[fixer]

I had to make it very slightly wider (careful dremmel or file, hard to reach in there with a file and harder to pull out to do it), and a shade over 1/8 longer at both ends. This means new holes for the screws, which did not interfere with the old holes but still went into plenty of wood.

I would like to know how you make out flying it with the OEM parts. I intend to donate this plane to our club for a high wing trainer, so I thought it should be bullet proof, so to speak. It's winter so I got right at the mods without trying it OEM.

To put the new motor in I ground the original motor mount out a bit and built an adapter to position the new motor properly (it's longer.) Your 3516 should fit OK as the .15 I used is 35MM too.
I drilled 1/2" hole in the front fire wall to let the ESC wires through to the motor as the ESC is now inside the cavity in front of the windshield. I cut through the second firewall and the battery & the ESC reside there. The batt can now move to provide balance. There was 5 chunks of steel ballast in the cowl nose originally, so my upgrade has added no weight and probably too much power.
If you have any other questions, fire away. Bob...

[fixer]

This is how things look with the mods done except for the MG servo. The first pic shows the G15 motor set back into the plane with the new adapter on the old mount. #2 shows the ESC. #3 the ESC & the battery and a Spectrum Rx in the Bomb Bay. 4 shows the vacated servo. The new MG82 hiteck servo will replace it to end the reported stripping of the servo when taxiing in grass (hopefully).

[MichaelJ]

Thanks for the photos on your mods Bob. I've got a few flights stock and so far have had no issues. Grass take offs and landings are smooth and easy (touch wood). I'll keep you updated as to any issues with the stock setup. I used small magnets on the fuselage and washers on the cowl to hold it on and it seems to work well.

[fixer]

I'm using the magnet idea too. Did you have any trouble getting the cowl off? I don't know why they glued it on in the first place. Sometimes you have to wonder what the designers were thinking.
I'm glad the OEM stuff is working OK, I want to reuse it in another airframe under less demanding conditions.
Did you change the CofG at all to encourage easy flight or to make it more aerobatic?

[dashpuppy]

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

Thanks for the photos on your mods Bob. I've got a few flights stock and so far have had no issues. Grass take offs and landings are smooth and easy (touch wood). I'll keep you updated as to any issues with the stock setup. I used small magnets on the fuselage and washers on the cowl to hold it on and it seems to work well.

Where are you flying this plane may i join you for some sessions ( Nanaimo )

[MichaelJ]

The cowl was a major pita to get off. Patience and some flexible feeler gauges worked for me. My batteries range from 175 gm to 205 gm so my c/g is from neutral to a little nose down.

[MichaelJ]

Originally Posted by dashpuppy

Where are you flying this plane may i join you for some sessions ( Nanaimo )

I usually fly at Beban or Serauxman, early afternoon, weather permitting. It's totally ad lib. Drop by anytime.

[fixer]

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

The cowl was a major pita to get off. Patience and some flexible feeler gauges worked for me. My batteries range from 175 gm to 205 gm so my c/g is from neutral to a little nose down.

Cutting through the firewall would allow you to position the battery to adjust the CofG fwiw. Aerocell cuts like butter using a long thin hobby blade. Then just strap the batt in place with velcro etc.
I'm using some of that plastic strip magnet to hold the cowl on. Hoping it will hold, but the cowl really has no place to go anyway.
Are you using the stock 2200mah? How long will they fly at say 1/2-3/4 throttle, assuming it will fly at that power level.

[dashpuppy]

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

I usually fly at Beban or Serauxman, early afternoon, weather permitting. It's totally ad lib. Drop by anytime.

What about Jingle pot ? ( across the street ? )

[MichaelJ]

Originally Posted by dashpuppy

What about Jingle pot ? ( across the street ? )

That's the field I meant. They both seem to be named Serauxman.