PDQ-ak Baby Clown Maiden report (now with video!)

**Cribbs74** Mon Sep 02, 2013 7:59 pm

Ok guys,

Here's how it went down. Set up everything and promptly blew 2 bladders in quick succession! My brilliant son said " I am going to get my goggles" after the first one blew. Not dumb old dad though lol!

After I had the bladder sorted I got it going, but the run was horrible. I flew it out and launched again just a touch leaner. This time it went like gangbusters however, it's a new plane so I had to learn how to fly it again. Basically I did some outsides and insides and a few horrible horiz and vert eights.

I launched again and this time it ran like crap and I flew it out only to notice my engine dangling by one bolt! Crap! failed pre-flight....

Anyway that ended the day. Few observations....Flaps make the plane turn stupid quick, great for sport, but not for contest flying. Going to have to desensitize the already desensitized controls. TD's on pressure burn fuel much quicker! 3/4 oz in just under 2 minutes. Lastly she is slightly tail heavy! Made for a wild ride when the fuel was almost gone.

No video today boys, it was more of a shakedown than anything. I will grab some new hardware/rebalance and go at it again.

Here are the standard oily pics!

PDQ-ak Baby Clown Maiden report (now with video!) Cy4Omwrl

PDQ-ak Baby Clown Maiden report (now with video!) Cy4Omwrl

PDQ-ak Baby Clown Maiden report (now with video!) TVDoUCel

**RknRusty** Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:08 pm

Haha, I'm glad you brought her in for a safe landing on one screw.

I don't know why your bladders popped, but make sure it's long enough so there is still at least a nub of uninflated tube behind the fuel bubble, else you will either get a lean run real soon in the flight or it'll bust when you fill it. I always have a spray bottle of water for eyewash and always put it in the same place so I can find it blind. Never had to use it on myself. The only time I've ever had one pop, it was an old one.

**Cribbs74** Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:18 pm

I can only imagine the carnage had the engine fell off.

My bladder issues were due to me using old bladders. The first one was the one you made me. I had used it a couple times and then put it away. The second one was an old one I had received in a box of parts. The third one was as well except it held.

I need to make up a few more.

pkrankow Mon Sep 02, 2013 9:43 pm

Good job. Looking forward to video.
Popcorn

Phil

**Cribbs74** Mon Sep 02, 2013 10:12 pm

Video soon Phil! After I install new hardware and tighten the screws! Embarassed

**Cribbs74** Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:53 pm

I flew it again tonight, big difference in the runs now that the engine is mounted solid. I also added some weight by filling the TD backplate with lead solder. Much more stable now. Pressure runs are pretty nice. I was was by myself so no video.....Sorry guys.

**RknRusty** Tue Sep 03, 2013 9:56 pm

Cribbs74 wrote:I flew it again tonight, big difference in the runs now that the engine is mounted solid. I also added some weight by filling the TD backplate with lead solder. Much more stable now. Pressure runs are pretty nice. I was was by myself so no video.....Sorry guys.

Good to hear you had a better outing. They really run steady on pressure. Are you getting more comfortable with cranking it? What size venturi?

**Cribbs74** Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:04 pm

I am still having to needle and crank as I have to hold the plane. Sometimes the tether line slips out of my stooge so I can't take chances. I can do it pretty quick though.

Standard venturi as far as I can tell. Basically it's the contest TD with a KK NVA (Thanks Bob)

Ron

**RknRusty** Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:19 pm

Cribbs74 wrote:I am still having to needle and crank as I have to hold the plane. Sometimes the tether line slips out of my stooge so I can't take chances. I can do it pretty quick though.

Standard venturi as far as I can tell. Basically it's the contest TD with a KK NVA (Thanks Bob)

Ron

After the first flight, it's unusual to have to adjust the needle again. I write down the number of turns for each of my engines in case I accidentally turn a needle when I'm cleaning it. If you change prop or venturi sizes, it will need a different setting though.

**Cribbs74** Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:24 pm

I have to hold the plane, so basically I close the NV after each run, fill the bladder, clamp then attach the tube to the NV and slowly open it again until it fires. If I could release the clamp fast enough I would and just leave the NV as is. I need 3 hands!

Ron

**Cribbs74** Tue Sep 03, 2013 10:36 pm

I just weighed the plane AUW is 8.65oz Damn!

JPvelo Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:30 pm

Cribbs74 wrote:I have to hold the plane, so basically I close the NV after each run, fill the bladder, clamp then attach the tube to the NV and slowly open it again until it fires. If I could release the clamp fast enough I would and just leave the NV as is. I need 3 hands!

Ron

Maybe instead of closing the needle you just pinch the tubing while holding the plane. When it fires, let go of the fuel line. Or use a line clip for a fuel line pinch. I will post pictures of that type of setup on my Skyray tomorrow.

Jim

**RknRusty** Wed Sep 04, 2013 3:02 am

Maybe if the the thing is so close to the engine that there's no room for your thumb, if you put the container on the other side of the fuse, then where the tube loops over the top of the fuse, you would have a convenient thumb pinch while you hold the fuse. And the hemostat position might be less awkward too.

Even with mine mounted on the outboard wing, after the filter, there's barely enough line to work with. That's why I moved mine to the top inboard wing with the full bladder right over the C/G. I never could figure out how to make it work mounted where the tank goes. That's where I wanted it, but it was impossible for me to work with even with my wing stooge.

**Cribbs74** Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:28 am

That's not a bad idea, I could also extend the tube so I can hold over an oz. Thanks.

**Cribbs74** Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:30 am

JPvelo wrote:
Cribbs74 wrote:I have to hold the plane, so basically I close the NV after each run, fill the bladder, clamp then attach the tube to the NV and slowly open it again until it fires. If I could release the clamp fast enough I would and just leave the NV as is. I need 3 hands!

Ron
Maybe instead of closing the needle you just pinch the tubing while holding the plane. When it fires, let go of the fuel line. Or use a line clip for a fuel line pinch. I will post pictures of that type of setup on my Skyray tomorrow.

Jim

Ok Jim, looking forward to the pictures.

JPvelo Wed Sep 04, 2013 3:03 pm

Cribbs74 wrote:
JPvelo wrote:
Cribbs74 wrote:I have to hold the plane, so basically I close the NV after each run, fill the bladder, clamp then attach the tube to the NV and slowly open it again until it fires. If I could release the clamp fast enough I would and just leave the NV as is. I need 3 hands!

Ron
Maybe instead of closing the needle you just pinch the tubing while holding the plane. When it fires, let go of the fuel line. Or use a line clip for a fuel line pinch. I will post pictures of that type of setup on my Skyray tomorrow.

Jim
Ok Jim, looking forward to the pictures.

So here's the setup:
https://i.imgur.com/RE6bdIl.jpg
When the line is in the narrow portion of the clip it ts pinched shut:
https://i.imgur.com/hGWyI6Z.jpg
When the line is in the loop fuel is free to flow:
https://i.imgur.com/IfzcNnz.jpg
Here's what the whole shebang looks like:
https://i.imgur.com/K0gv3fs.jpg
To adapt it to a TeeDee just bend the mounting loop in the clip to a 90.
The only time you need the hemostat is when you're connecting the full bladder to the filter. When the engine cranks you're no longer trying to grab the hemos, get your fingers in the loops and unclamp the line. All you do now is reach down and slide the fuel line 1/4 inch.

Jim

P.S. Please ignore the deplorable finish on this plane, I'm trying to get an inexpensive model in the air ASAP so I can start logging cotest engine flight time. It's baking in the car to speed cure the paint right now and will be in the air on my next day off.

**Cribbs74** Wed Sep 04, 2013 5:51 pm

Thanks Jim, looks doable. I'll give it a shot along with Rusty's idea.

BTW the finish looks fine. Thank you for posting those pictures.

**Cribbs74** Wed Sep 04, 2013 8:54 pm

Video as promised!

I didn't fly the pattern even though I did do most of the maneuvers. My camera person needs to be fired.... Very Happy

**RknRusty** Wed Sep 04, 2013 9:14 pm

That's a zippy little sucker. If you can fly one of those, I think you can fly anything on lines. Did you ever try one of those APC 6x2 props. That slows it down but lets the Tee Dee still spin up. It may still be too fast for a neat pattern though. Those squares are kind of terrifying on the down leg. 60mph on 35', mercy!

Aside from the cranking and learning curve, how do you like the engine run compared to a hard tank?

The Super Clown is probably going to feel like flying a sack of potatoes after the Baby. lol!

I have some of those clips like Jim showed us. I think I'm going to start using them.

**Cribbs74** Wed Sep 04, 2013 10:04 pm

The cranking is not that bad to be honest, nothing more than what I would normally do with a normal tank.

The runs are flawless!

Ron

Edit: This thing can do squares, the flaps allows really snappy direction changes. Hard to see on the video, but I did an outside square. I wish I could go out another 10' and keep it lower. Those darn trees!!!!!!

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