RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
I've got maybe 10 flights on my Edge. Today, I made a landing that was smooth. I may have been going a bit fast but made a right turn to taxi back. All of a sudden the plane nosed over then collapsed on the fuse. The gear busted out. Also broke one pipe on my muffler. Turns out, one of the plastic wheel hubs broke in half and the rubber rolled off the wheel. The gear then dug into the ground and really made a mess of things. Everyone there said they couldn't believe anything broke with what I did with it. I may have gotten a bad wheel, but it sure did mess things up. I'm going to put a new set of dubros on it. Just thought I would warn you guys. Also, I have severe coupling in knife edge. I try to knife edge and it tucks to gear so bad that it will do a 20-foot radius knife edge circle. The cg is good. Very disappointed in the knife edge issues. I think there is almost too much to mix out.
Posted on: 11/19/2009 8:44 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9266299

RE: New Hitec Aurora 9-Channel 2.4Ghz Radio System
I've had my Aurora for a couple of weeks. Really like the looks and feel of it. Very easy to set up. Haven't had a chance to get it in the air yet. I've had the radio on for over three hours messing around with it and there is still Tx pack capacity left. Not all of that was in the transmit mode though. I will never need any more pack capacity than that.
Posted on: 10/28/2009 7:43 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "RC Radios, Transmitters, Receivers, Servos, gyros"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9208672

RE: RCGF Engines
Thanks for the replies Fooped and RJ. John VB
Posted on: 10/10/2009 10:34 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9162730

RE: RCGF Engines
Which prop do you recommend for a RCGF 45? I'm thinking of a 19x10 for breakin and a 20x10 for flying. Thanks.
Posted on: 10/9/2009 7:32 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Gas Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9158651

RE: Prop Reamer for APC props used on OS 120AX
The prop shaft is 5/16 inch so get a reamer of the same size. There are both metric and standard reamers available from Tower. Fox also makes reamers available on Tower.
Posted on: 9/29/2009 7:38 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9132442

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
bubba 9999, Thanks. Another question. No way the stock muffler will fit w/o hacking the heck out of the engine mounting box. The stock muffler is huge. Which muffler are you using? Will the ignition unit run on 6.6v? The manual says it needs a regulator for anything over 6v.
Posted on: 8/8/2009 3:45 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=9000168

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Bubba 9999, Did you rotate your carb on your RCGF engine? This will allow a better position for the throttle servo connection. Right now, the throttle arm is on the top left. I assume you can rotate it without problems. I have the engine mounted and am getting things hooked up.
Posted on: 8/7/2009 5:57 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8998266

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Thanks bubba, Did your firewall come with lines on it? The manual says it does, but mine has no lines. I was curious if the tiny amount of right thrust built into the firewall made it necessary to shift the engine a bit left of center. Appears it doesn't. Your 1-5/8 comes out to about 41mm so we are very close on that. Thanks again.
Posted on: 7/29/2009 9:31 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8974996

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
bubba 9999, I am in the process of mounting my RCGF 45. Looks like I need to be about 40 mm off the firewall. I need to do a bunch of hacking on the cowl. Will save that for tomorrow. What method do you guys use to fine your engine mounting position?
Posted on: 7/29/2009 8:37 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8974827

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
I am also using HD Power servos. I got mine from Wild Hare and they were the same price as Hobby City. I did a bunch of reading on them and a lot of people are using them with good results. Especially work well when running unregulated A123 at 6.6 volts. That is the setup I am going to run. I finally got my ailerons hinged. All turned out well after plugging and redrilling a bunch of hinge holes. Also made extensions on the fuse sides so I could properly attach the cowl. I know it wouldn't last long with the original setup. I had to cut out the middle of the firewall to accomodate the rear carb but it looks like it will work well. I'm really not that far from getting it in the air.
Posted on: 7/28/2009 6:14 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8971574

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Yeah, the problems can all probably be fixed, but they shouldn't have to. Everything should be jigged during construction so there should be no misaligned pieces. I had a big gap on one of my h-stabs. Just keep wondering what else I will find. I too am on a low budget for this project or else I would have gone for a Wild Hare or similar plane. The $ savings may not be worth the headaches in the end.
Posted on: 7/24/2009 9:18 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8961501

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Cermark sent me a new set of wings and a new h-stab. The new h-stab fits perfectly. The hinge holes in the new set of wings were a little better but still not satisfactory. There was a lot of binding and the ailerons did not move freely. I have plugged the hinge holes with balsa dowel and redrilled. I finished one wing half and the aileron moves very easily. It drops by itself as you turn the wing over. My RCGF 45cc engine arrived today. Looks nice, but I know that looks don't mean much. I plan to weigh it and see how it fits. It is a rear carb so I'm sure I will have a bit of carving to do. I'm looking forward to getting this plane in the air. I now have all the pieces so just need to find the time to get it done.
Posted on: 7/24/2009 3:04 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8960715

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Wasp, Really no reason they couldn't have extended the ply 1/4 inch more to give more space for the cowl holes. Little things like that annoy me. Shouldn't have to be making fixes before you fly. I'm waiting on replacement wings because the hinge holes were really messed up. My right h-stab does not fit flush with the fuse. I made a shim for it to fill the gap. A real pain but it will work. Onward I guess. Can't get too enthused without any wings.
Posted on: 7/20/2009 9:22 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8950288

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Jimeni, Mounting the cowl today and there sure isn't much edge left after the holes are drilled. Did you have any problems with your cowl holes tearing out? Also, did you go with the stock right thrust? I figure there is about 2 degrees built into the firewall. Thanks.
Posted on: 7/19/2009 5:57 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8946770

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Also take a look at the Articles and Formulas link on the engine link I posted above. A lot of good info.
Posted on: 7/18/2009 8:41 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8943267

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Thanks Jimeni. I measured the distance from the center of the ball link to the hole in the horn to be 11mm. I will drill the hole 11mm from the leading edge of the rudder. That should put the ball (pivot) over the hinge line. Where it comes out regarding the bevel depends on how the bevel was sanded. Some of mine are steep and some shallow. Looks like they were done freehand. I may go with this engine instead of an SPE. http://www.zrcgf.com/store/Results.cfm?category=2 It got a good review in RC Report. SPEs aren't available right now as they are undergoing an upgrade. Seems like the ignition modules were causing all kinds of trouble.
Posted on: 7/18/2009 8:02 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8943212

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Jimeni, I am working on putting the control horn (bolt) through the rudder. By my measurements, the bolt needs to be about 11mm behind the leading edge of the rudder to put the pivot over the hinge line. That's using the hardware that comes with the plane. That puts my bolt barely behind the leading edge bevel. Is that about how you were figuring it? Thanks.
Posted on: 7/17/2009 12:38 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8941215

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Jimeni, I looked at all your pics and your stabs looked like they fit the fuse nicely. I always seem to end up with the Friday afternoon ARFs.
Posted on: 7/16/2009 6:09 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8939228

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
I'm not pleased with the quality of fit of this kit. Hinge holes are a big issue and are being addressed. I am now working with the elevators. The left h-stab fits nice and flush with the fuse. The right h-stab fits flush aft and has a big gap in front. The training edges are lined up as best as I can tell, so the problem is the angle of the inside plate. Can't really snug up the front stab bolt as it will bend the ply tab and put stress on the pipe and stab. May have to build it up to fit nice. Just another thing that you shouldn't have to worry about with an arf.
Posted on: 7/16/2009 1:51 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8938553

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
I messed that up. Here are the pics.[image]http://image2-6.rcuniverse.com/e1/gallery/photos/27292/thumb-181476.jpg[/image][image]http://image2-7.rcuniverse.com/e1/gallery/photos/27292/thumb-181477.jpg[/image]
Posted on: 7/10/2009 4:17 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8922268

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Here are a couple of pics of an aileron. The bevel is not centered. It is centered (almost) at the root. The other is the outboard hinge hole. Way off center. I am getting a lot of binding when I move the aileron. Any others have these problems.[image]javascript:popWin('galleryItem.cfm',750,770,181476,'PhotoGallery');[/image][image]javascript:popWin('galleryItem.cfm',750,770,181477,'PhotoGallery');[/image]
Posted on: 7/10/2009 4:13 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8922260

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Jimeni, Thanks for the reply. I don't plan on doing all-out 3D. I wanted gas-powered aerobatic capability and will probably mess with some of the basic 3D stuff. I've started working on mine. The wing hinge holes are not centered or in a line. Seems to be a lot of binding with the way they are. Knowing me, I will have to redo the worst of them. The outboard hinge holes are nowhere near center. Simple things like this really tick me off. They should have jigs to handle all of this. I would rather do them all myself than have some good and some bad.
Posted on: 7/9/2009 7:03 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8919938

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
From what I have been reading, the plane tends to come out a bit tail heavy. Would there be some benefit from going with a heavier engine than the SPE 43 (3.31 lbs)? I was looking at a TOC 53 which weighs about 4.14 lbs. It would have more power and a bigger prop, but that is usually not a problem. Thanks. John VB
Posted on: 7/9/2009 1:23 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8919203

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Jimeni, Thanks for the servo arm info. John VB
Posted on: 6/18/2009 7:23 PM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8863156

Eclipse problem
Yesterday, out of the blue, my Eclipse developed a problem. It will not let me into the edit mode. Pushing the up/down buttons gives me only up and down. Tried many, many times with no success. I assume that there is nothing that can be done short of sending it in. Why didn't this happen in January?? Why didn't this happen AFTER the Aurora was available? John VB
Posted on: 6/17/2009 8:00 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Hitec/MultiPlex Radios- Ask Hitec Customer Service"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8858722

RE: Eclipse 7
Salty25, I had the exact same symptoms. Turns out it was a bad receiver. Brand new Hitec Rx. Got a replacement and it works fine. Took a while to figure out what was going on, but I tried the Rx with a different transmitter and it had the same problem.
Posted on: 6/17/2009 7:54 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Hitec/MultiPlex Radios- Ask Hitec Customer Service"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8858709

RE: Cermark SS-77 28% Edge 540 & SPE 43 Build thread
Jimeni, Thanks for the reply. Forgot to change my RCU email as Alltel is now Windstream. I found some servo arms (similar) at Chief Aircraft. I assume that the offsets on the rudder arms are for Ackerman. You probably have the rudder horn pivots right on the center line. You don't need quite as big a wheel as you get constant movement as it turns. With arms, the more the servo turns, the less linear movement (in the direction you want) and more rotational movement (useless) you get. I'll do a little thinking on this. I need to figure out the length of servo arms I need then get the control horn bolt holes drilled. The rest looks to be fairly routine. Thanks again for the effort to put this thread and the review up. John VB
Posted on: 6/16/2009 10:52 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Giant Scale Aircraft - 3D & Aerobatic"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8856340

RE: Venus II
Instead of the paper tubes in the wing bolt holes, I used some rocket body cardboard tube. I used large enough tube to accomodate socket head screws. I had to enlarge the holes but it is much better this way.
Posted on: 4/26/2009 7:45 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=8716031

RE: painting canopy
On one of my planes, I used a star stamp and paint to put a bunch of stars on the canopy then overpainted with a different color. I thought it looked pretty good.
Posted on: 9/7/2008 7:55 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7928480

RE: Pattern trimming 101
[quote]ORIGINAL: Mastertech [quote]ORIGINAL: invertmast So increasing incidence on the wing reduces the pull to the canopy in up and down lines. Is it safe to assume that increasing the incidence of the wing will also reduce the amount of "up" elevator trim to maintain straight and level flight? [/quote] I believe that increasing wing incidence will result in a down elev trim condition. Once the wing is unloaded, ie up/dn the stab now drives the airplane. What I don't understand is how this seemingly backwards condition drives the airplane positive in KE. Tim [/quote] In knife edge, the wing is still producing lift, but horizontally toward the canopy, or positive as you put it. Flying level, the lift is balanced by the weight of the plane and other factors. Take away the weight of the plane and now the lift has nothing to balance it so it pulls to canopy. I have no idea if this is what is actually happening, just what I came up with thinking about it.
Posted on: 8/30/2008 8:19 AM by Author "JVB" in the forum "Pattern Flying"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=7901575