On to my third flight for the day and suddenly the diabolo starts pulling to right. Full left aileron and some rudder is required to keep the beast flying straight. Sensing something wrong, I call for help and between two of us manage to get this thing down in one piece. And what do we see?
Have a look yourself
This is how it was when landed, the top covering was totally gone
Wow ! The covering on the other wing also shows that it can use some iron. I would have guessed there is a single layer of white covering on the wing first, and the purple (or magenta or whatever) is just on top of it. Is this an ARF quality issue ?
The magenta covering has just a few mm overlap from the end of the white. It must have started to peel and this was not noticed. While flying, the front edge got peeled off, and the air pressure did the rest!
This is an issue with most coverings, especially if a bit old. My solution is to tack the edge/s down with cyano, when they start to exhibit this symptom.
I would vote for "just skill" ;)
More than anything it is due to defective way the wing is covered. The front portion of purple covering instead of being sealed under the white covering twords leading edge is on top of white. So this defect coupled with ageing covering led to what was expected.
The covering on entire airframe is peeling off, not that the sealant is peeling but the sealing layer of paint/glue is still stuck and you can see (now) transparent covering peeling off at many places.
Guess it's time to recover the entire plane
Captain
No real need to recover if its basically alright.
Try my "fix" on a section. You may well be surprised. And its quick!
No sir, given the fact that the covering is peeling off at places and iron does not work (since the paint/glue substrate itself is peeling off from the covering) I would be loath to risk the plane to more such incidents. Even if i only do this wing it would mean full wing as I would do it the right way that is rear section of covering goes under the front section and the front sections covers the LE curve so that oncoming flow of air actually helps to keep the covering adhred to the frame rather than work under the covering
Captain. The fix is exactly for when the iron does not work.
But I can well understand your reservations. There is no substitute for a fresh job. You "recovered" from one situation. Time for another!
Sushil,
I guess no harm in learning something new, would ber interested in your method
Anwar,
I got a mail saying this topic has been split by the moderator. But dont seem to find where the split portion has been posted?
The topic below was posted on this thread while it should have been a separate/standalone topic. I split it out into its own topic.
http://www.rcindia.org/rc-maneuvers-and-skills/help-needed-with-broken-antenna/
Just trying to help a newcomer to the forum :)
Oh! ok and thanks
Quote from: flyingboxcar on October 11, 2010, 02:02:25 PM
Sushil,
I guess no harm in learning something new, would ber interested in your method
Just lift the peeling edge, drip a little cyano along either side, where the joint would be, and press down with a rolling action with the back of a hobby knife. Its a practical way to put pressure. Anything else sticks to the cyano and makes a mess!
Do try and let me know it worked for you.
Thanks yes that would work on the peeling edges but not on missing covering ;)