jbess
Squadron leader
Posts: 154
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Post by jbess on Feb 7, 2010 2:48:58 GMT 1
After reading some comments here and other forums, I bought some bigger wheels to help with take offs and landings in rough grass. Shot showing difference in size compared to stock and the 3" Du-Bros:  Close up of the size difference:  Was unable to find a lock-nut small enough at Lowes, so I used the only nut small enough they had. Had to carve our part of the hub to get enough threads:  I also shortened the strut skirt, and used the zip-tie method to replace the rubber band:  |
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Post by john66 on Feb 7, 2010 12:20:02 GMT 1
Wow those wheels look big, do they add alot of weight? Have you flown it since adding them?
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jbess
Squadron leader
Posts: 154
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Post by jbess on Feb 7, 2010 14:31:10 GMT 1
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jbess
Squadron leader
Posts: 154
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Post by jbess on Feb 7, 2010 15:31:40 GMT 1
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Post by john66 on Feb 7, 2010 16:51:45 GMT 1
Be good to know if it flys fine, they certainly look the part!
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jbess
Squadron leader
Posts: 154
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Post by jbess on Feb 11, 2010 2:14:38 GMT 1
Flight report: Finally had good enough weather in Colorado to test fly my SC after I made the minor mods. The velcro'd wing struts held up beautifully, even with the loops and high speed dive pullouts. The wheels, even at 3" didn't help me land in the frozen grass (It was 35F when I flew), and nosed over pretty much every time. Looking forward to spring to have some real grass to work with. As far as weight, the tires did add some weight, but not enough to affect flight performance. The only noticeable difference was the first few seconds after a hand launch. The extra weight put a gentle nose down attitude until the speed built up, plenty of time for a reaction to pull the nose up on the stick.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the mods. Still might spring for the ultra light wheels, but there is no pressing need at the moment.
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Post by ginginho on Feb 11, 2010 14:00:35 GMT 1
Flight report: Finally had good enough weather in Colorado to test fly my SC after I made the minor mods. The velcro'd wing struts held up beautifully, even with the loops and high speed dive pullouts. The wheels, even at 3" didn't help me land in the frozen grass (It was 35F when I flew), and nosed over pretty much every time. Looking forward to spring to have some real grass to work with. As far as weight, the tires did add some weight, but not enough to affect flight performance. The only noticeable difference was the first few seconds after a hand launch. The extra weight put a gentle nose down attitude until the speed built up, plenty of time for a reaction to pull the nose up on the stick. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the mods. Still might spring for the ultra light wheels, but there is no pressing need at the moment. With regards to the nosing over, it maybe that you are a bit more nose heavy, your statement about flying with the larger wheels would tend to confirm this. It may be worth you checking the balance. Another option is to bend the LG wires a bit forward effectively moving your wheels further forward. Again this will affect the CoL, so check again if you try this. If you haven't yet made a balancer, search the site for "coat hanger" (or similar), you'll find a nice picture of one and how to use it posted by retiredbri a while back. EDIT : 500th post.  |
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jbess
Squadron leader
Posts: 154
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Post by jbess on Feb 12, 2010 0:44:26 GMT 1
The plane is perfectly balanced (using the method I posted above), unless I did it wrong. In flight, it flies just fine, no extra trim needed. I'm sure the weight is just reducing the effective lift on the wings. Like I said, it's not bad at all, just the only noticeable difference.
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Post by Dillzio on Feb 12, 2010 11:01:24 GMT 1
The landing gear are almost directly below the centre of gravity, so they have very little effect on the balance of the plane. Just be careful with your weight, you keep adding upgrades such as these at 30g each and your plane will slowly but surely loose it's flight characteristics. I know that one from experience.
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Post by john66 on Feb 12, 2010 13:41:45 GMT 1
Interesting stuff, thanks for the update.
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jbess
Squadron leader
Posts: 154
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Post by jbess on Feb 14, 2010 0:04:09 GMT 1
So took off from a street this afternoon. First time since I put on the new tires. It didn't look good. It seemed there was just a bit too much mass on the wheels to roll the way it should without trying to nose over. Once I got the plane landed, I taxied it, and it wanted to nose over with partial throttle. I even made sure to slowly throttle up. So while it was good attempt at larger wheels, I purchased the Du-bro diamond light wheels I posted above. $15 with shipping from myatomic.com.
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Post by Dillzio on Feb 14, 2010 5:56:57 GMT 1
Always check that the struts don't rub the wheels when the plane is rolling along. Also, make sure the shaft is oiled, and don't do up the nuts so tight the wheel can't spin freely. I'm pretty happy with the 2&3/4 inch wheels I got from BRC: www.brchobbies.co.uk/?page=shop&action=additem&item=454 , although they're a little too wide so you have to drill out a bit of a recess in the wheels. These ones look good too: www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=9834&Product_Name=5_Spoke_Wheels_Shock_Absorbing_D70xH18mm_(5pcs/bag) I got them in the 65 mm and they fit the landing gear without having to drill out a recess for the nut to go onto the thread, although I'm not sure if the 70mm are the same width - according to the label they are. These wheels are better looking too. The Dubro 100MW are about as good as you can get for the tail wheel, although the 125mw are 1/4 inch bigger if you really want to upsize them. |
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Post by Dillzio on Feb 20, 2010 3:44:52 GMT 1
Sounds like an excellent opportunity for you to upgrade to aluminum landing gear struts. :-)
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Post by killioughtta on Feb 20, 2010 3:53:14 GMT 1
Very nice. Where did you get those tires? Sounds like an excellent opportunity for you to upgrade to aluminum landing gear struts. :-) The springy wire landing gear might help in uneven terrain; since he'll be in the mountains and may be landing on a dirt road or a trail. |
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