Archive of the Yahoo! Groups mailing list for the Bug hand-launch glider 2002-2018
From: "Dan" <djedward@...>
Date: Friday, July 4, 2003 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: So what is the verdict on Bug mods?
I have built a lot of these, so I know your interest in lightening!
> 1. Extend the wing by 5 inch total (2.5 inch per panel) by
> inserting an extra rib #3.
Most Definitely!! That'll help, you'll notice
> 2. Use contest grade balsa only
Just light balsa is good for the tail feathers, you'll beat them to
death otherwise.
> 3. Extend nose by half an inch or something to allow easier
> balancing and component placement
I've never tried this actually, been using a light 1/8" boom (more on
this later)
> 4. No more FG except around fuse/boom joint as per plan. Water
> based poly will be used instead
I usually cover the fuselage with ultracote light, despite the few
grams it adds. I haven't ever used the FG method b/c it seemed
heavy. The ultracote helps and is plenty light, though.
> 5. Lightening holes in wingtip however hard it is to make (I forego
> these last time coz it was too hard, I still don't know how large
> round holes can be drilled out of the balsa with a smooth edge)
Use a nickel and a quarter for templates, then take a very sharp, new
xacto blade and take your time cutting. It's easy with a sharp knife.
> 6. Extend wing spar to wing tip and add launch peg for SAL
Yup! Just make sure the peg is tied into the spar well ... I have
pulled pegs out on launch before. I settled on using some wire
thread that loops through a hole in the peg twice and then sticks
into the spar 4-5" and is epoxied in.
> 7. Cruciform tail??
This helps with the hard discus launches. I blew off numerous v-
tails before switching to the cruciform tail. See my pictures under
Ex-Bug. I can send more or higher resolution pictures if anyone is
ever interested.
> 8. Uses smallest tail boom as possible 1/18"? 3/16" - I don't know
I use a 1/8" carbon boom, but it is a bit flimsy. Joe Wurts saw me
fly and remarked a stiffer tailboom would really help the
performance. Rick Walba, who helps run tailbooms.com, suggested an
avia micro carbon boom. I have yet to try one, but I will report
back if I ever do.
> I plan to use my hitec feather rx, 4x150mah NiMH, and 2 hs55 servos
> for my radio gear.
I agree with the others about radio choices. I use a 4x50 mah nicad
pack that is super light but still gives a 45 minute charge. I have
two cs-10s powering the controls -- I believe these are exactly the
same as the gws pico servos. In the past, I have used a JR 610 micro
receiver, but even being small, it was overkill. Never used the GWS
receiver, but I might try sometime.
Hope this helps!
Dan
From: "Jim H." <Jims-Model-Airplaning@...>
Date: Friday, July 4, 2003 1:36 PM
Subject: Re: [BugHLG] So what is the verdict on Bug mods?
Paul Johnson on 7-4-03 11:07 AM wrote:
> Use the GWS 5g receiver which is lighter and much better range than the
> feather. When you hook a good thermal, the feathers poor range will sadden you
> as your bug rises to the heavens, never to be seen again...
I'm a beginner to R/C and confused here (and my Bug plans haven't even
arrived yet.) Balsa Products lists the range of the GWS R-4P at 4.8g as
1000 ft. with a 39" antenna and the Hitec Feather at 7.8g as a 1000 ft too.
Other than the extra 3 grams what am I missing here? Are the listed ranges
not to accurate?
--
Thanks
Jim Holliman
This E-mail address may not be shared with any person or business without
the permission of the owner.
I feel these items are MUSTS (in my opinion).
Build it with the cruciform tail and a peg in the wing. The tailboom ISN'T too heavy, but a lighter one might be nice.
Use the GWS 5g receiver which is lighter and much better range than the feather. When you hook a good thermal, the feathers poor range will sadden you as your bug rises to the heavens, never to be seen again...
Instead of 150's, use 50 mAh batteries. Don't use contest balsa for the cruciform tail - just light balsa.
HS 55's are a bit heavy, unless you plan on flying mostly slope.
Use ultracote light transparent colors.
build with medium CA using great care.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
From: "jason_wasylyk" <thetoothdoc@...>
Date: Friday, July 4, 2003 10:24 AM
Subject: Re: So what is the verdict on Bug mods?
--- In BugHLG@yahoogroups.com, "dimple_kwok" <henry.kwok@x> wrote:
> I have built and flown a bug that is built to plan but due to
various
> reinforcements it is quite a bit heavier > 4Oz. e.g. 2 layers of
FG
> on fuse,FG on tail feather... etc. Deadair time is only 10s and I
may
> have some fun like 45s to 1 min at small embankment. Now I want to
> build bug #2 and I want to incorporate some improvements. I have
> collected the following ideas from all the previous posts. Any
thing
> else to add?
>
> 1. Extend the wing by 5 inch total (2.5 inch per panel) by
inserting
> an extra rib #3.
> 2. Use contest grade balsa only
> 3. Extend nose by half an inch or something to allow easier
balancing
> and component placement
> 4. No more FG except around fuse/boom joint as per plan. Water
based
> poly will be used instead
> 5. Lightening holes in wingtip however hard it is to make (I
forego
> these last time coz it was too hard, I still don't know how large
> round holes can be drilled out of the balsa with a smooth edge)
> 6. Extend wing spar to wing tip and add launch peg for SAL
> 7. Cruciform tail??
> 8. Uses smallest tail boom as possible 1/18"? 3/16" - I don't know
>
> Is there anything else to add?
>
> I plan to use my hitec feather rx, 4x150mah NiMH, and 2 hs55
servos
> for my radio gears
>
> Any comments appreciated
>
> Henry
Buy a GWS 5g reciever and 2 picoBB servos. Your weight will go down
about 3/4 ounce! (555rx = 20 oz, 2 HS55 servos= 18g VS GWS rx 5g
and picoBB servos = 12g)
Your other mod's will save you minor weight compared to this alone.
The other biggie (about 10g savings) is the 1/8" tailboom (3/16" is
WAY TOO heavy in my opinion.
From: "dimple_kwok" <henry.kwok@...>
Date: Friday, July 4, 2003 8:43 AM
Subject: So what is the verdict on Bug mods?
I have built and flown a bug that is built to plan but due to various
reinforcements it is quite a bit heavier > 4Oz. e.g. 2 layers of FG
on fuse,FG on tail feather... etc. Deadair time is only 10s and I may
have some fun like 45s to 1 min at small embankment. Now I want to
build bug #2 and I want to incorporate some improvements. I have
collected the following ideas from all the previous posts. Any thing
else to add?
1. Extend the wing by 5 inch total (2.5 inch per panel) by inserting
an extra rib #3.
2. Use contest grade balsa only
3. Extend nose by half an inch or something to allow easier balancing
and component placement
4. No more FG except around fuse/boom joint as per plan. Water based
poly will be used instead
5. Lightening holes in wingtip however hard it is to make (I forego
these last time coz it was too hard, I still don't know how large
round holes can be drilled out of the balsa with a smooth edge)
6. Extend wing spar to wing tip and add launch peg for SAL
7. Cruciform tail??
8. Uses smallest tail boom as possible 1/18"? 3/16" - I don't know
Is there anything else to add?
I plan to use my hitec feather rx, 4x150mah NiMH, and 2 hs55 servos
for my radio gears
Any comments appreciated
Henry