So what's the takeaway? was there potential?
Hard to tell given the rock-like performance today.
As the build finished up it was clear that I was not going to hit my target of 56oz. Ended up at 58-59. The 70mm EDF and tube is only putting out 40 oz static but I though that with a hard enough launch, I could get her to fly at a 0.65-ish thrust to weight.
I simulated the launch last night at home (loaded batts, held her using two small holes in the under side of the wing just at/behind the CG, and gave her wide open throttle). I realized that because the wing is so long, I was hitting myself in the back of the head. "Note to self, hold it high when you launch." The other thing I noticed was that at full throttle she was pushing the plane over (and down) on my hand. It was subtle but reproducible. I checked the EDF alignment and it seemed okay.
Warmed up the thumbs on the Gee Bee R3 and the Diamond and prepped for maiden. Shame to say, on the first attempt to launch I forgot to hold her high and clear and the left wing clipped my head as it went by. So she went down sideways and a little hard. Not too much damage done, one of the battery pods came off and a slight crack in a pylon. Some hot glue and extreme packing tape field repairs and she was good to go.
On second launch I managed to keep my big head out of the way but she flew straight into the ground. I suspect that the edf is pushing her over a little and I can't get her up to speed before reaching zero altitude. Second time l, damage was beyond field repairable but I think I can get her back together.
Question is what to do next. I will check and recheck the EDF to see if I can confirm that it's causing a push over. But even if I find and fix this, I am wary of throwing her back up so underpowered. So I am also considering adding two motors/props to the front of the pylons. For an additional 8 -10 oz weight I should be able to get 30 more oz of thrust which would give me a little over 1:1 thrust to weight. Wings should be big enough to carry the weight.
Just need to think about this a little more.
At worst you have plans for a rebuild. (for FTFC19:Build-ruary)
