Topic: Pilot RC 107" Yak 54 with DLE 111

Mate of mine got this kit recently and asked me to help him build it, well installing stuff would be bit closer to the truth realy.
Thought it might interest some to see the kit, the quality is quite nice and dare I say as good as EFRC or any of the other HQ kits.

Kit: Pilot-RC 107" Yak 54
Engine: DLE-111
Rx: Spektrum AR9200
Batteries: 2x Dualsky XP4000mah 7.4V
Ign.battery: JR 1500mah 4.8V NiMh
Servos: 8x Hitec HS7955TG + JR 821
Prop: JXF 27x12
Wing bags: Revoc

From the factory in Zhongshan China to a resident home in Iceland in five days and no damages, always a good sign.


The new AR9200 will be used.


8x 7955TG, MPI servo horns and a HPP-21 programmer.


First job drilling for the tail wheel and installing blind nuts, with the level of prefabrication already done I was a tad surprised to see this bit left to the modeller.


Used screws from MR insted of the big one supplied in the kit to fix the hatch.


The elevator servo is installed about 12cm inside the stab and my mate didn't have the right tools so it took a bit of swearing but eventually I managed to fix it using just about every trick in the book.  


I had about 5mm of the red screwdriver to turn.


Who says you can't use glow fuel tube in petrol models!




To "punish" my mate I sent him outside to think about what he had done to me...    


Wire mesh in style with the colour scheme.   




Next up the wings.




Hysol was used.


Hitec HPP-21 programmer in action.




Tada

Rudder servos, again the programmer was put to good use.


To save a channel, DX7 being used, I joined the signal wire for the elevator servos and plugged the other end into an unused port on the RX for power.


Works very well and as the servos were well matched I didn't need to use the programmer on them.


It's all about teamwork.  


Firewall being drilled and glued after setting the correct distance to clear the cowling.


More glue and tape.


Marking out for the "muffler" pipes.


Hmmm, where have I seen this before?    


Ah, yes!  

Throttle servo was placed to the side in the cannister channel, if cannisters would have been used there is ample room for the servo in the center and closer to the engine.


Tail wheel steering.


Ignition box put on top.


The tank is 800cc and comes pre plumbed but I choose to replace it with proper Tygon, don't trust tubes that give off colour. 
No safety ties, so they were added too, I'm sure the stock stuff would suffice but the tank will also be getting a dedicated filling line soon as I've got a feeling the owner is shopping for a 1000cc tank.


Data logger added to the wire mess.   


Kill switch added.


Shelf for one RX battery and the ignition pack.


And the other RX battery.


Finally something for the owner to do.   


The spats were relieved a little bit for easier installtion.


Blind nuts were added and glued.


Few stickers added.






Moment of truth, it fits in the car with both the rudder and spinner.




Looking good.


The owner gassing her up for the first start.


First start, looking forward to trying this combo, flown the 30,55 and 100 engines so I don't doubt this one will be good too.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2CnH6RaGoI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2CnH6RaGoI</a>

All in all, nice kit, goes together without too much problem, only trouble area was the tail, the elevator tube is a tad too stiff so something needs to be done to fix that before daily use commences. If I was in the market for a plane of this caliber I would go down this route myself. Guess I'll have to make do with few flights on this one for now, got to test it properly you see.  

Started this project after work on Friday, good sessions on Sat. and Sunday and finished after work on Monday, about 30 hours.

Me and the proud owner.

Finaly a semi decent weather so the maiden was tonight in 7-8m/s. The plane has oodles of power on the 111, DA85 or ZDZ80 would probably be plenty. Very nice flying bird, at least for my limited flight envelope. Can't wait to see it go in better conditions.

Assembly.


Nice size and scheme.




It's a big bugger!


Deep breath and take-off.


And up she went.


Looks good in knife edge, pulls a little to the canopy.


Hanging around.


Coming for a landing.

Very nice indeed.

It must be a heart in the mouth moment to see such an investment get airbourne for the first time.

Yeah, thankfully it wasn't mine, lol.   

The owner was happy when the "ordeal" was over.

Here is the Yak and MX2 from CompArf.