RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Hi Kids, Remember me? And remember the Robin S.T.O.L. I built? It is now five months later and I am still flying it!! It has been to Washington State with me, I flew it at fields in Marysville, WA and Sumner, WA. But it wasn't until I flew it at a fun fly at Corning, CA that my friend Mike Brown took it up for me and said, "Ya know, it's too tail heavy"! I protested and told him I had the CG right on the spar per the plans but Mike said, "I don't care, it is off". So we stuffed some lead into the cowl and tried it again. Suddenly I am flying a plane that is fun. Some nose weight made a world of difference and now I am able to show you a movie that shows its performance. I'm loving it! Woo Hoo! [link=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnhNexJc9RM]Robin S.T.O.L. capabilities[/link]
Posted on: 11/24/2007 4:17 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=6667169

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Hi Doc, Sorry for the slow reply but I have been on the learning curve these pass three weekends! One of the troubles is we can only fly at our club site on weekends. Another problem has been the very flaky weather; either low ceiling or blue sky with swirling thermals!! So, I have not had any really good quality time with my Robin. And I got off to a bad start. I snapped the nylon landing gear bolts and broke the prop on the first landing! This plane don't fly like any others I have owned and I have had to learn how to fly it!! Take off is quick, way quick! It jumps into the air and I needed to learn that up elevator is NOT required except at the very start of the roll-out. Down elevator and throttle management is what's needed. If there is any wind forget the 20 degree flaps, it will jump into the sky without flaps! When I know the plane better even that would be fun, into the wind, 20 degree flaps = vertical take-off!! Once in the air it flies just fine at half throttle or if you want to go fast, it sure does that too. But then it comes to landing. It didn't help that I had my heart in my throat. I mean, it is an expensive kit and I have two and a half months of building time into it. I don't want to start over. So... I would slow down to about 1/3 throttle, flip the flap switch to 40 degrees down . It would balloon a wee amount (six degrees of down elevator mixed in) and I would fly around our field, above the trees, at about a fast walk!! A bit faster. So then I would bring it around, clear the tall trees, cut the throttle and it would just keep flying and slowing down! I finally figured out that it wants to be flown down and flying it down is amazing! With the flaps down it comes down the glide slope like it is being lowered with a rope! It comes down slow! So then I would cut the throttle even more and it would just keep going at five feet off the ground and keep going and going until it got so slow it would get unwieldy and I would drop it or stall it; way beyond where I intended to land it. Finally, today was one of the calmest days we have had here on the Pacific coast and I finally got in some quality time!! I learned to slow down, drop the flaps, bring it down clearing the surrounding redwoods and then just fly around our field really slow! Get it where I want it and cut the throttle more and come on down and set it down in a nice three point landing. Beautiful! So I can now say I am finally getting the hang of it and I can finally say I have a grin on my face! The Robin really does do it all, fast, slow and some acrobatics, at least the ones I know, Cuban 8's, inverted flight, big loops inside or out. It does not do a fast roll, rather I get a big sloppy barrel roll but that's because I do them just with ailerons. If I knew how to add rudder or elevator I'm sure they will be a lot prettier. Obviously I am not a 3D guy. I must say for these past two weeks I was rather glum, I really loved the building process but I wasn't too pleased with the flying until I finally got the hang of it. Now I see light at the end of my tunnel. After several successful spot landings today I realize I am going to love this bird! It flies just fine. The problem was the nervous old guy on the sticks. Fortunately the Robin is very forgiving. As for starting the engine, I find it easiest to remove the cowl to start it since it will need a bit of priming (don't over do it). When started I let it warm up a minute or so, shut it off, slip the cowl back on and restart it. The cowl is very easy to remove and put back on so, why not. After the first "cold start" the engine usually starts just fine for the next flight. If you have the prop alignment just right you can probably prime it by sticking your finger on the carb intake through the front air entrance. Do not try blocking the exhaust exit to prime the engine because you will force fuel into the inverted carburetor which then dribbles onto the floor of the lower cowl and you will have fuel where you don't want it. (How do I know?)! I can't wait until next weekend. I hope we have good weather! I will post a movie when I get better at take off and landing.
Posted on: 6/3/2007 8:46 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5940416

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Hi Solstice, I'm heading for Seattle around the 15th of June. I will have a few planes with me, of course, including the Robin. I'm in no hurry and will be camping and flying at various fields along the way; the flying field near Corning and the one near Red Bluff for sure (My favorite way to do vacation!!). I'd like to stop by and show you my Robin when I pass though your neck of the woods. We can kick tires and maybe go flying at your field. If you are interested let's do the "private message" thing for details. I'm wondering if you and other Robin builders would like to keep this thread alive. I plan to add some more flying photos when I get them but without others posting their building information this thread will sink to the bottom!! And maybe that's okay. You and others may want to start your own Robin thread. I would like to say I sure miss Charlie P. He was one of the first ones to comment on this Robin thread and I liked what he had to say but then he disappeared. Anybody know why? I know Wascamp is still hanging around. I saw his name the other week when I was adding a post. Thanks for the comments and interest. BTW my avatar image is my grandson, Boom4?, carrying my LazyBee back to the car!
Posted on: 5/30/2007 8:51 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5887093

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
By the way, here is a photo of Robin with Pete. Pete has a Saito .72 engine. Sweet! Obviously, I'm just an old sport flier. [;)]
Posted on: 5/22/2007 11:04 AM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5886558

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
times. He goes by "Boom-3" for some reason! I guess it's better than Blabberon 2! Anyway
Posted on: 5/21/2007 10:14 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5884668

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Okay Doc, today turned out to be the day! Sunny with some gusty wind. I had decided to not be the one to take to the air the first time. I asked Cory, one of our young, hot-shot, 3D mechanics to take it up for me. He has those quick reflexes and young eyes. I operated the digital camera! Not too successfully! We had the Robin set up for take-off; 20 degree flaps (rudder mixed fifty percent to ailerons on an assigned switch) the idea being to avoid any tendency to snap left when the throttle was move to high. Turned out the Robin really jumped off the ground and became a handful because the nose was not kept down. Cory flipped off the flap and mix switch and got things straightened out and gained comfortable altitude. His first comment: "Doesn't need any trim!!" Hands off was perfect at half throttle!! Cory slowed down and played around with 40 degree flaps and the Robin just floated in the sky! I took over and flew a while. Cory was right. The Robin flies perfect at about half throttle! Move to high throttle and it climbs. I gave the 20 degrees flaps a try and had to offset the immediate climb with down elevator. Before flying we had mixed 6 degrees of down elevator to the 40 degree flap setting and that combination turned out perfect! Quarter throttle and flaps set at 40 degrees down produces slow flying and good control. I landed and let my heart rate return to earth! (Nothing like a new plane to get the ol' ticker going!) A half hour later I took the Robin up again. I used the 20 degree flap setting and full up elevator during take of. The Robin shot into the sky! Since it was going almost straight up I had my hands full getting the nose down, the speed up and the flaps and mix off. My mistake was holding "up" elevator way too long. I should have let off as soon as the Robin was up near take-off speed. (I was worried about nosing over on our grass field.) I now think my robin will take off like a trainer with no flaps. Just up elevator during initial roll out. I will get into that Short Take-off stuff when I am more comfortable with the Robin. But landing with 40 degree flaps! Now we're talking! Slow and sweet! I am really looking forward to a non-gusty day to gain more experience.
Posted on: 5/20/2007 5:30 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5878902

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Finally, the weekend, and our flying field is available. (We can only fly at our field on weekends because there is an active logging "show" going on during the week.) The weather was partial overcast and gusty winds. I spent the morning breaking in the engine, programming and setting the mixing on the DX7 transmitter and adjusting servos throws. Some of the "old hands" helped a lot. I probably could have flown but I wanted more settled weather for my first flight. There IS tomorrow! Here are some photos of the Robin at our flying field. Photo #1 & 2: My "pit crew" helping dial in the engine. Photo #3: On the grass runway looking south. Photo #4: Same location looking north. Those logging company culverts are perfect for those who land "long"!! [X(] Photo #5: Looking towards the safety fence and pits.
Posted on: 5/19/2007 9:36 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5875950

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Thanks doc. Feel free to use my information to help avoid the mistakes I made and build an even nicer Robin. By the way, I took my completed Robin to the local shipping and receiving store and had them weight it on their digital scale. "Small drum roll please". [size=3][color=#FF3300]6.82 pounds!![/color][/size] [image]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/blabberon/beerchug.gif[/image]
Posted on: 5/17/2007 1:33 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5866655

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
I installed the Spektrum DX7 receivers on velcro and connected the servos. Bit by bit, I'm getting closer to take off.
Posted on: 5/16/2007 3:18 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5862878

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Hi again Solstice, I'm sorry for not answering your questions sooner, I got distracted by some other things. But now I'm back. You asked, "What color Ultracoat did you use for the windows? A. It doesn't really show in the photos but the color is.... Army drab!! That darkish green camo color? I was going to use black but happened to notice I had a partial roll of Monokote flat green and decided to give it a try. I actually like it although with the white and red and green combination it could be thought of as an "Oh Boy Oberto" ad! Q. Did you put it over the white or did you cut away the white where the window is located? A. I put the windows over the white, weight be damned!! Q. If you put it over the white how did you keep the dreaded bubbles from happening? A. I tried. I couldn't! I did tack each window into the place by using my small trim iron, a tack here a tack there and then tried to iron it on by carefully working from one side to the other, going slow and easy, low heat, trying not to wrinkle it or trap bubbles. I could avoid the wrinkles but I still trapped some bubbles. Those I poked with a small sharp needle and then shrunk with a heat gun till the air was expelled and then smoothed down with my glove. Q. Any other secrets you want to share? A. Yes, photographs make things look a lot better than they are!! I'm not a master of Ultracoat but I must say, that stuff is very forgiving. Here is a view of the underside of the cowl showing the air exhaust and engine exhaust.
Posted on: 5/15/2007 12:30 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5857893

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Thanks Solstice, that is a great idea about installing the engine mounting bolts "backwards". Never thought about doing it that way. Thanks!
Posted on: 5/14/2007 10:01 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5855488

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
I figure another week before all the little odds and ends are finished but this is how it looks.
Posted on: 5/11/2007 10:26 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5843081

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Hi Doc, Thanks for the suggestions. I think I will just live with it for now and cut access if and when. By the way, you can just call me Blab. My friends do!! I'm finally getting into the Ultracoat! I'm pretty pleased with my window configuration. I based it on a S.T.O.L. plane called a Mountain Goat. The lower half of the Robin is going to be red.
Posted on: 5/9/2007 10:31 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5834462

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Okay, you guys ready for a confession? I realized I screwed up. The specified Dubro engine mount is made out of some kind of fibrous plastic. Really strong. But it came with four sheet metal type, slot head screws, for mounting the engine. I thought that was rather wimpy so I bought some stainless cap screws with locking nuts. I positioned the engine and drilled the holes for the bolts. Last night, in the middle of the night, my eyes popped open when I realized why the engine mount came with sheet metal type screws! It is so the engine can be removed, if necessary!! Duh!! The way I did it I will have to cut open the upper cowl to access the nuts if I need to remove the engine! Damn. It is too late to back up because I drilled the bolt holes all the way through the mount. I guess I could buy a replacement mount and try again but I think I will just live with it, for now, beings the cowl is all built, sanded and ready for covering. MosquitoBite thought of everything when they designed the plane. Thinking "outside the box" only leads to trouble!! As you can see in this photo I am thinking about windows. This plane needs windows!
Posted on: 5/9/2007 11:49 AM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5831875

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Jeez, Doc. I don't know. Maybe I nodded off but six hours went somewhere! [&o]
Posted on: 5/8/2007 9:54 AM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5826931

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
I'm getting the upper cowl closed up and sanded to shape.
Posted on: 5/7/2007 10:37 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5825254

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
I'm getting ready to finish the upper cowl but first spent almost six hours installing the motor mount, the one inch long copper tubes through the firewall for the pressure and supply lines. I painted the inside of the upper and lower cowl with epoxy thinned with alcohol for fuel proofing. Drilled the holes and mounted the engine. Installed the throttle push-rod which had clearance problems with the engine mount and muffler. That took some time to straighten out. Then I was able to finally install the plywood sheet that goes behind the spinner. I added a 1/16th sheet of balsa behind the ply to adjust the gap between the spinner and fuselage. The fuel lines are in and I used small z-ties to tighten them to the nipples. Now I can install the upper cowl sheeting and the necessary balsa sheeting to allow carving to match the fuselage. Getting close covering the fuselage with Ultrakote and then gluing on the rudder. Woo Hoo!
Posted on: 5/7/2007 1:29 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5822830

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
My Robin is finally standing on three legs!! Interesting angle of attack but pretty standard for the S.T.O.L. planes I have found on the web, such as the Fleischer Storch. The first photo is of the mounting area for the landing gear. Access to that area is cut after the fuselage edges have been rounded. The removed piece is trimmed to clear the landing gear, then use to streamline the area. Second photo shows the "angle of attack". In the third photo you can see the air cooling exit from the cowl and the hole for the engine exhaust pipe. Fourth photo, the Fleischer Storch.
Posted on: 5/6/2007 10:19 AM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5815187

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Thanks Doc, Have you started building your Robin yet? Today was a whole bunch more rounding fuselage corners but I finally have the bulk of the excess balsa removed. I guess that old adage holds: Question. "How do you carve a statue?" Answer. Just remove everything that isn't statue." [:D] I did start building a dog house. At least that is what the lower cowl looks like inverted. Photo #1 I started the sheeting by CA-ing on the laser cut balsa sides and bottom. (inverted on table) Photo #2. After sanding a chamfer to the edges of the laser cut sheets, 1/16th balsa sheeting is CA-ed on to finish enclosing the lower cowl. Photo #3. Several more layers of balsa sheeting is CA-ed to the 1/16th sheet to make the cowl thick enough to carved into a rounded shape to match the fuselage.
Posted on: 5/3/2007 10:47 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5808653

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Shaping and sanding. Sanding and shaping!
Posted on: 5/2/2007 12:09 AM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5799682

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Our club had a great weekend of flying and I had a lot of fun with my Pete-n-Poke. But now I'm back in the chips. I laminated the second strip of 3/16th light balsa sheet to the upper fuselage corners and squared it to the fuselage side and top. Then made a set of templates from the fuselage plan, formers #7 ~ #11, to help carve the radius. The starboard top rear is about done.
Posted on: 4/30/2007 9:38 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5794162

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Hi Doc, The taper is different. One photo is with the fin sub-structure, the other one has the "skin" set in place. Today I measured the stabilizer/elevator angle with the elevator trailing edge touching the rudder push-rod and it turned out to be almost 25 degrees of down. I asked MosquitoBite about it and they told me 10 degrees of down is plenty. Perfect! I committed to installing the horizontal stabilizer/elevators assembly today. I ironed on some of the UltraCoat, especially to and around the tip fairings because it is easier to cover them off the plane. The stabilizer red strips look wider than the elevator red strips but they will end up the same width when I apply the white UltraCoat. I needed a bit of overlap for the white to stick to. It looks like good weather this weekend so I have my Great Planes Pete and Poke charged and ready to fly.
Posted on: 4/30/2007 9:33 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5781014

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Vacation is over. Back to the fun of building the Robin. I see RCU has a new way of dealing with images and I will give it a try. I got the elevator bell-crank assembled and soldered and I am now working on the upper part that covers the nose and wing. By the way, when you bend up the elevator bell-crank assembly check the plans to find out how much to cut off the ends that stick into the horizontal elevators. I left mine longer than necessary and that is just additional, unneeded weight back there.
Posted on: 4/27/2007 12:30 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5765372

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Hi Doc. Funny that you came out to where I live and I went to the desert. Ships passing in the night and all that [;)] And welcome aboard Solstice. I think you are going to like this kit. It will keep you on your toes. It doesn't build like any I have ever done and the guys in my flying club, that have see it, are quite impressed with the design. I'm having fun and enjoying building this kit but I am not a master builder, the photos just make me look like one!! As for the Robin logo. I found a font that looked like the one on the Robin manual and enlarged it. I did it using Corel Draw on my computer so I don't know what size the letters actually are, I just drug them out to the size I wanted with the mouse! Then printed them! Today I fitted the wing to the fuselage. It took a bit of trimming to get it to settle into the saddle nice and level, but not much. I contacted MosquitoBite about the way the wing mounts to the fuselage but they assured me it goes together the way they show in the instructions and plans. You will see what I mean when you get to that part. I put the horizontal stabilizer, elevators, vertical stabilizer and rudder temporarily in place and discovered the right elevator trailing edge can contacts the push rod cable for the rudder. I didn't measure how many degrees of down it took to touch the rudder cable but is wasn't much. (As you can see in the photo.) I know this isn't a 3D plane but I was surprised. I'm going to contact MosquitoBite about this but I'm already sure this is what was intended. It just surprised me. I guess I won't be doing tight outside loops!
Posted on: 4/26/2007 11:16 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5776367

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Progress is happening on the huge access hatch that goes from the firewall up over and to the rear of the wing. It will definitely allow access to the fuel tank and servo, battery and receiver area. Interesting design.
Posted on: 4/25/2007 9:18 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5770602

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
[IMG]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/blabberon/IMG_3461.jpg[/IMG] I'm into tailfeathers and they are coming along nicely but... Spring Break is here and we are heading for the East Mojave Wilderness for a week of vacation. This will be our 18th Annual Spring Break. If you are interested in what we do during Spring Break take a gander at: [link=http://www.blabberon.com/travels.html]Travel Stories[/link] I'll be back around the 20th of April if the VW camper doesn't break down. Happy building!
Posted on: 4/10/2007 8:27 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5696214

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Welcome to my thread, Biplanemurphy. Guess what? It's raining. Guess what? Today just became a build day! [;)] [IMG]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/blabberon/IMG_3410.jpg[/IMG] I'm currently involved with tailfeathers.
Posted on: 4/7/2007 11:28 AM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5678522

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
[IMG]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/blabberon/IMG_3368.jpg[/IMG] I'm closing in on the Horizontal Stabilizer. Lots of hand work to get the tips contoured per plan. Enjoyable work though.
Posted on: 4/5/2007 9:32 PM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5671711

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Thanks for the photos, Poppi. Your Robin looks great. I like the fact you electrified it. No worries about fuel getting into the various flap, aileron, elevator and rudder hinge areas. Lots of power and none of the mess. I'm going the glow fuel route and have a new OS 46 AX and Bisson Custom muffler waiting. I'm a californie boy but all my family lives in the Puyallup to Redmond area so when I head up that way this June or July I will bring my Robin along so we can get together for a Robin Fly-in! [IMG]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/blabberon/woohoo.gif[/IMG] Meanwhile....... Still carving. [IMG]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/blabberon/IMG_3266.jpg[/IMG] For a break I started the Horizontal Stabilizer. [IMG]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/blabberon/IMG_3269.jpg[/IMG]
Posted on: 4/4/2007 12:05 AM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5662360

RE: MosquitoBite "Robin" build
Welcome to this thread, Poppi! I have been fumbling in the dark, all by my lonesome. I am really looking forward to seeing a real Robin!! For photos.... I downsize the images to 500 pixels (long direction) and upload them to PhotoBucket. Then insert them into this thread. You are right, fiddling with the computer really cuts into build time but remember... [IMG]http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/blabberon/worthless.gif[/IMG] Can anyone suggest an easy way for Poppi to upload photos?
Posted on: 4/3/2007 10:12 AM by Author "blabberon" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=5658401