Pandora

[Dewey H Lee]

Hey guys. I'm looking for the Mr Gman himself right off the bat or anyone else willing to jump in. We all know him to love the Pandora. After reading so much about it I finally had to get one. Just wanted something simple and easy to start the day with. Also something to help learn flying a Foamie in a little higher winds than I normally fly them in. Got the plane in excellent condition knowing it would be coming from Motion. The only question I have is that there is no suggestions to the throws to start with it. Not knowing it's flight characteristics I would appreciate a good starting point. Let me thank anyone in advance for recommendations.

[jobinseattle]

I find that is personal preference as what works for some usually does not work for me. I would probably use a three position switch and try different settings.

[Dewey H Lee]

Thank you Jobinseattle
That was what I was leaning to unless someone had something better. Seems there's always a point that some people feel a plane shines at. Was just hoping to start close to that point. But thank you just the same.

[Lon]

Thank you Jobinseattle
That was what I was leaning to unless someone had something better. Seems there's always a point that some people feel a plane shines at. Was just hoping to start close to that point. But thank you just the same.

Dewey...I'm not at home right now. But I'll check out my settings this afternoon and let you know.

[Iowa54]

I was flying mine at 100,80,70 with 30%expo on the 3 switches. After playing around I just left it at 100% I did have the cleveses in the middle hole to limit the throws. It's a gentle flyer. Mine was set up as a taildragger low wing.

[Dewey H Lee]

Thank You Lon
I'd really appreciate that. It really looks like it'll be a fun and relaxing plane to fly. Thankyou again.
Hey Iowa54
I appreciate the information. That does make good sense. I have quite a few plane's and it seems that each and everyone has its on personality. That is the reason I've ask for the input. I understand it's a pretty slow flyer and handles wind well. I've just had a problem trying to land foam planes in any winds over 15. Hopefully this plane will help with that since I don't have to worry as much about beating up retracts. I read a post where Voodoo said he had to land in wind as high as 20 to 25 mph. Man..... That takes some talent. I hope I can get there and hopefully this plane will help. Thank you again Sir.

[Lon]

Thank You Lon
I'd really appreciate that. It really looks like it'll be a fun and relaxing plane to fly. Thankyou again.
Hey Iowa54
I appreciate the information. That does make good sense. I have quite a few plane's and it seems that each and everyone has its on personality. That is the reason I've ask for the input. I understand it's a pretty slow flyer and handles wind well. I've just had a problem trying to land foam planes in any winds over 15. Hopefully this plane will help with that since I don't have to worry as much about beating up retracts. I read a post where Voodoo said he had to land in wind as high as 20 to 25 mph. Man..... That takes some talent. I hope I can get there and hopefully this plane will help. Thank you again Sir.

Dewey,

I have Ail 70%(13mm) 30% expo. Ele 70% w/30% expo also. Rud 75% w/25% expo. These are my low rates. High rates 100% all with same expo.

[Hippie 64]

Dewey you will love flying this plane . I started mine with around %70 throw on all then just took them back to %100 later on . I'm bad about not reading the numbers I just start adjusting til I see what makes me comfortable . Expo is usually 30-40 . Mine are all different because all planes are different you will find your comfort zone and go from there . This is a tough and very forgiving plane to fly. You can add flaps but there is no need to . You can plan on about 5-5:30 on time and still have power left in your battery . The only change I did was add Dave Brown tires when it's in the low wing set up .

If you set it as a Tricycle gear you will need to reinforce the nose gear . What I did was add some epoxy to the support to sturdy it up . It is the one weak spot that will crack . Just keep a eye on it .

Enjoy and keep us updated ....

Bryan

[Grossman56]

Hey Dewey, haven't been on site lately because it was Hell Week at work, so I missed this.
From what I've read, I'm pretty well right where the other guys state for throws. Now the only thing is that you may. want to throw in a gyro. Up to you, I'm just thinking if your are new and dealing with some wind its just one less thing. If not, land and take off into the wind, obviously, and if you have to make a crosswind landing, land to the outside of the runway so if the wind does push you in a little, you're still on track. In a crosswind situation, fly the bulk of the plane, don't worry about the nose as she's going to crab. Take offs, if you go tail dragger, will want to pull you off to the left if you increase throttle to quickly. I set my throttle trim so that I get prop rotation at the first click. Give her a couple of clicks to get her moving, correct direction, another click, check direction one more click and the tail is up, correct for direction and 'pull the trigger' give her full throttle.
Get your three mistakes of altitude and adjust trim.
Also, on your preflight, make sure all your control surfaces are as close to neutral as you can possibly get them and make sure your radio trims are at neutral as well. BTW, check your control directions as well. My first flight with P one and the ailerons were reversed!
This is the greatest non fancified trainer. There are no built in buttons to save you, but the plane itself is such a joy to fly, you'll never see it sitting on the corner because you've outgrown it.

Grossman56

[Dewey H Lee]

Hey thanks to all of you for your responses and information. I will use and take it all to heart. I've enjoyed many flights with my nitro plane's and have enjoyed even flying them in wind that I can't fly my foam planes in. I should say land my foam planes in. I have been timied getting them to settle in on approach. Seems like the less weight makes them want to float and even bringing them in with power as I would with a touch and go in winds over 15. That just seems to be the number that. Getting much over it gives me trouble. All of my foam airplanes except for the HZ Corsair (and now Pandora) have retracts and I would love to fly them more without having to make repairs to the retracts. That's the reason for Pandora. She's 1400 mm and I hope I'll be able to learn to land in a little more wind.
Hey Mr Gman
Thank you for your information. I really like how you describe Pandoras character. This will be most helpful. She's already put together and I did ad an a3l gyro into the mix. Only seems proper since there in my other foam birds. Seems I fly 50/50 with it on anymore. Still it's good feeling to have it there. Thank you again. Good luck on the metal flight looking forward to see how it comes out. By the way. Been practicing up with the airbrush and hope to have something to show soon.

[Grossman56]

Cool Dewey, I started my Flite Metal Project and posted some pics on 'Goodbye To Old Iron Ass"
Try staring at chrome for a few hours, brought back memories of a certain DC3.
Me with the rag by the nacelle. I polished the whole thing

Grossman56

[Dewey H Lee]

Boy..... Did you have you sunglasses on😎.

[Grossman56]

No, if I remember right, I used my reflection as a guide as to how shiny it was, got a good tan though, the whole process took several years. I got better at it and finally got an electric buffer.

Grossman56

[boomer108]

You started doing that by hand! You the man buddy!

Roy B.

[Dewey H Lee]

Hey Guys
Got Pandora together(tail dragger configuration). Only problem was during the whole thing I never thought about the propeller washer and nut. Most of the other planes there screwed on the prop shaft. When I pulled the fuselage out I didn't think that much about it figuring it would be in the parts bag. Nope nothing. I'm sure MOTION will take care of me but I have one question. The diagram shows a fixing circle,spacer and nut. I needed to know if the fixing circle was supposed to come with the propeller or by itself. Since that's missing as well as the nut and washer. Has anyone used an alternate prop with this plane since they are out of stock at MOTION.

[Iowa54]

Should have the back plate-prop-washer-then nut to hold the prop on and the spinner is held on to the back plate by 3 screws. I'm sure any prop in the 11/12 in range with a 5 or 6 degree pitch would work. take the prop adapter to your local hardware store and I'm sure the could fix you up with a nut and washer. 8mm I think Using a 2 blade prop you won't be able to use the spinner but that's not a big deal.

[Grossman56]

The prop will come with a set of three different sized 'adaptors' which fit in the back of the prop to slide over the shaft, if I remember right, the biggest diameter hole is the one you use, then the washer and nut on the topside. I should have some spare adaptors, so let me know if you need them. I've used a couple on the Dave Browns to space them out a bit, works great

Grossman56

[Dewey H Lee]

Thank you Gman and Iowa54. I'll try and find the spacers at my local hobby shop since MOTION is out of stock on the props. You would think I would have some since I always buy a prop or two for backup just in case. But none in stock. Has anyone found an alternate aftermarket prop that fits. Still loyal to MOTION but you have to do what you have to do. So far I've bought 3 plane's and that's just the tip from them. And if Pandora gets me over the 15 mph wind thing I see a lot more foam planes in my future and maybe some nice nitros on the classifieds.

[Dewey H Lee]

That is putting some of my nitros on the classifieds.

[Dewey H Lee]

Well looks like Pandora is going to sit for a while before I get to maiden. Planned on doing it today. Made sure the propeller and spinner were balanced last night and afterwards I put it on the plane. I always run a plane up just to make sure there is no unwanted vibration. Had Pandora sitting in the robart stand and had hold of her securely and ran the throttle up. Everything felt fine and then all of a sudden bang. I had a button up shirt on over my work golf style tee shirt not buttoned. With the angle I was standing and the proximity to the prop the tail of my shirt was sucked into the prop. Like I said ,bang. Broken prop and spinner. I guess since 2 of the blades sheared at the hub caused it to get the spinner. As you would know MOTION is out of stock on the props. I can really see why to. There's no meat on these props anyhow. They look almost like a blade of grass would take them out. Anyhow I know I'd rather break a prop instead of a motor board or bend a shaft. Just sucks I don't know how long it will be before I ever get to fly the plane now. I check on props yesterday at my LHS when I was picking up bushings for the back of the prop hub but they had nothing that would fit. Does anyone have experience with waiting times for parts for Pandora. I was really looking forward to flying it to. Guess I'll be more careful next time and when the props come in I'll get more than a couple.