Topic: Airsail Auster 1/4 Scale

Hey Andy ,

Flew again yesterday she gets better each flight , it my first 1/4 scale and it flies just like a real plane nothing like size .

i took some photos but they were to big to post , what do you use to reduce size, photography isn't my thing


cheers

Eco-air,

I use Windows Picture Manager - part of Office - to reduce photo file size - but I think I've seen something else on this forum to do the same thing - can't remember what though!

I think if you Google something you'll find and application to do what you need.

Andy

Hi Eco-air,

The foot step tubes are simple 3mm brass (or copper) tube, crimped and bent up as per the plan, and bolted into the lower strut attachment and through the cockpit floor on either side.  The u/cart legs also brace back to the strut attachment - again 3mm tube, and attach to the leg with a P clip - soldered to the leg.

The side cabin windows are flat acetate sheet about 1mm thick.

There's no sticker set in the kit - and I haven't tried to get one made because I use water slide decals made up on my PC and printed off on my inkjet, using decal paper.  I get mine here: http://www.craftycomputerpaper.co.uk/.-Inkjet-Water-Slide-Decal-Paper_151.htm.  No doubt you can find something similar locally.

Just finishing the cowling now.  Next is the decals.  I managed to find my blue foam stock so I can now make a couple of seats for the cockpit.

Nearly there!!

Andy

Hi Andy,
Are you aware of a graphics/ lettering file for  XR241 or XR240 lettering and markings.

also trying to find the list of names on starboard cowl

cheers
Bruce

i took some photos but they were to big to post , what do you use to reduce size, photography isn't my thing

I use Paint, which is in the Programmes / Accessories on most computer. Load up the picture, Image Resize, change the '100' set value to whatever percentage you desire.

How do you go on with 'waterslide transfer paper' and printer ink which IIRC is water based?  Doesn't it run??
stu k

Thanks Stu k

Some photo of her a bit naked , its difficult setting balance changing props etc with all the gear on . Lead is substituted for the cowl.

Does XR241 have topside wing markings and roundel's don't seem to be able to find a photo showing a top view

Hope the photos work.

Rained in again for another week weather forcast is 35knots and  300mm rain for tomorrow, I fly on an Island and strip is 1.5ft above water so
its holding sorting process

cheers
eco

Hi all,

Humble apologies for the lack of posts completing this thread.  I've been dormant in aeromodelling for a few months.

Anyway - today was the day: I maidened the Auster.  I had already run the DLE30 a few times, and today ran it up and down our tarmac strip for half an hour or so.  No overheating or erratic running problems. 

Checked the CoG for balance on the main spar, adjusted the tail wheel alignment with the rudder - and sorted out a difference in thows on the elevator (two servos and hence different channels - the ATV's were different - thanks to Dave I for spotting that).  In the end there were no more excuses - other than a less than perfect wind direction and my minimal stick time in the past year.  With the words of our old club guru ringing in my ears (if you build 'em you have to fly 'em) I could chicken out no longer. 

So I fuelled up, and with bicycle clips on and Dave standing alongside to dial in some trim (and moral support) if needed, I lined up, and opened the throttle.

All a bit undramatic really.  Rolled about 30m, lifted off, rolled gently L as the X-wind got under the wing, dialled in a bit of down and some rt aileron and around the sky it stooged.  Quickly trimmed it to fly hands off and did a few circuits, checked out the response to throttle inputs, and managed neither to stall it or pile it in.

Finally I drew a deep breath, reduced throttle and prepared for a landing diagonally across our strip.  Other than a too-slow approach (as per normal for me) it was equally undramatic. Bit of a bounce on landing but all went well and I was able to collect the same number of pieces as had been committed to aviation a few minutes earlier.  I call that a result.

So, after 6 months of building and a 6 month sabbatical, I have a new model to learn.  I have a problem with my hands not responding as quickly or accurately to inputs as they did a year or so ago, and so I think the Auster should be a good all-round and unchallenging model for me to continue model flying.  I think the twitchy aerobatters are now firmly behind me - not that I could fly them well anyway!

So, I can now play with transmitter mixes to link aileron and rudder for coordinated turns, flap and elevator mixing, and all the other offerings of my Futaba 8 transmitter.  (What's this 2.4 GHz??)

Anyway, here's a few pics to show how I finished off the cockpit.  Cables are hidden by running up the sides in black shrink-wrap, and I built a stand-off scale set of switches and instruments.  Seats are foam, with haberdashery tape for seat belts.  Servos, radio and SM Services Opto-isolator are under the seats, batteries (servos, radio and ignition) are under the instrument panel - hidden behind a panel.

The aileron and flap servo leads exit the cabin through holes cut into the wing-shaped mounts on top of the cabin sides.  The lead connectors all stuff into the wings through a large hole cut into the root rib.

Rigging took some working out.  I made up 2mm wires with a bend at the end as locating pins.  I attach the strut to the fuse side bracket mount first with a locating pin, connect up the servo wires, then push the wing onto the brackets on the upper cabin side - holding the wing with a locating pin pushed through the bolt holes in bracket and spar plates. I can then fit the 2 No. 3mm bolts that hold the wing to the cabin sides, and then the 3mm bolt that holds the strut to the bracket on the bottom of the cabin. I then tighten up the grub screw that attaches the top end of the strut to the mount plate under the wing, and Robert is my Dad's brother.

Here's some pictures of the cabin detail:






If anyone else is building one (are there any kits left out there anyway?) - or has done so, I'd be happy to chew the cud of how you did it. 

Andy

Well done excellent stuff. I do like Austers.