Conference vmszoo::rc

    
    Dan,
    
      Good to see you are back to your old building rates - one week max
    from box to flight! :). We thought you wuz slippin! :)
    
      Seriously, it looks like a really neat plane, and I am looking
    forward to seeing it fly.
    
                                                              Dan
    

    
    Actually, you can blame Charlie Watt!! He threw down the gauntlet by
    commenting Saturday that I had lost it when it came to building
    frenzies!

    Then, let's see, maiden flight Friday night, for sale add Saturday.
    
    Steve 8^)

Gee, even I gave him two weeks before the ad. He needs it for sunday so maybe 
the ad will wait until monday 8^) I think Charlie's going to beat him...

>> Then, let's see, maiden flight Friday night, for sale add Saturday.
    
>>    Steve 8^)
    
    
    That's "For Sale *AD*" Saturday. Jeez, if yer gonna throw darts ya
    gotta spell feathers correctly!!     :-)
    
    'sides, you'll have to wait till after the funfly Sunday!
    
    
    (I bet if we keep this up the Kay police is gona get us!)  :-)

    
    Ok, now to get a tiny bit serious!  :-)
    
    Last night I sanded and covered the ailerons and elevator halves. The
    ailerons are a bit of a pain as the leading edge and ribs are 3/16
    square balsa, which has to be tapered down to a 3/16 trailing edge.
    
    Wing has been sanded, and the tail boom and fuselage pod have been
    epoxied in place. I was pleased with the accuracy of the machine
    cutting of the fuselage pod sides to match the wing. There was no long
    drawn out matching process needed. Just round off the rough cut leading
    edge and it was a great fit!
    
    The plans/instructions call for a 2 oz tank, which is fine since most 
    of the events this plane was originally designed for last less than 30
    seconds! However I moved the firewall forward 1/8" which allows a 4 oz
    Sullivan flex tank to be stuffed in. 
    
    Full size servos are recommended for the ailerons, one per, due to the
    size of the ailerons and the flight loads they will see. In fact only
    the throttle gets a mini servo!

    
    Everything is painted, covered, and hinged. Radio and engine
    installation will be done tonight and, if the rain holds off, the test
    flight will be tomorrow after work.
    
    Until you add the ailerons to the wing, it looks pretty normal. But
    then you add the 5" chord ailerons and it turns into a flying barn
    door! There are 850 square inches of wing on this thing!
    
    All up weight should be in the 3 to 3.5 pound range, giving a wing
    loading of around 9.5 oz per squre foot!

    
    Everything is now ready except the weather!! :-(  Looks like I may get
    to test fly it Sunday Morning, 2 hours before the fun-fly!
    
    Set up was very easy, since the elevator/rudder pushrods are solid wire
    in a plastic tube which get ty-wrapped to the carbon fiber tailboom.
    All four servos are in a line on the bottom of the wing, so everything
    is open and easy to get at. Throttle servo is on the top of the wing,
    so it's just a straight run to the engine.
    
    I have the plane set up with flapperons and the v-tail is both rudder
    and elevator. Using a JR X-347, I plugged one elevator servo into the
    elevator slot on the rx, and the other into the rudder slot. Then I
    used one mix to slave the rudder to the elevator, and another to slave
    the elevator to the rudder. The one down side to this is that the
    trim tabs, rudder/elevator, only affect one side of the v-tail. However 
    I don't see that as a major problem right now.
    
    The one other mix I haven't programed in yet is to mix the flaps to the
    throttle so that below 25% throttle, the flaps come up about 10%. The
    idea behind this is to bring the plane down when doing multiple touch
    and go's. With a less than 10 oz/sq ft loading, the plane is gonna
    float, the up flap will act as a spoiler, allowing you to come in low,
    chop the throttle, bounce the wheels and go!

    Dan,
    
    I assume you thought of this, but still - where did you run your
    antenna? Not through the carbon fiber tailboom, did you? It's pretty
    well shielded in there, and the parallel running solid wires for th
    pushrods will do the rest to get you into trouble. However, it should
    be no problem when you run the antenna out of the fuse. You are doing
    range checks anyway, don't you?
    
    On another note: It seems strange to me that the highly praised X-347
    when programmed for a V-tail doesn't mix the elevator and rudder trims
    accordingly. Is that normal, or did I get something wrong here?
    
    Best regards,
                  Hartmut
                         

    
    I haven't decided where to run the antenna yet. I was thinking of
    running it along along the top of the boom on the outside and range
    checking it to see what happens. Worst case I'll just run it out to a
    wing tip.
    
    As far as I can tell, the X-347 does not have a V-tail mix. You can
    select flapperon or elevon (delta). The Galaxy 8 does have a v-tail 
    option. Hey, nobody's perfect!  :-)

Yep, there's a V tail mix in the 347. I used it on my Cloud Bound 99. Come to 
think of it, Dan, that setup allowed me to have flaperons and V-tail through 
normal mixing. Check further in the power stuff since I know the glider stuff 
allows it. I'll check my CB99 mixing sheet tonight and give you a call if I 
find it.

In this mode my trims worked as expected. Dan's don't because of him doing it 
with free mixes.

    
    Harmut,
    	Jim Reith's answer will get in here eventually! :-)  
    
    Yes, the V-Tail mix is available on the X-347, in the "GLIDER" mode,
    not in the power mode. I guess they could envision flapperons and
    v-tail for gliders, but not for power planes!
    
    Now if they wanted a truly flexible radio, they'd allow you to select
    bits from the various modes at he same time!

    
    The Twister was flown this past weekend, and I'm impressed! It will
    just about loop in its own length on high rates at less than 1/3rd
    throttle. Square loops 5' on a side are no problem, and rolls are damn
    fast. (In fact I think I was rolling a bit faster at the funfly
    yesterday than the counters could count, as they had different totals
    at the end of 30 seconds!) :-)
    
    It takes a different mind set to get comfortable with this plane when
    you flick in the high rates. The throttle is one of your more important
    controls, remembering to keep it about 1/2 or so unless doing verticals
    or touch 'n go's. Speed is a no-no! On low rates with the controls set
    at approximately 1-2" travel the plane is sorta docile and very
    predictable. At 3.5 pounds, with the OS32 and a Top Flight Power Point
    11-4 you punch the throttle roll about 4', pull up elevator, and how 
    long do you want to go straight up? It doesn't go straight up fast, but 
    it keepsgoing!! On the other end of the spectrum I went deadstick, 
    (ran out of fuel) and was impressed with how well it floats! On a 30 
    second climb and glide this plane will be great!! I mentioned the prop
    because I had used a Rev-up 11-4 on Saturday, and the performance was
    much better with the Top Flight!
    
    Taxiing is a challenge with the castering tailwheel. It does fairly
    well, but you have to learn that there is a lag, and that you steer
    with rudder AND throttle. I had a sticky wheel yesterday which made
    things pretty hilarious at times. 
    
    I would strongly recommend this plane to anyone that has gotten
    comfortable with a symetrical airfoil plane. Computer radios are not
    really necessary, since you don't have to have the rudder capability,
    but I would say that dual rates are a must as this plane could get 4
    manuevers ahead of you in a heartbeat! (But that's what makes it fun!)
    
    Try one, I'm sure you'll like it!  (BTW- in a funfly with only 2 test
    flights on it I came in 3rd!)

I just wanted to mention that I was very impressed with Dan's flying of the 
Yankee Twister. The plane will catch iself in a high rate, low throttle loop.
I was very surprised to see it even perform a reasonable stall turn when
asked for by the vocal peanut gallery. They plane is a very good match for 
the .32 engine and the 11-4 prop

    
    Hello Dan,
    
    could you give some specs of the plane like profile (kind, thickness),
    wingspan, wing depth, lengs, kind of elevator (flat, profiled, size).
    I'm looking for this kind of plane.
    
    
    Bernd

    
    Berndt,
    
    Wingspan	48"
    wingchord   17" (including ailerons)
    Thickness   ~2 1/2"
    Symetrical airfoil
    
    Fuselage	Carbon Fiber Tail boom, fuselage pod for engine and tank
    attached to wing leading edge
    
    Tail feathers are flat, v-tail configuration, slab fins, built up
    control surfaces. Elevator halves are counterbalanced, approximately 40
    sq inches in area each.
    
    Ailerons measure 5" x 23" each, are built up.
    
    Spars are laminated with carbon fiber.
    
    Design weight is 3 to 3.5 pounds. (Mine is around the 3.25 pound
    range.)

    
    Hello Dan,
    
    the specs look quite interesting, especially those 17" wingchord. 
    
>>>    Wingspan	48"
>>>    wingchord   17" (including ailerons)
>>>    Thickness   ~2 1/2"
    
    I'm currently building a zero budget funfly pocket plane. Just the
    stuff and scrap balsa I already have. 40" span and a chord of 9", but
    the same airfoil (SD8020) thickness of 15%. Target is 35 ounces and an
    OS MAX 20 (HB25 if more power required). But the flying of the twister
    is what I really want to shoot for. Maybe not this time, but.... 
    
    >>> Ailerons measure 5" x 23" each, are built up.
    "gulp", that's quite a surface ! My whole wing is just a bit more than
    your ailerons.
    
    BTW, mine has a V-tail, too, but no landing gear. Keep those reports 
    (flying and building) of the Twister coming. Sounds like a successor of
    the Gremlins ?
    
    
    Bernd
           

    
    Nah, not a gremlin replacement, as this is in a who;e different
    catagory. The plane itself is rather fragile, and will not appreciate 
    any rough contact with terra firma!!

    
    Dan, just one more thing : how long is the tailboom ?
    Is the fusepod mounted under the wing and is it sqare ?  
    I made a small drawing and boy, this wing looks different ! 
    
    
         Bernd

    
    I'm guessing, but I'd say that from the trailing edge of the "wing" not
    the ailerons, the tail boom extends perhaps 20" or so.
    
    The pod is attached directly to the leading edge of the wing,
    projecting forward, with the thrustline on the wing section centerline.
    No right or down thrust. Tail boom is angled up from the trailing edge
    perhaps 2 degrees. The pod looks like your average trainer fuselage,
    slab sides, maple engine bearers, a couple of bulkheads.

    
    Got a chance to put in a few more flights on the Twister last evening,
    and it is indeed a fun plane to fly. Exponential is a must if you
    intend to use high rates, which allow the entire repertorie of loops,
    rolls, spins and touch 'n gos to be done in a 50' square box.
    
    BTW- I ran the antenna down the underside of the carbon fiber boom 
    with no range problems what-so-ever.

When have you had that plane far enough away to worry about range? Most of those
flights could have been made without extending the Tx antenna!

    
    
    Actually I had it out a couple a hundred feet a few times last night.
    I's come in and buzz around the runway enough to get folks attention,
    then wander out over towards the dead tree to let the *normal*
    airplanes make approaches and landings.  :-)

    
         Last Friday, I too, picked up a "Yankee Twister". After seeing
    Dan's fly, I was hooked! They had one on the shelf at RC Buyers for $83,
    so I couldn't resist! :). In fact, when he rang it up, he thought it
    was the "Stuntwagon", and tried to only charge me $69, but, being the
    honest guy I am .............
         
         Anyway, I have completed the wing ( the only real major
    construction ), and my observations of the kit have been about the
    same as Dan S. stated in note .1, with one exception. The three center
    ribs are supposed to be cut out in the center to accomodate the
    carbon fiber boom. On my kit, one of the three ribs was marked for the
    cut, but none of the three were cut, which required me to fire up the 'ol
    bandsaw and make things right. It was lucky I spotted this before
    gluing the two outer ribs onto the inner three, as that would have
    really caused problems! They also "shorted" me one strip of
    1/16" balsa for the cap strips. The completed wing came out at about
    10 1/2 ounces.
    
         So far, I would estimate, I have about 6 hours into the kit.
    Next step is to build the ailerons, and since the gussets are
    already cut out, they should go together quickly.
    
         I hope to have it done by the C-mass fun fly on the 19th, but
    I don't think I will be able to "wring it out" much before the
    contest.
    
                                                                 DW2

    
    I'm still working out the control throws and mixes on my twister, but I
    think I'm getting closer. I used the settings called out in the
    instructions, but I'm finding out that there isn't a lot of correlation
    between Futaba and JR % readings!! The instructions are all based on I
    think a 9 channel Futaba radio. I have found with my JR that decreasing
    the elevator throw while increasing the flap throw has improved the
    looping. I still haven't gotten the up flap mix with the low throttle
    setting worked out right, and I have a feeling the plane is still a bit
    nose heavy.
    
    I have however gotten the loop and go working, though it was a real
    high pucker factor yesterday after work when I finally decided to "go
    for it!" For those that are scratching their heads, a loop and go is
    where you do a touch 'n go, pull immediately into a loop, and touch 'n
    loop again. I was able to do 4 before bailing out to unclench the
    toes!!
    
    One very important fact that I'm learning is that you need to pay
    attention to who is watching and how busy the field is when flying this
    plan. It is very easy to do a 10-15 minute flight of loops, rolls,
    stall turns, touch 'n goes, spins, snap rolls, and never leave the
    confines of the runway! You want to try and refrain from really cutting
    loose with the plane when the field is busy, and if there are
    impressionable fledglings there that are just reaching that "that looks
    neat I wanna try that manuever!!" stage you should do manueversa away
    from the runway. A little common sense and common courtesy will win
    rave reviews for the planes flying antics and your flying skills!
    

      
    
       Last night, I built both ailerons for my "Twister". They went
    together fairly quickly, and the pre-cut gussets really helped to keep
    things moving along.
       As Dan Snow had mentioned, some of the wood selection could be
    better. Of the (4) 3/8" square balsa pieces they provide to build the
    ailerons, (3) were light, and one was fairly heavy. Since I didn't
    feel like going through the hassle of buying more wood, I simply cut
    up the heavy piece, and used it for the inboard ribs on both ailerons.
    This should provide extra strength in the control horn area, as also
    help to keep the weights of the two ailerons approximately the
    same. I found that cutting the ribs with my bandsaw helped a lot in
    minimizing any crushing of the wood ( expecially with the light balsa
    ).
       
       The main caution when building the ailerons is the old standby:
    Don't build two identical ones. Ths inboard ribs are spaced
    differently than the outer ones, and depending on where you place your
    gussets ( top to bottom ), you can come out with ailerons that are not
    mirror images of each other. The instructions just say to build the second
    one identical to the first one, and they only show the left aileron on the
    plan, so you do have to pay attention.
       If you use the method Dan Snow suggests of shiming up the 3/16"
    pieces on the trailing edge of the ailerons, you shouldn't have
    much of a problem making complementary ailerons.
    
        Next step, shape the ailerons, and start building the tail

    How does this compare to the Stickit V?
    
    Al
    

    
      
       You may want to check some of the earlier entries, as Dan Snow
    has described the "Twister" pretty well.
    
       I have only seen one "Stick it", and the major differences I have 
    noticed are:
    
           The "Stick-it" has a single steerable nose wheel, and a wire on
    the end of each wing for balance.  The "Twister" has a conventional
    landing gear lay out, with an ( optional ) free castering tail wheel.
    
           The "Stick It" has a conventional tail, and the "Twister" has
    a V-tail configuration.
    
           Other than possibly some other small differences, they are pretty
    similar, and designed for the same mission.

    
    
    Well, actually Dan'l, the ailerons Are identical!!! :-) You just flop
    one over 180 degrees for the other side. I centered the gussets on the
    stock I was gluing to.
    
    I had two pieces that were a bit heavier and denser than the others, so
    I used them as the aileron leading edges.

                     
    
        Yes, If you do put the gussets in the middle ( probably the best
    place ), each aileron is identical ( providing you put the trailing
    edge in the middle too ). I chose to keep the trailing edge at the
    bottom, and also put my gussets on the bottom, so it is possible
    to build an upside down aileron.
        The reason I brought it up, was the instructions don't specify
    where to put the gussets, and they also do not say to center the
    trailing edge, so someone building them according to the plans
    and instructions ( at least the way I read them ) could end up with an
    upside trailing edge ( and possibly gussets ) on one aileron.
    
        Then again, its probably just me! :), but you never know, there
    could be more than one of us! :)      

    This has been edited and re-entered. The original had a hint of major
    proportions in it, but methinks only Jim Reith caught it!!
    
    :-)		:-)	:-)	:-)
    
    The Stick-it single nose wheel isn't steerable. Not sure if the tail
    wheel is or not. The total wing area of the Twister is about 80 square
    inches larger than the Stick-it, and both recommend the OS 32 engine.
    
    I preferred the Twister because it looks different with the v-tail,
    though there will shortly be 3 of them at the field. The radio
    installation is a snap, and I actually prefer the up right engine in a
    fuselage pod over the profile u-control type fuselage of the Stick-it.
    The conventional 2 wheel main landing gear improves ground handling.
    
    As Dan W said, they were designed for the same purpose. wild manuevers
    at relatively low speed and altitude. 

Caught it, extracted it and for the low low price of...

JC == Just Crazy?
      Jumbled Contortions?
      Just 'Cuz?

Hmmmm... Jim's Contest! I like the sound of that one (at least it isn't "Limbo")

Nothing in it I wasn't planning on practicing this weekend. Maybe I'll even 
stay away from the pits this time?

P.S. Just Change it!

  Mr. Reith wasn't the only one to catch it!  But I wasn't going to say 
anything.....  8^) 

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    			GOTCHA!!  :-)

    
>    			GOTCHA!!  :-)



   Hook, line, sinker, rod, reel, and boat!  8^)



   Although it would have been interesting to see the carnage in the sportsmans
class!  8^)

It was reentered in .35 without the special fun-fly event reference.

    for a VERY large sum of money in advance I'll tell what it is....
    
    I created it!

    I've been paid off not to tell!
    
    Gosh...I wish I could be there for the carnage... no, it's not limbo
    
    Have fun guys!  :-)  :-)
    
    Chris

I'll forward you the original .31 if you'd like.

Knowledge of the sequence won't help me, I fear 8^)

    Jim,
    
    I'm curious to how much he gave away...
    
    Please forward to mail::spohr
    
    Thanks

    I'm curious if the Twister is susceptible to the problem of having the
    flaperons deploy and cause the loss of elevator response due to a lack of
    airflow over the surface.  I witnessed a Stuntwagon do this after the
    pilot dialed in too much elevator>flap mix.
    
    In building the Stickit V, I spoke to a tech at Air Flair about this,
    and the Stickit may be subject to this if you fly the recommended
    competition throws (70 degrees of ailerons/flaps).  Their solution is
    to remove a triangular section of ailerons at the inboard edge, thereby
    allowing some quantity of air to flow past the ailerons when fully
    deployed.  {BTW, the aileron chord is 5", you measure out 5" from the
    inboard edge and cut along the hypotenuse}.
    
    Also, has anyone heard of (or had experience with) 'mousse mufflers'?
    
    Al 

The Yankee Twister has a V tail and doesn't seem quite as susceptable to it. 
You do have to figure that with 5" chord flaperons, it's going to take some 
serious elevator travel and surface area to override it even if they don't 
get blanked.

    
    The jury is still out on whether it is tail blanking, or the ailerons
    are so powerful they are defeating the tail. In either case, excessive
    flap deflection, (over 15 degrees) will cause the nose to pitch in the
    direction of flap travel.

    
    
        The work continues on the N.H. "Twister".
    
    
        I built the "pod" which attaches to the front of the wing, and
    houses the fuel tank and engine. The pod assembled easily, although
    I ended up making a few modifications:
    
       1. The formers are partially precut to go around the engine mounting
          rails. The only problem is they were cut about a 1/4" too high
          ( no, I didn't have the formers upside down! Upside down, they
           were 1/2" too high! ). I ended up recutting the holes, and then
          filled in the 1/4" gap on the formers.
    
       2. They supply a 1/16" peice of balsa to use as the floor of the
          fuel tank compartment. I chose to use some scrap balsa, and made
          a new floor with the grain running side to side, instead of
          front to back to add some strength.
    
       3.  Like Dan Snow, I moved the front former forward ( say that 3
           times fast! ) 1/8" to accomodate a 4 oz Hayes fuel tank.
    
       I fuel proofed the entire inside of the pod with clear polyurethane,
     and I am going to attempt to cover the outside of the pod before 
     assembling it to the wing.
    
     Other construction completed:
             
        Built the rudder/elevators. They went together quickly, but
     the wood supplied in the kit was very dense, so they came out somewhat
     heavy. I shouldn't have to worry about these easily breaking, I just
     hope they don't screw up the C.G. too much. I used my bandsaw to cut
     45 degree leading edges on the ailerons and elevators.
    
        Cut the hole in the trailing edge to accept the Carbon fiber
     boom. It is self aligning, and was fairly easy to get it straight.
    
        Cutting the holes for, and supporting the throttle servo, and
    switch harness turned out to be a little bit of a pain, so I ended up
    cutting out a larger hole in the wing sheeting for both, and then
    grafted in 1/16" plywood with the rails, and holes already cut. It
    worked out very well, and is stronger than just having the balsa
    sheeting support them.
    
        Installed an outer nyrod in the wing to provide a tunnel for the
    antenna wire.
    
        Pre-installed, and soldered together the landing gear. This was
    very straight forward. The portable torch I bought at the WRAM show
    worked very well in providing enough heat for the silver solder.
    
        Covered the stabs and elevators. I chose to cover the stabs before
    gluing them together, and installing them on the boom to make the covering
    easier. I will then just cut back the covering a bit to make the epoxy
    fillet when attaching them to the boom. 
          
        Hope to start covering the ailerons tonight, and maybe have it
    flying by Sunday (or not! ) 
     
     

    Dan W.,
    
    When you get yours completed, would weigh it and post the
    all-up-weight?
    
    My Funhawk weighs in at 62 ozs. (a smidge under 4 lbs.) and I think I
    have reached its limits/capabilities.
    
    I'm thinking of going to a lighter, more competitive plane.
    
    Chris

    
     I will be glad to post the weight results. I think they claim between
    3 and 3 1/2 pounds. I am going to try a .40FP initially, and if thats 
    not enough power, I will ( twist my arm ) buy a .32 for it. 
    
       Hopefully, it will be lighter than my 7 1/2 pound Panic! :)
    
    
                                                                  DW2

DW,

Hopefully it will be more competitive than your recently decomissioned Panic 
(which took second place behind another Panic 8^)

    
       You mean "heavier ISN'T better? :) I thought the reason Eric's Panic
    beat mine was because it was heavier. I was thinking of adding 2 pounds
    of lead shot to the fuselage to get it more "competitive"! :)
    
      Now, how much lead would you have to add to the Chapter-1? :)

    
    Chris,
    	I would suggest that the Florio Flyers Coal Hauler may, overall, be
    a bit more competitive for all out kick-butt funfly competition. I'm
    not convinced that there is any advantage at all to the v-tail, outside
    of the fact that it "looks different".  For club funflys and scaring
    the locals, it's great. 
    
    Dan
    
    BTW- I'm "guessing" mine weighs 3 pounds 4 ounces.

    Snowman,
    
    Do you have any lierature on the Coal Hauler? 
    
    I have'nt seen an ad for it... has anyone? Point me in the right
    direction.
    
    Chris
    

    
     Chris,
    
        There is a Coal Hauler "flyer" included in the "Twister" kit. It
    has a picture, basic specs, etc. I have not seen a kit, but assume it
    can be ordered. It also advertised some Fun Fly "record" at some
    big contest ( most loops in 30 seconds, or something similar )
    
        I can't remember the wing area, but it has a conventional tail
    arrangement, and a single front wheel ( like the Stick-it ). As I
    remember, the weight is also slightly less than the Twister.
        I will bring in the flyer tommorrow, and at least get you the
    basic information.
    
                                                             Dan 
                          

    I saw both at the Wram show and I agree with Dan that the Coal Hauler
    might be slightly more of an all out funfly plane than the Twister. 
    Florio clamed that the biggest advantage of the V-tail was the great
    flat spins that it would do.  I've seen Dan's spin but I haven't really
    seen him do real flat spins with it.  It looks really strange when he
    does full aileron deflection rolls.  They look like flapping wings!
    	I hope I get mine done soon.  I haven't had much time to work on
    it.
    
    Charlie
    

    Dan,
    
    Thanks, I may have you fax me a copy if it sounds good.
    
    Charlie,
    
    Thanks for describing Dan Snow's plane as it rolls.  I'm smiling as I
    picture it in my mind.  :-)
    
    Regards,
    
    Chris

    
    Coal Hauler:
    Span 46"
    Length: 40.25"
    Wing Area 820 Sq/in
    Engine size .25 to .40
    Design Weight 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 pounds
    
    Advertisement claims it as a record holder, 10 T7G in 24.14 seconds
    
    The ad does not describe construction other than to say "Balsa and
    composite construction." It does appear to have a carbon fiber boom
    like the twister. Also from the picture, the plane is set up as a 3
    channel, ailerons, elevator, throttle.

    One disadvantage of the Twister is that it uses five servos if you want
    the V-Tail to work as a rudder.  (2 for V-Tail, 2 for Ailerons, 1 for
    Throttle)  All but throttle need to be decent power servos due to the
    large surfaces.  I plan to use four standard servos and one micro for
    the throttle.
    
    Charlie
    

    
    Charlie, 5 servos are needed whether you are runnning v-tail or just
    elevator. Unless you want to fabricate a linkage to join the tail
    halves.
    
    
    Dan,
    	Be thankfull for the heavy wood, as they seem to have a tendency to
    come out nose heavy.

    Dan S.    When your ready to buy the coal hauler and sell the twister,
    let me know. I'll buy it. 8^)
    
    Steve

                                                     
    Dan,
    
       Glad to hear they come out nose heavy, if they came out tail heavy, I
    would have been in real trouble!
    
       Got the ailerons covered last night ( so much for 1/2 a roll of
    Ultracoat! :).
    
                                    Slowly moving forward,
    
                                                  Dan

    
    Let's see, how does that expression go?   Something about hell
    freezing?  :-)
    
    
    I personally hate the monowheel planes, having had one for a time.

    Well,
    
    I could'nt take it much longer.  I ordered a "Coal Hauler".  When it
    arrives, I will fill you in on the plane.  This one will be built for
    pure, all-out competetion at the local level.  I may even have fun
    flying it too!  :-)
    
    

    
       After an interuption ( to get the Acro-Wot set up and flying, and
    do a minor rebuild on my Gremlin ), I got back to work on the
    "Twister".
       It is now completely covered ( except for trim ), and is very close
    to being finished. Since my last note, I have completed several steps,
    but changed the order from what they recommend in the instructions ( I
    can never follow anything to the letter! ).
     
    1.      I chose to do all my covering prior to assembling the stabs,
       attaching the nose pod, or epoxying in the carbon fiber boom. I feel
       this made the covering job much easier and neater. 
      
    2.      I covered the engine pod with Ultracoat instead of painting it.
       It came out pretty good, but took a lot of time.
    
    3.      
    
    4.      I installed the reciever/battery/switch/ servos in the wing prior to
       attaching the carbon fiber boom, or the engine pod. It was easier to
       just have to deal with the wing, than worrying about smacking the
       nose or tail on something during installation. I also cut my hinge
       slots before attaching the boom, etc.
    
    
            I then glued the stab halves together, and epoxyed them onto
       the boom. The last step I  completed was to epoxy the boom to the
       wing.
            The next steps will be to attach the engine pod, install the
       control horns/nyrods, and install the hinges.
    
    
            I think I am going to like this plane a lot when it is
    completed, but one disadvantage the plane has is that once it is 
    assembled, it takes up a lot of room, because you cannot dissasemble
    anything. This is something to take into consideration if you are
    thinking of purchasing this type of kit.
    
            I am hoping to have it ready to go by THIS Sunday! :)
    
                                                            Dan

    If you complete it by Sunday and you're interested in competing, bring
    it to the Barnstormers field in Salem NH.  There will be a fun-fly
    there.  The contest is sponsored by the company that fabs the Funhawk
    but there will be open competition (I'm bringing my just completed
    Stickit V).
    
    Al

    I also have mine almost done.  I finished all covering last night and
    started the radio installation.  I probably won't have it done for
    sunday because I'm busy tonight and tomorrow night.  Mine's comming out
    pretty nicely considering that I didn't do much sanding.  I have to
    pull the OS32 off the Gremlin and trial fit everything for balance.  I
    plan to put the battery behind the servos instead of adding tail
    weight.
    
    Charlie
    

Haven't we heard this story before?

    
     Re: .67
    
        Al,
    
           Thanks for the invite, but I will be attending the C-mass
       Fun-fly on Sunday. I don't know if I will have the "Twister" done
       or not by then, but will probably fly my Gremlin anyway since
       the CD says the events won't require wheels
    
                                                             Dan

    I installed the radio and servos last night.  I still have to install
    the engine and control linkages and surfaces.  And I forgot - I haven't
    done the landing gear yet.  My Gremlin activity made me forget that I
    have to make this thing with wheels on it for landings and takeoffs. 
    It won't be done for sunday because I plan to fly tonight and sail
    tomorrow.  First flight will probably be monday at noon!
    
    Charlie