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| Raptor in Long Ranger, Page 9 |
| Click on thumbnail to see larger picture! |
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| Feb. 17, 2001 I decided to change the "N" numbers to a larger size. After staring at the fuse for the past week while waiting for nice enough weather to clear it, I kept focusing on the numbers. Something didn't look right. After studying the full-size photos I have, I noticed the numbers roll down the side of the fuse almost to the underside of it. I asked my buddy to make me some larger ones, and he was gracious enough to do it. Thanks, Todd! <-- This is the pic of the full size heli I used for reference. <-- This is what the numbers looked like before I went to the larger ones. Still waiting on the weather. All I have to do is clearcoat it, then install the mechanics.... |
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| Feb. 27, 2001 It's Done!!!! Well, it's just about done! Sprayed the clearcoat yesterday, and started assembling it last night. I've still got a bit of detail work to do, but essentially it's finished. I'll take some more pics later today and post them tonite. Check back! |
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| Feb 27, 2001 Here are more pics of the finished project. I still need to put in a whip antenna, route the exhaust, and secure the battery in the nose. I hope to fly it this weekend, and you can be sure the camera will be at the ready! I'm gonna try to get some more photogenic pictures (like with the sky in the background), so check back later for some better pics! I'm gonna get some smoked plastic sheet and make some windows to hide the mechanics when it's not flying. I'll remove them for flight to aid in cooling.... |
| First Flight! |
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| Want a full-size pic to use as a wallpaper? Click the pic to the left for a big one! |
| It flies great! It took about 5 clicks of "nose-down" trim to get it trimmed. It seemed to accelerate into forward flight quickly and wants to fly fast. It always seemed I was trying to slow it down, though it could have just been my nerves! I noticed the extra weight while descending and transitioning back to hover. Takes a little more stick to stop the descent. Overall, I'm very pleased with the results and hope to fly it on a regular basis! |