onetenor Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Oops sorry just noticed someone has already made that suggestion about the motors Nice model nice box too well done Tim. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Do I open the box...or take the money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onetenor Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Traplet and Aerofred.com are two who do plans and a few more on the net if you Google Model aircraft plans Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Were there ever any thoughts re publishing this plan in the mag? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hooper Posted December 9, 2015 Author Share Posted December 9, 2015 Posted by IanN on 09/12/2015 14:38:39: Were there ever any thoughts re publishing this plan in the mag? Ian, Yup, it's still a live project - and just waiting for a decent combination of calm, sunny conditions, a decent photographer and a competent pilot! tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanN Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 Excellent news! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Paine Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Just starting to build my 'Sprite'. This will be the first model that I've built with aileron wings. To date, I've used mylar hinges to hinge the surfaces, but those were 'centre-beveled' edges. Any tips on how best (keeping it light) to top-hinge, as shown on the plans ? Thanks Kester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 You could use this system for hinging. Works well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Paine Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Thanks Peter. I had heard of something similar, but couldn't work out how it would work, but your diagram explains it well. What do you use as the tape ? Invisible tape, or solartrim in the same colour as the covering, or something else ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Miller Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Just use the covering material its self. Iron it down adhesive face to adhesive face over a strip of balsa the same with as the control surfaces and then cut it into hinge width pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Jones Posted December 9, 2017 Share Posted December 9, 2017 Hi , On a model so small i tend to only use the film covering its self . So as to reduce the load on the servo and reduce drag on the wing surface. If you are not use to covering the wing as one it can be a little tricky at first but does make for a nice clean wing surface with free movement of the aileron. So basically use one piece of film to wrap around the wing from the trailing edge over the top of the wing around the leading edge then continue on the under side of the wing to finish on the trailering edge. So the steps are: shape the aileron and wing for top hinging . use small pieces of film to cover the side edges of the aileron and wing, then the wing tip in this case you will need to do the inside edge as well. use two small pieces of film on the top outside edges of the aileron to hold onto the wing and leave a small gap approx 1mm to 2mm gap will do. This will help keep the aileron in position while covering will also help stop the film splitting from the edges. You may also want to add balsloc all around any edges including around the hinge line. lay the wing on the table upside down and tack the edge of the film along the rear bottom trailing edge only peal back as much of the backing as is needed. Now turn the wing over so that the underside of the wing is flat on the table and peal back some more of the backing and proceed to cover the top of the wing once you are at the leading edge you will now need to turn the wing back over and proceed to cover the underside of the wing continuing on to the trailing edge hinge line at this point you will need to slice though the top covering so that the aileron can be folded back on its self. Now make two cuts in the lower part of the covering so that you can continue with the lower covering to the trailing edge and over the aileron while it is folded back on its self which will create a full length hinge. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Paine Posted December 10, 2017 Share Posted December 10, 2017 Thanks Steve and Peter. I need to spend some time digesting Steve's method, so that I have it right in my mind ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Jones Posted December 11, 2017 Share Posted December 11, 2017 Hi Kester, If it seems a little daunting you could do the Aileron 1st then wrap the wing . Like i did here on a bigger model. I do not have any pictures showing the process which i used on a small 26" model that i used SoLight on. which is a very light weight film that is semi see through and would of shown through had i used the method shown above. But both work very well and i have used this method for years and never had one fail on me yet. You could also cover the wing and Aileron separately then attach the Aileron to the wing using clear packing tape. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Paine Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Hi folks, Thanks for your help on the covering/hinging techniques. I've now tried a similar method on a simple micro-powered glider (see Bitty posts) and it seems to be holding up well, and is very neat. I'll try this on an aileron model next. Kester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Paine Posted March 31, 2018 Share Posted March 31, 2018 Hi Tim, My boxing clever/Sprite is coming along slowly. I've almost finished building the wings. I plan to use an old Parkzone DSM2 transmitter (the type that comes with small RTF models), but this has no servo-reverse or travel adjustment, so everything has to be done mechanically. My thinking is that the plane and Tx can then live in a box, so that only a lipo is needed for a quick sortie ! Then I could leave the model at work You'll see from the photo that the servo has moved outboard - this is so that it moves in the right direction with the Tx that I'm using. I'm now scratching my head though, as I can't find any info on control surface throws in the plans or build article. If you have any info on this, could you let me know, please ? I'll use this info to determine the length of the horns, so that full movement on the Tx gives me the correct throw on the model. Cheers Kester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ Alexander Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 I love the idea of having a wee plane you could take with you anywhere - on holiday, keep in the car, carry on a bike, even. I will read back through this thread for inspiration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Paine Posted April 1, 2018 Share Posted April 1, 2018 oops - forgot the photo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulo Peres Posted September 23, 2020 Share Posted September 23, 2020 Hello all, Just to let you know that i've started building a Sprite too. Here's the beginning. F1 and doublers are missing in the photo, but they are made by now. So far, only wood from the scrap box has been used! Servos are sourced and the rest of the electronics were ordered. I'll keep you posted and perhaps the occasional nagging question may show up. Regards, Paulo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Paine Posted October 2, 2020 Share Posted October 2, 2020 Hi Paulo Glad to see someone else building Sprite. I completed mine about a year ago, but it had a fairly eventful first few flights. It was my original intention to use a micro Tx (from a Parkzone ultra micro spitfire) and put this in the box with the plane, so that I didn't have to cart my proper Tx around. But a combination of the throws being too high (and not being able to set them small enough mechanically), plus the lack of expo made the plane totally uncontrollable. Once using a programmable Tx, and getting the CG right, it's a nice little flyer. Mine comes in a 180g (using a 2S 450mAh lipo). I use a 5x5 prop which delivers 55W, so that's 140W/lb which is punchy enough. Flight times are about 6-7minutes. The required throws are less than you might think. If you want info on the throws I use, or anything else about this model, just shout. Cheers Kester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulo Peres Posted October 5, 2020 Share Posted October 5, 2020 Thank you Kester for your message and useful info. Please send the throw info but there's no rush. It's always useful to have lessons learned stuff from other fellow modellers. As many have said, in small models like these the throws are usually larger than they should be. My Vector and Mini-Blitz were set with about 1/3 of the recommended throws and I dial in a lot of D/R (for my style of flying, I keep expo values low) to have the models well mannered in the air. Except for the Mini-Blitz, I also had to add up some weight to have the Vector, Cutlass and Agritug properly balanced. BTW, some advice is needed on how to set the servo arms in the wings recessed during assembly and have them pop-out to neutral position. Congrats on your lovely model. I'll try to match your workmanship, particularly when it comes to the covering! More pics to follow soon. If you have the time and patience search YT and FB for Clube de Aeromodelismo de Lisboa to see what I and other fellow modellers are up to. Best regards, Paulo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kester Paine Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 Hi Paulo, Re the servos, I seem to remember that I used a servo tester to centre the servo, then fitted the arm and then (using the servo tester) set the arm off to the end of the travel, which took the arm just inside the wing. I think I made the slot in the bottom sheeting slightly longer than on the plan, in order to achieve this (but I might be dreaming this !). In terms of throws, I'm using: Aileron: Low 4mm, High 8mm Rudder: Low 6mm. High 10mm Elevator: Low 4mm. High 6mm I did have a look on Youtube at one video of your club (20th September). That BAe Hawk flown by Nuno Miguel is simply stunning ! Very trick with the moving pilots etc, but it was the flying that was utterly convincing. Cheers Kester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulo Peres Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Thank you Kester for the message and advice on the servos. See more of Nuno Miguel's Hawk here with better footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEV4_7uDAAM&ab_channel=KemSemeiaVentos and his A-10 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5pwAfh4RpY&ab_channel=KemSemeiaVentos and here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YAuzJpPP4c&ab_channel=KemSemeiaVentos. In the latter, a Hawk in SwissAF colours is also flown. Best regards, Paulo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulo Peres Posted December 19, 2020 Share Posted December 19, 2020 Quick update on the Sprite build - close to be finished and readied for maiden. More pics in the album. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulo Peres Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 The Sprite is complete. Radio setup and CG position to check. Then, it's a matter of having the right weather for the maiden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Cottrell 2 Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Hi guys, got a puzzle. Picked up on this thread from a new post. Interested, so I went back and read the whole thread from the start. The first parts have the construction pictures and general information. They go up to December 2015, when someone asked whether this design would be made available as a plan. Then there is a big gap. The next post is from December 2017 (2 years) from Kester Paine, saying he is just starting his 'Sprite' as I believe the model is now called. Few posts further on is a picture from Paulo Peres, showing the parts cut out for his build, on top of the Sprite plan. So, it seems the posts I have missing would be those with details of how to get hold of the plan Anyone enlighten me? Thanks Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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