Topic: Q500 Virgin! First build, flight and comp...

Right lads - I'm doing this so that hopefully it will get some of you to have a go at the FAI classes. I don't regard myself as anything special as a builder or pilot, and I only have one and a bit seasons of Club 2000 racing under my belt, so if I can do it (we'll see on the 22nd whether I can or not  ) then I'm pretty sure most of you can too!



This is the model which I will be flying, although the one in this pic isn't actually mine. It is an Adrenaline Products "Ninja". Mine is plain white, but I'm hoping that I'll be inspired to get the airbrush on it, but there's no telling at this point if I'll have the time before the 22nd!

To be honest with you, I'm filled with a delicious mixture of anticipation and dread! It's a 3hp motor with no ruddy throttle for goodness sake! But then I think to myself that the model is built perfectly straight and strong from metal moulds, and in my experience of moulded gliders, the first flight is always an anti-climax, with little or no trim ever needed.

Anyway, here's my fit-out list...

Model: Ninja Q500 (from me - I carry the UK stocks  )

Engine: Jett Q500 SS from Jett Engineering model airplane engine mfg - Turbo Jett in cowl mufflers and accessories although mine was bought second-hand - thanks Barry!

Servos: Sanwa 762 from Sloperacer :: Home - an awesome servo well proven in racing in the US and F3F/B all over the world incl here - same size as an 85mg but digital, a touch lighter, a lot faster and with 4kg of torque on 4.8v - decent price too. I've decided to put one on each aileron rather than the more conventional single servo, as 4 of these at 24g each weigh the same as the more normal set-up of 3 midi size servos at 34g each. Just a little bit of redundancy, just in case.

Wheels: ball bearing jobbies from Jett Engineering model airplane engine mfg - Turbo Jett in cowl mufflers and accessories or Darrol Cady R/C Model Aircraft Racing and Electric Supplies

Fuel tank: Tetra tank from Performance Specialties - [url=http://www.pspec.com]Performance Specialties - www.pspec.com[/url] or Darrol Cady R/C Model Aircraft Racing and Electric Supplies

Tank filler: the Magnificent Jett Supertanker Inseminator from Jett Engineering model airplane engine mfg - Turbo Jett in cowl mufflers and accessories - basically it's just a bit syringe but what's the point when you can fill up with something which looks as magnificent as this?



Radio: Spektrum DX6i with AR6200 receiver

Battery: most likely something NICE from Overlander - I'm thinking something around the 1000mah mark like this  Battery Packs from Overlander Batteries unless Paul chimes in and tells me different!

Switch and reg: agonised for ages on this one and finally settled on Lipo power as it gives a stable supply and should help provide a little headroom under the minimum weight for me. My issue with with the failure mode of regulators. Problem solved by Multiplex - their "safety switch" fails to ON and full voltage straight through, so the worst case is that the switch stays on and 7.4v goes down to the rx and servos. The Spektrum gear will take up to 9v and the servos will survive long enough to complete a flight. You'll then be aware of the failure as you won't be able to switch the rx power pack off. As good a failure mode from a reg/ switch combo as is possible to have I think. Also has a nice mpx connector to the battery i.e. 3 contacts per pole and two leads going into the rx i.e. 2 contacts per pole into the rx. Get this switch here Safety-Switch LiPo and twin LiPo

Well that's the kit list - should be getting the engine on Wednesday, so now I just have to decide what colour I'm going to make the trim before I start building!

Zim

Good luck with the build mate. Lucking forward to seeing it go but don't rush!

Zim

I am trying to work out a colour scheme for my white Ninja, but I am doubtful if it will be done in time for the first meeting.

I am looking forward to the first meeting, I will be trying to bust into the 60's, I have tweeked the model quite a bit since the last meeting where we got to 70.90.

Baz

Met up with Baz tonight and picked up my motor... I now have my very own FAI pylon motor boys! AWESOME  ::cc  ::cc  ::cc  ::cc  ::cc  ::cc  ::cc

Still haven't really figured out a scheme yet. I feel like a creative black hole.

Z

Ok got a scheme figured out - seeing as I have as much creativity as a photocopier it's a slight adaption of something I found. But the cool thing is I'm going to try some cute new paint which has a bit of a flip to it in the sun. Anyway, I've just realised that the meeting is next bleedin' weekend, so it's highly doubtful that I'll be ready by then - I could run it without paint, but tbh I don't really want to get this model ready under pressure, so I'll probably just skip this one and aim for the one in April. Should be able to get a couple of test flights in prior to that one then.

Paint here: https://airbrushes.com/index.php?cPath=4_27&osCsid=06f2c297e90a75651c170c51c689a6b3

I'm checking out the "Sparkelescent" range over the "Auto-Borne" bases. Bling baby!

Zim

Zim

I checked out the paints that you mentioned (Auto air) looks interesting, I think I might give those a go on the Ninjas.

Baz

Be careful Baz - you don't really want to use the main part of the colour range against a masked edge as they dry to a film which includes a carrier as well as the pigments. The new "Auto-Borne" colours (found right at the end of the listings of the Auto-Air products) are much more pigment intense and use a higher proportion of solvent as a carrier, which leaves the paint film on drying, hence they mask up with a much more discrete edge. The "effect" paints can build massively if used like candies etc, but if they are used simply to give some more kick to a colour, or add a little something to it, then they won't really affect build.

Only thing is the Auto-Borne ones are a little limited in palette, but not really a problem for what we want to use them for.

Zim

Auto airs irridescent fusia is the most stunning colours i've ever seen. But then I used to have a pony tail and i like pink.

Cardboard

I remember the pony tail, and I think I gave you some very forthright comments about it, I am not quite so concerned about your liking for pink though.

Baz

Be careful Baz - you don't really want to use the main part of the colour range against a masked edge as they dry to a film which includes a carrier as well as the pigments. The new "Auto-Borne" colours (found right at the end of the listings of the Auto-Air products) are much more pigment intense and use a higher proportion of solvent as a carrier, which leaves the paint film on drying, hence they mask up with a much more discrete edge. The "effect" paints can build massively if used like candies etc, but if they are used simply to give some more kick to a colour, or add a little something to it, then they won't really affect build.

Only thing is the Auto-Borne ones are a little limited in palette, but not really a problem for what we want to use them for.

Zim

Zim

OK I understand what you are saying about the Auto-Borne paints being more suitable for my application.

We did not talk about cleaning the airbrush after use, have you got any tips apart from make sure it is clean?

Baz

Zim

OK I understand what you are saying about the Auto-Borne paints being more suitable for my application.

Well I'm bl@@dy glad someone understands 

Depends on what you're using paint-wise Baz...

For solvent based - just use the relevant thinner. Afterwards, hit it with this stuff:

https://airbrushes.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=574&osCsid=d4b6629f004d7d47e6e78c947543e9fd - it's a solvent in an aerosol... For added value, add a lighter and it makes a top Anti-Aircraft field gun for shooting down flies.

For the Auto-Air - between colours etc use this followed by a little water:

https://airbrushes.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=6&osCsid=d4b6629f004d7d47e6e78c947543e9fd

and to finish, my excellent invention from some years ago:

https://airbrushes.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=572&osCsid=d4b6629f004d7d47e6e78c947543e9fd

For tips on how to use Auto-Air, you're probably better off talking to Stuart at the above firm. He uses is constantly and is a charging airbrush artists. Whilst I used to do a lot of airbrushing with solvent based and water based acrylic, this will be my first time with Auto-Air. He was most helpful to me in understanding the peculiarities of the various different base formulations of Auto-Air and how best to utilise them. As for the cleaners - J is a stockist for these guys, so he might well have them in stock anyway 

Zim

Hows the build going

Hows the build going

LOL..... last I heard he had taken the motor out and was lobbing it off some wind swept hill