RE: Help with Shuttle ZX-A (Arf?) rotor head setup.
[quote]ORIGINAL: glydrjocky Wow, I hope you figured this out as this is an old post. The vertical guide pin is supposed to line up with the vertical slot in the aluminum hub that is 90 degrees to the jesus bolt. I hope you didn't try to fly it like that. [/quote] I ended up bending the links so that the guide was 90 degrees to the jesus bolt. It flies just fine. Thanks!Mark
Posted on: 5/15/2013 7:13 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Hirobo Support Forum"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11512161

RE: Flight Simulator
I'm cheap so I'm using the FREE sim from www.marksfiles.net http://www.marksfiles.net/HeliSimRC/index.htm You'll need some sort of USB connector for your transmitter to connect to the PC, mine cost about $7 for my Futaba 7C transmitter. I used a GWS cable similar to this: http://www.rctoys.com/rc-toys-and-parts/GWS-GWFSM002B-PLUG/RC-PARTS-CONNECTORS-WIRING.html If you like the Heli Sim, you can donate to the software programmer who wrote it via Paypal. I know I've saved hundreds of $$$ in crash repairs alone, and even though it's not as fancy as the other name brand sims, it does have a lot of features (wind, heli parameter like throttle/pitch curve adjustments, etc). It got me used to hovering nose-in, forward flight, inverted flight (it has an idle-up feature), etc. Heck, it's FREE! Why spend $$$ until you need to? Mark
Posted on: 8/6/2012 9:03 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "RC Helicopter General Discussions"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11183743

RE: SIG Mid Star 40

Posted on: 7/31/2012 12:22 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11176141

RE: SIG Mid Star 40
[quote]ORIGINAL: swify I have a Mid Star that was given to me, needs to be recovered and have a radio and engine installed. I was wondering where the CG is located as I don't have the plans for it? [/quote] The manual says "main spar". Hope this helps! Mark
Posted on: 7/31/2012 7:36 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11175807

RE: Thomas Morse Scout S-4C by K&W Airplane Models
[quote]ORIGINAL: abufletcher I'm using a 90-size engine on my 84" Albatros CI. Some guys like to have "extra power just in case" and so go with the biggest engine in the range. For your model, that OS 90 would be the biggest engine. But using a lot of engine on a WWI model is just asking for trouble because it's all too easy to fall into the habit of trying to solve problems with throttle instead of really learning to "fly on the wing." I note that on the 3seabees website, they caution that the "rudder is sensitive." I'd take this very seriously. My SE5a also turned out to be VERY sensitive on the rudder and it almost led to the destruction of the model. For the maiden too little rudder is probably better than too much. But then you might need a LOT of rudder on take-offs and landings. So it might be tricky. [/quote] Thanks, I saw that too about the rudder being sensitive. Hopefully my Cub training will help me! Mark
Posted on: 7/29/2012 8:30 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11174002

RE: Thomas Morse Scout S-4C by K&W Airplane Models
[quote]ORIGINAL: abufletcher Very nice model! With a 64" wingspan this would be roughly 1/5 scale. Actually, I think all of the K&S models are 1/5 scale. A 70-class four stroke would probably the perfect size, but 91 would also work, but you'd have to be careful on the throttle. Flying WWI biplanes is definitely a different experience. The good news is that the Cub is pretty good practice for getting into WWI flying. Standard servos will be fine. [/quote] Yes, it says it is a 1/5 scale plane. Hmmm, maybe I'll start looking for an OS 70 FS then. I don't want to overdo it on the power. Thanks! Mark
Posted on: 7/29/2012 7:25 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11173196

RE: Thomas Morse Scout S-4C by K&W Airplane Models
[quote]ORIGINAL: Steve Percifield http://www.3seabees.com/ 3 Sea Bees sells K&W in the states. Maybe you can get balance throws, etc from them. I have not seen this model, but I have seen several 3 Sea Bees models. My advise would be to not overpower it. [/quote] Thanks, Steve. I checked out their website and bookmarked it. I do have the ARF manual and instructions, so the control throws are listed. Just wondered if anyone had flown this particular bird and had recommendations, just in case the stock control throws needed some "tweaking". Mark
Posted on: 7/29/2012 7:24 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11173195

Thomas Morse Scout S-4C by K&W Airplane Models
I acquired this ARF plane in a trade yesterday at our club's Annual Fun Fly. I don't have any experience with WWI scale airplanes, and the only scale plane I've flown so far is a Carl Goldberg Anniversary Cub. Does anyone have any experience with this airplane? Do you have engine recommendations? Servo recommendations? What about its flight characteristics, etc.? I have an OS 91FS that I thought would be a good engine for it, although the manual claims a .40 two stroke can fly it. This plane is fairly good sized, at 64" wingspan. I should add that it's never been flown, just partially assembled. Thanks in advance for any advice! Mark
Posted on: 7/29/2012 6:19 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "RC Scale Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11173132

RE: learning to fly
Have you visited http://www.helifreak.com/index.php ? There's a TON of info there! Mark
Posted on: 7/14/2012 2:12 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "E-Flite Helicopters"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11155217

RE: SIG Aerobipe build
[quote]ORIGINAL: SeamusG Totally off topic ... Scirocco - do not leave the keys in that 2 liter! I WILL find it ... OK - the lusting has passed ... A friend just picked up a Datsun 510 HProd car. So far he's 3 1st places out of 3 races (national SCCA Rocky Mtn Div). I get to instruct in a road racing school - we're certified for SCCA, NASA, PCA, and others. [/quote] Say hi to Jeff Winter for me, you probably know him. We used to race together in G-Production at the Runoffs. Mark
Posted on: 7/5/2012 5:46 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11144592

RE: SIG Aerobipe build
[quote]ORIGINAL: DaveHickey I built an Aerobipe back in the late '70s (I think) with a Veco (K&B) 19 RC and a World Engines Expert radio with the "Full Size" servos, titet fit! I found the lower wing needed to have a 1/16" dihedral brace out 2 bays from center or it folded whenever a wingtip touched ground. Also with the weight or the 19 and the old time radio (and the excessive power of the 19) the rudder was way too sensative. Eventually I made a control horn that was about1.5 inches long (no dual rates, adjustable endpoints or Expo back then). Flew it a lot but it was trickey. Probably converted to electric or flown with a .10 and a small light radio it would be a ball to fly and probably a lot better behaved than mine was. D.H. [/quote] Thanks for sharing your experience with the Aerobipe, Dave. Mine will have an OS .10FP and micro servos, so maybe it will be well behaved. :) Mark
Posted on: 7/5/2012 9:36 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11143939

RE: Rudder on takeoff help
When I teach new flyers, especially with taildraggers like Cubs, I have them practice taxiing up and down the CENTER of the runway. Usually applying slight up elevator to keep from tipping over, and learning to use the rudder to keep it going straight. At first, the new pilot is REACTIVE and trying to keep up with the plane veering one way or another. Eventually it becomes intuitive and they ANTICIPATE what the plane is going to do and apply the correction almost before it's needed. If they can't taxi down the center of the runway without veering off to one side or another, they're not ready to take-off yet IMHO. The point of this exercise is to NOT take-off until the pilot can proficiently keep the plane going down the center of the runway, under control, up to take-off speed. We slowly increase the taxiing speed, one click of the throttle at a time, until they can taxi down the center from one end to the other. When they're ready and can do that, a couple more clicks of throttle and they're in the air. Try it, it might work for you! Mark PS 85% of the "experienced" flyers at my club can't do this. My students can.
Posted on: 7/5/2012 7:54 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11143813

RE: *** Ultra Sport Brotherhood ***
[quote]ORIGINAL: Fliegerboy Just finished building my Ultra Sport .60 after spending a lot of time following the "Long Awaited ..." thread. As the attached pictures show, I did my level best to reproduce the plane as MinnFlyer did it in his thread. I deviated a couple of times from the stock Ultra Sport. I used FallDownGoBoom's idea of rotating the engine about 35 degrees from horizontal to help with the lateral balance. After all the thread discussion on prop length vs. landing gear length, I decided to move the engine up as far as I could [1/2 inch] on the firewall which still kept it within the cowling. This of course changed the nose profile to flatter on top and more curved on the bottom. Also, moving the engine up required relieving some of the nose chin block for the muffler. You should be able to see what's been done from the attached pictures. The engine is an OS .75. The retracts are Robart mechanicals with Robo Struts. Flaps were also added. We've had a cold, wet, and windy Spring in the Spokane area, so I'm waiting for some really nice weather before the maiden flight is scheduled. I'll send in a report on the results. I'm not quite sure how it works, but I would like to added to the Ultra Sport Brotherhood list. Fliegerboy [/quote] Fantastic! Is that finished in paint or film? Mark
Posted on: 6/22/2012 7:58 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11128371

RE: Not what I was looking for :(
AH, I missed that. I've never tried Toughlon before. Mark
Posted on: 6/17/2012 1:59 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Club 40"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11121460

RE: Not what I was looking for :(
what brand of covering is that?? Mark
Posted on: 6/17/2012 12:12 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Club 40"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11121366

RE: RPM's in OS .40
Then you should be able to get at least another 1000 RPM out of it. Mark
Posted on: 6/13/2012 8:05 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11117491

RE: RPM's in OS .40
What kind of OS engine? 40LA? 40 FP? I have both of those engines, and they'll each turn a 10x6 prop around 11,500 rpm. Mark
Posted on: 6/13/2012 6:26 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Beginners"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11117387

RE: Next kit suggestion
If you're going "old school", why don't you cover it in silk & dope like they did way back when? It'll look better than plastic film, IMHO, and won't sag in the sun. You won't have seams to worry about pulling away, etc. When I build my Astro Hog, I'm going to cover it in Koverall and dope. I've done a couple of planes using dope & fabric already and it's not that difficult. And I'm going to put an old school K&B .61 on it too. Try googling how the control line flyers finish their airplanes. Those planes are gorgeous! Mark
Posted on: 6/12/2012 7:38 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11116333

RE: BLUE RIDGE MTN 3D FEST
You KNOW I'll be there!! Mark
Posted on: 6/12/2012 3:46 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Events, Shows and Fun Fly's - Airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11116018

RE: Next kit suggestion
Look at the SIG Astro Hog. It fits all of your criteria and the kit is available from SIG. Mark
Posted on: 6/12/2012 10:47 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11115678

RE: If you could only have FIVE airplanes, what would they be?
These are all great replies. Top 5? I guess it all depends on your interest, $$$, and skills. When I started this, I was hoping to find out which were 'good flying airplanes' and I got a lot of that. And a lot more!! It is REALLY hard to make a list of JUST 5 airplanes for a lot of people, which is why the hangars get out of control. We keep trying "new" airplanes, looking for the 'next best thing'. But in reality, I find that just keeping 5 or 6 airplanes flight ready and maintained is not always easy. Something always seems to need to be fixed, replaced, improved, etc. I don't know how you guys with 30 airplanes in your hangar do it!! keep the lists coming, and it helps if you tell us WHY they're in the top 5 for you! Mark
Posted on: 6/11/2012 11:27 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11114543

RE: Super monokote - not so super anymore
[quote]ORIGINAL: suburban95 I have not been in the hobby as long as most of you posting here but about a dozen years or so. I have sworn off of MonoKote because of the problems I encountered a couple of years ago. I have gone to Ultracote and found it much better and easier to use. If Top Flite would change the MonoKote I would probably try it again but as has been sugguested here by a few "the only way to get them to change it is to STOP buying it". Lets just hope Ultracote doesn't change or we will have to back to using fabric and paint............ [/quote] I have no problem with that! I just finished an Ultra Sport 40 and covered it in silkspan, fabric, and dope. Don't have to worry about seams coming up, the sagging in the sun, etc. And done correctly, it's light. This plane came out 12 oz LIGHTER than the "recommended" weight on the box. After the paint cures for a couple of more weeks, I'll use some polishing compound and wax on it and it'll be as shiny as the "kotes". FWIW, I've also used Monokote for my planes that I've built recently and had good success. Mark
Posted on: 6/8/2012 6:50 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11111807

RE: If you could only have FIVE airplanes, what would they be?
Lots of good choices! But not a lot of overlap in aircraft so far. Looks like a Cub should be on the 'Top 5 planes to own' list, and maybe and Extra/Edge of some sort. Keep the lists coming! This is very interesting to me...giving me some ideas for my next couple of planes. Mark
Posted on: 6/8/2012 12:32 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11111470

If you could only have FIVE airplanes, what would they be?
I've been into RC airplanes for just 3 years now and see a lot of different planes at the field where I fly. In my case, I've had about a dozen planes come through my hands in that time (trainers, sport planes, and scale) and got to thinking about how some of them I really enjoyed flying and put a lot of flights on them and others don't seem to fly that great or excite me so I didn't bring them to the field that often. For example, I really enjoyed flying my Carl Goldberg Anniversary Cub before I retired it after about 250 flights and also enjoy my 4*Star 40. They were kind of my "go to" planes when I went to the field. Then it occurred to me, instead of trying all the planes in the universe myself to see what I might like to build/own/fly, why not ask? Like a lot of folks on here, I could see my hangar getting out of control very easily. So I thought that FIVE airplanes seems like a good number to have. Fairly easy to keep up with maintenance wise, keeping the batteries cycled properly, etc. So, if you had to limit yourself just FIVE airplanes for the rest of your flying days, what would you choose?? Mark
Posted on: 6/7/2012 12:16 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Questions and Answers"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11110260

RE: *** Ultra Sport Brotherhood ***
Well, today I officially earned my spot in the Ultra Sport brotherhood. I successfully maidened the Ultra Sport 40 I've been working on for 15 months. The maiden flight was very uneventful and I'm looking forward to flying this plane for a long time to come! It has a Fox .40 BBRC Deluxe engine, and is covered in silkspan & fabric. Paint is butyrate dope, sprayed with an automotive HVLP paint gun and clearcoated with clear dope. I was extra careful with the paint and the plane came in at 5 lbs 4 oz (dry). I guess I could have put a few more trim colors on it.... Mark
Posted on: 6/5/2012 1:49 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11103702

RE: *** Ultra Sport Brotherhood ***
[quote]ORIGINAL: landeck Scirocco14, very nice. What Fox engine are you using? Bruce [/quote] Thanks, Bruce. It is a newer 40 BBRC Fox engine. Mark
Posted on: 6/2/2012 8:11 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11103700

RE: *** Ultra Sport Brotherhood ***
[quote]ORIGINAL: smkrcflyer Looks very nice. Are the accents paint? [/quote] The wing stripes are painted, but the tail trim is vinyl. I may go back and spray the tail stripes at some point. It's just been hard to find a dry, calm day to paint lately and I was getting antsy to fly it!! The problem is that when it's dry and calm outside, I want to go flying instead of working on airplanes in the shop. Mark
Posted on: 6/2/2012 8:10 AM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11103698

RE: *** Ultra Sport Brotherhood ***
Getting very close! Just need to paint the inside of the canopy before mounting it, install the landing gear in the wing and balance it out. I was very careful with the paint and it looks like it'll come in at 5 lbs, 5 oz (empty fuel tank). Can't wait to try it out. Mark
Posted on: 6/1/2012 9:00 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11103313

RE: SIG Aerobipe build
[quote]ORIGINAL: paradoxx haha, those eibachs are from my Datsun 510sss and lot more stuff there too. there you have my 2 favorite hobbies, both expensive. [/quote] I raced a VW Scirocco in SCCA club racing for 15 years, just retired from driving last year. $$$$$$$$. :) Sold the racecar & trailer this year. Also have a 1968 Datsun 2000 I restored from the frame-off. That I still have.
Posted on: 5/22/2012 5:34 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11091010

RE: SIG Aerobipe build
Nice pics, and cool color scheme. So what kind of racecar do those Eibachs belong to? Mark
Posted on: 5/22/2012 3:03 PM by Author "Scirocco14" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11090854