Flyfalcons
50cc
Len, got a pic? I could try to recreate your paint scheme if it isn't too complicated (I suck at painting).
Scale Experimental Aircraft Models 80" Velocity XL
- Thread starter Flyfalcons
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Flyfalcons
50cc
That is a very nice scheme, Len! Probably a bit intricate for my paint skills unfortunately. At this point I might just use the supplied decals - really don't want this sitting on the bench for too long. We'll see though.
Not much progress during the last week. I took on some career-related stuff and was busy with that, but was able to eat my vegetables on the Velocity by getting the aileron and rudder servos set up. The fuselage is where the fun stuff takes place so it's nice to get the wings done and ready to bolt on when the fuse is done.
Nothing too exciting about the aileron servo setup. The kit comes with standard nylon control horns. I modified the setup slightly by using servo screws to mount the control horns, instead of using the backing plates. With the control horns epoxied in place and the screw holes hardened with CA, this setup seems plenty strong and the top of the wing doesn't have ugly backing plates to ruin the smooth composite look. I accidentally set up the servo plates so the servo arm is inboard on the wing and not outboard, but on such a small aileron it shouldn't make any difference.
Not much progress during the last week. I took on some career-related stuff and was busy with that, but was able to eat my vegetables on the Velocity by getting the aileron and rudder servos set up. The fuselage is where the fun stuff takes place so it's nice to get the wings done and ready to bolt on when the fuse is done.
Nothing too exciting about the aileron servo setup. The kit comes with standard nylon control horns. I modified the setup slightly by using servo screws to mount the control horns, instead of using the backing plates. With the control horns epoxied in place and the screw holes hardened with CA, this setup seems plenty strong and the top of the wing doesn't have ugly backing plates to ruin the smooth composite look. I accidentally set up the servo plates so the servo arm is inboard on the wing and not outboard, but on such a small aileron it shouldn't make any difference.
Flyfalcons
50cc
Finishing up the rudder servo installations. I tweaked the servo saver setup on my first rudder, and it seems to work well now, so I decided to do the same on the second rudder. The pics give you an idea of how they work. The geometry on the control setup is not very good, and there have been issues with the mounting plates on the wing interfering with the pushrod movement, so some trimming has been needed and I still don't have free travel on the left rudder pushrod. Still working on that - will try reversing the servo orientation next so the spline is further away from the control horn.
That's it for this week. With any luck, I'll be on to more interesting stuff in the fuselage next week.
That's it for this week. With any luck, I'll be on to more interesting stuff in the fuselage next week.
Flyfalcons
50cc
Flipping the servo on the second rudder did the trick. No more binding, so now both wings are flight ready and it's time for mocking up the landing gear.
The main gear pants have recessed areas for the gear, and the main gear required some trimming at the ends to get the proper angle. With that done, the pants are drilled and mounted. I replaced the self-tapping upper screw with a machine screw and blind nut for better security.
The main gear pants have recessed areas for the gear, and the main gear required some trimming at the ends to get the proper angle. With that done, the pants are drilled and mounted. I replaced the self-tapping upper screw with a machine screw and blind nut for better security.
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Flyfalcons
50cc
Nose gear is next. Here you can see how the non-scale double struts sit outside the scale fairing. My plan for this is to paint the exposed struts primer grey, and the part sitting on the wheel pant will be white. Grey should disappear nicely at distance so the nosegear doesn't look too busy in flight.
The plane will stay on its gear during the build, and the gear will come apart later for painting.
The plane will stay on its gear during the build, and the gear will come apart later for painting.
Attachments
Flyfalcons
50cc
Next up is the air channels for the rear NACA inlets. There is a gap between the NACA scoops and the openings in the firewall, so clear plastic is used to channel the air into the engine compartment. These are cut from plastic boxes and trimmed to fit, with the excess behind the firewall being cut flush after gluing.
The channels are CA'd into place, and I will fill any gap from the inside of the fuse later.
The channels are CA'd into place, and I will fill any gap from the inside of the fuse later.
ryan_m
100cc
Looks great! The one I saw folded the nose gear on the takeoff roll, we have a grass field, though it is pretty smooth. Make sure that bulkhead is good and strong! By the way, I saw the other one that overheated with a Rimfire 120 up for sale at the local hobby shop last week when I was in there. (Mark's Hobby Shop in Little Rock, AR)
