i12fly Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 Good luck with the turtledeck bending, I soaked with water which didn't come anywhere near so I finished up planking it. Looks OK though. I've covering at the moment and have left the fin off while turning the model over and round etc. I'll fit it before covering the rear top area. Your model is looking very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 2, 2020 Author Share Posted May 2, 2020 The turtledeck turned out to be a doddle. After prebending the sheet around a kit cartridge I did another round where one end was wrapped around a 15mm tube. Note that I soak with ammonia with water, that works a lot better then just water: Next to none spring back. Gluing it in place is easy when you do not have to force it. This was the last bit to be glued, now an evening with filler and sanding paper and some cockpit detailing and we are ready to cover. Cheers, Lucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 4, 2020 Author Share Posted May 4, 2020 Finishing the cockpit now. Grey with matt black panels, seats etc. I am not going to put much effort in this area, first see if she flies. Total weigh 352 gr. now, with all electronics on board except the aileron servo's. She should end up on or under the weight published I think. Cheers, Lucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 5, 2020 Author Share Posted May 5, 2020 Could not resist powering everything up tonight. 450gr thrust with a battery at storage level. Since the weight including battery is about 530gr I think she will fly. Now just finish the cockpit and cover.... Lucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted May 6, 2020 Share Posted May 6, 2020 I would not worry about the flying - this model is fantastic. On the cockpit I would add a little, it make such a difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 10, 2020 Author Share Posted May 10, 2020 Beatifull cockpit Steve! And also covered the insides of air intakes! May I ask what the weight of your Gnat is? I glued the cockpit in place tonight: Covering is next. This is a complicated model to cover, with all flying surfaces already attachted and many "bulbs" on the fuselage. We will see how it goes. Regards, Lucas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share Posted May 13, 2020 Started covering. This is a time consuming model to cover. Here I have make a paper template to avoid having to cut film on the model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share Posted May 13, 2020 Found out that on the nose it works better not to use a template, but cut oversize. Fix in the middle and shrink the film while putting it bit by bit down. Like one does on wingtips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 And ready for maiden: Cross fingers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share Posted May 23, 2020 The maiden was eventful, to say the least. I had chosen a site where the launcher could stand about 4 m. over the terrain. At launch she sank a bit and then was away like a scalded cat. Very quickly very small. I had to trim the elevator up a lot before she would fly straight and level. Elevator authority was lacking with the specified 6 mm up and down and 30% expo. Aileron was ok. What I had not though well through about this site was the lack of a straight line in and out for landing and abort. When coming I saw the gnat going too far and when aborting I pulled a turn with too low speed. The inner wing dropped and touched the grass, with a cartwheel leaving the fuselage cracked before the wing. Damage after removal of the covering is a separated fuselage: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwain Dibley. Posted May 23, 2020 Share Posted May 23, 2020 What a shame, but it looks like a reasonably easy repair from what I can see. I hope it goes well and you get a successful re-maiden. All the Best. D.D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Roberts 9 Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 Awww Lucas, what a shame. I think we all share your pain! After a crash my first thoughts are to chuck the remains in the bin but I know to resist that urge because a couple of days later I always find myself figuring out how best to execute a repair. With your building skills it will soon be back in the air. By the sounds of it the main learning point from all this is that the Gnat needs more elevator movement than the recommended 6mm? My build is close to completion and, with a relaxation in Scotlands lockdown rules now imminent, my maiden flight isn't far off (hopefully!). All the best with your repair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Ballinger Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 Lucas, Sorry to hear about the mishap, hopefully you can repair it . I also needed a significant amount of up trim but still had sufficient control authority. I decided I had probably been too conservative with the cg and marked it up to move the battery slightly rearwards for subsequent outings. Not got chance to see if there is any difference because the field has been in lockdown ever since and my ‘ home ‘ flying field is too small for such a missile ! Good luck for the next trip. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 24, 2020 Author Share Posted May 24, 2020 To John: I think it is too early to conclude that more elevator movement is needed. I have increased it by 15% but maybe more important reduced exponential from 30 to 10%. What do other fly with? Main learning point for me is that a site with a straight in-out flying path is needed so that an aborted landing can be done by just opening the throttle keeping wings level and pull up after sufficient speed has been reached. Also trim in 1-2 mm up elevator straight away. At launch you may need a bit of up elevator to prevent a dive before flying speed has been reached. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted May 24, 2020 Share Posted May 24, 2020 Hi Lucas... opps on the flight BUT ...take 3 positives the model flys well, the cause of the crash is being unlucky with the site ...and the model looks straightforward to fix i have had many models like this and it’s the great thing about wood builds with splinters like that🤣. Some wood glue on those splits and a great wetter area . The repair will be stronger that the original . You will soon be back in the air. Keep it in close, keep the speed in the turns , smooth and wide and enjoy. My favourite by far. Until the baby Hawk is finished steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 25, 2020 Author Share Posted May 25, 2020 The repair is well underway. I double the damaged former(with holds the battery sidewise). And put a 2mm balsa plate under the area with the small fragments. Some extra wood to align and top deck: and glueing everything back together: All holes were sparkled with light weight car body filler and sanded afterwards. I noticed front and back fuselage have little contact after one cuts the battery hatch. I reinforced the gluejoint in the lower triagle stringers with 1mm ply plates in the air intakes and a piece of 25gr grass over the bottom of the fuse to the air intakes. Litt paintwork in the cockpit, glue the canopy back on and ready for covering again. Edited By Lucas Hofman on 25/05/2020 07:45:14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 Wow .. fantastic job Lucas... told you the repair would be not too difficult. The beauty of wood models and a great design . It will be great to hear it’s back in the air again steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Jones 2 Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 Wow .. fantastic job Lucas... told you the repair would be not too difficult. The beauty of wood models and a great design . It will be great to hear it’s back in the air again steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murat Kece 1 Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 Impressive repair.. Good luck next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucas Hofman Posted May 27, 2020 Author Share Posted May 27, 2020 Ready to fly again: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Roberts 9 Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 Hi Lucas, Great repair job. What happened on 23/5 is now just a bad dream! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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