Archive
The Falcon Flies
Today the winter weather was mild enough that I could not pass up the chance to launch the AJR-48(F).
She’s a rocket.
On take off I used flaps which made her rather zippy. An unexpected barrel roll even took place. No big deal and once I retracted the flaps the plane handled well.
The test flight was going good and I managed to perform some slow speed and quicker paced runs.
However on some tight banking the plane rolled over and I crashed.
Here is the video.
– Post flight view. The nose had taken all the impact, some body damage and a motor mount had loosened up.
– Opted to make whole new nose section. Double layer foam top and bottom. New way to keep it closed.
– Improved view compared to the previous deign.
– Repaired and ready for more action.
AJR-48 Falcon Ready
Did not have enough time this weekend to fly the plane but this evening I managed to finish the build up and min wax work.
– A little test to see how the view is from on board. Not to bad.
– The 2 pieces near the top are to cover the open sections on the underside of the wing.
– Nose section with the GoPro.
– Two batteries to help the balance.
– Cargo door is a little small to handle an egg so were going to make a “care” package with a chute.
– Used the same design from the YC-14.
– GoPro access.
– This time the whole mount is removable.
– Balance test. When I do it with my fingers it is not as dramatic but still looks good.
– I know this wing flies nicely and I was getting used to it.
– This is why I went with the name Falcon.
– Should be very fun to fly.
– Cargo hatch is functional and will be better then a bomb bay in the winter.
– Simplified wing pods as I now run the ESC inside the plane/wing.
Only 1300g vs the prev plane which was 800g. I’ve added a GoPro, 2nd battery, larger props, 2nd esc, 2nd motor and 2nd rx unit. So respectable.
AJR-48 Short & Slim Flies
In the morning I tested the weight reduced modifications.
It flew but was still tail heavy!
So after that flight I cut 2″ off the tail and re-did the nose firewall.
Much better.
– The first job was to remove the tail from the body.
– Based on the FT Spitfire I opt’d to remove 2″.
– Then I inserted 2 pieces of foam I could keep the structure solid and had something to glue to.
– Made sure to align and check the angle on the tail.
– Picked up a few grams of weight over but that is due to nose mods.
– I put on a full piece of wood to ensure the motor had something beefier to be glued to.
Increased nose weight which was wanted. Motor now points down and to the right.
– Painted the underside of the wings to help me see it better.
– Tail to firewall 32″ just about 35″ with the motor gear.
– Post flight. I need to glue the rudder section. It was misaligned.
– Also checking for water/snow issues.
– The tape traps the snow so I will remove and paper that sections.
– See the water build up. So all the new sections will get MinWax’d tonight.
AJR-48 Slim Chance
Tonight I had my first winter flight experience.
Testing the AJR-48 in single prop config. Glad the snow was soft because the tail heavy issue is still present.
So I went radical on the plane.
– Time to perform an operation and lose some weight in the tail section.
– I removed as much as I could while trying to keep some of the strength.
– Pretty big chuck of foam gone.
– Removed the metal rudder servo and put in a 15g eco one.
– Wide power pod also was trimmed down. Removed the whole bottom section.
– A lot tighter but manageable.
– At least I know it will land in snow with no issues.
– It is indeed a lot lower now.
– I think the centre foam bit is a touch to big but need belly surface.
– I hope this fixes the tail heavy issues and returns some power.
I may alter the power pod yet to move the battery even more forward.
– 550g lighter.
AJR-48 Goes Single
Why not. After this mornings nose crunching test flight I decided why not try a single engine.
The key getting the prop off the ground, I had to build up the nose section, mess with the battery position but in the end I think this might work…
AJR-48 Rebuild
The plan was good but in the end the elliptical wing and high winds dashed my day.
The rebuild
– The WWII bomber is slightly narrower then the AJR-48.
– That impacts the 48.
– For sure. The WWII is pushing me to produce very tight air-frames.
– Onto the operation.
– Broken spar.
– Detached wing.
– Tail removed.
– Took off 3″ from the tail.
– Hollowed out the support to save weight.
– 12″ front section for a 30″ in total length.
– Adjusting the angle for the trail section.
Sides being built up.
– Wing repair under way.
Adding a little bend.
– Motor mount repairs.
– Took a chunk out of the wing.
– Additional support for the wing.
– New solid piece across the top of the wing.
– Right motor all setup.
– Mostly repaired.
– Extended the battery wiring harness.
– New nose.
– Level wing.
– At least I checked ;).
– Added rubber bands but the wing is not removable at this time.
– Balance test.
– Locating the batteries.
– The changed did make the plane lighter.
– Feels good. Solid but not as heavy.
– Pushed the batteries right back.
– That achieved level balance.
– Decent nose.
– It does look good. Too bad the wing is enemy.
– Tail is much better now as well.
