More trimming finds.

I have figured out that I've been setting the leadouts too far aft. I tried one plane with them moved forward a ways and it flew a lot more stable. I figured that flying too much sideways is shading the control surfaces causing a loss of control authority. I tried moving the leadouts forward on another plane and got improved flight again. With that in mind I got out the Wildcat that flew poorly from the start. Moving the leadouts forward improved the flying on it too. Today I got out the Mo' Best and moved the leadouts on that one and it flew better also. I'm going through my fleet moving leadouts and flying them to make sure the change works on each plane.
   The new field box is working out well. I found an empty peanut butter jar that will fit inside and I'm using that to hold the fuel. I don't know what the fuel will do to the plastic so I keep the jar in a baking tray while at home.

Thinning the herd.

Not the planes this time. I got a new field box. It really is a tackle box from Cabela's and it's cheap. Probably very close to the sale price of my old one when it was new. I spent the afternoon transferring stuff from the old box and making a place in the new box for it. It came with 4 smaller parts trays that got the small parts all separated in their own divided place. I only used two of the trays to hold the small stuff and there is room for more. I had to rig up a holder for the fuel jug on the outside but as soon as I can modify another quart can I'll be able to put it inside as well.

Twisting more out of the Twister.

With the extra performance I'm getting from enlarging the stabilizer I got the idea to try that on one of the Twisters I built. The first one is scratch built from plans so i used that one as the test mule. The original stab. span is 18 inches and the balsa I had to work with was 1 1/2 inches wide so that brought the span to 21 inches. It flew pretty good before I added the wood so it will be interesting to see what it does now. The weather is cloudy and some rain but I may have a window to get in some flights.

More changes to test fly.

It's been windy lately but in the morning two days ago it was very light wind so I headed to the park with Nomads 3 and 5. I had enlarged the elevators on #3 and put the salvaged canopy from the highly modified Strega ARF on it. On #5 I installed the metal tank I made for it and that needed testing. I didn't realize it but I had installed a venturi I made a while back and it is .015 larger in inside diameter. I got in two flights with 3 3/4 ounces in the tank for the first flight and 4 ounces in for the second flight. Both flights ran out of fuel before I could finish the pattern. All my other engines of the same size and type use 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 ounces for a full flight. I took out #3 and it flew very well. I've since flown #3 with a full tank of fuel and it is enough to finish the pattern. Some fill the tank and draw out a set amount but I avoid one step and put in a set amount. It amounts to the same thing.

Update on the big Nomad.

The plane has been sitting since I built new and larger elevators for it. Today the winds were calm for a bit so I took it to the park. The engine started up after a little hot water to warm it up. Two short flights to get the elevators set where I wanted them and then I got in a full pattern flight. It's more stable than ever in level flight and it has a good corner now.

More changes.

The Nomad 60 is flying well so I changed a few things. The larger stab. span is working and the elevators needed to be larger in my estimation. At home I cut the original elevators off saving the hinges which stayed in the stabilizer. I was just going to make the elevators a bit larger keeping the original shape. I gave up on that idea and made new ones that are constant chord and almost rectangular except for the tips. I gained 10 sq. in. over the ones that I cut off that had been lengthened. I will give them a test flight when it stops raining. Now the picture won't load. Some right clicking saved the day.

Opportunity strikes.

The temperature finally got above 50 degrees around noon today. I loaded the new Nomad and the Nomad plus that I enlarged the elevators on into the truck. We went to the park and up first was the new Nomad. There was no surprises in the way it flew. The larger stab/elev made the plane turn very well. I got in three short flights trying different engine speeds. At home I installed the metal tank I made for it yesterday and got it ready for the next outing.
   The Nomad Plus flew very well also with the larger elevators. I got in two full patterns with it. Learning has taken place. I got things to do tomorrow so Sunday will be the next chance to fly.