New Gear and Basswood Battery Box

[gldwebs]

After my battery box finally ripped out once more, I gave up on the packing tape solution (although this worked well for a while). I carved out the area and built a basswood battery cover, attached the old battery box, and put in a Mini Pulse landing gear with Dubro 3" tires. I used a sheet of 3/8" thick basswood and 2 1/2" square dowels - one on each side laid across to build a cover. Then I caverd a pocket in the front and back of where the box would fit in for the dowels to attach. I used a good amount of gorilla glue to hold firm and fill in the gaps. I wish I took the pictures below a few minutes BEFORE I painted (you can see the wet paint). Once the paint dries I will mount my FlyCamOne2 on the battery box door.

One note on mounting the wheels. I found a long threaded rod at Home Depot that was the exact diameter of the wheel hole without causing rubbing. I drilled out the gear hole to fit it, then used a nut on each side of the gear to hold it tight (with a little CA glue to hold the nuts from loosening). Then the wheel is mounted and 2 nuts are put outside as close as possible to the wheel without touching it to let it roll smooth with no wobble. I put a little CA glue between the nuts and together they hold very strong and wont unscrew.

[cvrcmember]

That's pretty cool.

[gldwebs]

Well, I took the plane out today and was shocked - it flew fine. There was a little left/right balance issue that trim quickly fixed, but that was minor and can easily be corrected. Landings were much better - although I still can not get it to completely land without a nose touch. It lands, rolls, and just before it stops it tips forward (although most of the times it tipped back). I should add the grass is hard and dry and about 3-4" long with really bad thatch below causing holes. I would definitely call this a success. After landing 5 times I checked the box and gear and there was no damage at all - not even a little wiggle.

[admiralev]

looks good. all cubs that ive seen landing in grass nose over simply because the wheels catch the blades and it gives it a sudden stop. it isnt bad for it...it just doesnt make you look like much of an ace. try landing on pavement and you will see that the cub doesnt nose forward

when landing, ive found that i cut the throttle to about 10%, enough to let it down but still have some speed. when my wheels touch, i give full up elevator and release the throttle to 0%, and that gives you a smooth landing without the nose over. it works 100% of the time on pavement, and 75% of the time of grass.

hope this helps

[gldwebs]

I have only landed once on pavement (on a dare) on a half basketball court. As I came in over the hoop I dropped the flaps and came in pretty hard, but the cub took it. I managed to land in about a 10 foot area before grass started again and stopped it quick.

[admiralev]

ahhh, i forgot you have the ailerons! that makes everything different