Blog
- Updated on Tue, 23 Apr 2019 by John Allen
We will be a doing a mass build this year, and the Red Eagle has been chosen as the model.
There is a build log on Model Flying UK here.
There is a full article in the July 2014 issue of RCM&E
PilotRC 50cc Edge540v3
- Updated on Thu, 21 Jun 2018 by John Allen
I got a 31% Edge 540v3 from Hobbyplastic in the UK, they were offering a 10% discount on the Blue version (they no longer seem to have the Blue version listed, but PilotRC are still making it).
I was planning on putting an EME70 twin up front, but I got a fab deal on a practically brand new DLE55RA, so I'll be using that instead. Due to the awful amount of cowl butchery required for the single, I've reverted to my original plan and acquired an EME70. The DLE55RA is now destined for a 3DHS Slick 580 79".
As ever I will be using my trusty FrSky radio gear, an RB10 redundancy bus with an X8R and XM+, with dual LiFE batteries switched via a Jeti DPS-40, with a separate battery for the ignition via a RCExl switch, so no physical switches at all.
I'll be using BLS-HV7132MG on all control surfaces and PDI-6113MG for throttle and choke.
Build log
First up I fitted the undercarriage, two of holes in the carbon were too small to fit the bolts through, so I had to enlarge them.
Next, I drilled the firewall and mounted the engine (DLE55RA). Then I did a trial fit of the cowl, and could see there would be some serious cutting required and that the spinner backplate would be about 7mm clear of the cowl, which seems pretty odd considering the prop driver to firewall is 170mm, the same as the DLE61 which the firewall it already marked out for.
I decided to make a plate to add behind the firewall and countersink the original firewall to move the motor back around 4.5mm, this has worked out quite well. I think I'll use bolts instead of screwing and gluing the 2x3mm ply plate to the firewall, just in case I decide to change the engine for an EME70 twin in the future.
I mounted the DLE55RA and did another trial fit of the cowl. It looks like I'll still have a fair bit of a gap to the spinner backplate and will still need to cut the cowl a fair bit also.
I now have the EME70, and with no standoffs, it's about 155mm from the firewall to the prop driver. So I think 10mm standoffs will put the motor in just the right position. I'm going to fill the holes I drilled for the DLE55RA with a epoxy putty.
And a little cutout for the cylinder (not needed as I forgot I'd have an additional 10mm to play with)
Holes filled with epoxy putty (magic stuff)
Cowl fitted over motor held with a clamp as I don't have standoffs or long enough bolts yet. I spaced the motor with washers, getting about 7mm, so another 3mm with the standoffs looks about right.
New 10mm standoffs with two spacer washers, just right.
2 washers added to top of cowl to tilt it down a bit, not perfect, but close enough.
Budget 50cc Plane
- Updated on Fri, 15 Jun 2018 by John Allen
Now that I have pretty much all the parts I need for my 50cc PilotRC Edge540v3 I've decided to look at a budget 50cc model. I'll be getting a list of models, motors, servos etc.... and will look to build one later in the year to compare costs and performance with the PilotRC.
Planes
Not easy to find budget priced 50cc planes, this is all I've come up with so far.
- BigPlanes Yak54
- Goldwing SLICK540 - 91"
- Goldwing Extra 300LP - 91"
- Goldwing Sbach 342 - 89"
- World Models Ultimate - 63"
- World Models Piper Cub - 118"
- VANTEX Extra 260 - 87"
- VANTEX Edge 540 - 88"
- VANTEX Yak-55SP - 86"
- VANTEX Sbach 342 - 87"
- VANTEX Yak-54 - 85"
- VANTEX Extra 330L - 87"
- VANTEX Extra 330SC - 87"
Motors
Servos
- JX Servos
- Control surfaces JX 20Kg Coreless Digital 6v, 20kg torque, 0.131sec/60°
- Throttle/choke JX 13kg Coreless Digital 6v, 13kg torque, 0.103sec/60°
Batteries
- Receiver/servos 3000mAh 2S1P 20~40C LiFePo4
- Ignition 2100mAh 2S1P 20~40C LiFePo4
Accessories
Radio gear
- FrSky
- Redundancy bus FrSky RB10
- Primary receiver X8R
- Secondary receiver XM+
- Spektrum
Power Switch
After a fair bit of research, I think the Jeti DPS-40 is a fantastic switch at a fantastic price, but you may want a mechanical switch to save money.
- Jeti
- 6Star
Kill switch
- RCEXL kill switch €15.50
Servo Arms
- SpotonRC
- 6Star & generic
Propellors
Fuel
Mufflers
FrSky X10
- Updated on Fri, 09 Feb 2018 by John Allen
My FrSky X10 in its darkOne tray, brilliant radio, brilliant tray
RC Foamboard Combat
- Updated on Fri, 09 Feb 2018 by John Allen
Some of the foamboard combat models.
Peak Models MXS-R 30cc Build
- Updated on Thu, 08 Feb 2018 by John Allen
I bought the Matt Hall scheme, and I must say it looks great. I added the stars on the tail and fuselage.
I've had a couple of issues so far.
When screwing in one of the bolts for the horizontal stabilser the bolt went in at an angle and got stuck in the blind nut, then when I tried to remove it ripped the blind nut out of the ply. After trying various things I finally sawed the bolt off, and installed a new blind nut, and all was well again.
The model is supposedly designed around the DLE30 power plant, but I needed quite a few metal washers to push the motor forward to clear the cowl, and 1 washer on the top right of the cowl ring to cater for the down and side thrust.
Here is the engine installation, (an AGM 30cc) before the spacers were fitted. I'll try and get another with the spacers later.
I did have a lot of trouble trying to get the cowl aligned with the drive shaft. I was initially using (multiple) ply spacers, and was in retrospect suffering from some crushing, so things seems terribly badly aligned. I have since switched to using washers to move the motor forward, and its pretty good now, with just one washer having to be added to the top right (as seen from the front) to offset the cowl to deal with the right/down thrust. Pretty happy with it now.
Not sure this 1.9kg servo is good enough, it does not reliably close the choke fully, so it may have to be changed.
Red Eagle Build Pics
- Updated on Sun, 05 Feb 2017 by John Allen
FrSky Taranis
- Updated on Wed, 07 Dec 2016 by John Allen
The latest Taranis transmitters & X series receivers have the EU compliant firmware, this means those old X series receivers need a firmware update to work with the new transmitter, and old transmitters require a firmware update to work with the new receivers.
I have an old transmitter, and when I got some new EU compliant X8R receivers I simply loaded the non-EU firmware to them and all works just fine.
FrSky's new transmitter, the Taranis X9D, continues to generate great interest. I've acquired one from t9hobbysport, and all I can say is its fantastic. Programming it is a bit different than Futaba/JR/Spektrum, thought Multiplex users would find it very similar. I'll have it up at the field at the next available opportunity, and will gladly help anyone who buys one to program it.
The 8 channel telemetry receivers X8R cost about €30 (ex delivery), and compare very favourably to the considerably more expensive big brand counterparts.
Non-telemetry receivers such as the new FrSky V8FR-II 8 are even cheaper, and are Taranis compatible in 8 channel mode.
This is an excellent replacement for the stock NiMh, although the more recent radios come with a 2000mah LSD battery which lasts all day.FrSky Taranis - review and photo gallery Available from t9hobbysport
HobbyKing Zlin 50l build
- Updated on Thu, 10 Nov 2016 by John Allen
The HobbyKing Zlin 50l is absolutely fabulous value for money, but its really built for electric, so as suggested on the web, I beefed up the firewall. I used 2mm ply, and then glassed over it, with multiple coats of diluted epoxy (used isopropyl alcohol).
Unlike many others, I managed to put all the servos in upright. I initially had mounted the rudder servo inverted, but after making a cut-out for the servo cable I was able to mount it upright. Power-HD 7150’s on the control surfaces, and a Futaba 3004 on the throttle.
The build is going well, although I had a problem trying to find a suitable engine mount that fitted the existing blind nuts in the firewall, I had bought a mount but I would have had to re-drill the firewall, and the holes would be partially overlapping the existing ones, which would make it very difficult to drill. Fortunately a mount for the Wot4/Acrowot/Wot4 trainer (I got it from Steve Webb) fitted perfectly.
I had to cut out some ply from the servo mounts to get the servos in, as the servos are mounted at an angle. The bottom of the servos it protruding but I didn’t have to make any mods to get that to fit.
I’ve fitted the engine, will be removing and re-fitting with thread-loc after I’ve done the cowl. Not much left now, so it’ll probably only take me another couple of months.
Hobbyking (VQ) Spacewalker
- Updated on Thu, 10 Nov 2016 by John Allen
Well the HK (VQ models) SpaceWalker build went very well overall. There were a couple of issues, such as one wing being 10mm longer than the other, but other than that it was an easy build. We used an old ASP .61FS for power with an 12x6 APC style prop, and it seems plenty powerful.
The maiden flight required quite a bit of right trim, and was climbing strongly under power. It looks like the elevator is not centered properly, so that will need fixing before the next flight.
Additionally there may be some down trim required. Its quite a bit more aerobatic than expected, and nowhere near the easy flyer the Hobbyking Soar 40 is, but will make a good low wing advanced trainer.
Red Eagle (Mass Build)
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