New project - West Wings Fournier RF4

[Michael]

fuselage under wing.

[Michael]

Pushrods, linkages, horns, etc., installed, and braces in the fuselage placed to keep the pushrod sleeves in place.

Fairings at rear fuselage at fin-stabilizer.

A little 'imagineering', without cowl cheeks and canopy, and then some more sanding before covering.

[msatin]

The pic with the assembled plane really puts it into persepctive
Very nice!

[sihinch]

That's beautiful

[electroflyer]

  Hey Michael,
I think I have the same kit. How long have you had yours?

Glenn

[Michael]

I bought it a month ago, from A+Js.

[Frank v B]

Michael,

Looking great.

I made a similar size but lighter 3 channel Fournier (5' span) from British plans for an .049 before I joined TEMAC.  It would not fly.  In fact it did a flip into the ground (tall grass).
Then I changed it to a speed 400 geared and it flew fine at TEMAC.

Lessons learned:

1) Reduce elevator throws.  This is a very short-coupled airplane.  Travel- normal x .5!
2) Make it nose heavy because it is short-coupled.  A rearward CG starts major galloping.
3) Have significant rudder throw because of the long wings and short fuse (leverage).
4) Add wash-out... both wings*!- the first flight had slight wash-in on the left wing (it flipped left)
5) Make gentle turns until you get used to the plane.  I gave it a sharp left turn into the wing with wash-in.  The good wing was advancing (outside circle therefore faster airflow over the wing) and the left (bad) wing was receding with slower airflow (reduced lift) over the flat-bottomed wing.  The perfect storm for a flip.

It's a fun airplane.

For what it is worth.

Frank

* wash-out is when the trailing edge is higher than the leading edge of the wing. (twist)

[Michael]

All great ideas, which I will incorporate.

Thanks, Frank!

[Michael]

I cut out the molded cowl cheeks, but was not happy with how they fit onto the fuselage, so I carved/shaped new ones out of balsa.

They fit well and look good on the fuselage, along with minor changes to the cowl.

I put magnets on the front and rear faces of the battery hatch. and corresponding areas on the fuselage. It works quite well.

[Michael]

Covering started.

[Michael]

Phase 1 covering finished.

[Michael]

Phase 2 covering started.

Cowl and cowl-cheeks.

[Michael]

More covering.

[sihinch]

Simply wonderful

[msatin]

Stunning Michael