[solved]Baby Flight Streak build log

I flew today!

Boy is that .051 a little demon once running. I might need longer lines. I had a MA 5.5x4 on it. The plane wants to go nose up out of the wing wrap stooge, but acts like it is well balanced once flying. This behaviour was a problem and might be related to the wind today. The wind was circling and was somewhat strong and variable.

I got 1 good flight in on 1/4 oz fuel . This thing is capable! I did some loops and a figure 8 in the little time I had.

Repeat flights were less than spectacular. On launch the wind would carry the plane in as it went nose up, no control, I couldn't run fast enough to catch the lines back up so I wingovered into the dirt. No apparent damage besides a broken prop.

A little later the sky opened up and it is still pouring.

Phil

Good going, Phil. Mine is pretty fast on 35' with a 5.5x3. That 4 pitch might have been a little slow off the stooge, like starting in 3rd gear, but once going it hauls ass. If you have a 5.5x3 it might launch more straight away and not be quite as fast in the laps. Also the loops will be much tighter with a lower pitch. Glad you didn't bust anything precious.
Rusty

Cool Phil!

Sounds like fun. I'd drop the pitch down to 3. It should slow it down some.

I tied up a set of 44 ft lines.  I meant for 45, but somehow ended up with less than the needed length to tie the knots.  Hi-Viz 20# Power Pro.

With all the tree work done last week and around the pond I think I have plenty of space.  (I have measured before and have enough space.  More space now, but still tight.)

Looking for a non-rubber ducky 3 pitch prop.  I know I ordered a bunch.  I have a 6x3 APC on my desk, and I expect I put the rest in my box in the garage.

Rain today...  Maybe during the week... Planning on using a tail stooge. 8 ft of plywood enough?

Phil

Want to come over and trim mine? I would be happy with 40ft!

I am running a 6x3 on my TD to tame it for 35' since you are going 40' plus you could cut it down to 5.5

If you want to that is. You may find the 6x3 to be plenty quick still.

Ron

One flight and treed :/ I might not be able to fly this in my yard...

At least it didn't break anything.

Engine won't restart though. This .051 acts like no compression, yet when I wet the head with fuel it does not bubble. The exhaust bubbles like nothing else though. I have only run it a couple times. Sig Champion 25%

I tried the pink plane with a TD and had a similar experience with it cold. No compression, no head leaks. Again exhaust bubbles like nobody's business.

Even my older reed engines I can get running with minimal fuss. I spent an hour trying to start 2 engines with only an occasional flooded burp. I have better success with my not-broke-in Fox 35.

Should I swap on some newer top ends off my newer or rebuilt bees? I have a nearly new TD top end from Bernie...
Phil

Was it a new cylinder?

Could be a few things

1. Plain wore out
2. The Sig washed off the Castor seal
3. Compression when hot is much less than when cool.

If it were me I would just keep using it until it's too hard to start.

How lean are you setting it on launch? Any sagging during flight?

Hope it works out!

Ron

.051, Used engine. Unknown amount of use prior to my acquiring.

Flown 2 days, total of about 6 runs.

I would definitely call this a pain in the rear. I don't want to just toss the set though. I also don't have any spring starters for TD or handy electric start options. I suppose I can put it on a bee and see what it does.

Phil

On crazy talk...Apparently on most Mccoy engines if they loose compression you can expand the piston by peening the face of it and gain a few thousandths, several times even. I don't think I want to try this scheme right soon, or even how to go about it since the piston has a flat face to it...maybe support the piston around the cuff and hit it with a ball-end punch? Really an "eye" punch might be better so the support and peen line up.