Brand New PAU........Viper-ST Announced!!!!!!!!

[Terryscustom]

The problem with one pieces, for me anyways, is they seem to warp more in the sun. All my planes with wooden hatches seem to be less problematic. Mounting these PAU canopies is really only a 15 minute job and is alot easier to repair than an all plastic 1 piece canopy.

100% agree. I do like the "slap it on" option but I just replaced a canopy for a plane that is a year old because the front was 1/4" higher than the canopy deck from warping and when I screwed it down it was still just over 1/16". Not to mention that it cost me over $100 shipped.

A few minutes with Glue and tape and 1/4 that price would have been nice.

What did you place over the creatology foam to give it the weave look on the baffles?

I actually don't like the foam for baffles, no particular reason. I laid up some aluminized texilium fabric on light ply then cleared it with gloss clear lacquer. I had some carbon fiber as well but wanted them to pop.

 

[Terryscustom]

I determined where my batteries will be placed and made a small tray out of lite ply. I used basswood rails on the bottom to give it strength and cut some slots for velcro wraps with a ball end mill in my dremel tool. I was going to do some lightening holes but the whole thing was less than an ounce so I left it. Since it holds 10oz or so of batteries there is a lot of G-forces there.

 

[Terryscustom]

Sun is shining, perfect day for a maiden!!!! If it were not for the 26mph sustained wing with 37mph gusts.

Well, figured before I pack the plane in the trailer for a calm day I would get a couple of family reunion shots with the kit that is currently available vs the new PAU ARF. I've been getting quite a few questions regarding the difference. Basically as noted the ARF is basically a few inches more wingspan, a couple hundred more sq. in. of wing area, a few inches longer, almost exactly the same finished weight, and the elevators are quite a bit larger which will be AMAZING.
and ready to assemble with a couple days work!!

Really really looking forward to this maiden flight!!!

Oh, and obviously the ARF

will come all built, covered

 

[ThePledge]

Looks awesome! They managed to carry the same shapes and lines really well.

 

[Bunky.F.Knuckle]

I determined where my batteries will be placed and made a small tray out of lite ply. I used basswood rails on the bottom to give it strength and cut some slots for velcro wraps with a ball end mill in my dremel tool. I was going to do some lightening holes but the whole thing was less than an ounce so I left it. Since it holds 10oz or so of batteries there is a lot of G-forces there.

View attachment 17682

Love them blue batteries right there buddy!

 

[3Dchief]

Speaking of G-forces, do you have anything holding those batteries in besides those straps? They are great for side to side movement, but I would be worried about the fore to aft movement and possibly unplugging your batteries in flight! Either a velcro patch on the bottom of each battery or another strap front to back would be cheap insurance and not make the batteries any harder to remove.

 

[Terryscustom]

Speaking of G-forces......

Yup, standard procedure. Hook vecro on the tray, fuzzy velcro on the batteries and a wrap. If they move, you likely need a garbage bag

 

[3Dchief]

Exactly!!! I figured you had it covered, but I've seen some really beautiful planes re-kitted for that reason and don't want to see this one meet that fate! This plane might just be the one that pushes me over the edge into the 100 cc category!

 

[emtp275]

This is WRONG!!

 

[Jetpainter]

Sun is shining, perfect day for a maiden!!!! If it were not for the 26mph sustained wing with 37mph gusts.

Well, figured before I pack the plane in the trailer for a calm day I would get a couple of family reunion shots with the kit that is currently available vs the new PAU ARF. I've been getting quite a few questions regarding the difference. Basically as noted the ARF is basically a few inches more wingspan, a couple hundred more sq. in. of wing area, a few inches longer, almost exactly the same finished weight, and the elevators are quite a bit larger which will be AMAZING.
and ready to assemble with a couple days work!!

Really really looking forward to this maiden flight!!!

Oh, and obviously the ARFView attachment 17692 View attachment 17693 View attachment 17694 View attachment 17684 will come all built, covered

Two damn fine looking flying machines!