ACE Guppy Scratch Build

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
It will if there's enough torque from the guitar string wire. I've only seen this done using fine piano wire. Since it's a glider the pressure on the control surface won't be much.

That's my hope too - I wouldn't trust this on a fast model, but if I keep it slow... and I'm doing the "pull" action to counteract the propwash and to pull up
 

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
Covering proceeds on the tail...
IMG_20200320_160550_copy_1024x768.jpg


Putting latch bracing in for the hatch...
IMG_20200320_160600_copy_1024x768.jpg
 

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
Looks like a plane!

IMG_20200323_201014.jpg


But now I'm running into a self-made problem stuffing in the electronics. With the motor wires going through the top of the wing down into the fuselage right above the control threads, things could get into a conflict there very easily. If I had gone with metal control rods it wouldn't be an issue, but using the spring loaded pull only is new to me. And since the wing is rubber band mounted and suppsed to be removable, there needs to be some slack in the wires in that design too. So yeah, that's not going to work so well.

So one plan is to let the motor wires come down the pylon and over the leading edge of the wing to enter through the hatch. Doesn't look as neat, but is mechanically safer. Or I could do some more significant surgery and move the servos further back which would solve the wire conflict but cost me a little more weight in the nose. Not sure which way to go yet...
 

Willy Nillies

Elite member
On my Dad's we ran motor wires down the front edge of the pylon and into the hatch. We used colored heat shrink to encapsulate the motor wires that almost matched the covering and really couldn't tell it wasn't supposed to be that way.

Looks great by the way!

Sincerely,
Doug and Becky
 

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
On my Dad's we ran motor wires down the front edge of the pylon and into the hatch. We used colored heat shrink to encapsulate the motor wires that almost matched the covering and really couldn't tell it wasn't supposed to be that way.

Looks great by the way!

Sincerely,
Doug and Becky

Sort of relieved to hear I'm not the only one who had to figure this out! :D

Down the hatch we go... :)
 

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
I went with Doug's suggestion for the motor wires and she looks pretty good still!

IMG_20200324_185040_copy_1024x768.jpg


I had to go a little off center to keep the wires clear of the servos, but I'm still happy with it.

IMG_20200324_185054_copy_1024x1365.jpg


She took 1.5 oz of lead up front to balance out, but is still only 10 ounces. The plans call for 8 ounces, so I was close before the lead went in...

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I still need to get a prop and add some decals tomorrow, but she's pretty well done. Time to open up the next kit! :D
ACE Guppy 1976.jpg
 

TooJung2Die

Master member
It looks very nice. I hope you get to maiden it soon. How did you determine the motor angle? It looks like it is at an up angle in the photos.
 

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
It looks very nice. I hope you get to maiden it soon. How did you determine the motor angle? It looks like it is at an up angle in the photos.
Thanks!

The motor angle is pure S.W.A.G. aka T.L.A.R based on my experience with an indoor pylon motor plane I scratch built too. I don't expect it to work right the first time, but hopefully she will survive the maiden so I can make adjustments and fly her a second time :D
 

dplatt

New member
This looks great. I was going through a box of old kits I was given and an unopened Guppy was in there. My son and I are going to build it. Your build and photos are definitely helpful.
I was thinking about the same motor. What are you using for a battery: 2s or 3s? Are the servos 3.7 or 9gram? Let us know how it flies.
 

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rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
This looks great. I was going through a box of old kits I was given and an unopened Guppy was in there. My son and I are going to build it. Your build and photos are definitely helpful.
I was thinking about the same motor. What are you using for a battery: 2s or 3s? Are the servos 3.7 or 9gram? Let us know how it flies.

That's awesome! :D

I'm planning on a 2s battery, and used little 3.7 gram servos - not sure how long it will be before I can get out to the field to fly again, but this is 1st on the list of 3 quarantine maiden flights so far :unsure:
 

rockyboy

Skill Collector
Mentor
I've got an 1811 2900kv on 2s pushing a 5x4.5 prop - it might be a little overkill, but I can always throttle back or program in a throttle curve to keep it in a safe range.
 

TooJung2Die

Master member
I've got an 1811 2900kv on 2s pushing a 5x4.5 prop
Is that one of those micro 1811 motors, actually smaller than a 1806 motor? Like this? (1806 on the left, 1811 right)
1806 vs 1811.jpg
Do you remember where you got it? I really like this motor but can't for the life of me remember where it came from.