Reactor Bipe w/ DLE 20

[Doozer]

not sold on Saito at all Phil. Thanks for the link. This is a 7 to 7.5 LB plane. those engines, except for the .50 are all too big. I will keep them in mind in the future though.

[Doozer]

got the DLE 20 mounted. I'll need to trim the cowl a little to get it to fit, but I figured as much. Tomorrow I'll work on the tail.

I've taken all kinds of pictures but, I can't find the USB cable that came with the camera It's late anyway, err... early, so I'll post them in the morning after I find the cable.

[akphill]

LOL what I like most about fox motors is they are American made product
Now get those pics posted curiouse minds want to see how the build is going

[Doozer]

I added the engine installation to the build post. I'll spell check and correct grammar later. I forgot how tedious that was!

[Doozer]

Started on the tail and added what I have to the build. I'll probably not get much done over the next four days since it's the start of my work week. Maybe a little here and there. By Monday evening I should have enough work to add to the build. I'm not expecting to finish before October.

BTW got a set of Matchboxes in the mail today. I'm going to run one on the wing servos (X4), and one on the tail since it uses two servos.

[Doozer]

Worked on plumbing and dry fitting today. Even though it looks like there is plenty of room, this is no Pitts. I played the shell game all day today, so electronics placement took longer than I hoped. I was hoping to bind the rx and wire up the tail, throttle and choke. I'll probably get to that tomorrow. I still have control points to work on as well. Not in a hurry though... I'll add pics later.

[19000rpm]

That engine installation worked out well.

You've got to love those CA hinges.

I'd epoxy any loose blind nuts if you haven't already.

[Doozer]

Thanks 19. Good call... went back and epoxied them.

I added a bit more to the build post. I spent a lot of time finishing up the engine install yesterday. I'm hoping to get to the electronics today, and maybe... a big maybe... fire it up without the wings tonight. We'll see.

[Doozer]

Coleman Fuel and Royal Purple Two Stroke Synthetic 32:1. I started with the needles @ factory settings and they seemed a bit lean so I opened both high and low an 1/16 of a turn. I'll check the plug after the next tank. I forgot and left my throttle curves on radio default (linear). After I changed to a more gasser friendly curve in ran a ton better.

I'm going to try to finish the tail electronics tonight. Work tomorrow so it will be next week before I finish.

[19000rpm]

Nice!

[Doozer]

Not too bad for 5 month old Coleman fuel kept in a plastic gas can. I almost went out and bought new fuel, but I was very tired (brain dead) so I just went with what I had. The engine cranked up the second I opened the choke. That stuff never goes bad. It's double the price of regular fuel, but it lasts forever, and it doesn't smell. I love it. I know I wouldn't try that with 5 month old gas from the pump. I'm not sure I'd run Coleman in a four stroke though.

I did have a problem before I started it. Originally I installed the gas tank upside down because the plane was upside down during the installation. So the vent tube was on the bottom of the tank when I flipped it right side up. Almost every drop of fuel I was pumping in was coming out. Luckily the tank vent hose was outside of the plane. Yet another lesson.

[19000rpm]

I install stuff backwards or upside down all the time. I swear at myself a lot.

[Doozer]

Added a few more images and cleaned up some glaring mistakes/holes in explanations. Going to start working on installing the electronics in the wings and soldering up the linkages for those today. Hopefully I'll have the wings installed by the time I go to work on Thursday, and maybe a maiden by next Monday. I'm still looking for a proper pilot, and I'm think of installing an RPM gauge under the canopy....

[19000rpm]

A lot of nice detail there. I feel like I could easily build the plane with your log instructions.

Burnt your finger on the pushrod. LOL. That's a classic. I do that almost every time I solder a Deans connector.

[Doozer]

yeah soldering up linkages is a sucky way to go about that process. Seems like CF rods and ball links would be easier. Especially on ailerons.

I hate Dean's for that reason too, but I switched up to yellow connectors (P90X or something like that). Thankfully I'm not using any of those connectors in this build. They sell a soldering jig that works for Deans... but eh.... not high on my priority list.

Anyway... I added some more to the build post. Right now it's just little by little that I'm adding stuff. As soon as I'm finished I'll say, so if you want to wait until then.... I still have to go through and fix all my mistakes too.

I should have the wings on today, and then I'll build the balance stand that comes with this kit. When I fired up the engine, I had to have my son hold down the tail because it would nose over. I know once I put the wings on thing should settle a little more balance wise, but I've bought those self adhesive lead weights in case I need them.

I'm still pilot-less. I'm going to go to Wal-Mart today and look for a Doozer figurine. If I can't find one, I'll use something else. Hopefully I'll have some video up tonight of the finished bird, balanced and running. Barring any unforeseen snags that is.....