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x-planker · 12-24-2005, 11:17 PM

I was wondering how many of you guy's use to over build. My father taught me to build rc airplanes many years ago, and anyone that know's him will tell you he's an amazing builder. Looking at the arf's of today you will notice that they barely even glue these things together! I like to fly my planes HARD and to this day i have not had a arf fly apart on me yet....KNOCK ON WOOD...But this just shows you how much strength comes from the engineering, and not how much glue you use.

Have a good one guy's and merry christmas

NorseHammer · 12-25-2005, 12:34 AM

I have on every occasion overbuilt my planes, and when the worst happens they STILL fly apart! Not being an engineer and having about three VMAR kits separate at various glue joints, one occasion it was the firewall with motor and mount attached parting company in flight. That last one was truly uncontrolable, plane was tail heavy instantly. To be fair, I should say that my 2 HET arfs are indeed minimalist in their construction and use of glue and have not suffered similarly.

**scaleguy** · 12-25-2005, 12:45 AM

Build to Fly.... NOT to crash!

12-25-2005, 05:37 AM

Apart from the days when I was learning this hobby I have not overbuilt airplanes.

The Chinese are attempting to turn underbuilding into an artform. The Chinese have yet to perfect this.
I have owned only one ARF, the first and last. The landing gear ripped out on the third very ordinary landing. Apart from some discoloration of the wood there was no evidence of glue. The landing gear on this .90 sized airplane appeared to be held in with a couple of toothpicks.

Has anyone noticed on the glass parts, cowls and wheelpants for example, the layup is very dry. I have to believe that resin is severely rationed in China. On the ARF That I have, the first and last, I applied another layer of resin and cloth to the inside of glass parts.

Ed S

Ken Currell · 12-25-2005, 06:56 AM

I didn't over build when I first started.

As the engines got more powerful I did build a little bit stronger but my planes are still fairly light.

When I build I strenghthen some things and lighten others.

I don't like overweight planes. They still break when they crash.

voyager_663rd · 12-25-2005, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Smith

Apart from the days when I was learning this hobby I have not overbuilt airplanes.

The Chinese are attempting to turn underbuilding into an artform. The Chinese have yet to perfect this.
I have owned only one ARF, the first and last. The landing gear ripped out on the third very ordinary landing. Apart from some discoloration of the wood there was no evidence of glue. The landing gear on this .90 sized airplane appeared to be held in with a couple of toothpicks.

Has anyone noticed on the glass parts, cowls and wheelpants for example, the layup is very dry. I have to believe that resin is severely rationed in China. On the ARF That I have, the first and last, I applied another layer of resin and cloth to the inside of glass parts.

Ed S

Have to say my GP STA-M arf is still flying successfully after 1 summer. Only complaint I have is the windscreens are a bugger to try to glue on. When they do pop off, they get screwed on and the heck with appearances. Hide the screws with auto pin striping tape.

Nuker · 12-25-2005, 10:06 AM

I use re-enforcements where practical (e.g behind the wing on the fuse, use bass vs balsa spars for turtledeck etc) but tend to build overall lighter than the plans suggest.

Jim is right, build it to fly but it has to survive the trip to the field too

Bob

nony · 12-25-2005, 11:55 AM

Quote:

I have owned only one ARF, the first and last.

......but....but...how do you know that is typical?

x-planker · 12-25-2005, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Jim is right, build it to fly but it has to survive the trip to the field too

I agree with scaleguy and Nuker, re-enforcing the firewall, landing gear, wing hold downs and servos are almost always a must. But overall, most of the ARF's on the market are pretty good quality, not like the old days.

Spring is right around the corner guys

jake_027 · 12-26-2005, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaleguy

Build to Fly.... NOT to crash!

I agree 100% with Jim. I personally roll my eyes when I see someone do a really bad landing (ie: a new plane that they are afraid to stall on landing so they come in super hot) and then they rip the landing gear off and the first thing they say looking at the seperated landing gear is...." I will never by a $%&!# ARF again!!!!"

12-24-2005, 11:17 PM	#1
x-planker RCC Contributor I am: kevin b Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hamilton, Ontario Radio of choice: JR # of RCs: 8 Feedback: 2 / 100% Posts: 372 Total Props: 1	DID YOU OVER BUILD? Remove this ad - become a site supporter! I was wondering how many of you guy's use to over build. My father taught me to build rc airplanes many years ago, and anyone that know's him will tell you he's an amazing builder. Looking at the arf's of today you will notice that they barely even glue these things together! I like to fly my planes HARD and to this day i have not had a arf fly apart on me yet....KNOCK ON WOOD...But this just shows you how much strength comes from the engineering, and not how much glue you use. Have a good one guy's and merry christmas
	.

12-25-2005, 12:34 AM	#2
NorseHammer RCC Expert Contributor I am: Moe N. Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Terrace B.C. Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 766 Total Props: 0	Over Build, certainly! I have on every occasion overbuilt my planes, and when the worst happens they STILL fly apart! Not being an engineer and having about three VMAR kits separate at various glue joints, one occasion it was the firewall with motor and mount attached parting company in flight. That last one was truly uncontrolable, plane was tail heavy instantly. To be fair, I should say that my 2 HET arfs are indeed minimalist in their construction and use of glue and have not suffered similarly. __________________ Salutations from the Pacific North WET! S.P.A.D.s, Fibreglas & Balsa EDF's, Foamies, Brushless powered and nitro balsa planes, they're all in my hanger, just don't explain what it all means to the mrs, eh?
	.

12-25-2005, 12:45 AM	#3
scaleguy IMAC/SA or NOTHING! ★ Site Supporter ★ I am: JimmyD Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mississauga On, SE Zone Radio of choice: JETI Duplex DS-24 # of RCs: ? Feedback: 75 / 100% Posts: 16,819 Total Props: 59	Build to Fly.... NOT to crash! __________________ Jim Daly #IAmIMAC IMAC Sequence Committee Member MAAC #14323L IMAC #3678 *Windy you ask? I have Whitecaps on my Coffee, YOU be the Judge!*
	.

12-25-2005, 10:06 AM	#7
Nuker RCC Supreme Contributor I am: Bob D. Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Whitby, Ontario Radio of choice: Futaba 12FG # of RCs: 1+ Feedback: 0 / 0% Posts: 3,312 Total Props: 0	I use re-enforcements where practical (e.g behind the wing on the fuse, use bass vs balsa spars for turtledeck etc) but tend to build overall lighter than the plans suggest. Jim is right, build it to fly but it has to survive the trip to the field too Bob __________________ Bob D. Ajax RC Club Indoor Aero-Choppers Member of MAAC since I joined Lighten Up, Life is waaaaaayyyy too short
	.

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12-25-2005, 05:37 AM	#4
Ed Smith Guest Feedback: / % Posts: n/a Total Props: 0	Apart from the days when I was learning this hobby I have not overbuilt airplanes. The Chinese are attempting to turn underbuilding into an artform. The Chinese have yet to perfect this. I have owned only one ARF, the first and last. The landing gear ripped out on the third very ordinary landing. Apart from some discoloration of the wood there was no evidence of glue. The landing gear on this .90 sized airplane appeared to be held in with a couple of toothpicks. Has anyone noticed on the glass parts, cowls and wheelpants for example, the layup is very dry. I have to believe that resin is severely rationed in China. On the ARF That I have, the first and last, I applied another layer of resin and cloth to the inside of glass parts. Ed S
	.

12-25-2005, 06:56 AM	#5
Ken Currell Guest I am: Ken Currell Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Whitby, Ontario Radio of choice: Multiplex Royal Evo # of RCs: 30+ Feedback: 3 / 100% Posts: 3,684 Total Props: 0	I didn't over build when I first started. As the engines got more powerful I did build a little bit stronger but my planes are still fairly light. When I build I strenghthen some things and lighten others. I don't like overweight planes. They still break when they crash.
	.

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