[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference vmszoo::rc

Title:Welcome To The Radio Control Conference
Notice:dir's in 11, who's who in 4, sales in 6, auctions 19
Moderator:VMSSG::FRIEDRICHS
Created:Tue Jan 13 1987
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1706
Total number of notes:27193

250.0. "Pilot: Piper Tomahawk-20" by XCELR8::DELORIEA () Thu Aug 06 1987 14:07

     
    	I am in the process of building a PILOT Piper Tomahawk-20. 
    I should start by saying I am very disappointed in this kit. The
    balsa and hardwood are good and di-cut partsd fall out easy. But  
    if I had not had alot of model experience I would have given up by
    now on it. The reason is the model can't funtion according to the
    plans. It has a T tail and the linkage that they show is IMpossible.
    I am  going to install a cable instead of pushrod.
    
    	Another impossible is the nose gear stearing. The gear bolts
    onto the firewall and if done according to plans the stearing arm
    is right up against the wall. They should of mage it longer to put
    the arm under the firewall.
    
    	The plastic cowling is a joke it is made out of the same stuff
    that little rubber jobs cowlings are made of. This I need help on.
    How do I make this piece strong enough for me?                    
    
    	I would rather scratch build than make another one of these kits,
    Well almost;-(
    
    		Tom @marlboro
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
250.1Pilot: Piper Tomahawk-20 cowlSPKALI::THOMASThu Aug 06 1987 14:237
    
    	Build the plastic cowl per plan. Then lay up (on the inside
    of the plastic cowl) two thin layers of fiberglass. I like two 
    layers as opposed to one thick layer because it seem to reduce/
    eliminate any  deformities.
    
    						Tom
250.2TRY THESEGHANI::CASEYATHE DESERT RAT RC-AV8RThu Aug 06 1987 15:2132
    I echo Tom's advise about laying up fiberglass cloth on the inside
    of the cowling, however, be VERRRY careful what kind of resin/glue
    you use!!!!  Polyester resin (like K&B) will melt the plastic into
    a ball of plastic mush.  CYA's might also.  Epoxy resin is probably
    your safest bet but, WHATVEVER you try, test it on a piece of scrap
    BEFORE using it on the cowl...you'll save yer'self a LOT of grief!!
    
    Also, be careful (wary) of using cable for elevator linkage on your
    T-tail.  It'd be REAL easy to end up with a sloppy elevator, some-
    thing you REALLY can't afford.  Skinny Ny-rod might be a better
    alternative.
    
    On the steering link; try adjusting the tiller away from the firewall
    about 30 degrees when the nosewheel is in neutral (straight ahead).
    Then run your pushrod from the side of fuselage OPPOSITE the tiller,
    e.g. tiller on left-pushrod on right.  The clevis end of the pushrod
    will angle across to the tiller such that (in this example) full-
    right nosewheel will push the tiller parallel with (or against) the
    firewall...adjust so it doesn't quite touch.  This is really pretty
    common to ships with internally mounted steering linkages and the
    solution I've suggested is widely used.  The only slight drawback
    is that it takes up a little more space in the tank compartment
    but this can usually be overcome by locating the linkage near the
    floor or near the top of the compartment.
                                                                   
    Finally, don't be surprised if the model has a noticeable tail-walk
    (wiggle) in flight...so does the real one and EVERY model I've ever
    seen.
    
    G'luck with yer' Traumahawk,
    
    Al