Cermark Fantasy Racer

[19000rpm]

I haven't even put the wings or spinner on yet. Since I can't fly it, the ground is covered in snow and ice, I haven't done the final assembly. It looks like it may be a few more weeks before good flying weather arrives.

I was hoping the snap on wings would work. That would make for a convenient way to reduce the storage and transportation space. After kents post I'm planning on epoxying the wings on.

Fortunately, my wheel pants came in good condition.

The hinges were installed on the rudder, so I just lined them up on the vertical stabilizer, cut slits and CA'd them in.

Doozer: After a few more planes you'll know exactly what to do even if the instructions are incomplete and printed backwards in Chinglish. Which they often are. If the instructions are even included in the package. Which they often aren't.

[akent]

Hey guys, I seem to remember installing a large washer somewhere in the spinner, maybe on the motor side? I can't remember. I can't easily get to the plane right now. I will if I need to.

It would wobble like Doozer was saying without it. I do remember that.

You might want to carefully check out the spinner and how it mounts.

It really is a nice looking spinner, if you can get it to mount straight. I remember that I 'almost' tossed it as I couldn't get it to spin without a wobble at first.
Kent

[19000rpm]

Yep, that's the way it looks, kent & doozer, on the spinner and prop installation. There is a large washer for the prop and it should go on the motor side.

I decided to go ahead and finish it up. Put the spinner, LG's and wings on. I haven't run up the motor yet, with the prop and spinner on, but the spinner looks true at this point when I hand turn it. We'll see if it wobbles further on.

When I was test fitting the wings, one of the aluminum tubes got stuck in the wing sleeve. I mean, reeeeeeally, reeeeeally, stuck. Tried some gear oil on the mating surfaces to loosen it up. No dice. I ended up pulling the sleeve in the wing out, trying to pull the tube out, making a mess out of the tube on one end, that I was holding with a pair of pliars, I was using to try to twist it out. There must have been some glue in the sleeve from the factory. I cut off the chewed up piece of tubing.

Anyway, the wings were finally installed...Temporarily. I yanked on the wings and the clips that are supposed to hold the wing on popped loose. Just like kent said. I'll epoxy the wings on as soon as I do a final test of everything.

I'm going to jump right in with the 12X6 APC prop and 4S as planned. This thing is going to be fun!!

[Doozer]

The large concave-ish washer? Because if that's the case, that's my problem too. I'll change it up tonight.

I just rand it up with a 2 cell lipo. The power was nice, and surprising. I can't wait either. I need some sim time first though. I'm a little rusty. Do they have this bird in the Phoenix sim? I have a 50% version in Real Flight.

[19000rpm]

That's the washer.

I'm not sure on the sim. I'm thinking the R2 is on it somewhere, but don't recall on what version. If you find the R2, and fly it, it will get you ready for the R3; which should be as fast and much better handling. Otherwise find any pylon racer and practice on that.

I'm going to run mine up today and check out everything. Then I'll glue the wings on and wait for the snow to melt.

[19000rpm]

OK. After a quick fly with my Super Duper Cub off of the lake with skis (ice and snow)I came home to wrap up the fantasy racer.

To finish it up: I epoxied the wings on, checked the CG with the 4S installed, and gave it a few coats of Krylon Clear to protect the paint and decals and even out the sheen.

Then I put it on the meter and it pulled 44.1A peak and dropped down to 41.2A. So, that rumour that kent told us, the one he didn't believe, about it drawing monster Amps with the stock equipment on 4S, has been confirmed as inaccurate.

I'm really stoked to fly this baby. Melt, snow and ice, damn you, damn you.







LOL. My wife just said I should absolutely NOT fly this plane; it's too pretty. I might crash it. Might crash it? The way I plan to fly it there's not much chance I won't crash it. Somebody is going to be disappointed. I can guarantee you it won't be me!

[Doozer]

Looking good dude. I didn't spend much time with looks. I didn't even use all the decals. I did change the washer and that removed the wobble.

I'm probably going to take mine out tomorrow. I was planning to maiden it today, but it was a little breezy. I think I want to build this next www.troybuiltmodels.com/items/AMGEEBEER3-020V1AAF.html

[19000rpm]

Good luck with the maiden! I'm sure it will turn out good for you.

Great looking R3. It'll look perfect next to the Bipe!

I'm going to look into adding a 32 size motor for the Cermark with graphics for a Gillmore Red Lion or one of the Texaco schemes...

[Doozer]

No Maiden today... still way too windy. However, I did decide to give it a new look.

[19000rpm]

And the prop looks like a mustache. Don't tell me. You've nicknamed it Little Groucho.

[Doozer]

Giuseppe "The Enforcer." "You no uhpay, I breakuh your wings."

[19000rpm]

That's even better!

[Doozer]

Well I'm not going to get a chance to maiden today either. Wind's @ 20mph with stronger gusts. It looks like Sunday's my next chance since I'm pretty much going into work at sunrise and leaving at sunset. I went to the field this morning, and I just didn't want to risk it. Maybe if I had more experience I'd feel comfortable enough to take it up, but I don't.

[akent]

It's been really windy here too. That's odd.

I hope you all get to fly yours soon!

I am excited to hear how yours fly!

Kent

[19000rpm]

Experience aside: You're making the right choice there doozer.

Outside of fulfilling your dream to get a plane in the air, there's not a lot to be gained from a maiden in windy conditions. And that's what it is about. Taking the final steps. Making sure the plane is truely airworthy and setting it up for future flights.

When you maiden in the wind it's very difficult to final trim or analyze what is making the plane do what it may be doing. Is it the planes natural flying characteristics, your inputs, the set up, or the wind?

So wait for a low wind day. In the meantime practice on your sim. You'll feel more comfortable and in control. More capable of making those final adjustments that will make for some happy flying in the future. Even on windy days.

BTW, I found an R2 gas and electric in Real Flight I just don't know what expansion pack they are in.