American dragon try...

[gabrielete]

Hello. While waiting for new props for my first balsa plane I started a new one. The American Dragon.http://www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=4462

Not sure if it fits, but I'll try 3 channels...

This is how the construction goes.






I'm having a hard time figuring out how the fuselage goes.. but I will succed... I guess...

 

[Balsa to Foam]

Looks good so far

 

[gabrielete]

Goes on

 

[gabrielete]

 

[510thousandths]

Looks great, I think it's time to start thinking about covering ( if you haven't already)...

 

[gabrielete]

Yes covering has began, but there is still some wood work to do...

 

[gabrielete]

Had to enlarge the nose 1.5cm. Was really tail heavy. I guess gas models plans need heavier motors....

 

[Foam Addict]

Looks good! I am a little concerned about those wing-tips though, they look a little blocky and could make for some interesting handling at lower speeds.

I also found that a lot of older balsa designs need longer noses or heavier motors to get them to balance right.

 

[gabrielete]

Looks good! I am a little concerned about those wing-tips though, they look a little blocky and could make for some interesting handling at lower speeds.

I also found that a lot of older balsa designs need longer noses or heavier motors to get them to balance right.

Do you think I should take off the wingtips monokote and sand them?

 

[gabrielete]

Thanks for the advice foam addict, im correcting that issue.

 

[Balsa to Foam]

other from the wing tips i think the maiden will go well. typically if a plane looks well it flys well

 

[gabrielete]

Almost finished. Just put the windows glasses.
Not very happy with the oracover work. Its the first time I use it

 

[Balsa to Foam]

covering your first plane is always difficult. when i covered my first plane there were wrinkles every where, because i didnt want to shink it cause i thought it would break the balsa underneath.

P.S. wingtips look alot better

 

[gabrielete]

Plane ready. Maiden in 30 minutes.....

 

[gabrielete]

The maiden was a failure... again... should I surrender with wood??

The rest of the flight was as chaotic as the take off. No big damage, but the wind pushed the plane beyond my sight, i almost lost it. I have increased the angle of the motor, that was flat.

The CG was where the plans suggested, so i have not increased the nose weight...

 

[Balsa to Foam]

to me the control rates were to high

 

[gabrielete]

to me the control rates were to high

You were right, I reduced the control rates, increased the motor angle and put a bigger battery. The results were a very nice take off. Anyway lateral wind made the plane uncontrollable.

Only one solution comes to my mind, something I should have done from the beginning.... Put ailerons.

A shame because now I have to cut the Oracover to install the servos...

 

[Zap brannigan]

i find that i dont use the rudder that much,so the last five planes i have built,including my DLG are all bank and yank (no rudder).
it will give better control,also i learned early on to dial my controls back to 30% so the plane flys less twitchy
i also save the trouble of rigging/weight/servo for the rudder. i'ts really a nice looking plane!

 

[gabrielete]

@Zap brannigan Thanks a lot! I try to use the rudder, in some circumstances, but still learning I try to use it as exercise, but my instincts are still basically bank and yank too...

With ailerons the plane was controllable. Still try to step up a little bit and tends to turn left, but nothing you can't correct with the trim.

The plane flies fine and is fast, faster than I'm used to.


The landing gear was too weak and went away on the landing but it's ok, I'll make a better one with an aluminum spar.

I'll try to make a video

I'm really happy, my first wood plane that flies....

 

[PeterGregory]

You moved right ahead on this airplane and did a good job, made adjustments where necessary.
Congrats!