Sapphire ~ Vintage EDF model by Peter Goldsmith (Build Thread by JimD)

[Mark Taylor]

Test flight day! The WX was bad, but I couldn't wait. It flew awesome, even caught a couple thermals. I'm glad I chose a high vis scheme. Despite my rusty ironing skills, I think it turned out OK.

Mark L Taylor
Team Horizon / BVM Field rep.

[JimD]

🎉🎉 Congratulations!!! 🎉🎉

[Mark Taylor]

I couldn't help myself, I had to put a bitchin' jet pilot dude in the cockpit!

[FiremanBill]

Nice Congrats on the maiden! I went a different route with my pilot

[lenb]

congratulations Mark

[Killickb]

Where are you guys finding best CG position ?

Thanks

[Mark Taylor]

The posted CG is conservatively forward. I started taking out ballast until there was no up elevator trim.

[JimD]

Personally have not settled on a "best" CG location yet. Motor battery can easily be adjusted fore or aft in my Sapphire, and we have tried adjusting depending on wind speed. Will make an effort to put it on the balance stand and check where we are. Have not needed up elevator trim, so based on Mark's comment my CG must be aft of the posted starting point CG.

[Killickb]

Thanks for the info guys, I used lite covering for fuse and all tail assemblies but still with a 3000 pack as far forward as physically possible I am needing just over 10 oz of nose weight to be at plan's CG position. Nice to know that stated CG is conservative so "ballast" will be removable for first flights. AND the only thing I added at the rear end was a tailplane centering, 1/8 dia carbon pin !!! Obviously not the "lightweight" builder I used to be.
Maiden this week.

[Killickb]

Did maiden this week. Strange to see her slowly climbing with jet noise! Peanut gallery thought she was cool. Flew perfectly and the l/d in still air is amazing, can’t wait for a good thermal day although cruising in idle at 10ft altitude is very neat to see and do. I too added a weight box with 7 oz in as well as the 3 oz in the nose block —- think I can remove at least 2 oz. No idea of final weight. Was surprised to see my wing panels were only 2gm apart so lateral balance is now perfect. Easy build but not as a first time kit — needs large building board for fuse, which needs a jig or much care to build straight. Next step is to see if I can hand launch myself, she is a handful !

[Killickb]

Have quite a few flights on mine now (64mm, 3 cell EDF) including some with 30+ minutes of thermalling. Very relaxing but need to add a single wheel to allow take offs -- she is too awkward for me to hand launch alone.

Yesterday I was doing some steep climbs with fan on and suddenly a whine from fan and no thrust, shut her down and landed. Every fan blade was missing ! Finally figured it out. I had left some wing mounting rubber bands in the lower fuse (during transportation). I saw them in there when going to launch, thought no big deal and it wasn't until one, or more, went thru the fan !!!

Of course the fans are back ordered so ordered a new FMS 4 cell EDF unit, hopefully a little more climb thrust than the original 3 cell unit.

[Leforgeron]

Does anyone know where R1b goes?

Mark Taylor a commenté
[COLOR=#656a6d !important]22.11.2018, 16h11[/COLOR]



À l'intérieur de R1 au bord de fuite pour soutenir la goupille en acier.



Bonjour.
Nouveau sur ce site je suis l'évolution de cette construction car je suis en train de finir mon Sapphire. Sur le plan il n'apparait nule part ces deux pièces R1b ni de goupille en acier (à quoi sert- elle ?) Merci pour votre aide.
Il y a beaucoup de points où il faut se poser de nombreuse question avant d'avancer pour éviter les fautes. Je n'avais aucune planche de coffrage dans le kit ni les bords de fuites. Les baguette n'étaient pas en assez grands nombres pour tout construire. J'ai du en racheter pour finir et en Europe on ne trouve que des baguettes aux côtes du système métrique donc il y a du jeux.
Bref ce n'est pas un kit très complet et pas pour un débutant. Le plan n'est pas à l'échelle non plus je suis un peu déçu et espère être récompensé par mon premier vole.
Bonne journée. Régis depuis la France.