RE: Ultra Stick 60 with Saito 72
Hey, do you guys think an OS120ax would be too heavy for the 60 size Ultrastick? I was looking at what two stroke to install and while I like the looks of the new OS95ax, I can't get over the fact that it costs 10 dollars MORE than the 120ax. Nice to know it will fly with the lighter saitos on it as well. I'm guessing I'd have to move the servos to the tail to offset the weight of a heavier OS two stroke up front? Mike
Posted on: 7/31/2009 10:40 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8980316

RE: First 3D Plane
I learned 3D on a mojo. I had planes marketed as "3D" before that but they weren't. The UCD will teach you how to hover or flat spin, but they are eggshell fragile and don't do the high alpha rolling maneuvers well and have lots of knife edge coupling. A mojo does everything well, and is near unbreakable. I have a Primo and just did a forward flip into the ground at full throttle (not too smart I know, stupid wind..) and only crunched the rudder. Thin CA and some new covering and it was good as new. Would've been a total loss or at least a broken fuse behind the wing on a UCanDo. Mike
Posted on: 7/7/2009 12:50 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "3D Flying!"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8913509

RE: Venus II
Yeah, what he said. Program mix (you should have 4 or 6 of them). Then throttle to rudder and assign it to a switch or just keep it always on. Mike
Posted on: 6/9/2009 6:54 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8839354

RE: Venus II
That certainly makes sense and that's what I do with my 3D profile planes - no offset and a slight mix (using a linear mix) of throttle to rudder. I got caught up in a couple articles on how to trim pattern planes. It was stressing the fact that you should have zero rudder. I'll try the mix first. Mike [quote]ORIGINAL: rcpattern Mike, I personally have adopted Chip Hyde's method of mixing right rudder to throttle. As you increase the throttle you add a slight amount of right rudder. This works much better in my opinion as you arent carrying right thrust all the time. When doing inverted pushes the right through is actually a detriment. Very easy to set up and easy to adjust to get the right feel throughout the throttle curve, Arch [/quote]
Posted on: 6/8/2009 10:41 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8837023

RE: Venus II
Did anyone else have to add more right thrust when running their Venus with an os120ax? Mine pulls left and is carrying a few clicks of right rudder to compensate. I'm adding a washer as a shim and heading to the field now. I'd like to be able to fly with a neutral rudder as it seems to be affecting tracking. Still smooth as silk. Continuing to dial it in... Mike
Posted on: 6/8/2009 1:26 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8835597

RE: Venus II
Just maidened my Venus II this evening. This plane lives up to all the hype. Smooth and neutral are two terms that come to mind in describing it's traits. I'm impressed. this is my first pattern plane so maybe they're all like this, but wow, I'm going to like flying this this season. My goal is to practice and eventually compete in pattern with this plane. It's a fresh change from the 3D stuff I mainly fly. Can't beleive how true knife edge is and this is flying with an engine slobbery rich due to breakin, no cowl, and nothing really dialed in! I also made the best and slowest rolls I've ever done...on the maiden flight!! I like. I'm running an OS120ax. So far it's got 6 flights on it and runs like a champ. Oh yeah, landing was cake. I'm not used to landing a plane that just glides in so nicely. No tip stalls, nothing, just steer it in. My CG is at 6.5 inches. I'm gonna finish breaking in the engine then mount the cowl. Then move the tank back to the CG since I am changing elevator trim towards the end of the flight. I have a perry pump for this.
Posted on: 5/17/2009 8:14 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8777194

RE: OS 55AX keeps stalling.....Help!!!
You checked to see that you didn't switch your fuel and vent lines right? Mike
Posted on: 5/13/2009 9:59 AM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8765263

Finished my Dominator, but it's HEAVY
As the title says I just built a Lanier Dominator that I've had in various states of completion for about 2 years now. It came out extremely tail heavy and even after switching out the standard tail servos for HS85mgs it still needed 1.4 ounces of weight on the nose to balance at the recommended 2.75 inches back from the wing. Also my plane weighs 4 pounds 2 ounces. I keep reading that they should weight about 3.5 pounds. On the other hand it seems to fly fine and since this is my first Q500 type plane I can't compare it with anything. Seemed a tad sluggish on the controls but showed no bad habits. Landing is as hard as I've been reading about, it just wants to float forever. I'm guessing the weight is from the rock hard, dense balsa that comes in the kit. The wing was bagged with gorilla glue so there's barely any unnessary weight there and the rest of the plane was built to plans. I used a conventional tail. I'm running a TTpro 46 with a 9x7 prop. It's a fun plane, I just wish it came out lighter. Mike
Posted on: 4/7/2009 9:59 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8659583

RE: Dominator 500 CG
Thanks for the info. I'll switch out the standard servos. I have some hs85mg's I can use for the tail and that will lighten the plane by 1.28 ounces and hopefully shift the cg into the recommended range. Here's a pic. Can't wait to fly it. Mike
Posted on: 3/30/2009 9:00 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Q-500 Racing"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8632855

Dominator 500 CG
I just finished building a Dominator and it's now balanced at 3 inches behind the leading edge. The plans show it at 2.5 inches behind the leading edge of the wing. Before I add nose weight, is the CG on the plans right on, or is it a more conservative measurement? I'm using standard servos for the conventional tail so I could probably switch them out for HS225s if I had to. Can't move much else. 600mah battery is up against the back of the tank. Power is a Thunder Tiger 46pro. Mike
Posted on: 3/29/2009 8:00 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Q-500 Racing"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8629383

RE: Northern Virginia Pattern Clinic and Judging Seminar - March 14, 2009
Thanks guys for putting on a superb clinic. It was definitely worth the drive from PA for me. I'm anxious to finish my pattern plane and go practice and hopefully compete this season. Mike
Posted on: 3/16/2009 3:00 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8584082

RE: GS40 keeps killing glow plugs
Good call on fuel flow. I forgot that on this plane I moved the tank back when I had a heavier 60 size on it. I didn't bother to move it back against the firewall when I changed out the 60 for the old 40. It seemed to run fine but it certainly is more sensitive on high end, probably due to the increased distance the fuel has to be drawn now. Should be easy to remedy. Thanks. Mike
Posted on: 3/13/2009 2:42 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "SuperTigre Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8574270

RE: Venus II
I got my Venus II yesterday and like others noticed the cowl is a different shade of red than the red on the fuse. Tower said I had to call hobby services, and I did, but they want me to send in my cowl and they'll send a new one. Didn't others just get a new cowl shipped out to them. I see they're backordered on tower so I don't really want to send mine away only to have them not get a new one in for a month or more and then not be able to fly with a cowl. I can live with the mismatch I guess. The plane is gorgeous and only has a little bit of wrinkled covering. Mine will have OS120ax for power. I'll probably mount the tank up front to get the engine broken in and then move it back to the CG since I have a Perry VP30 pump for it. Mike
Posted on: 3/12/2009 9:32 AM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8569838

RE: GS40 keeps killing glow plugs
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll do some checks and see what I find. The engine still has original bearings so maybe there's some debris making it's way into the plug coil. The HS needle was adjusted and is adjusted each time out as this engine is pretty sensitive to HS needle settings and temp changes and such. I can put the stock muffler back on, but the tower pipe really woke it up! Mike
Posted on: 3/11/2009 8:57 AM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "SuperTigre Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8566179

RE: Northern Virginia Pattern Clinic and Judging Seminar - March 14, 2009
This is perfect timing as I just made the decision to buy a pattern plane and give it a go and hopefully compete this season. I'll be driving down from PA. Sounds like the perfect thing for a newbie like me to attend. Mike
Posted on: 3/8/2009 8:25 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8557232

GS40 keeps killing glow plugs
I've had this GS for for years and its still a great runner, but lately it goes through glow plugs like crazy. I'm running an APC 10x5 prop and I recently put a tower 46 muffler on it. I would say since I started running the tower pipe it's been going through plugs quicker. Fuel is 15% nitro castor/synth blend. The plug always fails in flight and I don't know it since it runs flawlessly, but then the next start I'll have no glow. I usually run an A3 plug. Today I tried a Glow Devil RC short plug and it lasted only one flight. Engine sounds good, no audible detonation. I put an OS8 in it now and we'll see how long it lasts. What do you think I can do to get longer plug life? Mike
Posted on: 3/7/2009 6:51 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "SuperTigre Engines Support"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8553840

RE: Showtime 90 YS 110 or 140 Sport
Go with the 110. I flew a club member's Showtime with YS140 and it was horribly overloaded and would tip stall/snap due to the high wingloading the heavy engine causes. It was powerful for sure but not worth the tradeoff. On the other hand I flew one with a Saito 100 and while it wasn't that powerful out of a hover, it was very fun to fly and the bad habits of the YS140 Showtime were not there at all. I'd go with the lighter YS110. Mike
Posted on: 3/1/2009 6:59 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8533031

RE: Mounting OS 55 on U CAN DO 46
You can mount it upright, but why not split the difference and mount it on it's side at 90 degrees? Or angle it in a way that the muffler is centered underneath. Mike
Posted on: 2/22/2009 7:36 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8506642

RE: 2nd plane help choosing
[quote]ORIGINAL: bryant.law I would recommend either the World Models Sky Raider MKII or their Super Sports 40S. [/quote] +1 these plane really are perfect 2nd airplanes. I've been flying my Skyraider II for 2 seasons and it's just been a joy the whole time. Very ruggedly built yet light. The only complaint is the covering isn't that great. Maybe it's better now though? Mike
Posted on: 1/11/2009 7:12 AM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "ARF or RTF"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8344724

RE: Extreme Flight Yak 55 good for learning 3D?
I don't think it's a great plane for LEARNING 3d flight. It's very capable and wild but better as a second 3d profile. Mojo or Primo 40 is more forgiving. Just about all profiles will be a lot easier to 3d than a twist. Mike
Posted on: 1/6/2009 7:18 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "3D Flying!"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8327043

RE: RPM's out of 55AX??
My 55ax will spin an APC 13x4 at about 13,000 rpm. 15% nitro. I tried a 13x4w APC but never tached it. Didn't like the 13x4W. It hovered nice with the wide blade, but it lost it's snap compared to the 13x4. Mike
Posted on: 1/6/2009 7:11 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "3D Flying!"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8327008

RE: Saito 125 poor performance problem
I'm confused. Are you running muffler pressure or not? Also it looked like on your pics that you have the crankcase vent line running back into the tank. That prolly ain't gonna work. It's not like a closed system with a regulator like on a YS. Have you run the engine with stock muffler? Mike
Posted on: 12/18/2008 12:17 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8258229

Dominator pushrod exits. How?
The Dominator 500 project is again on my workbench and I'm ready to install elevator and rudder (traditional tail) pushrods. I have some carbon rod for the pushrod material that I'm going to slide 2-56 rods into on each end. My question is where should the pushrods exit the plane? The plans show the elevator on going through the side of the fuse and then attaching to the elevator horn which is mounted on the underside of the elevator. The rudder is not shown on the plans. However the picture on the box shows both rods coming out the top of the fuse. either way it's such a shallow angle and it would seem like I'd have a large slot to have the carbon rod transition from inside to outside the fuse. Or, would it be smart to end the carbon inside, then have wire coming out the fuse at a right angle so I could have thin slots in the fuse sides or top? Plans show a solid carbon pushrod all the way back to the surface, I guess for less chance of flex. Can anyone help or show me some pics of their rudder/elevator-built Dominators? Mike
Posted on: 12/13/2008 9:17 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8243032

RE: Welcome to Club SAITO !
I just inherited a 80's era Saito 40. The manual says it's a FA40-2. My Dad used to fly scratch built 40 sized planes with it. He stopped flying it when the rear bearing rusted and it's been sitting for about the last 15 years, probably less than a gallon of fuel through it since my Dad didn't fly glow much (he was transitioning to e-power at the time). Anyway, I tore it down and replaced the bearings and cleaned it up. Compression is great, but I'm wondering what type of plane it will fly. Would a 6 foot Telemaster be too much for it, if for nothing else to test the engine? ANyone know what prop would work? The manual lists 11x6 and 11x7, which seems a bit much, but maybe it can pull it. My Dad thought he ran a 10x7 but wasn't sure. It's a cool little engine. Came with a choke, which was never used and I probably won't use it as well. The conrod is bushed at both ends, something my Saito 100 does not have. Thought that was interesting. Maybe that was a cost reducing issue or maybe the metallurgy is just much better now that bushings aren't needed. Mike
Posted on: 12/3/2008 12:15 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8208653

RE: Help changing bearing in ST S61K
On a Saito engine I have I had to grind and reprofile the gear puller's arms a tad to hold the prop hub better. I found a 3 piece set of 3 jaw pullers at harbor freight for about 12 dollars incase you're looking for some. Mike
Posted on: 11/10/2008 9:16 AM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8132690

RE: Saito 100 Prop
For 3D I've tried a zinger 15x6 and a MAS 15x6 S2. On 20% fuel it spins the zinger at 9300, but it puts a nice prop wash over the surfaces of my 6 pound mojo. The MAS 15x6 s2 turns at 9900 rpm, same fuel. this prop spins up quicker but is harder to hover and in a harrier I'm chasing the rudder a bit more. nothing too drastic, but with the zinger the thing was hands off harrier and hovering. the tradeoff was a slightly slower spool up. I tried the 16x4W and didn't like it much for the reason xjet listed. Four strokes seems to do better with the 6 pitch. Mike
Posted on: 10/30/2008 2:31 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8098368

RE: Glow Engine Cleaner?
Damn power dissolver is the best product I've used, short of antifreeze/crockpot method. Much much less toxic and faster. Spray on, wait 15 minutes, rinse or brush off. Done. [image]http://img.epinions.com/images/opti/25/88/Dawn_Power_Dissolver-resized200.jpg[/image]
Posted on: 10/12/2008 7:18 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8042750

RE: Need a 3D plane
[quote]ORIGINAL: kbailey45 ... I really have to be careful with the planes I have since I dont have the money to repair and replace them all the time. What do you guys think about buying a used 50cc plane. [/quote] Statements like that and the one earlier when you say you don't want a profile go against eachother. Speaking from experience, nothing will train you for larger 3D models like a profile. Profiles are cheap, which you want, they bounce rather than smash, and they fly like much larger (aka easier to 3d) than they are. You're kind of shooting yourself in the foot not trying one IMO. 40-size planes marketed as "3d" simply aren't. Sure they look good and fly sport aerobatics just fine. slow them down huck them around and they drop a wing or tear the gear out or break in half. I'm speaking from experience. It's cheaper and way faster to get a profile, then move up. Mike
Posted on: 10/10/2008 1:07 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "3D Flying!"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8036432

RE: Couple TT pro46 questions on a q500
Can someone help me on locating a place to mount the throttle pushrod? Since I'm using a metal plate mount there's no hole to have it come through. Should I drill the metal backplate mount? Plans show a flexible pushrod going under the tank but it's showing a regular nylon type engine mount. See attached pic. Mike
Posted on: 10/6/2008 8:08 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Extreme Speed Prop Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8024803

RE: Right thrust and 3D
I used to use right thrust on my profiles, but my latest one (mojo 60/saito 100), I just mounted with zero offset. It flies just as good as my profiles with right thrust. The only negative I saw was it took a touch of right rudder to keep full throttle climbs true, but that's very little of a 3D flight for me. Haven't tried any throttle to rudder mixes yet, but that does sound interesting. Mike
Posted on: 10/6/2008 1:37 PM by Author "BlackB12" in the forum "Profile and Fun Flying Planes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8023785