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Post by Garf on May 17, 2011 19:21:48 GMT -7
The paint I put on this thing has already begun to break down. It doesn't seem to be fuel proof. The plane will need to be completely stripped and repainted. I thought Ultracote was supposed to be good. Guess again.
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Post by Garf on May 18, 2011 16:41:37 GMT -7
Stripping paint off an airplane is one nasty job. It really pays to do it right the first time.
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Post by Garf on May 27, 2011 16:26:43 GMT -7
I figured that while I'm at it, I'll go ahead and recess the tank attaching wires.  |
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Post by Garf on May 29, 2011 18:59:39 GMT -7
I'm applying a fresh coat of paint now. I hope it works better than the first attempt.
UPDATE: The paint looks terrible. At least it's fuel proof. Good thing that won't affect flyability.
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Post by Garf on May 31, 2011 18:15:10 GMT -7
I've installed a plate to hold a tip weight. It had a small weight already in there, but apparently not enough. After the glue dries, I'll decide how much weight to use.
UPDATE: Weight is finished and tip has been recovered. If anything, it might be too much weight. Only time will tell.
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Post by Garf on Jun 4, 2011 13:38:50 GMT -7
Put up 4 flights today. Too much tip weight. It hinged slightly, but turns were inconsistent. It turned better outside than inside. I thought it would be opposite with that massive rudder set at an angle. I'm thinking the flap movement has something to do with that. The paint I used this time seems to be holding up well.
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Post by Garf on Jun 12, 2011 13:54:50 GMT -7
I tried to fly this thing again today. I pushed it thru the pattern and I got a wobble in the last loop of the clover. As a result, I planted it in a hard pancake crash. I'm definitely doing something wrong.
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Post by Garf on Jun 13, 2011 14:39:14 GMT -7
The fuselage repairs are under way. I have a few things to try after talking to Windy Urtnowski. We'll see if they work.
UPDATE: I found more damage, so it will be down for a while. I'm hoping I can make the profile NoblARF fly halfway decently in the mean time.
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Post by Garf on Jun 26, 2011 16:06:00 GMT -7
The Fronkensteen is back together. Less tip weight, more flap movement, bind in the controls eliminated. I didn't seal the flap hinge lines. The next flight will tell me if that is necessary. Power is now an LA 46. Prop is a XOAR 14-6E cut to 10". Looks like too much prop.
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Post by Garf on Jun 27, 2011 14:29:33 GMT -7
I ground ran the Fronkensteen 4/LA 46 today. The XOAR prop doesn't seem to load it down much. This thing must have some torque.
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Post by Garf on Jul 3, 2011 13:44:32 GMT -7
Test Flight: Prop load is about right. Plane is a little fast. Still some tip stall. I will need to seal the flap hinge line. I will try a smaller venturi.
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Post by Garf on Jul 3, 2011 20:23:16 GMT -7
I put a 25 venturi on the 46. That should help a little. Combined with a TT 11-4.5 prop, it should be close to right.
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Post by Garf on Jul 10, 2011 13:42:35 GMT -7
The prop/venturi change worked out well. Good power level with good fuel economy. The flap hinge taping increased stability radically, especially inverted. I need better tape. This stuff I used is plain UGLY.
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Post by Garf on Nov 27, 2011 17:33:47 GMT -7
I flew this thing today. It seemed to mush a lot on inside turns. I will try a 12-4 prop and remove the exhaust extension.
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Post by Garf on Jan 8, 2012 15:05:12 GMT -7
Test flown with a Zinger 12-4 and extention removed, Almost lost it in the reverse wingover. Changed to a BY&O 12-5. Big difference. The joint between the tripler and the leading edge is starting to work loose. I'll have to run some thin CA into the joint temporally. The front of the spinner won't fit over the prop, so, more rework.
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Post by Garf on Jan 14, 2012 17:04:00 GMT -7
I flew this thing today at the KOI. It has major trim problems that need to be resolved.
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Post by Garf on Jan 16, 2012 17:37:01 GMT -7
After a terrible first flight, I managed to fight it thru a good second flight and take second place in intermediate Sunday. This thing needs some major rework.
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Post by Garf on Jan 25, 2012 20:09:55 GMT -7
After a little work on the controls, I flew it at Markham park. With some help from the Schlesser brothers, we decided it had too much tip weight. Today I removed some tip weight and will test it next time out. I still think it needs more outboard flap area.
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Post by Garf on Feb 5, 2012 14:07:50 GMT -7
Todays flight was the worst I can remember. This thing needs major rework.
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Post by Garf on Apr 7, 2012 18:05:20 GMT -7
I finally got around to troubleshooting the control system tonight. After disconnecting the entire control system, it became obvious that the flap hinges are the problem. If I can't free them up and reseal the flap hinge line, it's going to have to be major surgery.
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