Bush plane build challenge

Hondo76251

Legendary member
Bwaahhaahaa 😈😈
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Going about this build a bit differently. Going to start with the power pod and scale from there. It will essentially be a 125% bushwacker...
 

mdcerdan

Elite member
The Ranquel is done. AUW is 480g, 30 grams more than my target weight. The landing gear is overkill for this little bird and responsible for the excess weight.

IA46 Ranquel specs.
Wingspan 1000mm / 39.37in
Wing area 16.5dm2 / 1.776ft2
Wing loading 29g/dm2 / 9.5oz/ft2
Weight 480g 16.9oz
Battery 3S 1300mAh
3 channels: rudder, elevator, throttle.
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Flyingshark

Master member
Landing gear is done! :) Hopefully the weather will still be decent tomorrow, and I can get in a quick maiden.
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I used FT's 2.6mm medium wire, but it was really hard to bend. Is this normal for that stuff? I might have to go back to cannibalizing coat hangars, or maybe I just don't have the right tools. Anyway, what do you guys use?
 
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mdcerdan

Elite member
I use 2.25mm piano wire but not as a single wire. I always make it like this.

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In this little plane the back wire is 1.5mm and the front wire is 2.25mm. It is fixed to a wood strip in the bottom of the fuselage with a brace and screws.
Both wires can be joined with zip ties, soldered or tied with heavy fishing line coated with CA like mine. Done the same in my larger birds and works like a charm. Never had a broken or bended gear.
 

Grifflyer

WWII fanatic
Landing gear is done! :) Hopefully the weather will still be decent tomorrow, and I can get in a quick maiden.
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I used FT's 2.6mm medium wire, but it was really hard to bend. Is this normal for that stuff? I might have to go back to cannibalizing coat hangars, or maybe I just don't have the right tools. Anyway, what do you guys use?
That looks great!!
 

mdcerdan

Elite member
I made a new set of narrow wheels for the Ranquel because I need to save a few grams here an there. So I took a few pictures of the process to share with you guys.
First I cut a few discs of 3mm plywood and mount them on the lathe to clean the edges.
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With the hot wire cutter I made the 66mm diameter wheel out of 17mm styrofoam board. Glued one plywood disc on the center with white glue. With a 6mm wooden dowel I cut the axle and bored a 2.25mm hole for the landing gear wire. Glued to other plywood disc with CA and then to the styrofoam wheel.
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Last step is to cover the styrofoam with 1mm EVA rubber and trim the excess once dry.
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Each wheel is 69mm in diameter, 20mm wide and weights 6g.
I saved 4 grams with the new wheels. I can save an extra 5g if I solder the motor wires instead of using banana plugs.
 
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Flyingshark

Master member
Took the Bush Hornet out for it's maiden flight today! Turns out it's very tail-heavy. But at least the popsicle-stick reinforcements did their job, and it didn't disintegrate! :)

Hopefully I can fix the issue with some nose weight this week. I also have another idea in case the Bush Hornet has problems.