For a foamie there was quite a lot to do, and messy too, having to router out various holes for the RX battery, the RX, servos and all the cables. There was foam everywhere. It's a good job I'm not married or her indoors would have something to say I'm sure. But I'm sure I do faff about a bit too. But it is a model that you have to think about when building as the instructions are nigh on non existent.
I did make a modification as well as to how the wing is joined to the fuselage. The carbon tube spar protrudes 20mm out of the wing at the root and enters the fuselage. Instead, I used a length of carbon tube of around 10 inches long, using it as you would a wing joiner on a moulded model, and slid over the top a short length of brass tube, just the width of the fuselage for the centre section. It's far more secure I think. The earth magnets supplied are surprisingly strong but I wanted the added security of a proper wing joiner. I'd have hated to have seen one wing come flying off during an aerobatic manouvre.
All I have left to do now is to permanently attach the tail feathers, connect the controls with snakes and rods, and add some colour. Unfortunately I'm away now for the weekend so that isn't going to get done until next week, but it's only an evenings work.
So what next? Well, I'd like to build more and so there is a new model available called the Red Eagle, a 2 channel, 2m electric soarer. Those of you who get RCM&E magazine will know it. It was designed as a cheap club project for club competitions F5J style. A full kit with plan and DVD is available, so that is what I'm going to do next as a precursor to building the Climaxx, a 2.5m soarer with 4 servo wing, this will be my winter project instead of festering in front of the tv after work on weekdays.
Post Addition 4th September
Well the Traceur is finally finished and just waiting to be flown but, I only have this Sunday available to fly and at the moment we're looking at 7 mph northerly's, so I guess that means either the VR98 slope at the Bwlch or, Hirwaun Common just north of the Bwlch. My choice would be Hirwaun because it is a much higher slope, (1000ft plus), has a better landing zone and, as there is an open cast coal mine at the bottom, it gets very good thermals. I feel this may give me the better conditions to maiden the Traceur. But we all know the weather man can change his mind so we'll see nearer the time.
Hopefully I will post some completed and flying pictures/video next week.
Post Addition 4th September
Well the Traceur is finally finished and just waiting to be flown but, I only have this Sunday available to fly and at the moment we're looking at 7 mph northerly's, so I guess that means either the VR98 slope at the Bwlch or, Hirwaun Common just north of the Bwlch. My choice would be Hirwaun because it is a much higher slope, (1000ft plus), has a better landing zone and, as there is an open cast coal mine at the bottom, it gets very good thermals. I feel this may give me the better conditions to maiden the Traceur. But we all know the weather man can change his mind so we'll see nearer the time.
Hopefully I will post some completed and flying pictures/video next week.
So here are some build pictures of the Traceur
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