[Predator]

Ah well Tug, they say a change is as good as a rest, and I at least make some minor effort to change things from one year to the next.

[Predator]

I thought I was early arriving at the field today @ 9:30 but there was big bad DaveW waiting at the gate for me.  Its been a rather long time since Dave has graced us with his presence @ the field due to some ongoing medical issues but the way he flew today you would swear he had been in attendance every week.

I gave Dave a hand to program his new Jumper T16 radio to his Razor (well in fact we just replaced his Rx with a spare we had programmed earlier and apart from needing to reverse the elevator all else was fine) and he was off and flying like an old pro, well done Dave.

I was anxious to test the V2 of my “Dolly Trolley” on the 3 metre FMS Fox glider.  Didn’t need to wait long for it to prove that the design worked. On my first launch, instead of using the slashed runway I opted to take off through the long grass. This caused two problems, 1) it significantly slowed the trolley down and 2) as I took off the prop struck the long grass so I aborted the launch.  The pop up ramps on the V2 trolley saved the tail from being ripped off (yet again) and the Fox landed back in the long grass completely unscathed.

For the second launch I used our slashed runway and all worked fine.

Here is a video of the second launch & flight in it’s entirety.

[Predator]

I’m sure you will fix it to fly again Chris.

Yes it sure was another perfect day you picked, Hope Sunday is the same.

[Predator]

After unceremoniously removing the tail (twice on different flying days) I thought that perhaps the “Dolly Trolley” needed a mod or two.

During the last mishap my rear mounted camera captured the problem, it was caused by me using far too much up elevator to get airborne rather than launching into the wind (which is not always easy where we are) and allowing the Fox to get airborne by itself.

Anyway, if I now forget and crank on too much up elevator the auto lift function built into the “Dolly Trolley” should now take care of it.  May even try it this coming Thursday.

[Predator]

Thank You for your kind consideration Mr Moose.

Makes the effort all worthwhile.

[Predator]

It might be all you get if Kermit is heading back to his shack!

[Predator]

Yes, definitely looks very strenuous Mr Moose.

 

[Predator]

Nah Chris, that’s just getting Brownie Points!!

[Predator]

Thanks Ron, I am thinking along similar lines, just need to come up with something simple that always works.

Will finish off the Bix 2 Sport today then fix the front wheel on the “Li’l Eagle” biplane then it will be a clear slate to begin work on the “Dolly Trolley”

[Predator]

Moose that is just a new generic “Snippets from Around The Field” startup screen. I was just trying something a bit different for 2022.

To quote Arthur Conan Doyle, “a change is as good as a rest”.

 

[Predator]

Thanks Chris, yes it was another fine flying day you picked. Very little wind about till after our break for BBQ lunch & then as the sea breeze was getting quite strong we all decided it was time to back up & go home. A good morning of flying none the less

Only a couple of videos from me today as too busy flying & our other cinematographers were no shows today. Gerald was off sailing @ Forcett Lakes & Kermit must not have been able to find his mask !!

[Predator]

Got the RHS wing fitted up with servos & CF bars today so that is about if for this build until the motor arrives.

Also started on the Livery

Will add some coloured tips to the wings & tail as well as some stripes on the wing bottoms for better visibility then it will be back in the box till the motor turns up, hopefully by the time we return from our Annual West Coast camping trip for Australia Day.

[Predator]

Still plodding along slowly (no need to rush as the motor wont be here for several weeks) and the left wing is now complete, fitted with servos for ailerons & also flaps, CF brace, etc.

Tomorrow, if not fishing, I’ll start the right one.  It’s a bit of stuffing around as the servo leads need to be significantly lengthened (no room for plug in extensions in the slimline wings) and then tack glued in very precisely so that the wing covers (over the CF braces, wiring etc) will fit flat.

The wings are designed to be removable when completed but hopefully it will fit in the Outback with wings attached. The ASW28 just fitted & the wingspan on that was almost identical.

[Predator]

Unfortunately the motor I was hoping to use won’t fit & all the other spares I have are either not powerful enough or have the mounting on the wrong end & are not reversible.

To that end I have at least made the adaptor plate to fit modern motors to the mount in the TechPod (which has wider spacing) & have ordered an appropriate motor capable of spinning a 12″ prop @ < 30 amps. The specified E-Flite Power 10 was around $130.00, the cheapie I got from Banggood was over $100.00 less.

Managed to find enough new or used servos (6 required) in my various stashes so now the elevator & rudder are fully functional and the Wing build is under way.

The wing needs some very slight mods to fit standard 9gm servos as they are just a wee bit taller than the specified Hitech ones (but a hell of a lot cheaper.

The left wing has been modified to fit the servos & now just need to extend the servo wires by a metre or so then the wing can be assembled.

 

I won’t glue the pod together until the motor arrives & is installed but at least the wings can be completed and decorated appropriately.

A great way to pass a couple of rainy days !!

[Predator]

Well done Kermit & well deserved.

[Author]

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