Spent the morning prepping for step 2, shooting red by reverse masking over the yellow and areas that will be painted black. With just one more color to shoot I can now see the finish line ahead. This scheme is simple, designed to be functional, not to win a beauty contest.
Step 2 - red
First and foremost let me say I really do not like the painting process. Compared to Monokoting there are way too many steps to achieve the desired finish, risks to one's health, along with potential property damage if you don't have a paint booth.
My paint selection is based on ease of application and the ability to match Monokote which I prefer to use on the wings, stabs, and rudder. On my last paint project, Invitation G2 ARC I chose Wings West which I will be using on the Epilogue They offer Monokote matching colors in 4oz sizes that are ready to spray. I do regret not ordering white primer from Wings West. The gray primer I used on the seams, around the nose ring and canopy areas required more paint then expected to cover. Oh well live and learn.
This paint does require clear coating. The finished result of the Invitation was light, the RTF weight is 4890g, although I chose not to spend time and effort wet sanding and polishing. With it being fall leading to winter with limited flying opportunities I plan to put forth the effort on the Epilogue to sand and polish after clear coating to remove imperfections and increase the luster of the paint.
Color scheme plan
Step 1 - yellow
Basic airframe including radio install, fuel tank, and landing gear completed. Next is final sanding before applying Monokote. The scheme will consist of my traditional colors of red, yellow, and black. Covering will start after completion of the BJ Craft Epilogue currently on the bench.
Assembled airframe
This time of year the weather is perfect to spend time outdoors especially in SE Texas. With the absence of the hot summer heat making the air turbulent, the conditions both dawn and near dust are ideal for practicing, testing, and making tweaks to new/old, pattern equipment.
After experiencing the improved flight characteristics in my EPIC Evo and Invitation G2 with the D3 ESCs I chose to reach back and update the ESC in a reliable competitive platform, Epic+ with Adam Debowski's D3 controller too. The results are amazing. When a non-pattern flying club member on the sidelines comments, "how are you able to achieve similar downline airspeed as your upline airspeed", pretty much confirms the upgrade was worth it. Yesterday and today I logged several flights, fine-tuning setups on the D3 equipped Epic+ which first flew in 2018. I am pleased the upgrade from the Castle HV 85 Lite and setup changes were worth the effort. I am excited in logging more flights to this Hacker C50 14XL powered airframe now with the D3 and improve its competitiveness even more
The following picture was taken at the SPARKS RC Club 10092021 ~5:00pm
