PDQ/Brodak Baby Clown rebuild

Yeah, I know what you mean about name changes. Some of of it has to do with location. The old pond is no lake or ocean, but it was convenient.

I just calculated my wing area and I am looking at roughly 168-175 sq" I am expecting great things!

duke.johnson wrote:I did see the flaps, that why I asked. They look great.  Tell your son some strange guy on the computer say great job!       We have all those fish here, too.  I'd love some day to get into a very large school of crappie. Mmmmmm!

I'll let him know Duke.

I want to know how that flies. I want to try a flapped stunter, but lack the space for a bigger airship at home. Yes, I can go to the school or something for more space, but that is much more effort than walking across the driveway.

Phil

No problem. I'll take a video of me fumbling through the OTS pattern.

Ron

Here it is all set up. Just need to mount the engine.

Ron

That linkage is cheating.

Seriously, it looks good, ready to go.

Phil

Tell Larry Renger that, I stole the idea off of him.... 

Looks great! Can't wait to see the video.

That Larry Renger coupling is awesome. I definitely see that in my future. You've got a lot more wing now.

I fixed it since that picture and the flap coupling runs true now.

What I liked about it is it eliminates a point of failure and if I lose flaps I still have control.

Ok guys,

Here is a couple last pictures before I fly the thing. Still have a couple small things to complete.

That's a pair to draw to. Love the checker board!

That fuselage looks pretty glassy gor as quick as you put it out. What was your finishing technique?

Jim

Nothing special Jim,

Basically sanding, Rustoleum, Top Flite crystal clear fine sanding and then more clear. It's not glass smooth, but it's good enough for a stunt trainer/sport flyer.

How long does the Rustoleum dry before you spray the clear? How long after spraying clear untill you can sand?

Jim

I't depends, temp humidity etc. I usually wait a couple days before applying clear. Your baking in the car method will probably speed things up. For the sanding of the clear I just wait until it's no longer tacky which is usually overnight. That TF stuff dries super quick.

Ron

Ron,
I just ordered a baby clown kit to replace mine that I destroyed. Were the flaps worth the extra work?

Jim

Yes.

It makes your shapes better, but it will also help get you out of a jam as it will turn on a dime if needed.

Also, the plane glides like a big bird on landing. If I were to do it again I would make the airfoil thicker to slow it down a little. A Medallion might be a good power choice for it. The TD really makes it scoot even though I am pushing almost 9oz

Keep the throws small like 15 degrees or so.

Ron

Yeah, my last one hauled. @$$. I'm planing on a Tee Dee case, non spi cylinder, and a muffler so I can fly at the park down the street from my house and not make too much noise.

Jim

This Super Clown is my favorite of all Ron's planes. I have a full screen of it doing a wingover in the bright blue sky with the lines glinting. It's always invigorating when I wake my computer up and there's the checkered Clown!

Thanks Rusty,

I have had it for a while now and I wish I had built the thing lighter!!!!

I didn't really know how when I first built it. Now I do, maybe if it goes splat one day I can lighten it up. It's no PA stunter, but it flys well enough. I have an original PDQ kit that I could use to build one out of contest balsa. Would like to fly this and a light S-1 in OTS sometime. Here it is today, still looks ok. I haven't really banged it up yet. Although I did scrape the spinner thinking I was good enough to have a conversation while flying. I ended up bouncing it off the gear on concrete...

Ron



It's actually quite small, I have seen them flown with .19's when built light. That is why I want the Veco. Right now it sports an old wide bypass '54 Fox with a Hemi conversion and a ST NVA.

That sure is a clean Fox. They don't get quite as brown with the 50/50 oil. I was a little intimidated by the Fox 35 until you gave me the one for the Yak. And then I helped Matthew with his Fox Ringmaster. I've kind of developed an affinity for them now. I think I'll take the old warbird out Tuesday.
Rusty