Father - Son 1/2A Build

rsv1cox wrote:Love the last picture.  Nothing turns out correctly unless you hold your mouth right.  

Tip weight, rudder off-set, and yellow safety prop.  Ought to be a flyer.

I'm missing Florida, red mulch, palms, green grass.  I spent the better part of fifty years down there.

Bob

Oh yeah, and things are really green here now since we've been getting our daily rains! Plus, 95% humidity that hits you like a wall when you walk out the door any time of day. That's okay, I'm a native and comfortable with it. I just change my shirt twice a day :-)

Sig Skyray wrote:.......I am forgetting why the original Goldberg Wizard advertised itself as the only 1/2a that flies on 52' lines.  I had one and flew it at 52 feet.  I remember a lot of line drag but it was easy to fly.  I think I'm going to start him with lines around 38' to 40'.......

Dang, I must've forgot to submit my earlier post.

Greg, I think that's a good plan. 35-40' is good. I wouldn't try 52' lines unless it's a dead calm day. Probably rare in your area. Looking forward to a flight report.
Rusty

I'm quite certain due to the plane and it's anti- crash bellcrank design was the reasoning to them to claim it could be flown on 52' lines. I believe the plane would induce up elevator when the lines went slack. While this can work, I would highly discourage the use of it as it can also give a false sense of security. This was more to slow the speeds down in theory. I think it's a very bad choice and would never attempt that. The planes weight and lack of wing makes it a brick. It needs horsepower and it will fly far superior going faster than trying to make it go slow. The best solution for a new flyer is to just add more tip weight. The Wizard isn't a maneuverable plane and never will be so trying to get it to do so will result in a crash. It can be nursed into oversized loops and I'm certain it can go inverted with a skilled pilot but getting back upright will be challenging. The plane was designed nose heavy so adding tail weight will just result in adding more weight and nothing gained but weight. It's designed for the beginner so maneuverability was not considered in the design. Goldberg kits sold well due to the decals and box art. Ken

Ken Cook wrote:       I'm quite certain due to the plane and it's anti- crash bellcrank design was the reasoning to them to claim it could be flown on 52' lines. I believe the plane would induce up elevator when the lines went slack The Wizard isn't a maneuverable plane and never will be so trying to get it to do so will result in a crash. It can be nursed into oversized loops and I'm certain it can go inverted with a skilled pilot but getting back upright will be challenging. The plane was designed nose heavy so adding tail weight will just result in adding more weight and nothing gained but weight. It's designed for the beginner so maneuverability was not considered in the design. Goldberg kits sold well due to the decals and box art. Ken

Where were you and your advice......45-50 years ago??  Dang, I got sold on the decals and box art....but was determined to fly. I still have the decals, still have the plane. Back then, I knew nothing about balance, center of gravity, torque thrust or aerodynamics. Everything you've said above is true and now years later, humorous, as I can still remember the thrill of doing a complete loop with my Wizzard after many, many, many attempts. ah, the memories.

Nicholas , Your airplane looks GREAT !!! and I wish you and Greg best of luck with the Median flight ,, Post us a video please  Getback

Big day yesterday for Nicholas! We trained and practiced for 2 weeks and yesterday he was ready. I'm posting videos of his first flight over in Flying Discussions in a post called "Son's First Flight".
Greg

Sig Skyray wrote:Big day yesterday for Nicholas!  We trained and practiced for 2 weeks and yesterday he was ready.  I'm posting videos of his first flight over in Flying Discussions in a post called "Son's First Flight".
Greg

oww i going to teach myself cl im going to ues a scorpion or a lil pt and its going to be a challenge ps my dad all what he did was play rugby

cox24711 wrote:

Sig Skyray wrote:Big day yesterday for Nicholas!  We trained and practiced for 2 weeks and yesterday he was ready.  I'm posting videos of his first flight over in Flying Discussions in a post called "Son's First Flight".
Greg

oww i going to teach myself cl im going to ues a scorpion or a lil pt and its going to be a challenge ps my dad all what he did was play rugby

Go for it Greg! You can do it!

Greg

Alright, I finally wrapped up the Skyray tonight.  We've been busy flying Nicholas' Wizard and relearning how to fly and getting our engines going.  This weekend we'll maiden the Skyray.  Being my first build as an adult, I wanted to take some extra time and make her nice and pretty.  I borrowed the paint scheme from a plane I found by Googling 1/2a's and I got a good amount of input from CEF people.  Thank you!  I had some old mirror finish monokote I used on the canopy which I thinks sets off the paint job nicely.  This would've looked a lot better with an engine on it but I wanted to get this post up.

Weighs in at 6.1 oz with the engine.  The only mods were a larger 2-screw elevator horn, heavier control rod with brass coupler soldered on so I could use a 2-56 threaded steel clevis, a beefed up elevator horn platform and a screw and bolt thru the wing for the bellcrank vs. a wood screw.

Haven't checked the CG yet.  

Oh, and... I finally got the Stuka in the air Sunday morning.  What a victory!  Nicholas has been getting more comfortable in the ring with his Wizard with his strong running Babe Bee and can't wait to try a loop.

So we've gone from no planes to 4 planes flying in a matter of a few weeks.  It's been exciting and I so thankful the boiy is still showing interest.  I think he might be hooked.  He wants to start another build already.

Thanks again for the support, tricks and pointers.  Greg

P.S.  My dad came out Sunday and is showing some interest in getting behind the handle so maybe we'll have 3 generations flying before we know it.

Haha, great family photo. Now we know what you're gonna look like in 15 or 20 years. The Baby Ring looks really good. Always smart to get a picture before you fly it.
Rusty

Nicely done .... time to get out and put some laps on all those planes!

Wow from 0 to 4 in weeks cool looking Skyray , Greg good to see the Family Fly Team coming together , Ya'll be playing combat before you know it Eric

RknRusty wrote:Haha, great family photo. Now we know what you're gonna look like in 15 or 20 years. The Baby Ring [Skyray] looks really good. Always smart to get a picture before you fly it.
Rusty

My dad turned 80 yesterday.  I HOPE I look that good in 27 years!  He still rides his Harley, camps and works out too!

Took the Skyray out to maiden her today.  Foiled by a rookie error.  Battery clip shorted and drained.  No flying.  Had I been flying with a buddy today I would've been covered.  Live and learn.

Greg  

Sig Skyray wrote:

RknRusty wrote:Haha, great family photo. Now we know what you're gonna look like in 15 or 20 years. The Baby Ring [Skyray] looks really good. Always smart to get a picture before you fly it.
Rusty

My dad turned 80 yesterday.  I HOPE I look that good in 27 years!  He still rides his Harley, camps and works out too!

Took the Skyray out to maiden her today.  Foiled by a rookie error.  Battery clip shorted and drained.  No flying.  Had I been flying with a buddy today I would've been covered.  Live and learn.

Greg  

Happy Birthday to your dad Greg!
I have had my battery clip do that as well but I'm sure to have a spare pair of d cells at all times cause you just never know.

The dead battery syndrome has happened to me once or twice and not just with C/L lol I know how it feels!
Very nice Skyray man! lookin' good. (The bandit is impressed)

Greenies for you guys. Thank you... I will pass on those compliments to my dad.  Thanks for the kind words there Bandit about the Skyray.  It's great to have it complete.

NOW I get to switch my avatar to match my name finally now that I have some decent pics of the completed plane.  It was a tossup with the pic below.
OUT with the yellow Sig DeweyBird which conflicted with my screen name!

Hopefully she flies next weekend or maybe I can get out one day this week!!

Greg