Hobbyking DLG Cumulus?
- Thread starter Normb
- Start date
Balsa wing, full house, 290g -- all good. I like the low-mounted H-stab (my personal preference in a build). Not particularly clean . . . at all. Tail looks a bit flimsy -- should survive launches, but stiff enough to not flex? Not even a hint to which airfoil is used, and as a ribbed wing I wouldn't expect the airfoil contributes much.
Overall, It doesn't look bad, but not fantastic either.
If you want a PNF launch trainer, this will probably do and at $130 it's not priced poorly for that. It likely won't launch as high or float as well as the better ships will, but it should do fine to help you catch the bug
Overall, It doesn't look bad, but not fantastic either.
If you want a PNF launch trainer, this will probably do and at $130 it's not priced poorly for that. It likely won't launch as high or float as well as the better ships will, but it should do fine to help you catch the bug
FAI-F1D
Free Flight Indoorist
There's very little info out there on this one unfortunately. From the build thread on rcgroups, which has yet to be completed, it looks to be of decent quality. No idea on durability. The built up wing is guaranteed to be vulnerable to warps. Keep an eye on the aileron linkages too...flutter may be an issue. I think it has a pull-spring setup, which is a plus on these-lighter than pushrods and zero slop. Some assembly required, though.
Received the kit today but am c0nfused on one point. I do not really understand the torsion spring idea. The instructions are not very clear it appears on3 leg of the wire goes into the fixed part of the stabilizer and the other leg goes into the moving part. I have seen videos of some bent into a U shape not sure how that works at all.
I am hoping someone can help me past this hurdle so I can get to flying this plane. it is super lite looks to be a really good glider.
I am hoping someone can help me past this hurdle so I can get to flying this plane. it is super lite looks to be a really good glider.
Springs on a pull-spring setup are indeed bent in a wide "U" shape . . . but you've got to load the spring for it to work. one end of the U goes into the stabilizer (non-moving part), then you twist the other side of the U and press it into the moving part.
let go and the spring will want to go back to the "U" shape, pulling the hinge in one direction. the control horn is mounted on the other side, and the "string" is tied to that. When the string pulls, it yanks against the spring and moves the surface toward the horn side. release the tension on the string and the spring pulls it away from the horn side.
A word of advise . . . they probably direct you to press the spring into the wood and set it with a drop of CA. This works, but if you can get a bit of thin aluminum tubing, you can create a bearing tube for the spring ends and glue this in place. the spring is then slipped into the tube without glue. This spreads the force of the spring over a larger area and allows you to replace the spring-wire later if you need to without damaging anything.
let go and the spring will want to go back to the "U" shape, pulling the hinge in one direction. the control horn is mounted on the other side, and the "string" is tied to that. When the string pulls, it yanks against the spring and moves the surface toward the horn side. release the tension on the string and the spring pulls it away from the horn side.
A word of advise . . . they probably direct you to press the spring into the wood and set it with a drop of CA. This works, but if you can get a bit of thin aluminum tubing, you can create a bearing tube for the spring ends and glue this in place. the spring is then slipped into the tube without glue. This spreads the force of the spring over a larger area and allows you to replace the spring-wire later if you need to without damaging anything.
Mak, hang out with us at FTFF and we'll have you lusting after even better birds than this
Hah... too late... you and Josh already got me lusting for better birds than this one. I figure I just need a trainer/beater to begin with before getting something nicer. Gotta drive the Escort before getting behind the wheels of a 911 sort of thinking on my part!
FAI-F1D
Free Flight Indoorist
Mak,
This should be your next DLG: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2692377
I know it says he's sold out, but follow his posts on RCG because he's importing more of them. That model is the old HK Versus, which is based off the Taboo and Supergee series. I learned off the early Taboo platform and am about to sell mine (sorry, buyer already lined up, but you'll get to see it at FF). Those are very forgiving planforms and they'll do about 1 minute in dead air with a bit of practice. I don't recommend the 1.5m DLG that HK is currently offering simply because I think it's overpriced. For what they're charging, you could probably pick up a new Zen, or at least an Armsoar GO.
Jim Buxton will be present with a Blaster 2.5 so you can look that one over as well. It's a bit dated, but they launch pretty high.
If you're willing to wait, the next step up is about to become available--the GO 2. I believe Thomas said it's going to be $400 for the glass version and $500 for full carbon. The price is a bit higher because it's an all molded design, and as such, it's more on the Ferrari end of performance than a 911. I expect the carbon version to not be very far behind the first generation Snipes.
Shopping around you can occasionally pick up an old Stobel, Neos, etc for under $350, completely built out. I'm currently flying a gen 1 Neos that I snagged for $200. You'll get to see it show off at FF...it's very, very slippery.
As for the Cumulus...one person has completed one over on Rcgroups. His remarks seem to be that it's an ok airplane, but be VERY careful on landing because the boom is quite fragile. Also, it builds out to about 340 g, which means that long flying sessions will be rather fatiguing. Should thermal just fine though. It'll definitely provide you with the necessary experience to build out a more advanced DLG and will allow you to make your beginner mistakes on a low cost airframe.
I should also add that when you're upgrading DLG's, your old DLG is always readily marketable. They hold their value quite nicely even if there are a few minor dings.
This should be your next DLG: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2692377
I know it says he's sold out, but follow his posts on RCG because he's importing more of them. That model is the old HK Versus, which is based off the Taboo and Supergee series. I learned off the early Taboo platform and am about to sell mine (sorry, buyer already lined up, but you'll get to see it at FF). Those are very forgiving planforms and they'll do about 1 minute in dead air with a bit of practice. I don't recommend the 1.5m DLG that HK is currently offering simply because I think it's overpriced. For what they're charging, you could probably pick up a new Zen, or at least an Armsoar GO.
Jim Buxton will be present with a Blaster 2.5 so you can look that one over as well. It's a bit dated, but they launch pretty high.
If you're willing to wait, the next step up is about to become available--the GO 2. I believe Thomas said it's going to be $400 for the glass version and $500 for full carbon. The price is a bit higher because it's an all molded design, and as such, it's more on the Ferrari end of performance than a 911. I expect the carbon version to not be very far behind the first generation Snipes.
Shopping around you can occasionally pick up an old Stobel, Neos, etc for under $350, completely built out. I'm currently flying a gen 1 Neos that I snagged for $200. You'll get to see it show off at FF...it's very, very slippery.
As for the Cumulus...one person has completed one over on Rcgroups. His remarks seem to be that it's an ok airplane, but be VERY careful on landing because the boom is quite fragile. Also, it builds out to about 340 g, which means that long flying sessions will be rather fatiguing. Should thermal just fine though. It'll definitely provide you with the necessary experience to build out a more advanced DLG and will allow you to make your beginner mistakes on a low cost airframe.
I should also add that when you're upgrading DLG's, your old DLG is always readily marketable. They hold their value quite nicely even if there are a few minor dings.
FAI-F1D
Free Flight Indoorist
Ok, just found out these folks are still selling, and at a great price. Take a particular look at the P2.5 Low Wing. I wouldn't go for the P3, simply because you could get the new GO2 for the same price and it's a more modern airplane.
http://www.hjz-model-eshop.idv.tw/en/
They have great parts support and such and a good reputation to boot.
http://www.hjz-model-eshop.idv.tw/en/
They have great parts support and such and a good reputation to boot.
This is an update for building this model. Now I am a bit rusty been a few years since my last glider build but, this is the worst experience I have EVER had. Instructions a not even close t being complete. I muddled my way through it until I hit the aileron assembly. The push rods supplied had a clevises on one end HOLE on the other with no set screw (first problem) Okay conventional hardware should work Ha Ha, the control horn is carbon fiber so thin the replacement clevises will not pivot correctly. I tried the flight test quick link too small for the rod and impossible to put a nut on the back side of the control horn I am still searching for a way to connect the ailerons so for the moment it's on hold pending acquisition of the correct hardware,
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