LipoPilot

Thanks for looking out on my post here, been busy as a bee and just getting to mails, was alittle late getting here, what friends are for...thanks Ray too.

speedbump

Hi,
I just started flying, and came across this thread, I am now in the middle of my first ever build of any type of plane, but the plans, and instruction videos, seem to make this fool proof.

I'll post some video of my learning to fly with a brewster.

Thanks, for all the work that went into this thread, videos, and plans.

LipoPilot

Hey man your welcome, I do have a 20 video build for the Brewster on my youtube. I guess today sometime I need to bunch them together because there spread out in my videos...I guess another job I need to do to make it simple to follow the videos. But they go from video 1 to video 20.

I wish you luck on your first build and thanks for making it my plane

If you need any help just send me an email or post here, be glad to help ya fly a lipo. Thanks again.

speedbump

Still waiting on electronics to arrive, but here it is so far..


What I was looking at for the scheme;;;


For some reason, the metalic silver paint did not adhere to the tape well, so it has a few spots, that got touched up.
The bottom of the wing, and stab, are all silver, except the tips, are BRIGHT, so I can see it under my feet.

Fun to build, it only took a few hours to get to this stage.
I did get a few wrinkles in the tape, while I was puting it on...DOH!
I can't wait to finish it, and CrAsH it "FLY IT?"

For a first build, I think it came out okay.
Next one will be better.

When it's airborne, I'll try to get some video...better be quick on the camera.

When my girlfriend saw me masking it off for paint..she just rolled her eyes.
Yesterday I folded the wing on my new high wing 40 trainer, and torpedoed? it in...She saw all the scraps left, and asked if I was going to quit flying yet..?

The oposite...I knocked out a Brewster
If it looks thick...it is! 10mm foam was all I could find locally.

I hate being a 50 year old "KID" living in the middle of nowhere..

I may have a few questions when I get all the components...

LipoPilot

Thats a nice lookin Brewster man. When you get the electronics just holla and I will be glad to help. As far as the tape... one of my videos shows this, but you can scotchbrite the tape then paint will stick to it better. Also wash the plane with alcohol before painting. It really looks good I will check back.

Every Brewster you build..they will get better as you learn.

speedbump

Strange the flat yellow, worked fine, I did scotch bright the tape, and rubbed it down with alcohol.
The metalic paint just had issues..

I'm sure I will have questions, when mounting all the radio gear etc.

Thanks!

Wrench66

Hehe, looks like we have all had the Army Air Corp paint scheme in mind for our Brewsters HUH? That yellow paint definitely helped me on orientation.
Set up through first flights.....we can help, SpeedBump..

BTW...I have approx 35 flights on my F2A now and she's still an essential member of my rotation. Lipo's plane is solid...You'll love it.

--Ray

speedbump

Okay!
I got the servos in, and the motor mounted..
I test taped the esc, and battery, and receiver, where, I thought they should go, and the plane is a bit tail heavy..
I'll play with it a bit more, I also have a micro receiver on the way..
If I put the Lipo, ESC, and receiver, all in front of the CG line, it should be okay.

I also have a slight problem with the ESC?
I have to move the stick to 1/2 throttle before the motor engages.
The throw on the stick is from 1/2 to full, and nothing happens before I get to 1/2..
Any ideas?

Wrench66

My CG wound up best just aft of the wing spar......she will fly OK with it a bit farther back (by using a lighter 500 3s) but start there and see how you like it. I have both my battery and ESC, right and left sides respectively, up near the wing's LE and have room to move my battery forward a bit more if needed. I'm using an Emax 1200kv red motor from Heads Up RC along with the red alloy stick mount. My Brewster is 12oz with a 500mah 3s, or 13.5oz with a Rhino 1050mah 3s. This plane likes a bit of nose weight to track through the turns nicely, adding to it's sweet nature.

OK....ESC's can have their own wants and needs....try this. Make sure when you are powering the plane up that your throttle stick is down all the way, OK then when you have everything hot and ready to go start adding in throttle trim.....click the trim tab UP and that may help eliminate the dead spot. If you are using a radio with slider trim tabs, just start moving the throttle tab up until you see the motor start turning. A lot of times this will happen when switching from plane to plane and using different ESC's.....they all have a bit of difference. OK if you're using a computer radio then just leave the trim as is and the radio should remember where it's set, if you are using the older trim slider type then you'll have to remember yourself.

BTW...as you are playing around with the ESC's starting action, you may wanna pull the prop off your plane just to be safe.....some ESC's can start pretty suddenly and catch you out.

good luck, that plane is a kick to fly AND if you decide to add rudder control it opens up such a different set of possible flying maneuvers

--Ray

speedbump

Thanks!
The pictures really help..
I was planning the maiden flight today, but it's raining.

One more dumb question.
What keeps the servos in place?
I'm sure the answer is in this thread somewhere.

gramps2361

Use a bead of hotglue around the servo to keep it in place. Getting ready to cut a 4th brewster myself. Did I say 4th I meant first.

Brner

Glad to hear some people are still getting some use out of the plans for this foamie.....

Don

gramps2361

Of course deg it's fun to fly I've been flying some other planes and I'm getting ready to cut another. Got me some bouncy foam this time.

speedbump

I got everything secured, and ready to fly..
The ESC is working as it should, and during the hover test, I wanted to let it go..LOL

I went ahead, and installed the rudder, The radio I'm using doesn't have end point control, so I had to hack the rudder to make it clear the elevator in full up.
It prob. has tooo! much travel, but next week my computer radio will be here, so I can set it up right.

Thanks for all the help.
If the weather is nice, I'll fly it tomorrow.

For a first ever build, it came out pretty good, I learned alot, and what to do different on the next one..

I used super strength velcro for the battery mount, but it sure wiggles aroung alot..should I put a zip tie on to be sure it doesn't fall off in flight?

Wrench66

OK, here now don't wanna go chopping your new plane up just yet, just readjust your control rod so there is less rudder movement overall (see pics below \/ ). This is how I used to do it waaaaayyyyy back when before I had a computer radio ( Jan 09 LOL) and it works just fine.
Here's how to do it......put the control rod in the INNER most hole in the servo horn...my pic below shows my set up having the rod in the OUTER most hole to give you an idea. Now out at the rudder control horn, do just the opposite of the servo horn and make sure the rod is in the OUTER most hole. So you'll have inner hole servo, outer hole rudder.

Clear as mud, huh?

That setup will give you the LEAST amount of rudder travel.....now if it's not enough for you then feel free to move either end of your pushrod to a different hole and maybe sneak up on the right setting for your bird.

The last pic shows where I cut in my rudder, no way the elevator would ever touch the rudder.

good luck!...I just flew mine again this morning and it just is a ball to fly....slow or bookin around the pattern it's a great plane.

--Ray

speedbump

Thanks!

I made the adjustments. Made a new rudder as well, I had already hacked the original.
By the time (the weather clears) I get the nerve to fly it, My new Tx should be here.
I'm looking forward to the maiden flight.
Hopefully I have enough motor to pull around all the glue I used

Not having a hobby shop near by is wearing on my nerves..I had to use "Z" bends at both ends of my piano wire control rods (no adjustment)
I'll change that as soon as the parts arrive in the mail.

I'm taking the video camera for the first flight, just in case it's the last.

I'll keep you posted

Wrench66

Cool
Yes, please do.......always great to see another F2A hitting the skies!

--Ray

speedbump

First fight..(3 minutes)
It's a learning curve.
First, turn ON dual rates, second put UP antenna.

anyway, 1/2 throttle, let her go, 3 clicks up up trim, and she's flying straight, and fast. A couple of runs around the field going very easy on the ealerons ( dual rates OFF) oops, I never had a radio with switches, so this was an adjustment, I forgot about, now it's time to see how she climbs,
full throttle, and pointed up...going, going, going...now I can hardly see the little bird, so I get it aimed down, the skies are grey, and the bottom of the plane is silver...oops.
I lost the plane in mid air (like the bermuda triangle)
By the time I get it back in view, I have no control..Tx antenna down DOH!
I keep holding the throttle down stick in hopes that it will regain control..
about 30 feet from the ground headed stright down, the throttle shuts off.
I pulled up enough to get a no thud landing/CrAsH!.
The stress of the hit, did crack the fuse in 2 spots, but nothing that can't be fixed in a few minutes.
The darn thing is fast, and next flight I will try to see how slow it will fly (first)

It's all about learning, and if you can carry the plane home in one hand, it wasn't so bad LOL

gramps2361

Yup been there with this bird fly it real slow. That's why I'm on number 4 I like the speed every time it get's me in trouble. They are easy to repair and quick to cut a new one. It is fun once you get the hang of it. Little epoxy , and some bambo skewers is how I repaired mine gives a little strength to the fuse. Another reason why I never did a fancy paint job knew I would be fixing it.

Meant to tell you, yours came out looking sharp, nice job.

LipoPilot

I'm back...She got half, but she didnt get the planes LOL. Glad to see people having fun with the Brewster...

Doing some reading, catchin up...Gosh I feel like a newbee again LOL!!!

DEG my man I will be emailin ya man...I got some new designs for ya.

Oh gramps hi you old fart LOL!!! Glad to see your hangin in there man and thanks Ray for the help u have given here.

gramps2361

Well we always like to welcome the new comer to wattflyer dig in and have some fun.
Welcome home buddy.

LipoPilot

Yea I guess I should go to that post and LOL...Thats funny..glad to be home.

Brner

Glad to see you back...was getting worried a bit by your silence but it's understandable. Hope everything works out well for you. When you get time we need to talk on the phone....

Don

LipoPilot

Hey yea just send me a private with the number I will give ya a call...

richg99

Speedbump...the next time you have to use Z bends...add an upside down --V-- in the wire. By squeezing the --V-- , you can add or subtract length from the wire. See illustration below.
regards, Rich