RC India

RC Models => Gas/Glow/Nitro Planes => Topic started by: flying truck on March 23, 2012, 03:29:46 AM

Title: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 23, 2012, 03:29:46 AM
With this thread i hope to document my first nitro plane build, unfortunately i haven't taken many pictures till now, i'll put up stuff from the current stage

Parts that i chose for this build,

Airframe
Thunder Tiger Ready mk3 (This is an ABS ARF and not a typical balsa ARF)

Engine
OS 55ax

Radio
Airtronics SD-6G
Airtronics RX600

Servos
Hextronik/Towerpro 5010


Build tools and misc stuff
30 or 15 min epoxy
CA glue
PVC Solvent

Hex screw drivers
Pliers
Files
Sand paper (200 and 400 grit)
Drill

Thunder Tiger 11x7.7
Master Airscrew 11.5x7.5 Formula One Prop (needs to be reamed to fit the os engine shaft)

Fuel Filter
Silicone tubing



Here a video of me testing the servos to see if they work in the first place
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCT9ausV7Eg


Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 23, 2012, 05:11:01 PM
The picture of the engine. The mount had to be sanded down to make the OS55AX fit
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 23, 2012, 05:18:17 PM
Fuel tank mounted, the yellow stuff is pvc solvant
(http://s19.postimage.org/7qvba4tlr/fuel_tank_installed.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/7qvba4tlr/)

Servo Tray and bulk head all glued with CA (super glue)
(http://s19.postimage.org/pi6xol90f/bulk_head_and_servo_tray.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/pi6xol90f/)

Elevator and rudder installed I didn't take pics of how the elevator is put together, it comes as two pieces and is glued together with the help of a balsa wood spar
(http://s19.postimage.org/vxajz053z/elevator_and_rudder_installed.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/vxajz053z/)

Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: allthatido on March 23, 2012, 05:19:07 PM
All the best for your build flying truck. Where did you get the ARF from ?
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 23, 2012, 05:25:02 PM
I got it from rotorsport in chennai
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: divay99 on March 23, 2012, 06:55:39 PM
a few things to watch out for ....

1. OS 55AX is an overkill for this plane ... an OS46AX would have been perfect ... check the CG ... also make sure you have good throttle control while landing .....

2. its great to use CA but I would also suggest a dash of 30 min epoxy on important parts such as the servo tray....
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: saikat on March 23, 2012, 08:10:37 PM
Good plane - lands fast - need a lot of space for approach
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: asinghatiya on March 23, 2012, 10:12:25 PM
+1 to Saikat. Its weight is almost double than a normal balsa model hence double landing speed....:salute:
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 23, 2012, 10:46:46 PM
Ya i will epoxy the tray for extra strength then.

Its not double the weight compared to other 40 size balsa trainers, asinghatiya. But mine will be slightly heavier because the engine i used weighs more than the recommended TT engine.
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: praveen on March 24, 2012, 10:29:45 AM
with this setup i would suggest to go with branded servos ,instead of hextronik or towerpro!
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: Ahmad on March 24, 2012, 11:28:37 AM
I agree with Divya, as he has mentioned that the OS 55AX is a over power engine for this model. And someone else has mentioned to use better servo which is a very good idea, you could use digital 5 kg torque servos, as I am not sure if you are putting single servo or dual servo in the wing, whereas the dual servo setup is a good idea. Also use 30 mins epoxy on the servo tray and also on the engine mount from inside. Make sure that your CG is as per the manual. While landing make sure to land in a pitch up attitude so that you slow the airplane as much as you can.
Happy landing
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: roopeshkrishna on March 24, 2012, 04:08:54 PM
Truck..me and my Colleagues tried this TT REA, with various powerplants.. proved sucsessful.. its a great ARF.. with only some minor modifications it flies like a carpet.. with a woooommmm punching noise.. sheer exciting.. add an additional piece of reinforcement, from repair kit, to nose wheel adaptor.. have some nice flights..
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: roopeshkrishna on March 24, 2012, 04:10:56 PM
and were using servos from D Y S, is proven value for money still working after an year, after taking a good training  load.. !!
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 25, 2012, 04:12:32 PM
Well i really don't want to pull the engine out right now. And has anyone had problems with the hextronik 5010? I read that its was the towerpro metal geared servos that are bad. I will ofcourse check the CG and lateral balance once everything is done.

More pics
(http://s19.postimage.org/uqyabgzxb/main_wing_with_aileron_servo_installed.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/uqyabgzxb/)

(http://s19.postimage.org/5m79y20gv/Rudder_control.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5m79y20gv/)

(http://s19.postimage.org/84syyqm73/Servos_installed.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/84syyqm73/)
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: roopeshkrishna on March 25, 2012, 04:16:05 PM
Hextronix is also a best option.. was using a lots on crafts..  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 25, 2012, 04:20:34 PM
Ya i took them apart they seem well built, the control board is supported and no frayed wires.
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 26, 2012, 04:23:57 PM
Got the prop balanced

(http://s19.postimage.org/wa8dof8in/prop.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/wa8dof8in/)

And the assembly is complete, pending paint

(http://s19.postimage.org/bem3d6cbj/plane.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/bem3d6cbj/)

The plane is definitely a bit nose heavy even with the battery pack real close to the bulk head so will have to add a bit of lead to the tail. Haven't checked lateral balance as yet.
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: roopeshkrishna on March 26, 2012, 04:42:01 PM
 {:)} {:)}
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 28, 2012, 02:55:16 PM
Broke in the engine today. Glow fuel looks like caramel vodka  ;D

Followed this procedure instead of the OS recommended one
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/Tapered-Bore_Engine_Break-in_-_Upgraded/m_1850473/tm.htm
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 29, 2012, 04:56:12 PM
Picked up some stick on weights today from my local tire shop to balance the plane

(http://s19.postimage.org/5uaj5abbz/20120329_165342.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/5uaj5abbz/)
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: Ahmad on March 29, 2012, 06:10:08 PM
First try to shift your battery pack to get the CG correct and then use weight. Lighter the airplane, it will fly better.
Title: Re: Thunder Tiger ready mk3 / OS55ax build
Post by: flying truck on March 29, 2012, 06:27:45 PM
i wish i could Ahmad. But i got the pack as close to the central bulk head as possible. I need to shift it behind the servo tray to get the CG right but that doesn't seem like a good idea as it interferes with the control lines. I need 40 grams of weight at the tail to balance it. but then the engine i chose is 175 grams heavier than the recommended TT GP-42 so i guess this is expected.