new P7e... oh so close

[jbeech]

Do you know the foam used in swimming pool noodles for kids to beat on each other whilst playing in the pool, usually pink or blue closed cell urethane foam of some type. Nearly indestructuble stuff, which works great as a support. Cut and fit a 1" thjck piece to snugly fit within and near the end of the FRP tail boom area.

Next, cut about a 3/4" hole for the boom and then slide the mechanics in until the end of the boom sticks out. FInally, assemble the tail case. This is where you begin to really appreciate our twi-piece tail case design - yes, there's a reason they're made the way they are. Also, consider mounting a short section of fiber board, plywood, or what-have-you to one of the tail fin bolt holes with the M3 bolt. Then mount a rubber grommet to the FRP tailboom with a short brass piece within as a support. I've attached a couple of photos to show what I mean. Works nice.

Meanwhile, I have been busy repairing the Agusta fuselage in hopes of attending the event as well. There were a LOT more cracks than I first thought. Anyway, they've all been patched with glass cloth and epoxy, sanded, filled, sanded, filled, sanded, filled, sanded, and finally primed. I picked up the base-coat clear-coat Friday but then got side tracked with anothe rproject -rewring the lights in the workshop.

This is because I've been busy converted it from 4' fluorescent tubes to 4-foot long LED lighting, which are mounted in the same same fixtures and look like regular T-8 tubes but really have 144 LED lights within each tube (and sans ballasts). However, yto make it work I first had to rewire the fixtures to eliminate the ballasts. I got it done but by then I was tired and this sapped the will to work further on the fuselage because my fingertips were sore from dealing with the solid core 12ga wire for the 16 lighting fixtures (I'm getting old and soft).

Anyway, with 32 each 18W LED tubes, 40W fluorescent tubes, instead of 1280W when I am woking they use 576W, or a bit less than half. And the light output is every bot as good plus there's a huge reduction in the heat load on the HVAC unit. This is because these LED tubes are barely hotter than body temp while regular tubes are pretty warm to handle (hot but not enough to burn you) and the ballasts get real hot. Added to it, I won't have to deal with the usual issue of flickering tubes as ballasts get tired (and a 50,000 hour lifespan for LED versus 2000 hours for fluorescent tubes) and this means less time spent on maintenance by yours truly. I really, really like LED lighting!

I know this isn't a flying report but it's what passes for hun around here sometimes - heavy sigh.

[forvols]

Thanks JB. Unfortunately, I'm not really wanting to remove the mechanics again. It took me over an hour to finally get this thing buttoned up with the belt in place. Thinking about using a delrin Standoff between the tail case cover and the fuselage, and then running a bolt through the vertical fin, through the delrin standoff, and then into the tail case. I think this should secure the boom well enough. After the Dalton event, I might possibly reconsider removing the mechanics one more time, but arghh.. such a pain!

I have secured the mechanics to the dog house by fabricating a metal L bracket. I didn't even bother to dress up the bracket. It looks rough, but works great! I glued a piece of plywood behind the fuselage bulkhead and drilled the hole for a blind nut on the back side. I secure the bracket by using a 256 thread screw into the blind nut on the fuselage, and as you can see in the picture, I'm using one of the antirotation platform bolts to secure the bracket to the mechanics. I just substituted a longer than stock bolt for the antirotation platform. Yeah, I used an engine mount washer on the bracket, not because it was needed, but because I just like them

Like I said, If I make it into the air with this project in time for our scale event, it will be as a "current project in progress" thing. I've got at least 1 or 2 more good work sessions ahead of me to get this thing solid enough to actually be able to fly. I've attached pictures. The windshield is just set in place as I still have some delicate trimming to do before affixing it in place with #0 screws. The chin glass may wind up being taped in place for the event, as they are mounted from the inside and not with screws. I don't want any of the glass in place when it comes time to paint this thing, so a temporary mounting of the chin glass will be in order. Also, the attached pictures will show that the vertical fin is not yet attached. This step will be completed (hopefully) with my method of securing the boom within the fuselage.

Again folks, this thing is very much "in the rough". I'm just hoping to get her together enough to actually fly at our event. The rest of the "winter season" will be spent polishing and some level of detailing. I was hoping to be able to detail the cabin area at least a little bit, but even that is starting to look very doubtful as it's looking like my batteries will all be up front in order to achieve a correct center of gravity without having to had a pound or more of dead weight. I'll see how it flies once everything else is completed, and if I feel she can handle anouther pound or so, then I may rearrange things to place the flight batteries side saddle fashion which would clear up room to install a dash and at least most (if not all) of the front seating. Sure is a long road between now and then.

I'm excited to finally be this far along, and I'm looking forward to the prospect of having her "completed" to enjoy flying at the next Birmingham event.

[jbeech]

Consider adding a pilot too, just don't forget two things. Jet Rangers are fairly small helicopters and unlike a fixed-wing aircraft, in rotory-wing aircraft the pilot sits on the right. Finally, refresh my memory, whose fusleage it this? What I'd really like to find is a Bell 412.

[forvols]

JB, my fuselage is a 60-90 sized Century Bell 206 Jet Ranger. It appears that Funkey makes the fuselage and Century sells it. There is a Funkey label glassed to the inside of the fuselage. I got the fuselage for about $349 unpainted. To say that this is a "scale fuselage" is pushing the whole truth in advertising thing by a good bit. They should sell it as a "stand way off scale" fuselage. Still, compared to the cost of more serious scale efforts (much like what HeliPainter is into), this shallow end of the pool should provide a good bang for the buck.

Marvel Craft sells a Bell 412 in a 600 size. I'd think you'd want a 700 class fuselage, but I know you like challenges .

Also, rcaerodyne sells a 600 sized Bell 212. I know you're wanting to showcase the 4 bladed head and thus a Bell 412 is a beautiful choice. I'm not sure of the differences in the dog house or other fuselage differences, but I think the 412 is pretty much just a 4 bladed head and perhaps larger available power plant than the 212.

Another option for you (and the Pantera) would be a Bell 407, which is essentially a Long Jet Ranger with a 4 bladed head. No raised tail rotor to mess with. This was what I originally wanted to do, but for what ever reason opted for the 206 rather than the 206L. You could simply slap your 4 bladed head on the Long Ranger and copy a Bell 407 paint scheme and 90% of the world wouldn't know the difference.

The problem with eiather the 412 or 212 (as well as the Cobra, Huey, and many other helicopters) is that danged raised tail. Unless you are going to use something other than a Pantera, I can't imagine a way to utilize the Pantera airframe without designing a tail output drive and gear box that would allow a low mounted torque tube to be used. Solve that problem, and you can use an rcaerodyne 45 degree gear box to drive a secondary torque tube up to the raised tail rotor gear box. If you whack the bottom of the Pantera enough to allow for the low tail output, you'll have to come up with a solution for the main shaft to reach high enough for the rotor head (a custom mainshaft?)

All sorts of technical difficulties using a typical pod and boom set of mechanics in a raised tail helicopter design.

My theory regarding the popularity of the MD500 as a scale project is the fact that the fuselage can accept a wide variety of mechanics (belt and torque tube). Unlike the Jet Ranger or other helicopters that have an enclosed gearbox at the end of the boom, the MD500 series of fuselages allow the modeler to simply let the stock aluminum boom poke out of the end of the fuselage and attach the tail case as normal. A true scale attempt at the MD500 (like what HeliPainter has done) is not how must average Joe's approach the MD500.

Now, being the one that likes to dilly dally with designing things, If you could design a very affordable/dependable set of mechanics that had the flexibility to allow an electric motor to be installed from the top or the bottom (2 stage either way), and that could also accommodate a std height tail output, or allow for a low mounted output you could make a lot of scale modeler wanna be's (like myself) pretty happy!

As for the scale pilot in my Jet Ranger: If I wind up being able to accommodate the weight of moving the flight batteries back (requiring a good bit of nose weight to be installed), I will most certainly procure a pilot figure for the right hand position.

[jbeech]

Thanks for the idea of a Long Ranger and popping on the 4-blade head because I'm in the 90% that wouldn't care about the fine details. My goal is just to have fun (serious scalers are a whole different breed, of course). Meanwhile, I'm just a poser intent on having a good time whilst retaining some semblance of a life. Anyway, thanks again for that 407 idea because messing with that tail is not my cup of tea - too much unnecessary complexity!

[forvols]

Thanks again JB. I don't look forward to removal/re-installation of the tail case, but your suggestion of using the foam from one of those noodles just keeps slapping upside the back of the head and I'm thinking I'd be an idiot not to do it.

[forvols]

I plan to maiden the Jet Ranger Tuesday afternoon around 5:30pm. Weather looks perfect! We already have 1 guest at the field for the Southern Scale Challenge and more are scheduled to arrive tomorrow. Wednesday brings a big group to the field, and by thursday most (if not all) of the pilots will have arrived.

The Jet Ranger was flown for 2 weeks in pod and boom configuration (P7e). I flew several flights with my modified "Jet Ranger" tail with the tail rotor blades on the left side instead of the right hand side. I'm hoping that the same gentle flying P7e will be evident in the Jet Ranger fuselage.

1) I trimmed the top of the doghouse so that the swashplate has full range of motion without hitting the dog house.

2) The mechanics are tied to the fuselage with 4 bolts going through the landing gear holes on the Pantera frame, through plywood and the fuselage to the landing gear. I used an aluminum brace to secure the doghouse to the Pantera frame to help avoid any resonance issue there.

3) The tail boom is secured within the fiberglass Jet Ranger boom.

4) The vertical fin is attached and secured (with one bolt going all the way through from the vertical fin to the rear tail case cover plate hole).

5) The front portion of the fuselage is secured by super magnets. I can drag the fuselage across the linoleum floor without the front portions coming off. I hope this will be secure enough for the thing to stay in place during flight!

6) Windscreen and Chin Glass are mounted

7) Receiver and Ice2 80HV esc repositioned and cabling secured to the electronics.

8) Side saddle battery trays are glued in and velcro straps are in place to secure the 2 5s 4000mah batteries to the frame.

9) Horizontal stabilizers epoxied in place.

10) verified that the tail rotor control rod has full freedom of movement and no binding.

11) CG checked and looks ok.

12) tail cone attached and scured.

13) Flight pack battery charging

14) Transmitter charging.

15) Lipo's will be charged in the morning.

16) Verified proper tail rotor direction of rotation after installing the mechanics in the fuselage.

17) 700mm blades mounted.


What have I missed?

It's been a long and troublesome road to get this thing to this point. I surely hope that the Jet Ranger flies as nicely as the mechanics did in pod & boom configuration! If so, I'll have a blast at the Scale Challenge, and will look forward to putting some detail work on the fuselage, and hopefully, at least some interior work.

[jbeech]

I got the A109 fuselage repair painted. Basically, it's ready to reinstall the mechanics. However, I have to make new windscreens and glue them in. Anyway, try and save a spot for me because we can't arrive before late Friday evening as Lynn doesn't get off until 4 and it'll be close to 9 before we get there. Thus, Saturday morning is when we can show our faces.

Meanwhile, what's a decent hotel in the area? When I'm alone a roach motel is OK but with Lynn along, the pendulum swings. Thus, the kind of place where declining offers from crack whores while stepping over druggies passed out in the hall - in the quest to save a buck - is no longer acceptable.

[forvols]

To the east of our field in Dalton, Ga right off of Interstate 75 with decent accommodations, located adjacent to a fairly decent outlet mall with Outback Steakhouse, A nice Japanese Steakhouse (typical chef tricks while cooking your order in front of you on a hibachi), Toni's Italian Restaurant, Cracker Barrel within very easy walking distance (basically across the parking lot & street.

Courtyard Daltonmore info‎ (this is a Marriot I think?)
785 College Drive
Dalton, GA 30720

(706) 275-7215

marriott.com‎


Ramada Inns & Suitesmore info‎ (Actually a Holiday Inn Express I think?)

795 College Drive
Dalton, GA 30720

(706) 217-6200

hiexpress.com‎


Or, if you prefer to stay in Chatsworth, Ga (west of our field) where you have quick and easy access to a Walgreens, Waffle King (a clone of Waffle House), and most typical fast food places (except Burger King), The Key West Inn looks like it might be nice, although I've never actually stayed there. I know that some of the other out of town guests usually stay at the Key West Inn, but that may be more due to price and they do not have wives with them. Like I said.. .looks pretty good, but I've never stayed there & thus can only go by outward appearance.


Key West Innmore info‎
501 Gi Maddox Parkway
Chatsworth, GA 30705

(706) 517-1155
keywestinn.net‎

For what it's worth, I think Saturday is Steak night at the field for pilots. There's usually plenty of meat available to account for the few wives/friends of pilots. The filets that we had last year were absolutely the best steak I've ever tasted (or maybe I was just that hungry?). What ever your preference. About the only thing you won't find in Dalton is a fancy smancy place serving foods that I can't even pronounce.


Doh!!! the flying field address is: 150 Brooker Rd. Dalton Ga 30721

[jbeech]

We're planning on flying into Dalton's airport: http://www.airnav.com/airport/KDNN

Does this affect preferred hotel? Also, which hotel is most convenient to the field? I figure to get a car frorm Enterprise unless the hotel is really close to the event in which case maybe I can borrow a crew car at the FBO for a couple of hours. Finally, is there an event link somewhere, which shows a map to the field,? Also, I suspect our arrival will be a little bit earlier than I first estimated because I just flight planned the trip and it's saying something less than 3 hours in the Bonanza, so I'm now figuring we'll be landing around 7-ish Eastern (weather Gods permitting).

[forvols]

JB, the airport is 2.5 - 3 miles from our flying field.

Google maps from 4483 Airport rd, Dalton, Ga to 150 Brooker Rd, Dalton, Ga

As for which motel, 1st my bad... Chatsworth and Key West Inn are EAST of our field with the 2 motels in Dalton being WEST of our field.

From Dalton hotels (marriot/courtyard & Holiday Inn Express/Ramada Inn) 8.2 miles from hotel to flying field. Key West Inn in Chatsworth is 9.5 miles. Add a couple of miles to each and you have the approximate distance from the airport to the motels.

Upon making a few inquiries from folks here in Chatsworth, I think I'd recommend that you opt for one of the Dalton motels mentioned.

[forvols]

Success!!!

details in the Panteradise 2012 thread as soon as I can get Youtube done.