NitroModels / NitroPlanes OV-10 Bronco Build
06-17-2008, 12:17 PM
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RE: NitroModels / NitroPlanes OV-10 Bronco Build
Bob:
I can't really answer your question with respect to the NitroPlanes OV-10. There are a number of folks on RCU (R/C Lee, Osxpro, Rryman, and others) that have successfully flown the Uravitch designed Broncos, both small and large, for extended periods of time. Most of the builder's mods were in the area of adding a little wing area (going out an extra wing bay or two), modifying the elevator control mechanism, (and in my case) adding quad flaps. But the OV-10 design, built either from kit or plans, seems to fly fine. Mine crashed because I was stupid and tried to roll it too close to the deck. It was my third airplane, and it was probably a bit of a stretch from a trainer. There's a fair amount of info/experience over in the RCU "OV-10 3-blade prop size thread".
I think there are a couple of critical areas with the OV-10 that one must address. (1) The horizontal stab/elevator attachment to the fins/booms, and (2) the elevator control mechanism. Because the bird is tail heavy, you have to keep the stab as light as possible, but still have to find some way to put in enough support to make sure the fins don't separate from the HS while in flight. I solved the problem with nylon screws, other folks have used triangle stock glued to the fin/HS to provid a stronger joint. The little Uravitch OV-10 uses flexible cables for elevator control, and I'm pretty sure the big one uses a system of bellcranks to move the elevator. I think Nitroplanes may have hit on something using a couple of micro-servos imbedded in the stab. That was the approach I was considering, but using a single low-profile wing servo in the middle of the stab. But that creates a problem in running the servo lead up through a fairly narrow path in the fin/stab, and also adds weight to the tail, which means more weight up front.
If you approach either the Uravitch or NitroPlanes versions with these things in mind, and make corrections during the building process, as well as using your experience to look at other areas like landing gear, CG, etc., then you'll have a flyable aircraft. Then I'd be real careful on the first few flights, and double check everything for structural integrity before I did anything beyond basic loops/rolls. I think most of the crashes have been caused because the builder/flyer overlooked something, and unfortunately ended up paying the price. These things may be ARF's/kits, but they're not trainers, and need more attention.
Which I guess is a long-winded way of saying, "no, I can't directly point you at anybody that's flown a NitroPlanes OV-10"
Fred
I can't really answer your question with respect to the NitroPlanes OV-10. There are a number of folks on RCU (R/C Lee, Osxpro, Rryman, and others) that have successfully flown the Uravitch designed Broncos, both small and large, for extended periods of time. Most of the builder's mods were in the area of adding a little wing area (going out an extra wing bay or two), modifying the elevator control mechanism, (and in my case) adding quad flaps. But the OV-10 design, built either from kit or plans, seems to fly fine. Mine crashed because I was stupid and tried to roll it too close to the deck. It was my third airplane, and it was probably a bit of a stretch from a trainer. There's a fair amount of info/experience over in the RCU "OV-10 3-blade prop size thread".
I think there are a couple of critical areas with the OV-10 that one must address. (1) The horizontal stab/elevator attachment to the fins/booms, and (2) the elevator control mechanism. Because the bird is tail heavy, you have to keep the stab as light as possible, but still have to find some way to put in enough support to make sure the fins don't separate from the HS while in flight. I solved the problem with nylon screws, other folks have used triangle stock glued to the fin/HS to provid a stronger joint. The little Uravitch OV-10 uses flexible cables for elevator control, and I'm pretty sure the big one uses a system of bellcranks to move the elevator. I think Nitroplanes may have hit on something using a couple of micro-servos imbedded in the stab. That was the approach I was considering, but using a single low-profile wing servo in the middle of the stab. But that creates a problem in running the servo lead up through a fairly narrow path in the fin/stab, and also adds weight to the tail, which means more weight up front.
If you approach either the Uravitch or NitroPlanes versions with these things in mind, and make corrections during the building process, as well as using your experience to look at other areas like landing gear, CG, etc., then you'll have a flyable aircraft. Then I'd be real careful on the first few flights, and double check everything for structural integrity before I did anything beyond basic loops/rolls. I think most of the crashes have been caused because the builder/flyer overlooked something, and unfortunately ended up paying the price. These things may be ARF's/kits, but they're not trainers, and need more attention.
Which I guess is a long-winded way of saying, "no, I can't directly point you at anybody that's flown a NitroPlanes OV-10"
Fred
