64" Curare

Here is the build log as mentioned in the wing & tailplane incidence thread on the 64" Curare as designed by Hanno Prettner.

Some background. I am mainly interested in warbirds and would like to fly in scale competitions hence the Gannet build. I have noticed that in the scale comps entrants get high scores in the build etc but not so high in the flying element. So my plan is to improve my flying skills by entering pattern F3A competitions to make up for my less than best build capabilities. To me that evens the playing field in scale comps.

I currently fly Sebart Wind and Mythos planes with a plan to enter clubman competitions this year. The Curare is for a bit of fun but also to experience the difference between 'old' and 'new' F3A models.

The Curare will be electric and built from plans downloaded from the Outerzone website (www.outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=5527). First challenge is that the design is for glow power so the structure is designed for those ic engine loads. I am going to change the design very slightly to accommodate electric power. No engine bearers, these will be replaced with a box to support electric motor and i will mould a glass fibre cowl rather than the carved balsa section on the plans. Wings will be built up rather than foam core and I will include the flap / spoiler system.

Aim is to have it built ready for a maiden in April. Yes that's April 2017!!

From what I saw of your Gannet thread Ralph you need not worry about your building skills for comps, knocks some of us into fits.

As mine was built from a plan, mine also has the built up wing. The builder did say that he thought about installing flaps and to that end has built in the servos and wiring, so if I need to it would be a relevantly easy job to install the flaps. Maybe , one day

Garry

Printed the plans out in full size using the 'poster' setting in Adobe pdf. It basically 'tiles' numerous paper sizes over a much larger print. I printed out in A3 and ended up with the fullsize plan printed in sections over 20 A3 pages. Then using the cut and trim marks that get printed onto each A3 sheet trimmed each page then glued them together to get the full size plan.

Messy but heck of a lot cheaper than getting the plan printed at the local print shop.

Just working out the wood I need to buy. Its basically 2, 3, 5 & 10mm thick sheets. Mostly 2mm for ribs and wing skins. Some ply for formers but I have this in stock already. Might actually get the wing ribs cut this weekend.

As planned managed to get the wing ribs cut today. Interestingly there is no template for the wing tip rib, W13, or the Tailplane tip rib shown on the plan or in the template file. So had to design them from the other ribs by extrapolation. Also stripped the spars from a 6mm x4" x 48" sheet. Don't like buying strip wood when I have a great stripper.



Also my plan does not show a rear spar. So looking at a small print I have of the original plan, the one 'Kilppy' has, shows this rear spar. So I worked out where it should go and cut the ribs to suit.

I will order the rest of the wood this week from Balsa Cabin. They a very good a selecting the wood grade if you ask them too.

Will you be fitting retract Ralph ? Mine has electric ones fitted and they make so much difference when retracted. In fact when deployed, they visibly slow the model down in flight .

Garry

Hi Garry,

Yes i have a set of electric retracts so will use those. Was thinking of fitting doors on the legs and a nose door to close off the gap. Its a warbird thing!

Hi Ralph
No doors on mine im afraid, however retracts are worth fitting as they make such a difference to the looks and performance . I will take some pics of mine next time I am in garage and post on here

Garry

That would be great Gary. Interested is seeing the servo & motor installation also the battery area to see where the battery sits to get the CofG right.

Noted Ralph, will try and get that info on the thread tomorrow along with power train details

Garry

Took a few photos with phone today,now anything can happen








Ok crap photos I know, and wasnt sure if they would appear.

No 1 Shows retracts in wings
2 shows placement of servos in tailplane??? I did wonder myself but it works and puts weight where it was needed.
3 shows nose wheel which is steerable.
4 That is the canopy which houses the 6s 5000 mah lipo
5 this is a removable hatch which houses the rudder servo working on a pull pull wire system,it also houses a 2s lipo powering a BEC with external on off switch

HEY the boss must have a new phone, one that takes pics

I have Tony, all I need to know is how to use the soddin thing

Garry

Excellent Gary, thank you. Answers a lot of questions for me.