Funterceptor build

I've just started building the Funterceptor and already thinking that if it comes in too heavy am I right in thinking that if I increase the wing span slightly this will keep the wing loading nearer the quoted figures?

I built the Wattsdog back  a while ago and this was over-weight(bit like me really) this did not make much differance because it was with this model that I thought I could  teach my self to fly.!! It did not last past the second or third  flight.

 Any advice is greatly accepted.

 

Hi Big Phil,

 

Funterceptor is very light, and if you stick with the wood sizes/grades, it will be hard to make it too heavy if you have power.  It will just  stall at a slightly higher speed.  The orginal flew with NiMH cells so if you use LiPo's you may save a bit of weight there.  By all means add a bit to the span (an extra rib bay at each side should do it).  The original 36" wing was to let me use stock balsa strip.

 

All the best,

 

Chris

Hi Phil,

 

Chris is right.  One thing to watch though is the covering that you use.

My Funterceptor was my first scratch build and I asked the hobby shop

guys which heat shrink is the easiest to use.  Turns out the one they

recommended was also the heaviest.  Being a newbie to building it never

occurred to me that there was a weight difference.

 

The other point is Chris's comments about grades of wood.  I didn't know

any better and used balsa from a hardware store.

 

The result was my plane weighed in 50% overweight!  However

it still flies nicely.  You do notice it on landing because it lands faster

than it should and there is no floating. Stall and handling are still user friendly

though (no nasty wing dropping).

 

All in all I have got a lot of joy out my little Funterceptor and hope you do as well.

 

Enjoy the building and the flying.

I don't suppose many Funterceptor bulders read this now. However, having established that the motor and ESC could cope, I recently converted mine to 1300mAh 3S Lipo power.

 

The model is transformed. Always a good performer, near vertical climbs are possible and squarish cornered aeros. It's a bit lighter too. Well worth the switch.

 

Look out for my Agritug when RCM&E get round to it. It's a bigger Funterceptor and does everything better.

 

Chris Reid