New EPP F-22 Grayson Powered is AWESOME!!!

[akent]

I finally flew today, even in 30mph gusts! I just couldn't wait any longer.

The CF and added throw in the elevons did the trick. It handles great now! Even in 30mph gusts!

One gust did throw the thing into the ground at full throttle, though. It just broke the prop into a few pieces. It also ripped one of the elevons off, so I couldn't fly that one any more. These elevons are taped on and then I ran a bead of CA on the bottom along the hinge line. This helped to glue the tape to the foam, and made the hinge line stronger.

I just pulled off all of the tape and put a 'hot glue' hinge on both elevons and it feels really solid! We'll see how it holds up.

I flew 'Pokey Peckerwood' (the slow F-22) a LOT also! It was a REAL handful in the wind, but it did well! Full throttle into a gust made it pretty much stand still! It flew backwards a lot and if I went downwind, it took a while to get it back! It smacked in twice from gusts. Just brushed it off and flew it again! That thing is too much fun!
Kent

[19000rpm]

That's great Kent. I knew once you got the elevons right you'd be a lot happier.

All I've used for hinges is the Blend Derm tape full width on both sides of the Elevon before I painted the plane. I think the paint helped make the joint adhesion stronger. The Elevons have survived two mega crashes so I'm happy with that approach.

I'll be interested to hear about the results with hot glue.

[akent]

I am impressed with the hot glue hinges!
I played hooky and flew a few batteries through it and the Yak.

Here's how I did the hot glue hinge:
I removed all the old tape and scraped off all of the old CA that I had dribbled in there.
It was a lot of crud, so I cut new angles in the foam, just a tiny bit from where they were, so there would be nice clean surfaces.

I then laid an elevon onto the plane and put a tiny dab of hot glue on each end of it, only on the top, just to hold it in place, since there is no flat surface any more. I then ran a small bead of hot glue all along the seam, only on the top, where the two parts meet.
You have to be quick here: I then took a popsickle stick and smoothed out the hot melt all along the seam, squishing it flat and spreading it out.
I had to add a little hot melt to a few spots and then had to reheat a couple of other spots where it was too thick with the glue gun tip.
After that, I used the tip of the gun to go along and smooth and thin out the whole seam.

I then repeated that on the other elevon, which of course ended up much cleaner!

After these fully cooled, I started abusing them. I picked up the plane by one elevon and proceeded to shake, rattle and roll it!! These are STRONG!

I flew it this afternoon and it is just fine. No issues at all. After 4 batteries, the hinges are just as strong. This is 1.9# EPP though. I don't know how strong the 1.3# stuff would be.
===
That said, I am building another foamie, another delta called the Firefly. It is also an EPP plane. With that one, I made Welder's hinges!!! I like it even better!

I had tried that before with no success.
I did this, this time:
I ran a THICK bead of Welders on the aileron angled outer edge. I smoothed it out some with my finger, but it was pooled up on the very edge.
I then did the same with the airframe angled edge. At this point, I had a lot of Welders on my fingers.
I waited until the Welders was really sticky on my fingers and then waited until I could ball it up and roll it off of my fingers.
Then, I waited another minute or so, and then stuck the pieces together, very carefully. After another hour or two, those parts ain't a goin anywhere!!!

Fun stuff!
Kent

[akent]

I also replaced the APC 6x4E prop with a sport 6x4 from HC!

What a difference!!

The thing now goes vertical at less than half throttle and has 2 more ounces of push on the scale!

The top end feels about the same, but it sure is faster at lower throttle settings!
I like it!
Kent

[19000rpm]

Interesting stuff with the hinges Kent

Let's here more about the delta firefly.

I thought you'd like a sport prop. I'll never go back to an E prop for these fast planes.

[akent]

I guess I never responded to this thread about the handling outcome...sorry bout that.

I added CF to the elevons and presto chango, it handles great now. At speed, the elevons must have been giving a lot.

It is now a pleasure to fly, though too heavy for good 3d.
Kent