Sonic - The Build So Far...

[malc1]

Just thought I`d post up a few photos on the Vario Sonic progress.

Bit of a long job but slowly getting there. :)

I`ll add a few more as the radio gear goes in and final assembly.

[malc1]

Here`s a few more pictures of the build -

[Christopher J]

Looks like a nice clean build so far.

[malc1]

Yeah its coming very near to final installation now.
First Vario so I had a few general issues along the way.Its not a five minute job though to put one together is it?
My Carbon airwolf fus that I started the tail end of 2004 is still up in the roof space incomplete - used the mechanics on this one - looks like I`ll have to go out and buy another set now if things go well with this :)

[Christopher J]

Putting one together is pretty involved, but once done they are worth the time and effort spent.

[malc1]

Finally finished apart from test flight and painting..

[Garland]

why does vario have 2 exact fuse named differently? Sonic and Flash??

I think one is a gasser.

I want to do my 1st scale around a skyfox evo I think it'll be a Flash also. I need to work my way up to my Notar 520N

[malc1]

I want to do my 1st scale around a skyfox evo I think it'll be a Flash also. I need to work my way up to my Notar 520N

Hope you`ve got loads of time to spare :wink:

[Garland]

yeh I'll just take my time

:D

hows the sonic flying?

[malc1]

Hi
It had the engine started for the first time and a test hover on Sunday morning.
Only able to run one tank through through due to the exhaust being a little bit close to the inside of the fuse and noticing a small scorch mark as I`m hovering.
I`m waiting for some heat reflective tape to come in the post so I can mod the rear end where the exhaust comes out.
As I said got the Rossi started with out too much of a problem and had a very `rich` and smokey hover.
It seem very responsive and may need toning down a bit and the tail seemed to have a slight wander to the left (didn`t attempt to trim it out at this stage,I`ll try next flight).
Other than that it does fly :D
I`m planning on taking it down the field with my other helis, if the weathers ok on Sunday and If I`ve got the modification done.I want to try to get some more fuel through the engine so I can start to lean things out a bit.
Got to get that engine running nice and the heli trimmed out and see if I`ve got any more problems :wink:

[Garland]

Let me know how the Rossi does I have the same eng on 5% nitro I havent fired her up in forever, sounds like it runs same as yours as I can smoke the entire fly field out with no heat on the eng back plate if I remem.

[malc1]

I`m using straight fuel as recommended, I don`t really want it smoke out the entire field.
Still waiting for the parts to sort the exhaust out so I can get to run it again on Sunday.
I`ll post up how it goes.

[malc1]

Modded the rear exhaust set up today hopefully should be ok now.
I`m using a Aluminium liner bored out to 16mm and some 450 degrees F rated heat relective tape. Also pulled the exhaust a few mm away from the rear of the fus by slightly closing up the header to silencer gap.
I`ll get it all back together in the next few days ready to start test flights again - just looking for some good weather.

[Dennisu]

malc1

How do they keep the tail rotor collective from binding with the fixed attachment links on the tail pitch slider?

[malc1]

To be honest it doesn`t seem to be the smoothest I`ve seem at its extreme positions.
Seems that the control bridge is quite flexible and when over driven does bend a bit.
I found the tail a bit tricky to set up and get smooth actually due to the position that the push rod came out of the tail and the pushrod aluminum sleeving position inside the fus.
I think this needs to be at the right angle to keep the slider square on the shaft.
Note the slight kink that had to be put into the rod.
I have used some silicon oil of the shaft as well as recomended.

[Dennisu]

malc1

IMHO you should put some sort of swivel at the point of attachment to the slider to relieve the stress. It is normally done that way and I don't see any reason that it should not be done. A heim joint would be a perfect setup for that. The bellcrank attachment will locate the slider for phasing of the tail rotor.

[malc1]

I am using one of the pushrod connectors as recommended by Vario.It does swivel and allow a little movement at that point.
Not to sure how else you would set the tail up on this model with the gear box that comes with the Skyfox mech.

[Dennisu]

malc1

I am referring to where your tail rotor pitch horn linkages connect to the pitch slider. The linkages will have a cramp in them with the fixed connection to the pitch slider.

[malc1]

Yeah sorry,see what you mean.
These are the two links that I notice do bend at extreme positions
Have you got a Vario part number for an alternative way of doing it?

[Dennisu]

malc1

Sorry I don't have a Vario but you need to figure out some way of making the connection to the pitch slider flexible. A Heim joint would be great but you need a surface that is perpendicular to the movement to implement it. Don't know if there is a ball with a 90 degree mount because that would work just the same and allow you to use a standard pushrod.

[malc1]

Looks like Vario do two upgraded control bridges, one with swivel joints and one with joints + bearings.
I`ll give them a ring later and see what they say.
Cheers

[Dennisu]

malc1

I looked at the Vario UK site today and noticed the swivel jointed tail pitch slider assemblies. I can only assume that at one point all of their engineers had died and they had to get a moron to design the one that you got. Luckily they have now found someone with some smarts to design a proper pitch slider.

[malc1]

I think you`re right about that :lol:
Should come in the kit as standard not have to fit it and then take it off and change it and also to pay an extra £8.64 for a tiny bit of plastic :shock:
Got one coming anyway,thanks again for pointing it out.

[malc1]

Optional uprated tail control bridge assembly fitted - should stop that little bit of binding. :wink:

[Dennisu]

malc1

See! Now that wasn't too hard for them to do. You have to wonder what would even possess them to make it wrong in the first place.