RE: Norvel 25, 40 long term reviews
[quote]a bigger carb sure woke up my Norvel .15. [/quote] I love the smaller Norvels but found the .15 to be underwhelming. What kind of props are you using and numbers are you turning? What replacement carb did you use? EG
Posted on: 9/6/2012 5:11 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11219300

RE: inverted flight question.
[quote]The real reason I'm posting however, is to ask about your Revolver's landings. The ones I've flown all have a strong tendency to bounce as soon as the wheels hit. They had to be greased in to keep from porpoising. My opinion is that eventhough they swept the gear legs back, it wasn't enough for the CG location that works best in the air. Your CG sounds like it's pretty far forward, which should suit the wheel positioning better. How does she act when the tires touch? [/quote] Rock - My Lanier Extra lands that way. I have to fly every landing all the way in and can't relax until until the tail drops. I've contemplated moving the wheels further forward from the CG, but if I understand your post correctly you're saying that moving them closer together would solve this. Why? EG
Posted on: 8/23/2012 4:46 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Aerodynamics"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11203088

RE: Norvel 061
So much of it depends on what you want to do and what your plane wants to do. Large bulky airframe vs sleek, 3D vs racer, etc. My logs show max thrust on a 6x2 APC, and max speed on a 4.75x4 APC, with lots of interesting choices in between: 5x3, 5.5x2.5, 5x4, 5.7x3, 6x3, etc. 5.7x3 and 6x3 are typical choices. I use 25% nitro / 20% oil in my Norvels, with the oil @ 25% - 50% castor. I found they idled better and were less sensitive to minute needle valve adjustments with the higher nitro, but if you're always running flat out then that's less of an issue. If yours is a new Norvel, be aware that many of them exhibit 2 break-in phases. Meaning that you'll do an initial break-in where the engine will start to exhibit good performance over the throttle range, and then, after multiple quarts of fuel, the engine will suddenly become the snarling, nasty screamer you'd hoped for when you bought it. EG
Posted on: 8/9/2012 11:22 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11186721

RE: Convert Saito from Venturi to Carb?
And I'm happy report back that the Carb was an easy retrofit for the Venturi, and the needle valve was too. Next up: Swapping a D8 tractor engine into a moped... EG
Posted on: 8/3/2012 8:35 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11180319

RE: Convert Saito from Venturi to Carb?
Bump - Any opinions?
Posted on: 7/23/2012 8:31 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11166795

Convert Saito from Venturi to Carb?
Folks - Is it possible to swap the Venturi on a Saito CL engine to a carb, are there significant part issues, and has anyone ever done it? I would think it's possible, but I also find that I'm wrong a lot... I've googled this site and the web and can't find anything useful. EG
Posted on: 7/20/2012 4:18 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=11162907

RE: problems painting koverall
I've struggled with this issue for years with Koverall regardless of whether I used Nitrate dope or Polycryllic. The pin holes will fill after 6 - 10 coats of nitrate, but that's time consuming and can add weight which is an issue on smaller plances. For me, the solution was to add a small amount of talc to the nitrate - this covered the pin holes immediately. EG
Posted on: 1/8/2012 6:21 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10897601

RE: 1/2A Servos Revisited
[quote]I can't see spending hours and dollars in building a plane, then trying to save a total of $5.00 using inexpensive servos that may be a little sketchy.[/quote] +1 I've learned that lesson a number of different times & ways, and now gladly shell out $20/servo for reliability and piece of mind. [ul] [*] My experience with Hitec 55s has been quite good, but man they seem fragile. I have them in my DNUs. [*] Hextronik HXT900's used in my Counterfeit Extra locked up on the 3rd flight. R.I.P. Now I only use them in my flat Foamies. [*] Hitec 65s have a higher current drain under load than most other "1/2a" servos, so watch your battery size if you're using several of them with a 4.8v system. The receivers in my Pacer .15 and Chea-Pass Stik browned out - guess which one crashed and which one recovered? I use a 6v battery or a Spektrum capacitor to "level out" any load surges that could reset the receiver. I've also had a higher failure rate with these servos than with any other model / brand. Hitec replaces them for free but eventually one will die in the air... [*] I use HS-81s for my "larger" 1/2a stuff. My overall experience with them has been good and I've only had one die outright - luckily on the ground during pre-flight! That said, they're noisy and chatter incessantly around center. I did have a pair strip this summer (the plane actually righted itself and landed softly in the weeds. My best landing this year I was told...). It was on a Counterfeit Extra and I'm reasonably sure it was due to aileron flutter, so let's blame the builder. [/ul] I picked up a few Spektrum A5040's this summer and have been quite happy so far. Of course these aren't really 1/2a servos and I use them on my .15's and .30FS planes. (GASP! Did I say .30!?) Has anyone tried the GWS Naro Super series digital servos? The specs look really good. EG
Posted on: 12/15/2011 3:46 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10860431

RE: Lil' Extra landing gear
[quote]...I have had crashes that I could call a landing. [/quote] And I've had landings that some would call a crash. Technically speaking, isn't a crash just another type of landing? Not a desireable one or very useful, but a landing nonetheless. [:D]
Posted on: 12/6/2011 3:34 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10846716

RE: Lil' Extra landing gear
No experience with the Li'l Extra, but on the "Counterfeit Li'l Extra" I epoxy triangle stock between the landing gear plywood brace and the fuselage side. Even with that I had one tear out this summer so I rebuilt the entire area - new landing gear ply that sits in cutouts in plywood formers that run along each side of the fuselage. So far no issues... [quote]Oh yeah, Got to take the opportunity to gloat a bit here.... Still have two ORIGINAL Lil' Extras NIB [/quote] You should sell one to this less fortunate soul on the east Coast! [:D] EG
Posted on: 12/4/2011 5:13 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10842306

RE: a little big for 1/2A but 15 size
[quote]Personally I think it would be really sad if this forum developed into a .15-.25 engine size forum. To me these have nothing to do with .049-.061 engines and airplanes.[/quote] I don't entirely disagree, but I do think that the challenges that make 1/2a unique have a lot of overlap with .15/.25 size planes. Weight, Wind, Landing Gear, Engine Tuning are huge issues even at these "larger" sizes. At least they are for me. [;)] Based on the lack of volume of .15 - .25 discussions in other RCU forums, I think the overall effect would be relatively minor. The Glow Engine forum is about the only other place I see posts about .15/.25 engines. EG
Posted on: 12/1/2011 3:45 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10837683

RE: a little big for 1/2A but 15 size
[quote]What's wrong with discussing .25 engine creations in the other forums?[/quote] Most of the other forums consider anything below .40 to be "1/2a." Ask a question about a .25 and it just sits there unanswered until someone finally makes the 1/2a reference. Not always, but frequently. Over the 8 years I've been following this 1/2a forum it's been a GREAT place to hang out and for the most part it still is. Some knuckleheads, including me, and some real winners. IMHO it's the least uptight forum on RCU and waaaaay less rancor. I don't post as much as I used to, but I read through it every day. People come and people go - Remember PT Ulmer? His DNU was my first 1/2a experience. How about Rainedave and his SureShark? The list goes on.... EG
Posted on: 11/30/2011 3:57 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10836928

RE: a little big for 1/2A but 15 size
[quote]The For Sale postings are for selling and the Threads are for sharing ideas and helping each other out. If Something is to be sold it does not belong here. I appreciate your opinion even though it is incorrect. [/quote] Bat - Chill dude. You've got a total of 20 posts in the 1/2a forum, so perhaps you would add just a little bit of value to our community before you tell a couple of serious, long-time, value-add posters to throttle their keyboards? You'll find a lot of stuff here that may not be "technically appropriate" but in general we like it that way, and so do the 1/2a Mods. Besides, Airraptor isn't selling the plane in the link, he's telling us to check out "something a little different in the .15 size." So he [b]is[/b] sharing an idea and [b]is[/b] trying to help others in this community. Your post, on the other hand... The plane looks like a handful with a .15. Probably something CombatPigg would like! EG
Posted on: 11/29/2011 4:58 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10834198

RE: Ok, I'm going to gloat.
First day, first table, eh? What are you, a Boy Scout? ;^) I used to find those kind of deals on "the auction site" years ago. But eventually word got out and now auction prices are up too. But I ROCK at fishing. Of course it is FLY fishing. EG
Posted on: 11/12/2011 5:34 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10808249

RE: Herr Little Extra w ASP .12
I'm still kicking myself for not getting one of these during the months that Sig was clearing them out. What was I thinking? I ended up putting an OS .30 Surpass on my counterfeit Extra, then added carbon fiber landing gear so I could get it high enough to swing a 10" prop w/o adding too much weight. And I recovered it since the original monocote job was pretty bad and had to move the servos to the tail and the batteries to the turtledeck to balance it and... The list goes on. But like George says, these planes are fun! EG
Posted on: 10/3/2011 12:47 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10746656

RE: Nelson's Hobby primer help!
[quote]Is Nelson's paint ''water base?''[/quote] Yes
Posted on: 9/9/2011 6:37 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10708562

RE: Painting doped Koverall
Nelson's over Nitrate dope sticks just fine - I've done it several times successfully. Nelson's over butyrate is not fine - I did it unsuccessfully only once. ;^) Unless they've changed recipes recently, Nelson's is polyurethane paint not epoxy. You add a chemical bonding agent if you're covering open areas or have >10% nitro fuel, but it's added at 8 drops / fl ounce. They do have an epoxy primer that covers very well and works very well with their paints. I actually prefer Nelson's over dope from a weight perspective. Although any poorly done paint job will increase weight, Nelson's seems to increase poorly done paint jobs less than most. [:D] EG
Posted on: 8/22/2011 12:42 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10682000

RE: Norvel .15 Big Mig, again
[quote]Allow the engine to breath and play with the head and you can unleash it's power. [/quote] Would love to read about any tips / tricks you've used! [quote]Fitting it with a muffler destroys it potential right off. [/quote] Not sure about others, but no muffler means no flying at my field due to noise restrictions. EG
Posted on: 8/14/2011 6:18 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10669836

RE: Lanier Extra 3.25 C.G.
OS FP engines are solid and reliable but they're not "high-performance" either in HP or torque. A nasty, snarling .20 would probably fly this plane, but an OS .20FP is not that kind of engine. I've got an OS .32SX on the nose which gives me more than enough power to hover. I generally fly at 1/4 to 1/2 throttle with 10x4 - 11x4 props and at full speed it's an arrow... My unfueled weight is 52oz. 1500 MAH battery, 8 oz tank, HS225s on the Elev/Rudder and HS81s on the wing. I snapped half of the stab on my 4th or 5th flight. I came out of a loop and suddenly it was flapping in the breeze held on only by the Koverall. Luckily it wasn't the half connected to the pushrod, and I had enough elevator for a controlled landing. I rebuilt the stab with a much larger piece of plywood. EG
Posted on: 8/1/2011 5:30 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10649061

RE: Lanier Extra 3.25 C.G.
I picked up a Lanier Extra kit on the auction site a few years ago and finally got around to building it last summer. The plans indicate the CG is on the main spar, and of course the instructions say you can push it back as needed. Cherokee's takeoff & landing advice is spot on - you really have to fly this one all the way down. It does not slow down well and my attempts at flaring this bird have not turned out favorably. I'm experimenting with the CG right now and have read that moving it back a bit tames the landings somewhat. EG
Posted on: 7/31/2011 3:00 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10647929

RE: Norvel .15 Big Mig, again
Now if someone could only fix the Norvel .15 muffler... [;)]
Posted on: 7/28/2011 5:11 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10642827

RE: Dang, broke my Extra
Well we're essentially doing the same stuff. I also scrapped the wheel pants, replaced the landing gear and the cast iron pushrods. Good input on the 3oz Hayes tank - I may opt for one. A Norvel .074 or Enya .09 would save 3 - 4 ounces, but neither of those are going to hover a 30oz plane. What's your .12 weigh? I've been recovering with Koverall / Nelson's paint and found that the fuse is built with thin but heavy ply - weights almost 7 ounces w/o covering! Makes me realize I'll have to get back into scratch building if I want to do this correctly. And I swore off that a few years ago. [;)] EG
Posted on: 7/25/2011 1:42 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10638365

RE: Dang, broke my Extra
Jeffie - Also sorry for your loss. Looks(ed) like a nice one! What was your AUW, and did you do anything radical to get there? This site lists a SU31-25 (gas) which was listed as a Yak54-25 that I picked up a few years ago (has the same pics and specs). They listed the AUW at 20oz, but turns out that was just for the body, wing and canopy / cowl weight. AUW was significantly higher. George - I have yet to finish a counterfeit Li'l Extra that came in under 34oz. I'm using Magnum XLS .15's, HS-65 servos & etc. Not sure if I'm getting the super oinkers or if y'all know some tricks I'm missing. EG
Posted on: 7/25/2011 5:05 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10636952

RE: Goldberg Sukhoi SU-26
[quote]Thanks! The covering is polyester dress lining material from JoAnn Fabrics, dope finish with Klass Kote epoxy clear on top.[/quote] Didja brush or spray? Brushing dope drives me nuts, and taping / masking drives me almost as nuts... EG
Posted on: 7/15/2011 8:04 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10623241

RE: Goldberg Sukhoi SU-26
Smithcreek - Absolutely love the finish! Did you paint or use plastic? EG
Posted on: 7/15/2011 5:17 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Kit Building"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10622124

RE: Deleted
Couple of thoughts: [ul] [*] As Andrew pointed out, Norvels benefit from extended break-ins (not as bad as Enyas, but...). With only 6 ounces burned so far, I'd wait until you've run at least 1 - 2 quarts before getting too finicky about the idle. [*] Nitro generally improves idling and 25% nitro is fine IMO. Some folks run even higher %'s on Norvels... [*] 25% is on the higher side for oil. Dropping it to 20% may help but I wouldn't stress about it either. [*] My Norvels idle at around 5,000, and a quick google of Norvel .061 idle shows that a lot of folks idle between 5000 - 6500, so you're actually in pretty good shape. [/ul] FWIW, I'd just rev it up and fly the snot out of the thing for a few weeks. Good for the soul, mind, and engine. [;)] EG
Posted on: 7/13/2011 2:15 PM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10619706

RE: .061 on a 2X4
Thanks Andrew. It's been a busy year! EG
Posted on: 4/23/2011 6:11 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10479863

RE: .061 on a 2X4
I've got a 2x4 which is essentially a practice plane for my son. I put landing gear on it and didn't worry about using light batteries, servos etc and it ended up at 24 oz. I've powered it with NV .049's, .061s, a dieselized .061, and currently an Enya .09. They've all flown the snot out of it. It can get twitchy at higher speeds, but then that isn't really what this plane is about anyway. EG
Posted on: 4/22/2011 4:52 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10478020

RE: Small Glow engine question
In my opinion, the Magnum XLS (or ASP) has the best specs / price ratio. Mine turn around 18k on an 8x3 MAS prop. It out flew my OS .15 CVA, which a lot of folks consider the "gold standard" for .15s. I've had a couple of Norvel .15s but they never performed as well as the smaller Norvel engines, and the muffler connections were designed by Lucifer... Enyas are also good, but mine aren't as strong as the Magnum and cost nearly twice as much. Here's an ASP for $45: [link=http://www.hobbypartz.com/72p-s15a.html]ASP .15[/link] I've never tried a Fox or MVVS, but have read good things about them. EG
Posted on: 2/17/2011 4:31 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum "Glow Engines"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10342358

RE: HXT900 Servo Opinions?
Control of my control surfaces is not an area where I'm willing to gamble, and once I lose faith in a servo it's all over... I stopped using HS-55s for anything other than throttle many years ago - I fly at the larger end of 1/2A and for me they're just too delicate. I've had HS-65s get twitchy but never fail outright, and of course Hitec replaces them at no cost. I use the HXT900's in my foamies and have never had an issue, but the only time I used them in a glow model the elevator servo failed on the 3rd flight - the plane was a write-off. I'll use the HXT900s in foamies and other "disposable" planes, but not on my performance planes. At least not yet... EG
Posted on: 2/16/2011 4:02 AM by Author "eroc144" in the forum ""1/2 A" & "1/8 A" airplanes"
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/fb.asp?m=10339834