mustang-p51

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Hi Lifer

I have been flying the Ike for a couple of years and It flys great. It has a DLE 30 on it and required no nose weight balanced at 25% . The weight came close to 20 lbs.
Brian

Lifer

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Brian,

Was that a mis-print? You used a 30cc engine?

Lifer

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Well, it's been more than a year later, but I ordered the model and it will arrive this week. If anybody is still following this thread, what engine did you use and did it need nose or tail weight?

Thanks in advance.

mogman

I have a Zenoah G-45 on mine, no additional nose weight. Very nice flying plane, rock solid in the air, easy to land, although as mentioned, will glide forever on landing with a dead stick.

Construction seems solid, no loose joints that I could see after about 25 flights. I did reinforce the cowl mounts as they were a little flimsy, and I changed the top hatch mount from the four bolts to magnets.
It would be better if the covering and paint matched a little better.
I haven't been able to find any covering to match..not that I need any yet.....

Overall, very satisfied.

Lifer

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Thanks for the reply. I'll check the weight of the G-45, I assume with a mag?

The magnet idea has a lot of appeal as well.

Again, thanks!

mogman

Yes, magneto. I used the 45 because I have 4 of them on the shelf.

Lifer

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Can you offer more detail or some pictures of the magnetic hatch mounts?

mogman

I'll try to find some photos showing the magnet setup.

Lifer

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Much appreciated!

mogman

Here you go....hopefully these show up...I put the magnet in the fuse and the steel washer on the hatch. I kept the original bolt tabs as locators for the hatch.

Lifer

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Thanks for sharing! I like the simplicity of the magnets and not having to have the 4 holes on the fuse sides.

mustang-p51

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That was not a misprint. I am using a DLE 30 with an 18-8 Zoar and it is no speed demon but it flies good. Tale comes up fast and it comes off in 100-150 feet. It takes off when ready but has no bad habits.I wanted to keep it as light as i could and It balanced perfect at 25%. I also highlited the vents in the cowl and cut out the holes and added exhaust stacks. For the hatch I also never cut out the holes but I used a servo at each end and moves locking pins from the inside. I hooked it to the choke servo so when choke is off hatch is locked. Brian

Lifer

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Thanks for the reply! So the magnets are helped with a latching system? Makes sense. I might try multiple magnets by themselves. I also plan to open the 6 exhaust holes and angle some appropriate size tubing to the rear to help scavenge the hot air out of the cowl.

Did you open the bottom of the cowl for better cooling?

mustang-p51

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I never used any air ducting or bafels and have had no problems. Other than 2 small holes for the exhaust the cowl is stock.

Lifer

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Mine arrived late last week.
It is well packed and appears to be undamaged from the trip.
I'm clearing the bench and getting all the accessories on-hand before I start. I plan to rotate the engine as much as the firewall will allow to place the cylinder in front of the offset air inlet. This will also allow the use of the stock muffler.

I might take a few pictures and post them as I go.

Lifer

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Well, mine is finished. It balances right at 30 percent which is about 5 and 5/8ths inches or 143 mm which is what the manual suggests. Curiously, the manual also suggests 100 mm which is roughly 4.6 inches or 25 percent.

Can anyone relate their balance figures and pitch responses at those balance points?

Thanks in advance

mogman

Mine balances at 5 1/4". Flies very nicely,. stable in pitch.

Lifer

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I'm at about 5&3/8ths. Thanks for the response!

Lifer

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For those following this thread, the color of the covering and the paint on the hatch do not match very well. I went to an automotive paint shop and they matched it up quite well with a stock color that was then put in an aerosol can. I sprayed the hatch this morning and it sure looks a lot better than the factory color.

The paint is called "Spectramaster" and the color is called "Spectramaster Yellow," code YS488. I paid about 26 bucks for the paint and consider it well worthwhile..

F.W.I.W.

mustang-p51

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Thanks for the tip. My CG is 27% about 5 1/4 I think

Lifer

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Flight Report:

Did the maiden today. Had to fuss with the engine for about an hour but once those issues were resolved, it took to the air. A couple of clicks of Up and a couple of clicks of Left and it was hands-off. Ended up at middle rates for most of the flight. Landing was a non-event as well. Held about 25% power for a controlled decent and cut power and began the flare at 2 feet. A no bounce landing.

Had the Dubro inflatable tires w/o any added air. They absorbed all the landing bounce. Reflexed both ailerons UP 1 inch, measured at the widest point of the aileron, on the flap channel to give a washout effect, along with about 1/8th inch down elevator mixed in.

Always nervous on the test flight, but after a no issue landing I switched from a 23x8 to a 22x10 prop for a little more speed. Very nice! Several loops and slow rolls later I had another uneventful landing. The plane is a keeper. No video, but maybe sometime in the future.

Thanks to all for their input during this process. I appreciate the help!

Robert Wagner

Hey guys, this is my plane and I am just seeing this post for the first time. I have had this plane for a couple years now and did some small modification to the firewall and supporting structure holding the firebox. I had a DA60 in it, and recently replaced it with a DLE61as I kept having problems with the DA. Hands down, the most dramatic change to this plane is the addition of flying wires to the horizontal and vertical stab. I used some KS aluminum airfoil material that is 1/4" and ran it from the vertical stab to the horizontal stab and from the rear landing gear to the bottom of the horizontal stab. This took all the flutter out of the stab and made it handle a lot better. I recently purchased the Laired Turner (LTR14) and am working on it and hope to have it out for the 2017 Scale masters season. If you haven't purchased this plan yet, I highly recommend it. It maybe the best flying plan I own.. Good luck!

Lifer

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I added flying wires to mine but primarily for cosmetic reasons. Mine is currently down due to engine reed failures, but when operating, it is a great flying plane!

Lifer

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If anybody is still following this thread, my Ike is flying great. Nothing else at the field quite like it! Nosed it over once and had to do a little gluing on the firewall, but otherwise it is fine. Figured out why I had to prop it so much to draw fuel....new pump diaphragm did the trick.

plmcdonnell

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I've got several flights on mine now. I like the way it flies, and it gets alot of attention at the field. I'm still experimenting with prop sizes. I'm fling it with the Moki 50vt, which runs good and sounds great. Last couple of flights were with a 22X8, but it needs a little more speed. So I'm going to try a 20X10 next.