Blue Foamie - Part Deux

[craigk]

As promised, here's my review of GBJets latest foamie, the milled fan fold foam version.

First let me just say that I'm honoured that Gaston has offered me an opportunity to review this kit. I hope I meet his expectations:yo:

I received the kit through our ZD Kevin.
The kit is nicely packaged in a sturdy cardboard box
All the materials needed to build the aircraft are included:

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/preview/20436920/page/1/15

The milling is very nice, every bit as good as the Fancy Foam Seminoll I have. The milled areas are very thin - paper thin. This will be one light aircraft.
no instructions ewere included, but I received a PDF via email. I suspect if these become a production thing, then the instructions would be included - maybe on an executable CD

[craigk]

Page two
after pulling all the parts out and test fitting everything, I started gluing things together.
Following the instructions, I used hot glue to attach the 3 mil carbon fibre leading edge rod

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/preview/20436930/page/2/15

As I was gluing this, I wasn't really happy with the result with the hot glue. Also, I thought that perhaps some 3mil x 1mil flat stock might be better than 3 mil rod.
As you can see I was playing with the Blue Sharpie to add some colour.

[craigk]

Page three

Prior to attaching the control surfaces, they must be beveled to 45 degrees. The instructions say to lay a ruler along the hinge side and cut the foam.

I like to draw a line to follow as well, just to help

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/preview/20436929/page/2/15

So, I did this and taped the hinges

[smoknrv4]

Looks like a beauty!:TU:

[craigk]

page four

I deviated from the instructions a bit here, not happy with the hot glue thing, I used Foam to Foam glue from Ontario Adhesives (shameless plug - I accept gifts:rolleyes:) to glue to fuselage pieces together. I bought this over a year ago (last indoor season) it stores better than the foam safe CA and is easier to use.

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/preview/20436921/page/1/15


I found it easier to work with than the hot glue gun for positioning the pieces

gotta take a break now and have a bit of Zifandel with the little lady8-)

[craigk]

Page Five

Where did it say to read the instructions first:confused:
Who does that?

Next step is to cut some 1 mil x 230 mm wing braces and glue them to the underside of the wing.

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20437822/page/1/15

Which would be easier if the top fuse piece is not glued on. :censored:

I used the hot glue here, it made nice dollops to land the braces
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20437820/page/1/15

I started to read the rest of the instructions -----
more wine and cheese

[craigk]

page five addendum

after adding the 1 mil braces to the wing, the structure's strength improved significantly, so I retract my earlier comment about the 3 mil x 1 mil flat for the leading edge:donut:

[aceplant00]

how much for the kit????

[craigk]

how much for the kit????

send a pm to Gaston (GBjets)

[hsh]

Hi Craig,
It does the heart good to see another builder who doesn't need instructions. Manual-----don't need no damn manual. However the mark of a true builder is to be able to complete the project and no one can see what happened as it is straight and true. When all else fails----read the instructions.
Seriously though, well done thread. Clear and well put together with photos to show progression. I must have an older set of instructions as mine has no reference to Zifandel:wink:. Is this a lubricant of some kind to slip the foam parts into the locator slots? LOL

[craigk]

Hi Craig,
I must have an older set of instructions as mine has no reference to Zifandel:wink:. Is this a lubricant of some kind to slip the foam parts into the locator slots? LOL

The Zifandel really speeds the construction process, generally after the second one, the wife passes out on the couch and I can really concentrate:mrgreen:

[gbjets]

The Zifandel really speeds the construction process, generally after the second one, the wife passes out on the couch and I can really concentrate:mrgreen:

Now I'm really confused, is it something I should have included in the kit:confused:

That's hilarious....:)

[uk.expat]

Hi Gaston,Im sure a bottle of Zifhandel,would help sell the kit,also help with the build,would you like me to bring you a case back.Merry Christmas to you and all the folk in the frozen north.

[gbjets]

Hi Gaston,Im sure a bottle of Zifhandel,would help sell the kit,also help with the build,would you like me to bring you a case back.Merry Christmas to you and all the folk in the frozen north.

That's a wonderful idea, even though I don't have a clue what it is, probably some kind of a drink to warm you up.:yo:

[AJCoholic]

That's a wonderful idea, even though I don't have a clue what it is, probably some kind of a drink to warm you up.:yo:

Gaston, thats wine (Vino!) he's talking about... you know, the stuff that makes your flying and building seem better ;)

AJC

[gbjets]

Gaston, thats wine (Vino!) he's talking about... you know, the stuff that makes your flying and building seem better ;)

AJC

Thanks Andrew for the clarification, I was getting closer.:D
by the way, have you had a chance to finish yours Yak.

[KENT FABBRO]

Would it ever be fun to see the look on Craigs face when he flies the YAK....He is in for a wonderful surprise...Right Gaston,Hugh?????

[gbjets]

Would it ever be fun to see the look on Craigs face when he flies the YAK....He is in for a wonderful surprise...Right Gaston,Hugh?????

Hugh already suggested that we pay a visit to the boys at their gym in the Soo some day, maybe we should go just to take Craig's picture...;) ,we'll bring Ray to show them what the plane can do or how quicklly it can be fixed....:mrgreen:

[AJCoholic]

Thanks Andrew for the clarification, I was getting closer.:D
by the way, have you had a chance to finish yours Yak.

Not yet... but soon. Ron built his.

I am still flyign the Yak you were going to throw out, that I saved from your garbage last winter... remember?? Its still flying awesome!

AJC

[gbjets]

Gaston, thats wine (Vino!) he's talking about... you know, the stuff that makes your flying and building seem better ;)

AJC

Ok Andrew, I went on the internet and quickly found out that it's not a bagel..:eek:, here's a quote from one of the sites.


"One out of every ten bottles of table wine opened in America is white zinfandel." -- Sutter Home

I'm with the other nine.::)

[craigk]

OK, enough of the wine classes - oh - I'm with the other nine also - I have red :checkmark:

Back to the build,

Added the landing gear, these are made up of 1.5 mil carbon fiber with neat bent aluminum tube to create the bend for the wheels. another short piece of 1.5 mil rod is used as an axle. A dab of hot glue holds the wheel on the axle.

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20454462/page/1/15

The instructiosn weren't too clear about how to attach the landing gear legs to the fuse, but for anyone with any experience at all, it is relatively obvious. I simply notched the bottom of the fuse and secured the legs to the bottom of the wing and in the notch

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20454461/page/1/15

[craigk]

I found some time to start on the servo installation

These are simply glued into the pre-cut holes in the fuselage.
I settled on Hitec 55 from the parts box. The instructions call for HXT 500 which may be a bit smaller and lighter. I can easily change these out later. the servos are hot glued in, just like most shock flyers

A neat control horn has been developed for the foamy
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20454455/page/1/15

a short length of .5 mil rod is glued into the foam horn, which is then glued to the flight surface
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20454454/page/1/15

a piece of very small id clear tubing is included to attach the push rod to the control horn, included z-bends and heat shrink attach the pushrod to the servo arm. The photo is a little fuzzy

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20454608/page/1/15

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20454607/page/1/15

well, that will be it until next week - off to visit the parents for the weekend

heading to the sunny south - Essex, Ontario (South Woodslee, actually)

[imported_paintball_kidz]

Your gonna love this one, Ive already put over 20flights into mine and its a great flier.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5245555406_f649f952c7.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tuandinhap/5245555406/)

[gbjets]

[QUOTE=imported_paintball_kidz;781954]Your gonna love this one, Ive already put over 20flights into mine and its a great flier.

It's awesome, it says a lot for the durability, also knowing that it was put together with a very small amount of hot glue. Your excellent flying skills put the airframe through a lot more stress than most, without hitting anything like I do, sometimes..:mrgreen:

[craigk]

Well, holidays are over - hope everyone has a great new year:mrgreen:

In keeping with the designer's (Gaston) quest for lightness I removed the plastic case on the HK Orange receiver. I'll get a piece of heat shrink to protect it.

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20603300/page/1/15

This should shave another couple of grams

and I substituted the Hitec 55 servos for HXT500 servos from Hobby King to save another few grams
http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20603301/page/1/15

What I cannot find though are the correct type of Dubro micro servo arms to fit these Tower Pro/HXT 5 gram servos. Does anyone know?

[gbjets]

What I cannot find though are the correct type of Dubro micro servo arms to fit these Tower Pro/HXT 5 gram servos. Does anyone know

Hi Craig

I've been using the servo arms included with the servos, it should give you 2in. travel each way for a total of 4 in. you should be ok, plus the Z bends fit perfectly in the servo arms.

[craigk]

The finished product

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20603735/page/2/15

And my state of the art transmitter

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20603733/page/1/15


I'll take it to my lab Monday and check the final weight
For the record:

three HXT500 5 gram servos
HK orange receiver no case
ESC - no idea
Hacker A10-9L
JR 9303 2.4 tranny


The build was really easy, following the instructions is helpful :rolleyes:
using the 1 mil surgical tube for the horn setup is a slick idea,

http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewimage/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/20604051/page/1/15

once the final flight adjustments are done, I'll put a drop of ca to secure the tube

All the photos can be viewed at http://photoshare.shaw.ca/messages/viewthumb/1315063972-1292378866-56490/parm/page/1/15/

Test flight will be at our next indoor session - January 8

[gbjets]

Hi Craig

Terrific job, if the weather cooperates we'll join you at the gym Jan 8.
If the vinyl tubing is at least 10 mm over the CF rod, you won't need CA, I've never used any for the last 5 years and I might have hit a few things during that time..;)

[craigk]

All up weight is 4.9 ounces, 137.6 grams :checkmark:

As built, Hacker 10-9L, Thunderbird 9 esc, 3 x HXT500 servos, stripped HK Orange receiver, Rhino 360 2S li-po

[gbjets]

All up weight is 4.9 ounces, 137.6 grams :checkmark:

As built, Hacker 10-9L, Thunderbird 9 esc, 3 x HXT500 servos, stripped HK Orange receiver, Rhino 360 2S li-po

Hi Craig

It's a bit heavier by about 1/2 oz but it might be your scale, although the esc, the motor and the rx are approx. 4 or 5 grams heavier than what I use but it should be fine since it's still under 5 oz. I'll have a power system with me anyways, just in case.
Thanks Craig

[craigk]

Hi Craig

It's a bit heavier by about 1/2 oz but it might be your scale,

my scale is accurate - it is from the lab I work in.
but yes, my components are a bit heavier - the Hacker is likely the biggest difference.

[gbjets]

my scale is accurate - it is from the lab I work in.
but yes, my components are a bit heavier - the Hacker is likely the biggest difference.

Now I remember you saying something about the lab, it'll be fine anyways, after a few mishaps, mine is usually heavier than that and it still flies well.