The AS_V20 has been ready to fly since midyear 2022. Well, its time has come. This weekend time was spent getting reacquainted with how to assemble it and validate the radio setup and the starting CG position. All systems are a go, so the next good weather day the AS_V20 will take to the sky.
Equipment List:
Another completed plane project is ready for its maiden flight. This was built to displace the aging Avistar gifted to me by a dear friend which has provided many fun-filled flights since 2010.
The Krafty wing is the second using the Adjust-O-Jig. There are many advantages to using the jig. Most of the construction process can be completed both top and bottom including initial sanding before removal from the jig. The jig makes wing building easy and fun plus it ensures the finished project is straight, true, and strong.
Krafty Sixty
The maiden flight of the Anthem was flawless. After reading other build threads, I had concerns the incidence configuration would be an issue. A lot of time was spent ensuring I achieved the designer's suggested configuration. I was skeptical of the minimal down thrust molded into the nose ring relative to the positive wing incidence which was unlike other 2m planes I have owned and flown. Like the Invitation and Epilogue, the stab is not adjustable so I start with jigging the airplane into a static position so the stab incidence is zero. Using the provided template, along with the predrilled holes in the fuse for the wing retainer pins and adjusters worked out just right like it did for the Invitation and Epilogue. The BJ Craft designer enables anyone to properly set wing incidence with simple tools and methods.
I'm using the same radio program values and setup used for the invitation and Epilogue. The CG is currently set in the middle of the recommended range. The initial flight was spent trimming straight and level flight at cruise speed, then checking track on vertical plus 45-degree lines, knife edge, and snaps. Afterwards, I made small adjustments to expo and throttle-to-elevator mix for down lines. The initial Madien flight went so well that I decided the next two flights to fly the current Masters' sequence (P-25). Besides a few more tweaks needed to expo, overall throws and some CG position testing for 45-degree lines. I see a very short path of being competitive with the Anthem as I am with the Invitation and Epilogue. Wonder what new design is on BJ's drawing board now?
Epilogue Jetero Results_2023 Jetero Results_2024
Anthem Underconstruction_1 Anthem Underconstruction_2 Anthem Underconstruction_3
This past weekend the Jetero RC club held its annual pattern event, on June 1 and 2, 2024. This a wonderful facility which is well suited for a pattern event. The turnout of 19 is lower than in past years, which is indicative of current times. In my opinion, lower turnouts are due to the diversity of the RC hobby, and those interested in pattern are aging out. This event is always well-run and supported by the club members. Jetero's longtime CD John Forestieri is relocating out of state, however, he informed us a replacement CD plans to continue holding future events.
Being the Lone-Wolf in my area competing with Hacker in-runners I always get comments from other competitors about my power system. Positive comments about performance, curious comments about the sound it generates. Nevertheless, Hacker geared in-runners have served me well over the years. When I transitioned in 2010 from YS to Power, I tried outrunners and Plettenberg non-geared in-runner and decided the Hacker in-runner was the best fit for me.
Regardless of class, most now use contra systems that carry the perception of magic powers that will improve scores. It is rewarding to achieve top honors in a competitive AMA class of Masters with a single prop system over contra-powered aircraft where 5 out of 10 Masters competitors used contras this past weekend.
Equipment used this past weekend:
Bout to turn 132K on my 08 LX. It has principally served to haul RC competition aircraft plus equipment locally and cross country. The middle row and rear seats have been used a ~dozen times over the last 16 years. Besides being a reliable, low-maintenance motor vehicle it's comfortable and a pleasure to drive. Acceleration and handling are surprising. Only a few plane haulers achieve 25+mpg highway miles at 70mph loaded with equipment.
Limited space, too many planes.
Pic 1 Top to bottom
1) Invitation
2) Anthem
3) Epilogue
4) Sun Fli IV
Pic 2
Angel Shadow V2 bipe
Pic 3
1) various wings
2) Dalotel
3) Integral
4) Sky Wing Angel
The plane rack serves a dual purpose with the incorporated peg board.
***SOLD*** - For Sale Vintage NIB MAC's Products Mufflers for OS 61 FSR series motor. Great for SPA class planes. Includes mounting hardware.
$60 each plus shipping
For Sale: New unused Revoc Universal Wing Bag
$125 + shipping
Universal set of bags for wings and elevators specially designed for F3A monoplane models.
The bags are available in one universal size which will fit to all F3A models with a wingspan of 2 meters.
The outside surfaces of the bags are made of waterproof, heavy, and durable 600 denier HQ fabric material.
The inner parts are made of soft velvet which is very convenient and safe for delicate wing covering in transportation and storage.
Between the PVC fabric and velvet your wings are protected by a 5 mm layer of foam additionally covered by PVC foil.
Easy closing with a zipper.
The bag has an elastic handle which is very comfortable in use.
Additionally, each set includes a bag for elevators which can be easily attached with velcro in the middle of the wing bag.
The wing bag and elevator bag have a space for the tubes in the bottom part.
A pocket for the canalyzer is also included inside the wing bag.
Over the last couple of weeks, SE Texas temperature has been fluctuating from the high 50s to mid 60s. This has slowed down the painting process of the Anthem. I've had to pick my days when temps were 60+ to shoot colors. On like paints used in the past Wings West RC paint has performed flawlessly in these cooler temps. Next is clearcoat. Looking forward to seeing the color layout on the wings and stabs paired with the fuse. Pretty basic but should be very visible in most sky conditions which is the ultimate goal.
Texas winter weather is in effect. Even though it's not cold compared to other parts of the country recent temps have been prohibitive for painting. This past Saturday temps were in the 70s but windy so instead of flying I elected to spend the afternoon finishing the paint prep and shooting the Anthem's first color.
Every time I paint I learn more about the do's and don'ts. This time the plan is to try reducing the wet sanding effort by reducing orange peel through better gun technique. The gun I'm using is the HVLP Central Pneumatic sold by Habor Freight. After a few test passes on cardboard and tweaking the gun's air and paint flow adjustments I got a pattern I was pleased with. In addition, I held the gun a little further from the surface than before, like 10 inches vs. 6. I'm very pleased with the results. Now I wait for another 65-70-degree day to shoot red.
I prefer simple schemes for visibility reasons plus they're easier to mask and paint. Anthem Wings/Stabs
