 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Current Activities and Projects by Dick Say |
| Lil' Esquire |
This is a Wing Mfg kit of a single channel RC model that was popular in
the 60's. Dick's model is controlled with rudder, elevator and throttle.
Wingspan - 40" 320 sq in area
Powered by a RC Hot Deals 2801 outrunner.
the 60's. Dick's model is controlled with rudder, elevator and throttle.
Wingspan - 40" 320 sq in area
Powered by a RC Hot Deals 2801 outrunner.
This is Dick's Taylor E-2 Cub. It is a BP Hobbies kit, powered by a
RC Hot Deals TowerPro 2408-21 outrunner motor with a Fly-20A
ESC, using a 1400 mah 2/3A 8 cell NiMH battery pack. The Taylor
E-2 weighs 22 ounces ready to fly - wing span is 45". It is the same
setup Dick used on his Lil' Esquire shown below, which worked
perfectly.
RC Hot Deals TowerPro 2408-21 outrunner motor with a Fly-20A
ESC, using a 1400 mah 2/3A 8 cell NiMH battery pack. The Taylor
E-2 weighs 22 ounces ready to fly - wing span is 45". It is the same
setup Dick used on his Lil' Esquire shown below, which worked
perfectly.
 | |  |
This is the Thrust Testing Device for electric motors I made using a
digital scale from BP Hobbies. BP has a device that can be
purchased with the scale but, I preferred to make my own. It will give
you the thrust reading for any motor/prop/esc/battery combination in
ounces or grams. I also use a tachometer to measure RPM and
calculate tip speed for each combination.
I have found by experience with a few models using electric power
that the ideal power to weight ratio for average sport/scale models
seems to be about 75% of the models weight in thrust. More thrust
is fine but less is not so good. The thrust tester can tell you if you are
achieving this standard.
digital scale from BP Hobbies. BP has a device that can be
purchased with the scale but, I preferred to make my own. It will give
you the thrust reading for any motor/prop/esc/battery combination in
ounces or grams. I also use a tachometer to measure RPM and
calculate tip speed for each combination.
I have found by experience with a few models using electric power
that the ideal power to weight ratio for average sport/scale models
seems to be about 75% of the models weight in thrust. More thrust
is fine but less is not so good. The thrust tester can tell you if you are
achieving this standard.
| Click on photos to see larger image |
| Another of Dick's projects is his home built vacuum forming machine. He will be able to vacuum form canopies, cowls, etc for his scratch built planes. |
| The vacuum box sides using tongue & groove joint with brads & glue. |
| 1/4" ply bottom attached using brads & glue. |
| 3/16" peg board attached to top with brads & glue. |
| Frame hinged to vacuum box. |
| Nearly done. |
| Silicone bead added to top to ensure vacuum seal. Open position "stop" being glued to frame. Ply disc was added to side of box to cover & seal wrong size hole drilled to accept shop vac! |
| Materials holder frame joined with lap joints & glued. 1/4" gussets being glued on. |
| "Plugged in" |
| Completed unit in open position. Electric grill will be positioned beneath frame to heat plastic. |
Another plane for Dick's hangar. It's the Alco Sportplane:
The Alco Sportplane is a one/two place lightplane design, Circa 1920. It flew on everything from a single cylinder
motorcycle engine to a 3 cylinder radial.
I built the model right over the plans (at the reduced size) for the full size aircraft. I cracked a couple of frame members
while covering because I squeezed the fuselage too hard!! It hasn't even flown yet and has already been repaired!
The model has a Wingspan of 45 inches
Wing chord is 8.375 inches.
Usable wing area is about 360 square inches.
Weight RTF is 26.2 ounces.
Wing loading is 10-11 ounces per sq. ft.
Motor is a Black Dog EC-28 outrunner.
Prop is a GWS slowflyer 10X4.7
Max thrust is 20 ounces, using 8 cell 2/3A 1500 mah NiMh battery pack
Control is by ailerons, rudder, elevator & throttle
The Alco Sportplane is a one/two place lightplane design, Circa 1920. It flew on everything from a single cylinder
motorcycle engine to a 3 cylinder radial.
I built the model right over the plans (at the reduced size) for the full size aircraft. I cracked a couple of frame members
while covering because I squeezed the fuselage too hard!! It hasn't even flown yet and has already been repaired!
The model has a Wingspan of 45 inches
Wing chord is 8.375 inches.
Usable wing area is about 360 square inches.
Weight RTF is 26.2 ounces.
Wing loading is 10-11 ounces per sq. ft.
Motor is a Black Dog EC-28 outrunner.
Prop is a GWS slowflyer 10X4.7
Max thrust is 20 ounces, using 8 cell 2/3A 1500 mah NiMh battery pack
Control is by ailerons, rudder, elevator & throttle
This creation by Dick is a Cessna 180 in the markings of the Australian Army Air Force as it was in the Vietnam War.
He built this from an old Hobby Helpers plan. Originally it was a 3 channel R,E,T design. He bought a laser cut short kit
for it, but couldn't use most of it. The wing is a complete redesign and incorporates ailerons. It is also 3 channel, but will
be controlled with A,E,T.
The model has a: Wingspan of 42"
Wing Area about 240" sq.
Weight RTF is 24 oz.
Power is a Tower Pro 2409-12 with an 18A ESC.
"Fuel" is a 3s1p 1500 mah lipo pack.
He built this from an old Hobby Helpers plan. Originally it was a 3 channel R,E,T design. He bought a laser cut short kit
for it, but couldn't use most of it. The wing is a complete redesign and incorporates ailerons. It is also 3 channel, but will
be controlled with A,E,T.
The model has a: Wingspan of 42"
Wing Area about 240" sq.
Weight RTF is 24 oz.
Power is a Tower Pro 2409-12 with an 18A ESC.
"Fuel" is a 3s1p 1500 mah lipo pack.
Here's another in Dick's aeronautical armada - a Waco PG-2. The Waco PG-2 was a powered development of the Waco
CG-4 Glider troop carrier.
The model is from his plans. He has upgraded it to brushless motors.
The model has a: Wingspan of about 5'
Wing Area about 3 sq. ft.
Weight RTF is 3 lbs.
Motors are 2408-21 and put out 18 oz. of thrust each
CG-4 Glider troop carrier.
The model is from his plans. He has upgraded it to brushless motors.
The model has a: Wingspan of about 5'
Wing Area about 3 sq. ft.
Weight RTF is 3 lbs.
Motors are 2408-21 and put out 18 oz. of thrust each
