KitFox Series 7 STi
- Thread starter bf109g-14
- Start date
bf109g-14
Well-known member
Totally destroyed the power pod... But the prop's fine! Hit it coming in a little slow for landing and stalled. Knocked everything loose, but it was about time for a rebuild. I've put the down thrust and thrust angle in the firewall and power pod so it's a little cleaner. I'm also adding a bit of up travel on the ailerons because I wasn't getting quite enough control with some wind, but there's already a lot of down travel as I set it up for flaperons. Haven't flown it yet, though.
bf109g-14
Well-known member
I 3d printed the mounts and stuck a paper clip through each one. Stabbed it into the aileron and hot glued it. Here's the link to the files:
https://www.tinkercad.com/things/gNvk3UUkPQG-kitfox-aileron-connector
bf109g-14
Well-known member
It's been a little while, I took it up again. I flew it on a Master Airscrew 3-blade 9x5 prop and I love the prop. Super quiet and very robust. The plane flies OK but it has some aileron authority issues for sure. I ended up using a lot of rudder even when I cranked full aileron just to get it to turn.The flight ended when a gust of wind pushed the nose down about 40ft from the ground and I couldn't get it back up. Nosed right into the ground. Broke the firewall but the prop was OK. Good job Master Airscrew! I've got a few ideas for changes to make on version 2:
- Shorten the wingspan a couple inches
- Make the ailerons a bit fatter
- Enlarge all the tail surfaces
- Lengthen the aft section of the fuselage a couple inches
If anyone can think of anything that might improve the roll and pitch control please let me know!!!
- Shorten the wingspan a couple inches
- Make the ailerons a bit fatter
- Enlarge all the tail surfaces
- Lengthen the aft section of the fuselage a couple inches
If anyone can think of anything that might improve the roll and pitch control please let me know!!!
If anything I’d lengthen the wingspan a couple inches. All the other ideas sound good though.
bf109g-14
Well-known member
Why is that? I thought shortening it would increase roll rate.
It will make them more responsive, but from your video it looks like it’s already a little unstable and decreasing the WS would exaggerate that. If I were you I’d increase the size of the ailerons, add a little undercamber to the wingtips, and enlarge/extend the tail. Just FYI the ailerons on my ft freedom fox don’t have very much authority compared to lots of my other planes.
bf109g-14
Well-known member
Haha I forgot to add a picture of the new wing I have! I don't think I have a video of it flying either, that's my mistake! My new wing has under cambered wingtips with less a less extreme airfoil overall. It's a lot more stable now, but lacks aileron authority. I'll put up pictures of the new wing, and see if I can find a video of it flying.
bf109g-14
Well-known member
Well guys... Time to resurrect this thread, three years later. I've come to revisit the Kitfox! I've made a brand new version out of flite foam board. Here are some of the major changes:
- Less extreme airfoil shape
- Ailerons moved closer to the wing
- 30% enlarged tail surfaces
- Shortened nose
- Quick release struts
- Added a battery hatch... desperately needed it
- Cool looking three blade prop
Took it out for it's maiden flight a few days ago and it flew alright. It's a little squirrelly in the wind and I haven't quite figured out how to land it, it's a little finicky. But I was pretty happy and I've started putting a new paint job on it. I will update with photos later when the paint is done.
- Less extreme airfoil shape
- Ailerons moved closer to the wing
- 30% enlarged tail surfaces
- Shortened nose
- Quick release struts
- Added a battery hatch... desperately needed it
- Cool looking three blade prop
Took it out for it's maiden flight a few days ago and it flew alright. It's a little squirrelly in the wind and I haven't quite figured out how to land it, it's a little finicky. But I was pretty happy and I've started putting a new paint job on it. I will update with photos later when the paint is done.
Michael9865
Elite member
Have you thought about extending the bottom skin further out towards the wing tips? This would strengthen the outer section of the wing from getting damaged. I look forward to seeing your progress.
bf109g-14
Well-known member
I forgot about that! I did decide to bring the bottom skin all the way to the wingtips, it's definitely much better than before.
bf109g-14
Well-known member
Here are some pictures of the almost complete airplane. I plan on going to the hobby store tomorrow to get some wheels and really bring the look together.
I decided to go with an arctic camo paint scheme because I love the colors on it and it really isn't one I see a lot, especially on bush planes. I think it gives the plane a bit extra character. However, when it was white and brown my dad said it looked like a cow and I just can't get that out of my head now 🤣 I think I'm going to call it Daisy as I feel like that's a very common cow name.
It's definitely not the best paint job I've ever done, I had a lot of problems with masking. But it will look okay in the air, and I suppose that's all that matters. And I forgot to mention, I replaced the forward nose with a 3d printed plastic cowling, it's a little easier to house the motor.
I'll take some better pictures once it's put together a little more, but enjoy these until then!
I decided to go with an arctic camo paint scheme because I love the colors on it and it really isn't one I see a lot, especially on bush planes. I think it gives the plane a bit extra character. However, when it was white and brown my dad said it looked like a cow and I just can't get that out of my head now 🤣 I think I'm going to call it Daisy as I feel like that's a very common cow name.
It's definitely not the best paint job I've ever done, I had a lot of problems with masking. But it will look okay in the air, and I suppose that's all that matters. And I forgot to mention, I replaced the forward nose with a 3d printed plastic cowling, it's a little easier to house the motor.
I'll take some better pictures once it's put together a little more, but enjoy these until then!
Attachments
bf109g-14
Well-known member
Took it for a very short flight yesterday, as it was very windy. It handled quite well for the wind, landing is a bit tricky. I caught a gust on the second landing and cartwheeled, breaking on the of the strut mounts. It was a very easy fix, fortunately.
I have some videos of flying and will post sometimes this week. Stay tuned!
I have some videos of flying and will post sometimes this week. Stay tuned!
Taildragger
Legendary member
🥵 danggggg
working on my MK2 mini kitfox rn and rediscovered this thread... you've done some stuff since I last saw!
If you like that color scheme you got to check out Trey Pappas and Otis Childers on IG, they both have arctic camo SuperSTOLs
