150% Modded Pietenpol
- Thread starter Tonero311
- Start date
BATTLEAXE
Legendary member
Getting closer to the maiden, anticipation is killing me!
Tonero311
Well-known member
Me too man. I really can't wait to maiden this one. Then I can move onto v2, release the plans and start work on the Early Bird glider I got a few days ago.
It's amazing how this hobby can turn from building one speed build kit into 5 scratchbuilds and a balsa glider in less than a year😂🤣. Loving every minute of it too.
Glad to get in contact with local flying club too. With restrictive laws coming in here in the UK, I need to find a way to stay legal. Bonus being able to gain some skills from some of the old hands and their flying area is good for nearly any type of aircraft too.
Tonero311
Well-known member
Few pics of the control rods for my flaps. Nice, even and neat enough. Ended up setting the the linkages for maximum throw. Going to do the same with ailerons which are next.
Tail feathers are done. Will throw pics up later detailing a few changes for v2 and whoopsies I had to work around as well.
Hope your enjoying your evening everyone.
Tail feathers are done. Will throw pics up later detailing a few changes for v2 and whoopsies I had to work around as well.
Hope your enjoying your evening everyone.
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Tonero311
Well-known member
So this bird is getting so close to that maiden. Just waiting on a few 12" servo extensions until I can mount the wing. Then i can work out what batteries i have will work or will have to order to achieve good CG.
Made a few more modifications. Cut a slot in the powerpod and a channel through the foam filler block to fit a velcro battery strap. Fitted a voltage telemetry sensor as well. Save killing batteries.
The 50a esc fitted perfectly sideways against the fuse firewall, another little stroke of luck.
I put V-bends in the rudder, elevator and flap control rods. I like to have them as straight as an arrow straight off the bat. I just built the aileron control rods straight as they will be on seperate channels in the transmitter, I can trim and fine tune through the tx. The servo extensions will be fed down through the leading edge chamber of the wing and be taken out behind the radiator in the centre to the Rx.
Not be long now until I find out how this flies and what mods to make for v2. I have to say this has been a really slow build, but it has been so rewarding working around all the tiny little problems that come.
Made a few more modifications. Cut a slot in the powerpod and a channel through the foam filler block to fit a velcro battery strap. Fitted a voltage telemetry sensor as well. Save killing batteries.
The 50a esc fitted perfectly sideways against the fuse firewall, another little stroke of luck.
I put V-bends in the rudder, elevator and flap control rods. I like to have them as straight as an arrow straight off the bat. I just built the aileron control rods straight as they will be on seperate channels in the transmitter, I can trim and fine tune through the tx. The servo extensions will be fed down through the leading edge chamber of the wing and be taken out behind the radiator in the centre to the Rx.
Not be long now until I find out how this flies and what mods to make for v2. I have to say this has been a really slow build, but it has been so rewarding working around all the tiny little problems that come.
Grifflyer
WWII fanatic
What will change in V2?
BATTLEAXE
Legendary member
It does look good man i will say. Not my favorite model to look at. But your attention to detail and functionality is amazing. Great work. Maiden vid is a must, there has been a lot of build up, wanna see it fly now.
Tonero311
Well-known member
Steerable tail wheel, integrate the servo tray/firewall/LG plate in the main fuse to increase strength(cutting out channels in fuse sides leaving paper on outside intact). Adjust control horn guide tube position so not as much pressure on the elevator control horn etc.
Tonero311
Well-known member
I think an action cam maybe in my future very soon. Got a few birthday vouchers sitting that'll either get me a camera or some big tools to help with my builds. Really got the itch for a scroll saw, benchsaw or mini drill press. Thank you for following along too, been great encouragement to keep me working on this project😁.
Any suggestions on cameras or the listed tools would be much appreciated. Been looking a while and as usual I find it hard to settle on a brand or model before I pull the plug and order it🤣. Major side effect of TCD(tool compulsion disorder), hate buying twice.
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BATTLEAXE
Legendary member
I use a drill press for all sorts of stuff building planes from drilling holes in firewalls or plastic reinforcements to sanding using sanding drums. A band saw would be helpful too. And both dont need to be big, or a scroll saw like you said. Look for sales. Christmas is coming up so there should be some good deals out there.
As far as cams go i use a mobius. Cheap and easy to work with. Probably get good prices online.
As far as cams go i use a mobius. Cheap and easy to work with. Probably get good prices online.
Tonero311
Well-known member
I don’t have a mobius camera but from my expierence with my GoPro, wider fov will get more area, meaning you are more likely to get something in frame, but there is more distortion.
BATTLEAXE
Legendary member
135 would be better for FPV, it's a more realistic view for perspective. When you get close to things you wont think they are further away. 150 would be better for onboard filming only
Tonero311
Well-known member
@BATTLEAXE @The Hangar Thanks for the help guys, 150° it is. No interest in FPV for the moment or in the future yet. Still working on my LOS flying skills.
Tonero311
Well-known member
Woo-hoo! This puppy is finally finished. Got the wing glued on today, Rx bound, transmitter programmed and control rods fine tuned. Flaps were being a major pain in the posterior. Transmitter kept resetting my AUX switch settings. Though I won in the end lol.
Discovered my failsafe was set to the wrong channel too. Thank goodness I've never had a LOS issue yet or things could have been bad. Was set for channel 1 rather than 3 that the throttle is on.
She weighs 792g without the battery, that is looking like a 1800 to 2200mah 3s or possibly 4s. 1500mah I have is too light to get it to balance. So AUW I'm expecting to be around 970g. That's quite a bit over my 800g upper target. Ah well, throw the slim fast at v2😂 and I find I like them a little heavier anyways.
Not sure about the 9" propeller. It looks a little anemic compared to the rest of the air frame. 10" spare will be needed just incase.
The brace I made for the wing worked great for glueing the cabines in. Loads more meat for the epoxy to grab onto and more surface area for support too.
My Mobius cam hasn't arrived yet and weather is not looking good at all. Think it may be a while before I get to maiden this one. Though I can't wait. Really want to see how it flies. I'm hoping the flaps will really help with the landings.
Discovered my failsafe was set to the wrong channel too. Thank goodness I've never had a LOS issue yet or things could have been bad. Was set for channel 1 rather than 3 that the throttle is on.
She weighs 792g without the battery, that is looking like a 1800 to 2200mah 3s or possibly 4s. 1500mah I have is too light to get it to balance. So AUW I'm expecting to be around 970g. That's quite a bit over my 800g upper target. Ah well, throw the slim fast at v2😂 and I find I like them a little heavier anyways.
Not sure about the 9" propeller. It looks a little anemic compared to the rest of the air frame. 10" spare will be needed just incase.
The brace I made for the wing worked great for glueing the cabines in. Loads more meat for the epoxy to grab onto and more surface area for support too.
My Mobius cam hasn't arrived yet and weather is not looking good at all. Think it may be a while before I get to maiden this one. Though I can't wait. Really want to see how it flies. I'm hoping the flaps will really help with the landings.
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BATTLEAXE
Legendary member
That does look like a nice build and I wish you the best on the maiden. May the winds be light and the landings just as soft.
If I was you for the maiden, just for the safety factor, start with the 10" and see how it goes, then trade off for the 9" for the second flight
If I was you for the maiden, just for the safety factor, start with the 10" and see how it goes, then trade off for the 9" for the second flight
Tonero311
Well-known member
Thank you. It looks pretty for now. Battle scars yet to come😁. Yeah, thinking the same. Throw the 1047 on for 3s maiden. If I need more power, step up to 4s and 9047 prop.
Thank you. Its been a while being built. Though worth it for what I have learned along the way. It's a nice, neat and tidy build. Just need to prove the build now with a flight.
Pietenpol was my first R/C plane. Got a speed build kit last Xmas. That's where it all began.....🤣.
