Sniper EDF

[NorseHammer]

Well The instant gratification EDF Sniper as had many many maiden flight posts on RC Universe, here's the first one for RC Canada. When one scans the web for such maiden reports one finds very few with damage reports. Mine unfortunately has a damage report to go along with the Maiden flight anouncement.
The Bungee launch was exciting, 20 lbs of tension hauls the Sniper aloft briskly! This flight utilized a 3s2P pack made of 2480 Apogee cells feeding a HET 2 wind motor and the ubiquitous WeMoTec fan. Control was provided by a Hitec Electron 6 receiver and three HET servo's set at the rates recommended on the Warbirds RC Webpage build page. My ARF came with out any instructions or material for the fan duct, so the Warbirds RC build page intructions were followed. These instructions had the servos mounted with the arms and control horns facing down, which worked fine for the launch and in flight. The plane flys very very fast and has very fast, controlable roll rate but in my opinion could use some more elevator control authority. The problem is on UP the elevator hits the tail cone. Coupling the ailerons to the elevator using electronic mixing to yeild flaperons would be a simple thing to try and I may do that,
On to the Damage Report, upon landing the grass tangled itself in the linkage of both ailerons ripping one free and breaking both servos as well as one control horn. This ended a very impressive first flight sadly. It seems silly on reflection to use underslung linkage mechanisms on a belly lander. The plane was taken back to the hanger, servo's replace, linkages reworked to punch through the top skin of the wing and brought back to the field. The second flight explored the roll rate some more and large loops, which were suitably impressive to our club members as was the succesfull belly landing. The third flight was setup using a 3s4p pack made up of E'tec 1200 mah cells, the total weigh was somewhat more than the Apogee pack and all effort was made to get the CofG right, but it was still 10 cm further forward than the Apogee setup. Launch was again impresive, flight trim was 2 clicks more up with no other noticable change. The plane flew very fast and slowed down just as nicely with the heavier pack landing after 8 minutes succesfuly!
My experience with underslung linkages has me wondering how other fliers have success with this configuration....
The 3S?P speed envelope with the HET 2 Wind motor is so great that I will now confidently try a 2S1P flight with a Apogee 2480 pack. I personally have trouble keeping up with a plane this small at WOT when fed from 3S?P packs. The first step will be to program in Flaperons, for more elevator authority at lower speeds then drop the cell count. The results may make for a better EDF experience for us older fliers with less than lightning fast reflexes and 20/15 vision.

the bottom line, Great flying, very sharp looking aeroplane!


Norse Hammer

[RT Models]

It seems silly on reflection to use underslung linkage mechanisms on a belly lander.


My experience with underslung linkages has me wondering how other fliers have success with this configuration....



Norse Hammer

Actually as the picture shows the linkages are on the TOP of the wing.
Did you not get any instructions?

[RT Models]

I just read you post again. Not sure who you bought your kit from but all the ones we sell include the manual. All of the pictures show the linkage on top of the wing. And there must be about 10 or so showing them on the top.

Markos and I have included the same CD since the kit was released. We went the extra mile to include a very through manual that was done by a fellow modeler who also did the step by step manual for the FA-18 and Skyray.

If damage is bad and you need any replacement parts let me know but hopefully it was minor.

Thanks,

[NorseHammer]

The Kit came from the Canadian vendor, Oilmans RC. HET has not been supplying him with any instructions for the ARF's lately which is why he sent me to Warbirds RC web page for their instructions. The issue is minor really, just replaced the 2 servo's that were broken, and an hours time had things right. I really love the plane, and heartily recomend it! Configuring the flaperons added great slow speed performance, tightening up the airspace needed in turns. With just three control surfaces to bank and yank with, you want this functionality. This keeps it from heading to far out, and permits faster sharper manuevers to kill its airspeed when required. It looks fantastic in all regimes of flight!

[NorseHammer]

The instructions on Warbirds RC do have the linkages top mounted, what was I thinking!! oh well its right now and flys great!

http://www.warbirds-rc.com/Models/0012/Large/l-301.jpg

[oilman]

Many of the RBC EDF planes were desigined with linkages on the underside of the wing. Snaging can be a problem. But in any case top side linkages are probably a smarter bet. Its one of the little things we pick up with a little experience.

I have a RBC YAk 23. And I built that with underslung linkages. Wanting to stay with building the plane as shown on the plans. Luckily the mid wing configuration keeps the linkages out of trouble. Even so if I get around to doing anouther I will no doubt out them on top anyways. Just to be on the safe side. Oh my RBC LA5 has under slung too. And as yet have not broke anything. Luck of the draw maybe.

And yes the Sniper (and Skyray) ARFs I have do not come with plans. Its a slight short coming. But as Norsehammer points out there are very detailed building instructions not only on Markos sight but also a lot of info at RC Groups.

Lorne.

[NorseHammer]

Here's a video taken by Shelby Raymond of the Maiden Launch of the Sniper. 20 lbs of tension on the bungy, and a lot more on me! notice the aprehension with the foot near the pedal.

http://www.dsrhome.com/ttmac/modules.php?set_albumName=may&id=moeflies&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php

[oilman]

LOL

I know this look of trepidation very well.

I like your buddies coment. "Remember full throttle!!" But actualy its true. Full throttle is safest. Man does your Sniper move!

[NorseHammer]

The third launch was made at a slow idle, I was getting tired of seeing it turn into a small dot and having to listen to control instructions from Dennis in order to bring it back over the field for three seconds or so before it was a small dot in the other half of the sky. The 20 lbs of bungie tension gives enough energy to take the plane (at slow 1/8 throttle, I call it idle) up to signifigant altitude for safe experimenting with control such as a 180 degree turn with a 10 to 15 degree climb to keep the speed down to what would be considered slow but safely above stall, this plane loves to fly! The speed range is really wide with the setup I have, you can tool around fairly slowly considering how thin and small the wing is, then punch up full throttle and away she goes again. The motor takes half a second or so to spool up to maximum revs, and the plane accelerates all the while, faster and faster. You carry an awful lot of energy going from full speed horizontal into vertical climbs which while not limitless, are very very tall never the less. The stall is straight ahead and close to flat, almost no dropping of that very long nose. A very dramatic manuever is to make a full speed pass over to stage center then pull up into a huge loop, acclerating at full throttle building energy on the down side for a straight up series of 7 or 8 fast vertical rolls and just as the plane appears to be ready to start stalling out, stop the rolls at the top then "flop" her straight down the runway and punch out of center stage with that 2 wind fan screaming for the far end of the field. Only make sure you keep a close eye on her because as stated earlier she gets very small very fast. The Aerials that this plane is suited for and not even remotely like 3d, think "Snowbirds". You want to work with all the sky you can, without letting her get too small, I'm still getting used to that idea and won't fly the "Sniper" without a "caller" with really good vision and lots of stick experience in his own right. Dennis Raymond flys the fastest planes in our club and does it well, so I know I can do as he says without hesitation. This is what you need when you're starting out flying fast movers. Dennis's planes are all big nitro beasts and they are probably easier to manage because of their size, after I gain some more full speed time on the sticks, we're going to race in order to see how this EDF Sniper compares to his piped nitro speed ships, it could all be the illusions of scale after all.

[oilman]

You got me all pumped up to do a Sniper. But I think I'll try the F18 or Skyray. The Skyray is supossed to be faster.

Its a good thing you have Dennis there. I guess. I always get more nervous when people are watching.

[NorseHammer]

Lorne,

Have you got the space for one of these? it really needs a lot of it, that school yard you have in your video of the stick built EDF won't be enough. Our field is about the smallest I'd want to use for this type of plane, especially when its time for landing. It took me three passes to get down safely each time as the end of the runway kept jumping up at me before the plane was down. The Sniper does not scrub off air speed in ground effect very well at all and you really want to be as gentle as possible with a belly lander. Its a thrill to fly but its not suited for small fields. At least not when flown by someone at my skill level.

[oilman]

You wouldnt believe the opertunity i had to take an arial pic of my favorite Canadian /Powell River flying spot. But alas chickened out as I wasnt shure if Digi cams were cosher on the palne. Turns out they are. Bummer.

Anyways. To heck with Rain forest flying. I found this spot in Jpn.

Theres rice fields two blocks from the inlaws place with paved runways running through them. Just need to stay out of the high tension wires and out of the way of the bullet train and everyones happy!!

[NorseHammer]

Oily is there anyone down your way who's up to dressing up that poor old lonely white Sniper in say the Snowbirds or GoldedHawks colours? I can't think of a more Canadian scheme to do, but I'm open to suggestions and desiring another "instant Gratification" plane, perhaps with the HET EDF 2W-20 motor and HET Fan unit.

[oilman]

Its to my great supprise that many people buy Arfs two at a time. Planing ahead is often mentioned.

Did you smack up the first Sniper I sold you ??

I have a white one. But as yet no 2W20s as RBC is off on holidays all month. Grrr.

Painted up as you mentioned does sound nice. I'm busy playing with to many planes at once again. So nothing is really getting one.

[BigBreeze]

Well, I'm going to exhume this ancient thread to ask the Sniper experts a question!! I know there are better EDFs out there today, but i bought this one last year on a whim, and now I want to make it work!

Alot of reports say wings fold under heavy G, some say no problems at all when left stock, but why tempt fate? I will be lightly strengthening the wing with 3/16" CF tube and Gorrilla glue.

I bored out a 3/16" hole about 2/3 into the wing at the thickest part of the wing. Plan to drizzle some gorilla glue into the hole, lightly coat a CF tube with GG, spray with water, and insert it.

For you experts, will this mod be worthwhile, certainly it should add some strength to the wing, trying to avoid a catastrophic failure in flight. Remainder of the build pretty much stock. I'll be using 2 x 2S 3500 Lipos straddling the ducts above the wing, 2.4 Ghz, Het 2W-20, Het 6904, and Tsunami 72.

Pics attached.
Please let me know your opinions.
Thanks guys.

Marc