

[Aros]

Cool Lon, thanks for the photo...My tray strip is much smaller about the size of a pack of gum, and the one on the battery is the same size. I'll look for an alternate strip method.

[OV10]

Hello Aros and Lon,
Here's a pic of how I keep the 4S from shifting around in my ol' IronAss. Am using the standard 3/4" Velcro strap that goes under the ply battery tray at the outer most cutouts and CA'd in place from the underside. The 2 black zip ties you see are holding the ESC in place from underneath the tray also. Now here is the nifty catch that keeps the battery from shifting fore/aft under the strap. See the 3 pieces of white perforated strips on the top of tray at the strap and about an inch fore and aft of the strap?? That my friends is nothing more than shelf liner that they use in the motorhome industry to keep dinner plates from sliding all over the cabinet while the vehicle is rolling down the road. A 12 inch square chunk of it last for ever and is cheap and is available any RV dealer. Those strips were CA'd were you see em and when I set a battery on them and then strap it down it goes no where. No gluing Velcro to your batts or any other engineering feats to overcome. Hope you found this helpful.
Best regards,

[Grossman56]

Hey guys. Just got finished with Iron Ass, but first, having trouble with the Velcro??
This is THE stuff you have to get. Wally World Automotive/trailer section. This stuff does NOT let go. I did nothing to the deck, just cut the Velcro to length and peeled off the backing, pressed firmly onto the deck and viola! stuck like flies to fly paper. Todd, if you can't find it, let me know I'll send you some. There's enough in the box to do every battery and airplane I own, plus hang under kitchen cabinet lighting and I still haven't used up the box.

[Grossman56]

Remind me to shoot a video of me removing a battery from the Pitts, its almost painful. Even with an open hatch like the P51, you have to work it off, stuff's amazing. Hope I never have to remove it!!

Grossman56

[OV10]

Sounds like it is more work than it is worth Gman to change out batts for another flight. Bet I can get 3 flights in to your one :p

[Aros]

Thanks for the photos gents! OV10, I have that same shelf liner stuff...I use it a lot! Great stuff! Grossman, I appreciate the offer! I may take you up on that if I can't get mine working the way I want. Thanks again!

[TSHobbies]

Maidened mine today.. after balancing it out, it was showing nose heavy, so I added weights to the tail to get it just a tad nose heavy...got it in the air ..and again...same as the last 3 planes...tail heavy! Just cant figure out why on the balancer it'll be balanced, but then get it to the air,and its wrong. Got it safely on the ground though.

[OV10]

Maidened mine today.. after balancing it out, it was showing nose heavy, so I added weights to the tail to get it just a tad nose heavy...got it in the air ..and again...same as the last 3 planes...tail heavy! Just cant figure out why on the balancer it'll be balanced, but then get it to the air,and its wrong. Got it safely on the ground though.

I would seriously check into that balancer of yours because Iron Ass doesn't need any weight added to the tail. CG can be accomplished just with battery shift fore/aft. And the second indicator for looking at the balance machine is as you indicated you've had 3 other planes go airborne being tail heavy. Is it a home made arrangement?

[TSHobbies]

Its the Great Planes CG ,machine..been using it for years. I had a 4S 4000 along with a 3S 1500 as far back as theyd go..still nose heavy,which it felt it too, (mine has sound system) added about 1.7 oz to the tail. once in the air, it just wanted to climb..raised the gear and it got worse. lowered the throttle ,and whoa! way worse...when bringing it in, I lowerd the flaps full, and was able to slow it down with less ballooning..
heres the vid...landing at 5:50 ..it literally took me 6 minutes to get it down..had to force it down.

https://youtu.be/aRpDRJOGLFQ

[TSHobbies]

hadnt really thought about the irony..but it is called Iron Ass lol