Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
07-29-2007, 05:37 AM
#53
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
I have been busy with getting ready for Liberty Bell so I have not had much time to build. I did get the other wing completed as well as the rudder and elevator servos installed. For the ailerons, flaps and rudder I have used my time tested method of mounting the servo to the cover on wood blocks. I chose not to use the EZ Servo Mounts that came with the kit. I did however use them on the elevator servos. They are very easy to use but I am nervous about how well they will hold up since I am suspicious of any new thing I do until I test it and it proves itself. I worry about how well the epoxy sticks to the plastic mount or about one of the screws coming loose (I have a drop of CA on each screw). There also seem to be a bit more "Float" to the servo VS my other mounting method. Anyway, here are a few more photos. The weathering looks much more subtle in person. I thing the flash and lighting in my shop have something to do with how the photos turn out. My next project will be to install the nose gear / door / cylinder and cockpit. After that I can just fit everything else in around those items. Can't wait to fly her.
Dom
Dom
08-09-2007, 09:33 PM
#54
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
Just finished the nose gear, Gear door, cylinder and switch. I also finished the cockpit. All that remains now are the tanks, Turbine, pipe intakes and electronics. I hope to have it done by next weekend for a test flight.
Dom
Dom
08-27-2007, 12:02 AM
#63
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
Thanks Rich.
I have 8 total flights on my A-4 with seven flights on the A-4 today. The jet flies great but you must understand its habits and limitations. Never force this bird outside of its design envelope. Respect it and it is one sweet ride!!!!!! some of its quirks.........pull to hard in a turn at full throttle (P-70) and she will tuck the nose almost as if it were in a side slip that you can only recover from by leveling the wings and easing off the elevator. At 3/4 throttle you can crank it as hard as you like. Every A-4 I have ever owned has had this characteristic. Maintain lots of power on base and final. Carry power all the way in till you are a few feet off the ground then chop it and pull the nose up. The A-4 will then gently kiss the mains and hold the nose off for a bit before settling down. Warning!!!!!!!!!!! This jet will loose speed fast and drop like a rock if you don't stay ahead of the power curve on final. Carry power almost to the runway. This is not one of those glide in type jets. There is never any tendency to tip stall no matter how high the nose is raised on your flare to landing. Kind of reminds me of an F-16 in that regard. In the air the A-4 performed all maneuvers well.........slow rolls, 4 point rolls, loops, knife edge, split s and son on. My bird came in at 20.5 lbs with a full UAT. Tam feels that is on the heavy side and that will accentuate the A-4's quirks. I will be bringing this to the Maine Jet Rally in a few weeks. I think it will be a crowd favorite.
Dom
I have 8 total flights on my A-4 with seven flights on the A-4 today. The jet flies great but you must understand its habits and limitations. Never force this bird outside of its design envelope. Respect it and it is one sweet ride!!!!!! some of its quirks.........pull to hard in a turn at full throttle (P-70) and she will tuck the nose almost as if it were in a side slip that you can only recover from by leveling the wings and easing off the elevator. At 3/4 throttle you can crank it as hard as you like. Every A-4 I have ever owned has had this characteristic. Maintain lots of power on base and final. Carry power all the way in till you are a few feet off the ground then chop it and pull the nose up. The A-4 will then gently kiss the mains and hold the nose off for a bit before settling down. Warning!!!!!!!!!!! This jet will loose speed fast and drop like a rock if you don't stay ahead of the power curve on final. Carry power almost to the runway. This is not one of those glide in type jets. There is never any tendency to tip stall no matter how high the nose is raised on your flare to landing. Kind of reminds me of an F-16 in that regard. In the air the A-4 performed all maneuvers well.........slow rolls, 4 point rolls, loops, knife edge, split s and son on. My bird came in at 20.5 lbs with a full UAT. Tam feels that is on the heavy side and that will accentuate the A-4's quirks. I will be bringing this to the Maine Jet Rally in a few weeks. I think it will be a crowd favorite.
Dom
09-01-2007, 05:14 PM
#64
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
I put another 6 flights on the Skyhawk today, for a total of 14. The plane really moves with the P-70. Despite my reputation, I usually have power at only 3/4. I really have this plane dialed in. It's very zippy and flies like it's on rails. Just be sure to respect the elevator (don't pull too hard). The more I fly this plane, the more I like it. Now that I've figured out the technique, landings are BUTTA! I can't wait to display this plane at the Maine Jet Rally - see you there next week.
Dom
Dom
09-02-2007, 01:35 PM
#68
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
Dom
congrats on the success of your A-4. I'm finally getting around to finishing mine and have a question.
Are you using the tailpipe that Tam supplied? if so, how long is it?
the one I have (from Tam) doesn't quite make it to the end of the exhaust cone. it makes it to the end of the airplane just fine but when you add the tail cone extension it barely extends 1/4" into the cone.
I have placed it at the extreme end of the mounting rail that was installed into the airplane. maybe my engine mounting rails are shorter. what is your mounting rail length?
anyone?
thanks
buck
worse case I'll make an extension to the mounting rail.
congrats on the success of your A-4. I'm finally getting around to finishing mine and have a question.
Are you using the tailpipe that Tam supplied? if so, how long is it?
the one I have (from Tam) doesn't quite make it to the end of the exhaust cone. it makes it to the end of the airplane just fine but when you add the tail cone extension it barely extends 1/4" into the cone.
I have placed it at the extreme end of the mounting rail that was installed into the airplane. maybe my engine mounting rails are shorter. what is your mounting rail length?
anyone?
thanks
buck
worse case I'll make an extension to the mounting rail.
09-02-2007, 04:00 PM
#71
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
I'll give him a shout tomorrow.
kind of stuck without a working pipe though and I'm torn between making the one I have work or trying to get a replacement. running out of time. yikes
Maj Woody
hope your're still out there. where did your CG end up? how 'bout control deflections?
thanks
buck
kind of stuck without a working pipe though and I'm torn between making the one I have work or trying to get a replacement. running out of time. yikes
Maj Woody
hope your're still out there. where did your CG end up? how 'bout control deflections?
thanks
buck
09-02-2007, 05:24 PM
#72
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
ORIGINAL: yeahbaby
Dom
congrats on the success of your A-4. I'm finally getting around to finishing mine and have a question.
Are you using the tailpipe that Tam supplied? if so, how long is it?
the one I have (from Tam) doesn't quite make it to the end of the exhaust cone. it makes it to the end of the airplane just fine but when you add the tail cone extension it barely extends 1/4" into the cone.
I have placed it at the extreme end of the mounting rail that was installed into the airplane. maybe my engine mounting rails are shorter. what is your mounting rail length?
anyone?
thanks
buck
worse case I'll make an extension to the mounting rail.
Dom
congrats on the success of your A-4. I'm finally getting around to finishing mine and have a question.
Are you using the tailpipe that Tam supplied? if so, how long is it?
the one I have (from Tam) doesn't quite make it to the end of the exhaust cone. it makes it to the end of the airplane just fine but when you add the tail cone extension it barely extends 1/4" into the cone.
I have placed it at the extreme end of the mounting rail that was installed into the airplane. maybe my engine mounting rails are shorter. what is your mounting rail length?
anyone?
thanks
buck
worse case I'll make an extension to the mounting rail.
Buck,
It must be a wrong pipe by mistake packing.
Send that one back to me. Tuesday I send you the correct pipe.
09-02-2007, 05:53 PM
#73
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
Hi Buck.
My jet is balanced as per Tam.....Center of the front spar right side up.
Throws:
Elev 1" up 13/16" dwn
Rudd 1 3/4" each way
Flap 13/16" Take Off (the jet flies off the runway so smooth)
1 3/8" landing ( I found the recommended flap setting to much for my plane....sank like a brick)
Ail 6/16" and this is still sensetive!!!!
pipe 26".....I measured this with a yard stick next to the jet so allow some margin of error
I do not use expo (hate the feel) and I like my controls on the touchy side to these are tuned to my liking.
Hope this helps.
Dom
My jet is balanced as per Tam.....Center of the front spar right side up.
Throws:
Elev 1" up 13/16" dwn
Rudd 1 3/4" each way
Flap 13/16" Take Off (the jet flies off the runway so smooth)
1 3/8" landing ( I found the recommended flap setting to much for my plane....sank like a brick)
Ail 6/16" and this is still sensetive!!!!
pipe 26".....I measured this with a yard stick next to the jet so allow some margin of error
I do not use expo (hate the feel) and I like my controls on the touchy side to these are tuned to my liking.
Hope this helps.
Dom
09-02-2007, 08:24 PM
#74
RE: Maj. Woody's A-4 Skyhawk
Tam
thanks for responding amigo. I didn't want to disturb you over the weekend. my pipe is 24 1/4" long but it needs to be 25 1/2". i've got it mounted at the very end of the mounting rail but it's a little short.
I'll send you the pipe but don't worry about sending another one. I'm going to have Joey weld on a 1 1/4" extension to reach the end. hopefully it won't effect the thrust output. I can't imagine why it would but you never know with these little buggers.
Dom
thanks for the insight. the little bugger has a tremendous roll rate and doesn't need much ail deflection.
good weekend every body
buck
thanks for responding amigo. I didn't want to disturb you over the weekend. my pipe is 24 1/4" long but it needs to be 25 1/2". i've got it mounted at the very end of the mounting rail but it's a little short.
I'll send you the pipe but don't worry about sending another one. I'm going to have Joey weld on a 1 1/4" extension to reach the end. hopefully it won't effect the thrust output. I can't imagine why it would but you never know with these little buggers.
Dom
thanks for the insight. the little bugger has a tremendous roll rate and doesn't need much ail deflection.
good weekend every body
buck