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At this point I needed the original drawings to show the strut
locations on the wing, I couldn’t find it, so a quick visit to the Foamy Factory web site and there what do I find but
a scaled down 23” version of the original available as a free download!
The servos are 4 X Saturn 44’s, these are quite expensive
compared to some on the market, but they are a genuine 4.4 grams each, have very consistent centring which is very important
in small models plus they keep working unlike some cheaper micro servos. Spare gears are available but fitting them can reduce
a grown man to tears (I was that man).
I used a servo for each aileron as I have always used this on my
shockies for three reasons. One; it makes the ailerons easier to set up as the geometry is far better plus one can centre
each and set travel adjust at the transmitter. Two, better load distribution, especially with four ailerons. Three, it keeps
the cut outs in the fuselage to minimum (just a small rounded hole for the servo leads). My first shockies were from Icarus
Kits but I found these a bit weak with the fuselage and wing having to many cut outs for radio gear and battery pack.
The receiver is a Hitec HFS-05MS 5 channel, weighing in at 8 grams
it is the best micro Rx around in my opinion. Although 5 channels, channel 5 is in fact the channel 6 output (second aileron
for aircraft or collective pitch for helicopters) when used with most makes of TX. Thus it is perfect for use in small models
with dual ailerons, it uses standard Hitec or Futaba crystals and at only £17.00 it has to be the “dogs xxxxxxxx”
of micro RX’s. Disadvantage, very hard to get hold off, most shops and web sites have them as “sold out”
possibly because when the do become available people buy several at a time.
Motor is as stated a Baby out runner C18-15-17 this is the smallest
of a new range being sold by Robotbirds. Propeller is a GWS 6 X 3 lightweight plastic. A Castle Creations Phoenix 10 speed
controller drives the motor from a FlightPower EVO 20 300 ma/hr 2 cell Lipo battery.
The top surfaces were sprayed in blue and red RC Styro Colours
acrylic paint. These paints special formulated for Styrofoam & ABS cover well and seem to offer protection against UV
deterioration of Depron. Final all up weight came in at 140 grams just over 4.5 ounces.
First flight was straight of the floor, model
flies superbly, like all biplanes the power has to be kept on though out the flight or drag just takes over. At 22.5 inches
it make the hall look very large and is a lot more relaxed to fly indoors than other models.
Come along and see it fly.
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The other radio bits |
The soft underbelly. |
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The test flight |
"Flying |
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Gloucester Model Flying Club
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