RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
I'm afraid not. Business and a family emergency have kept me from my projects. I'd like to finish this theing soon. Hopefully before Christmas, but that's fast approaching.
Posted on: 10/24/2005 11:46 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3485079

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Bill is giving sage advice there. A warped wing means starting over. The easiest way to glue the sheeting in place per directions, however, is with a small paintbrush. This way, you don't use too much glue. Do measure your leading edge sheeting twice to ensure you have the right width. Best to err on the side of caution here.
Posted on: 9/18/2005 9:33 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3369466

RE: The Staggerwing Cometh...
Those are some great pics! I wish I was there to see it. Did you have anything in the event?
Posted on: 9/18/2005 9:28 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3369459

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
RCer, The original plan to use the nose strut that came with the kit with the retracts won't work. It doesn't interfer with the retract, but there isn't enough room for the wheel to be completely recessed in the bay. So, I'm going back to the strut that came with the retracts. A tip on engines with these necelles. After the first fiasco, I was going to turn my engines heads up and quickly found that the necelle wasn't wide enough to accomodate my parts. I know someone has done what your talking about and it came out pretty good. I've gotta wonder if he changed the necelles in some way. I've actually got the fuse partially built now. Up to the step where you mount the tail. I've been planning the innards of the beast--where the tank is gonna go for the retracts, the on/off switch, batteries, etc. That and repainting our dining room. "Honey do" lists must come first if I'm to keep myself in flying condition! I'm glad I could help[:D]. Makes me feel I'm returning a favor since I've used RCUniverse as a resource many-a-times.
Posted on: 9/15/2005 12:51 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3361362

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Build-N-Flyer-RCU, Yeah, a lot of folks are telling me gear doors are a pain and I can believe it. I see wheel pants in a similar way. But, I thought it'd be fun to try. I don't yet have a good way of mounting the throttle servos. They need to be mounted in plywood rails in my opinion. Then again, I didn't look too hard at this over the weekend. I was happy to get it "looking like an airplane" so my wife would stop coming in and saying "I don't see a plane out of the $200 box of sticks yet!". I hate it when she does that ;)
Posted on: 9/12/2005 12:15 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3351482

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
RCer, I'm using Futaba 3101 micro servers for the throttle because that's what I had lying around. I don't yet know exactly how I'm gonna mount them. What you're seeing in the pictures of my engines is the low speed adjustment bar on the evolution engines. The throttle arm is still in a downward position. But now that you mention it, the throttle arm on top might be a better way to go because of space problems. My main servos are Futaba 3151 digital. They'll produce 43 oz-in at 4.8 volts or 54 oz-in at 6 volts. Not sure if that'll be sufficient yet. Regardless, that's what I have. I like to use the stuff I've got available if possible before buying stuff. Call it recylcing. Is torque anything like horse power--there's never too much?
Posted on: 9/12/2005 10:29 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3351176

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Some pictures today. I did got both necelles mounted to the wing and started the fuse today. One of these shots is just a dry assembly of the wing, fuse, and tail just so it "looks" like a plane for a moment. The other is a closeup of one of the necelles. There is room with 8oz tanks for the micro servers I've bought. I was thinking of installing them below the tanks on the servos side with velcro or double sided tape. Suggestions? The nosegear is ready to install, I just need some T-nuts. I've cut a slot through F1 to allow the gear to retract and have cut a new bulkhead I call F0 (as in f-zero) to go at the very front of the fuse. I'll reinforce with triangle stock. Should be clean. A note on the necelles. When you go to sand the bottom sheeting to meet the wing, you may want to do this before attaching it to the bottom of the necelle. I had a heck of a time with it trying not to distort the wing cuttout. And I definatly see Build-N-Flyer-RCU is correct about extending the sheeting on the top half of the wing to allow for covering to adhere. I have maybe 1/8" between the necell and the edge of the sheeting. Added more pictures. The mains make good use of a styrofoam cup and a toilet paper roll.
Posted on: 9/10/2005 3:31 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3346565

Miles M.35 Libellula kit or plans?
Has anyone ever seen a kit or plans for a Miles M.35 Libellula? It's a twin engine canard. See the pic. That's an RC version I found a picture of on the net, but I have no other information.
Posted on: 9/6/2005 8:45 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3333308

RE: Triple-Air: Tri-engine modification
I'm glad someone did it. If I wasn't installing retracts I'd try it as well. Good looking plane!
Posted on: 9/6/2005 8:25 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3333264

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Good to know. Thanks. I'll go looking for a high torque servo for the rudder. The build progresses. I went to mount the necelles yesterday but I didn't have a piece of angle aluminum to ensure alignment and the hobby shop was closed. Guess where I'm going today? Last night, I pieced together the fuselage sides and "dry fitted" things together to get a a feel of how to do the nosegear. What I'm gonna have to do is cut another fuselage bulkhead--call it F1--and put that against the balsa block. I'll reinforce that with some angle stock to the fuse sides. Then, I've gotta cut the existing F2 to allow for the gear to retract. I'm gonna use the nose gear provided in the kit mounted to my K&B retracts. Should work beautifully. Then, the doors. I've got the hinges and such but am unsure as yet how to make the doors happen. More pictures are on the way. Incidently I'm missing the elevator for the horizontal stab. Is that something that was provided and I've missplaced it in my pile of "scrap" or do I have to cut that out of existing stock?
Posted on: 9/6/2005 8:13 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3333239

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
RCer--I'm running the Futaba digital servos 3151. They've been good servos in my other planes and I've seen no reason to change. The only thing that worries me is the rudder. I'm not sure if I can get away with using one servo to control the rudder. May need to go to a high-torque servo.
Posted on: 9/3/2005 9:13 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3326526

RE: JACK BALE....I HAVE ALL THATS LEFT!!!!!!!
I'm very interested in many of his plans. The B-36, XP-67, Horton HO VII V1, XP-55, and Bellanca trimotor to name a few. So when and how are you going to make them available?
Posted on: 9/2/2005 9:54 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3324402

The Staggerwing Cometh...
I've been looking forward to the Ziroli Staggerwing since the rumors surfaced. Now it looks like the plans will be available really really soon. I think I know what my winter project is going to be! I just got this e-mail from Mr. Ziroli and I thought I'd share. It follows: Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 11:13:55 -0400 Subject: Staggerwing Plans Steve, The plans are very close to complete. I am going to be away at Muncie Ind., AMA, for the "Indiana Warbird Campaign" and Rhinebeck, NY for the next couple of weeks. Flying the Staggerwing at both events. The plans should be completed and ready for sale by early October. I don't know what the price will be at this time. See attached photo. Thanks for your interest, Nick Ziroli Sr.
Posted on: 8/30/2005 12:01 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3313186

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
You are correct. The picture you're referring to was taken before the well was sealed and top sheeting was applied. The wheel part of the well was sealed using a styrafoam cup cut down to size. The leg portion was sealed using a toilet paper roll cut down to size. It ain't very pretty--but it works. I plan on painting the wheel wells so they're one color. Once the wells are sealed, the wiring doesn't interfer with wheel operation. Will nitro methane eat foam? I'm back from vacation--just beat the hurrican out. I hope all on the gulf coast are safe and sound at this hour. It looked rough when I left, and I left yesterday. Can't imagine what it's like today...
Posted on: 8/28/2005 7:29 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3307727

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Just some pictures of progress. This is the rebuilt necelle in "rough" form and both place on the wing. Also are pictures of the tail. I'm going away for a week, so no progress will happen after tomorrow. Not like I haven't delayed before. Rebuilding the necelle took two trips to the hobby store for supplies. The first necelle side I cut out wasn't quite right so I tried again. I traced the necelle on to tissue paper from the plans with a pencil. Then, I layed the tissue paper with the tracing on my wood and went back over the tracing with a felt tip pen I knew would bleed through the tissue. When I lifted the tissue--I had a part marked out. A little careful cutting--OK first attempt was practice--and I had a necelle side. To keep incidences and alignments, I decided to piece the original side back together. I had to plugh the "indention" I made for the needle valve when I tried to rotate the engine 90 degrees clockwise and repair a break at N3. All in all, I'm happy. A little sanding and it'll look just like the other. BTW: Does anyone know of a better way to get parts traced from plans to wood?
Posted on: 8/21/2005 5:02 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3284502

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
I'm glad to make mistakes. That's how I learn--by screwing something up. So when I'm called a "screw-up" I take it as a compliment. And honestly, that's one of the reasons I bought this model. Besides wanting a twin, I wanted something a little more complicated to build then the average kit. This way I'm one step closer to having the skills to build my Z B-25. As far as throttle servo placement, I've yet to mount the necelles to the wings. I considered moving a standard servo out one bay but in the end bought two micro servers instead. These servos will be mounted in the necelles. I should mount the necelles and working on the linkage this weekend. I'll take pictures.
Posted on: 8/18/2005 7:15 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3274173

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Nah--follow the directions and plans. I did that once on a previous plane and the wing wasn't as strong as I would have liked. Be careful of your engine/mount choices and firewall locations. I destroyed one necelle trying to relieve the side for the engine to come through. Here's what happened. At Step 12 of the Necell Assembly Procedure, the two sides of the necelle are in place, N1 is in place, and the triangle stock is in place between N1 and N2. The bold lettering in step 12 says you can relieve the necelle as needed for the engine installation. I'm using 2 Evolution 46s so I started cautiously with a small square hole. I sanded the hole until it was nearly large enough to accept the engine, but was almost out of wood. I installed my mount then tried to insert the engine. The whole structure shattered. Through other tinkering to get the engine installed, i destroyed some of the bits making a rebuild impossible. I was left with a necelle missing one side from N2 forward and N1 completely gone. Disgusted with myself I left it for the night. The next day I decided to complete the second necelle's woodwork through the shaping process before relieving it to install the engine. This worked great! The second necelle turned out perfect though the engine is VERY tight. I'm now cutting new wood for the first necelle. Bottom line--don't relieve the necelle sides until AFTER the necells are roughly sanded to shape. Don't forget to install your mount before you close up the necelle though--it makes things easier. I should have moved the firewall back about 1/4 - 1/2 of an inch. Too late now.
Posted on: 8/17/2005 9:49 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3273230

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Build-N-Flyer-RCU: Thanks for the tips on cutting the holes for the engines in the necelles. I've got some tissue paper I used to trace the center lines onto the engine bulkheads--I'll have to give it a shot. Patience--patience is a virtue, right? RCer: Yeah, I'm fine. I thought of making up some elaborate story about being abducted by aliens but in the end, the truth is better--and that is I'm just lazy. I did not worry about the dihedral when I planned my gear mounts. Mine are mounted flush. The only problem I had was I originally planned the gear too deep which caused gaps between the sheeting and the gear rails. I thought the sheeting was too fragile to stay that way, so I reinforced it with additional ply. I realize the gear will be at an angle but in my experience that will help the plane track straighter on the runway. I suppose I could shim the gear with metal washers if I wanted too... My problem now is the nose gear. I've laid the fuse sides out and started to plan. It looks like I'm gonna cut down and move the "nose gear bulkhead" (can't remember the number since I'm at work) forward to the nosecone to mount the gear to and manufacture another bulkhead relieved for the gear to replace the one I moved--if that makes sense. Also on building the tail--3/4 of the way through applying glue to h. stab to sheet it, I ran out of glue. In desperation I grabbed regular Elmar's white glue. All looked good, I weighted everything down and thought I was save. 8 hours later, I removed the stab and it looked great. But what I didn't realize was the white glue hadn't dried yet. It caused a "bubble" in the sheeting right in the center of the stab. I decided to remove the sheeting, sand the stab down to get back to the original surface, and start again. Talk about trouble. The plane is going together well, when I have time. The kit is of very good quality and I'm still impressed. Thanks NE-Aero! Pictures are coming. I'll get them on tonight or tomorrow.
Posted on: 8/8/2005 8:26 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3241560

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
RCer-- I have two solutions for the throttle servo. I've drawn up a modification that puts the throttle in the next bay over from the necelle. Right now, this appears to be the best solution. I'm kind of holding out until I get the necelles finished. I wanna see how much room there really is in there. The other solution is to mount a servo in the necelle somewhere. This will probably require a micro servo as discussed in this thread before. But, we'll see. The nose gear--I haven't tackled that yet. My first thoughts were to move the nosewheel bulkhead (F1) forward to butt up right behind the balsa nose cone. This'll give me plenty of room. It's bad when you procrastinate so long your CA dries in the bottle. Bet y'all thought I'd given up or something, didn't y'all?
Posted on: 8/5/2005 7:45 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3233486

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Yep, it's been awhile. But if there's a deadline it isn't a hobby. I've got the wing built and working on the stab and necelles. OK--I'm slow. Really slow. See above. Question: What is the best way to relieve the necelle to fit the engine? I need to take some pictures and upload them since this thread has gone stale. Should have known. I procrastinate way too much sometimes.
Posted on: 8/5/2005 6:10 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=3233374

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Right now, the plan is twin servos for throttle control mixed in the radio to eliminate a y-harness. I'd like to go digital. My experience with digital Futaba servos has been very positive. Basically, if you can fly well enough to notice the difference between digital and analog, get the digital. Yeah, there's more current drain but its worth it. The only problem is--which servos. I fly Futaba exclusively and have for years. I'm thinking the Futaba S3150. Any comments on if this will fit in the nacelles? Also as I was building up the other wing panel I got the idea of mounting the servos per instructions one rib outbound--in otherwords outside the nacelles. That would simplify things somewhat and allow for standard servos. What do y'all experienced builders think? This discussion has really taken a turn. It's great to see so many people interested in the Twin Air. It's a beautiful aircraft and adapts well to retracts. If it flies half as good as reported I'll be tickled pink. I'm really hoping to have it ready well before the multi-engine meet in TN this fall. I wanna show it off and thank some of those who have helped personally. My wife gave me the day off to fly. I'm returning from the field with two aircarft intact--same number as I left with--a good thing! [:D][:D] Hey, maybe I can mount the two planes together and fly them as a twin. What ya' think--a Somethin' Extra with a piggybacked quickie 500 racer--could be fun. Although trying to synch a Saito .72 and an OS Wankel .49 would be a real bear. I'll keep building and posting...
Posted on: 3/19/2005 4:39 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2782608

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
I'll second that and add that's a beautiful child as well!
Posted on: 3/18/2005 8:20 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2778140

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Thanks for the info guys. I've been looking at micro servers for this project but am unsure of what to get. Don't have any experience with those. Nothing like a project to broaden your horizons! No new work on the build over the weekend. Spent the weekend redecorating the kitchen with my wife. I have to keep her happy to keep flying [:D]
Posted on: 3/15/2005 10:05 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2767506

RE: A good second twin?
That's depressing. I've flown singles for 17 years now and while they're fun, I really like the twins and multis--always have. Isn't NE-Aero putting together a Duelest kit? I saw a Somethin'Extra "twinmanned" in RCM awhile back. Looked neat. I've got an older Somethin' Extra hanging in the garage. Maybe I'll put necelles on it and make a tri-motor! That could be fun... I've mentioned before I have Ziroli plans for a B-25. I don't know that I'm up to the task of a scale aircraft though. Maybe... You've gotta beautiful plane there! I would never had recognized it.
Posted on: 3/10/2005 10:59 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2749123

A good second twin?
I've heard everyone recommend the TwinAir as a first twin. My build is going well, but I think the glue fumes are getting to me. I started thinking about what a good second twin would be. Any suggestions? Either a kit or an ARF, not necessarily scale, and no profiles (real model planes have fuselages). What's out there? That Gemini looks nice...
Posted on: 3/10/2005 8:04 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2748509

RE: GEMINI TWIN ARF JUST ARRIVED...
Carlos, Did you order this thing online? I found their ad here at RCUniverse but all I saw was "Make an offer" button. How did you go about ordering online? Is there a website with more detail?
Posted on: 3/10/2005 7:41 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2748564

RE: C-17A 'Globemaster III' . . . .BGC !!!
Very very very nice..... So, how do you plan to get this thing to the field? Tow it behind your car with a tow bar or fly it to the field airlifting your car? Dang that's big. Really big. Why is the word we use to describe something large so small? I'll try the southern pronunciation: Damnthattheresbig.
Posted on: 3/10/2005 6:53 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2748491

RE: Another Twin-Air .45 Build Thread?
Hughes500E: How did you get an engine that rotates the opposite direction? Is that something all engine manufacturers do but don't advertise? Also, do you have to use a "pusher" prop on the opposite rotating engine? Just wondering. I like the idea--I imagine it has the affect of cancelling torque effects. You must have really smooth takeoff runs and turns. [8D] On another note, I was finishing up the wing on mine last night by boxing in the gear well and a thought occurred to me. --that doesn't quite convey the meaing. let me rephrase.... A thought slapped me in the face like a cold dead herring. --Nope--let me try again... A thought hit me like a Mack truck doing well over 100 miles an hour on a a foggy night with a bucket load of cold dead herrings epoxied to its grill. (yeah--that's about right) Where am I gonna stick the throttle servo? I must be getting old I usually plan for these things. The original plans have the servo mounted upside down at an angle right were my gear piston is. Well--it can't go there. I'll have to find another spot. Looks like I can mount the servo right side up between the main spar and the gear piston but the linkage will be a little different then what was originally drawn. How did you mount yours?
Posted on: 3/10/2005 5:59 AM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2748445

RE: OS 46 FX and AX
They should probably weigh the same as well...Balance nose to tail and wing tip to wing tip.
Posted on: 3/9/2005 1:22 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2745623

RE: OS 46 FX and AX
Good question. I would assume if the RPM matches on both engines throughout the throttle range you should be good. Then again, does one spool up faster then the other? That would have an adverse yaw affect and would be bad... As far as kits go--many people here are recommending the Twin-Air .45 from Northeast Aero (www.ne-aero.com). I'm currently in the process of building one and have been impressed so far with the build and the quality of materials. As far as flying--many say it flies well and the directions say if you want more acrobatic aircraft you can take out some dihedral. Give it a look.
Posted on: 3/9/2005 1:19 PM by Author "SteveTrofemuk" in the forum "Twin & Multi Engine RC Aircraft"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=2745608