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gadwall6

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Topic: Sky Raider Mach II
Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:08pm

Since we voted to run Club 40 Pylon Race schedule this summer at the last club meeting, I have had several people ask me several questions about the plane we talked about using. The rules are still being finalized but everyone is wondering about what a Sky Raider Mach II looks like and how well are they put together. I found one a decided to do my first complete start to finish build thread and you see what you get and how it goes together. So here goes.

The spec sheet for the Sky Raider Mach II and the sister ship the LA Racer give a wingspan of 54 inches, designed for a sport .40 engine, and finished weight of about 5 lbs. The only difference between the SRM2 and the LA racer is the LA racer has a turtle deck and a engine cowling and uses two aileron servos. The SRM2 has an open engine compartment with cheek pieces like the 4 star 40 & 60, and uses one aileron servo. They use the same basic airframe and the exact same wing. I am told that the only difference in flight is the SRM2 turns a little quicker and LA racer is a little faster in the straightaways. The SRM2 retails for $89.99 and the LA racer for $99.99. Both are ARF's and come in several factory color schemes or in solid colors. The SRM2 comes in solid white, red, yellow and orange. The LAR comes only in solid white and yellow. My SRM2 is in solid orange. I have not decided what trim colors I will be using.

Here are factory photos of the SRM2 and the LAR for comparison. This is the Sky Raider.

This is the LA Racer

If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6

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Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:24pm

I was pretty impressed with the design and quality when I opened the box. This plane is aimed at pylon racing and comes complete except for receiver, servos, and engine. I was very impressed to see that all hinges were cut, and installed except for a drop of CA, all holes for control horns and assembly were predrilled, the push rod tubes installed and that there was only three small wrinkles (less than 1 3/4 inches long by 3/16 wide) in the covering on the entire plane.

The plane was very well packaged and protected. In fact, each part had its on bag that was heat sealed on both ends. The hardware was good quality and in numbered bags listed in the manual by step. The hardware included wheels, collars, tailwheel assembly, a matching spinner, fuel tank, and even a precut foam block for the battery and receiver.

If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6

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Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:34pm

The manual is only about 10 pages and basic, but straight forward with good illustrations. It is not detailed but layed out well. The only thing I did not like was that the only measurements that were in english measures were the wingspan, length, wing area and CG. Everything else is in millimeters, but so far this has not presented any problems. All of the hardware is metric.

If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6

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Joined: 20 February 2008
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Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:48pm

I am editing this post after I have found a couple of things that will make your build easier. What is in red is the update. The first step (in the instructions) is to CA the hinges of ailerons, elevator and rudder(DON'T DO IT! They come with the hinges in place but not glued. The first thing you should do is to find the pin holes in the covering of the rudder and elevator and install the control horns. I waited until I had CA'd them in an it was a pain to screw the halves together.). But, since I was out of thin CA, I went on to step two which was assembling the wing halves. The manual shows epoxying in a wing joiner and the wing halves, but does not mention any fiberglass on the wing joint. The wing joiner has a tennon on each end to fit a mortise inside the wing. It is a really good fit, but being old school I cut the covering back on the top of the wing and glassed the wing joint down inside the wing through the servo hole. I figured this would be enough considering the fit of the joiner.

However, since the fit of the joiner and the halves was soooo good, I tore the covering trying to remove excess epoxy and thus decided it was best to fiberglass the bottom of the wing as well. This went off without any hitches and moved on to the fuselage while the wing dried.

If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6

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Posted: 15 November 2009 at 10:10pm

The slots for the vertical and horizontal fin are already cut in the fuselage and covered. In fact, there is even a filler inserted into the rear of the slot for the horizontal fin before covering. All you have to do is cut the covering, slide in the horizontal fin, insert the vertical fin in its slot and screw the two together through the fuselage from the bottom with the screws provide and you are ready. Sure, sure. Remembering the ARF's from the late 80's & 90's could not help myself, I put it together fully expecting to spend several hours re-engineering the engineering to get a square horizontal fin. Surprise, surpirse. When screwed in plance the horizontal fin was out of square less than 1/32" on my Starrett scale. I did strip the covering and epoxy these piece in place, and yes, used Loctite on the screws. As you can see, this thing is going together fast. I only have about 2 1/2 hours in it and it could have been done in much less. I am ready to install the landing gear next, then hook up the control horns and set the servos. As soon as I get some CA, I will set the hinges and then be ready for an engine. This has really been a good build so far. I am looking forward to the next SRM2 build to see actually how fast one of these will go together.

If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

DocYates

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Posted: 16 November 2009 at 8:26am

Did you order it from a site? If so can you give us the name so I can go ahead and get one of these ordered. I have read thru the rule package you sent and it looks like fun. I am sure were are gonna be able to stimulate some interest in this. If not, I guess we can ride up to Columbia and race with those guys.

BTW, for those who are interested in dressing up their birds, I have a vinyl cutter and can do numbers and lettering for you if you needs it. I have most of the basic colors in vinyl, but my design skillz are not that great so don't get too fancy.

"I canna change the laws of physics, Cap'n"

"Fate seldom calls upon us at a moment of our choosing." - Optimus Prime

gadwall6

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Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:50pm

I was in Huntsville and ran by RC Hobbies on Meridian St. He had several SRM2's with the factory color scheme and one of each of the solid colors. He also had several LAR's in the factory scheme but only the white in the solid. I saw Mike Moss there and he said he had bought one of the LA racers back in the summer in one of the factory schemes and really liked it. Tell us more about the vinyl cutter. Does it use standard computer fonts? Can your use it to cut from the trim sheets that match the monokote colors?

As far as creating interest, I think like the Good Book says, "Where two or three are gathered ..." We can race with the Music City Aviators too. They have a good forum with some great info on setting up the race and the planes. Just Google or Bing Music City Aviators.

If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

DocYates

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Posted: 17 November 2009 at 8:24am

I can use any of the typical fonts, and have most of them already in the profile. Can also cut out shapes. It is just a smaller version of the commercial cutter, will do lengths up to 36" and widths of 11". I will be more than happy to help you out with your scheme when you get ready to it. I will get up with Eddie, we may need to make a trip over there and pick up one of these so we can get it ready.

My vinyl cutter is the Stika Model Roland SX-15, I think it is. You can look them up and see what it looks like.

Tommy

"I canna change the laws of physics, Cap'n"

"Fate seldom calls upon us at a moment of our choosing." - Optimus Prime

gadwall6

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Posted: 19 November 2009 at 10:52pm

I have edited the previous post where I started regarding the order of things to do to make it easier. I have added the new stuff in red. Please go back and note the change.

I have installed the landing gear and it was pretty straight forward. I did add some fiberglass cloth around the slot for the gear wire. The tail wheel is really simple and looks effective. But, make sure that you install the control horns first. Here is another little diddy for you. Install the tube for the throttle control rod before installing the fuel tank. I installed the fuel tank. It was your basic tank install, but I did add some 1/8 foam on the front of the tank around the neck against the firewall. Also, I added some foam around the top and sides where the tank touches the former (this is what caused the problem with the throttle control rod tube). I used some silicone to hold the tank off of the bottom of the hole in the former. TAKE NOTE: The tank is held in place in the former by a piece of 1/4" x 1/4" balsa glued in to hold the tank forward as much a possible. Be careful when you wedge this brace in place. I bulged the outside of the fuselage on the off side and did not see it until it was glued in place.

I am ready to set the servos and hook up the linkages for the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. I am looking for an engine. After the engine and throttle, all is left is to recover the wing and do some trim.

If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6

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Joined: 20 February 2008
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Posted: 21 November 2009 at 10:35pm

I went out and looked at the SRM2 today and decided that I am at the point where I need a engine. So, I thought to myself that since I started this thread with the intent of giving everyone an idea of what an SRM2 is all about, I should get the engine recommended for this plane by the racing gurus. That would be the Thunder Tiger GP- .40 and off to Hobbytown I went. I knew that Hobbytown had the OS .46LA in the store, but would see how long it would take to the a TT GP- .40 . After explaning the situation to Gina and several minutes of computer searches, she told me that she could not get the Thunder Tiger engines at all. I looked hard at the OS again, but decided to look farther. I decided that since that RC Hobbies in H'ville had the planes in stock, maybe they had the TT also. I made a call to RC Hobbies and they did carry the Thunder Tiger motors. However, TT did not make the GP-40 anymore. The new engine is the TT GP- .42, which is essentially the same thing OS did with the .40LA to the .46 LA. I was told that the price for the TT GP- .42, was $66.99 plus tax. That is $13.00 less than the OS .46 LA! Since I am out of school next week and my official Honeydo/Roundtuit list did not start until Monday, I headed east for exit 21 on 565. So now for a grand total of about $164.00 I am ready to finish out the Sky Raider. Here is a look at the new Thunder Tiger GP- .42

The engine is well packaged in a bubble-wrap pouch and wrapped in tissue paper. All screws are in their own heat-sealed bag, as well as, the muffler. Included with the engine, muffler, screws and instruction manual is a TT glow plug, decal sheet and a parts list.

The engine looks of good quality and the CNC machining is well done. I have not pulled the back cover or head yet, but the casting has a nice bead blasted finish. The heat fins on the upper part of the cylinder have been machined around the edge as well as the outer edge of the carb throat and the underside of the mounting gussets.

The carb also features an angled needle instead of the remote needle as on the OS 46 LA.

I am going to try and get the mounts drilled tomorrow and break it in this week. I am really looking forward to getting it ready to test fly. I am hoping the weather pattern will hold and we get several more good weekends before blue cold weather.

If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

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gadwall6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group QCRCC Field Maintenance Director Joined: 20 February 2008 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 174	Quote Reply Topic: Sky Raider Mach II Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:08pm
	Since we voted to run Club 40 Pylon Race schedule this summer at the last club meeting, I have had several people ask me several questions about the plane we talked about using. The rules are still being finalized but everyone is wondering about what a Sky Raider Mach II looks like and how well are they put together. I found one a decided to do my first complete start to finish build thread and you see what you get and how it goes together. So here goes. The spec sheet for the Sky Raider Mach II and the sister ship the LA Racer give a wingspan of 54 inches, designed for a sport .40 engine, and finished weight of about 5 lbs. The only difference between the SRM2 and the LA racer is the LA racer has a turtle deck and a engine cowling and uses two aileron servos. The SRM2 has an open engine compartment with cheek pieces like the 4 star 40 & 60, and uses one aileron servo. They use the same basic airframe and the exact same wing. I am told that the only difference in flight is the SRM2 turns a little quicker and LA racer is a little faster in the straightaways. The SRM2 retails for $89.99 and the LA racer for $99.99. Both are ARF's and come in several factory color schemes or in solid colors. The SRM2 comes in solid white, red, yellow and orange. The LAR comes only in solid white and yellow. My SRM2 is in solid orange. I have not decided what trim colors I will be using. Here are factory photos of the SRM2 and the LAR for comparison. This is the Sky Raider. This is the LA Racer
	If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group QCRCC Field Maintenance Director Joined: 20 February 2008 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 174	Quote Reply Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:24pm
	I was pretty impressed with the design and quality when I opened the box. This plane is aimed at pylon racing and comes complete except for receiver, servos, and engine. I was very impressed to see that all hinges were cut, and installed except for a drop of CA, all holes for control horns and assembly were predrilled, the push rod tubes installed and that there was only three small wrinkles (less than 1 3/4 inches long by 3/16 wide) in the covering on the entire plane. The plane was very well packaged and protected. In fact, each part had its on bag that was heat sealed on both ends. The hardware was good quality and in numbered bags listed in the manual by step. The hardware included wheels, collars, tailwheel assembly, a matching spinner, fuel tank, and even a precut foam block for the battery and receiver.
	If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group QCRCC Field Maintenance Director Joined: 20 February 2008 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 174	Quote Reply Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:34pm
	The manual is only about 10 pages and basic, but straight forward with good illustrations. It is not detailed but layed out well. The only thing I did not like was that the only measurements that were in english measures were the wingspan, length, wing area and CG. Everything else is in millimeters, but so far this has not presented any problems. All of the hardware is metric.
	If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group QCRCC Field Maintenance Director Joined: 20 February 2008 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 174	Quote Reply Posted: 15 November 2009 at 9:48pm
	I am editing this post after I have found a couple of things that will make your build easier. What is in red is the update. The first step (in the instructions) is to CA the hinges of ailerons, elevator and rudder(DON'T DO IT! They come with the hinges in place but not glued. The first thing you should do is to find the pin holes in the covering of the rudder and elevator and install the control horns. I waited until I had CA'd them in an it was a pain to screw the halves together.). But, since I was out of thin CA, I went on to step two which was assembling the wing halves. The manual shows epoxying in a wing joiner and the wing halves, but does not mention any fiberglass on the wing joint. The wing joiner has a tennon on each end to fit a mortise inside the wing. It is a really good fit, but being old school I cut the covering back on the top of the wing and glassed the wing joint down inside the wing through the servo hole. I figured this would be enough considering the fit of the joiner. However, since the fit of the joiner and the halves was soooo good, I tore the covering trying to remove excess epoxy and thus decided it was best to fiberglass the bottom of the wing as well. This went off without any hitches and moved on to the fuselage while the wing dried.
	If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group QCRCC Field Maintenance Director Joined: 20 February 2008 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 174	Quote Reply Posted: 15 November 2009 at 10:10pm
	The slots for the vertical and horizontal fin are already cut in the fuselage and covered. In fact, there is even a filler inserted into the rear of the slot for the horizontal fin before covering. All you have to do is cut the covering, slide in the horizontal fin, insert the vertical fin in its slot and screw the two together through the fuselage from the bottom with the screws provide and you are ready. Sure, sure. Remembering the ARF's from the late 80's & 90's could not help myself, I put it together fully expecting to spend several hours re-engineering the engineering to get a square horizontal fin. Surprise, surpirse. When screwed in plance the horizontal fin was out of square less than 1/32" on my Starrett scale. I did strip the covering and epoxy these piece in place, and yes, used Loctite on the screws. As you can see, this thing is going together fast. I only have about 2 1/2 hours in it and it could have been done in much less. I am ready to install the landing gear next, then hook up the control horns and set the servos. As soon as I get some CA, I will set the hinges and then be ready for an engine. This has really been a good build so far. I am looking forward to the next SRM2 build to see actually how fast one of these will go together.
	If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

DocYates Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List QCRCC ADMIN QCRCC Vice- President Joined: 06 January 2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1745	Quote Reply Posted: 16 November 2009 at 8:26am
	Did you order it from a site? If so can you give us the name so I can go ahead and get one of these ordered. I have read thru the rule package you sent and it looks like fun. I am sure were are gonna be able to stimulate some interest in this. If not, I guess we can ride up to Columbia and race with those guys. BTW, for those who are interested in dressing up their birds, I have a vinyl cutter and can do numbers and lettering for you if you needs it. I have most of the basic colors in vinyl, but my design skillz are not that great so don't get too fancy.
	"I canna change the laws of physics, Cap'n" "Fate seldom calls upon us at a moment of our choosing." - Optimus Prime

gadwall6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group QCRCC Field Maintenance Director Joined: 20 February 2008 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 174	Quote Reply Posted: 16 November 2009 at 4:50pm
	I was in Huntsville and ran by RC Hobbies on Meridian St. He had several SRM2's with the factory color scheme and one of each of the solid colors. He also had several LAR's in the factory scheme but only the white in the solid. I saw Mike Moss there and he said he had bought one of the LA racers back in the summer in one of the factory schemes and really liked it. Tell us more about the vinyl cutter. Does it use standard computer fonts? Can your use it to cut from the trim sheets that match the monokote colors? As far as creating interest, I think like the Good Book says, "Where two or three are gathered ..." We can race with the Music City Aviators too. They have a good forum with some great info on setting up the race and the planes. Just Google or Bing Music City Aviators.
	If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

DocYates Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List QCRCC ADMIN QCRCC Vice- President Joined: 06 January 2005 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 1745	Quote Reply Posted: 17 November 2009 at 8:24am
	I can use any of the typical fonts, and have most of them already in the profile. Can also cut out shapes. It is just a smaller version of the commercial cutter, will do lengths up to 36" and widths of 11". I will be more than happy to help you out with your scheme when you get ready to it. I will get up with Eddie, we may need to make a trip over there and pick up one of these so we can get it ready. My vinyl cutter is the Stika Model Roland SX-15, I think it is. You can look them up and see what it looks like. Tommy
	"I canna change the laws of physics, Cap'n" "Fate seldom calls upon us at a moment of our choosing." - Optimus Prime

gadwall6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group QCRCC Field Maintenance Director Joined: 20 February 2008 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 174	Quote Reply Posted: 19 November 2009 at 10:52pm
	I have edited the previous post where I started regarding the order of things to do to make it easier. I have added the new stuff in red. Please go back and note the change. I have installed the landing gear and it was pretty straight forward. I did add some fiberglass cloth around the slot for the gear wire. The tail wheel is really simple and looks effective. But, make sure that you install the control horns first. Here is another little diddy for you. Install the tube for the throttle control rod before installing the fuel tank. I installed the fuel tank. It was your basic tank install, but I did add some 1/8 foam on the front of the tank around the neck against the firewall. Also, I added some foam around the top and sides where the tank touches the former (this is what caused the problem with the throttle control rod tube). I used some silicone to hold the tank off of the bottom of the hole in the former. TAKE NOTE: The tank is held in place in the former by a piece of 1/4" x 1/4" balsa glued in to hold the tank forward as much a possible. Be careful when you wedge this brace in place. I bulged the outside of the fuselage on the off side and did not see it until it was glued in place. I am ready to set the servos and hook up the linkages for the ailerons, elevator, and rudder. I am looking for an engine. After the engine and throttle, all is left is to recover the wing and do some trim.
	If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers

gadwall6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group QCRCC Field Maintenance Director Joined: 20 February 2008 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 174	Quote Reply Posted: 21 November 2009 at 10:35pm
	I went out and looked at the SRM2 today and decided that I am at the point where I need a engine. So, I thought to myself that since I started this thread with the intent of giving everyone an idea of what an SRM2 is all about, I should get the engine recommended for this plane by the racing gurus. That would be the Thunder Tiger GP- .40 and off to Hobbytown I went. I knew that Hobbytown had the OS .46LA in the store, but would see how long it would take to the a TT GP- .40 . After explaning the situation to Gina and several minutes of computer searches, she told me that she could not get the Thunder Tiger engines at all. I looked hard at the OS again, but decided to look farther. I decided that since that RC Hobbies in H'ville had the planes in stock, maybe they had the TT also. I made a call to RC Hobbies and they did carry the Thunder Tiger motors. However, TT did not make the GP-40 anymore. The new engine is the TT GP- .42, which is essentially the same thing OS did with the .40LA to the .46 LA. I was told that the price for the TT GP- .42, was $66.99 plus tax. That is $13.00 less than the OS .46 LA! Since I am out of school next week and my official Honeydo/Roundtuit list did not start until Monday, I headed east for exit 21 on 565. So now for a grand total of about $164.00 I am ready to finish out the Sky Raider. Here is a look at the new Thunder Tiger GP- .42 The engine is well packaged in a bubble-wrap pouch and wrapped in tissue paper. All screws are in their own heat-sealed bag, as well as, the muffler. Included with the engine, muffler, screws and instruction manual is a TT glow plug, decal sheet and a parts list. The engine looks of good quality and the CNC machining is well done. I have not pulled the back cover or head yet, but the casting has a nice bead blasted finish. The heat fins on the upper part of the cylinder have been machined around the edge as well as the outer edge of the carb throat and the underside of the mounting gussets. The carb also features an angled needle instead of the remote needle as on the OS 46 LA. I am going to try and get the mounts drilled tomorrow and break it in this week. I am really looking forward to getting it ready to test fly. I am hoping the weather pattern will hold and we get several more good weekends before blue cold weather.
	If stupidity got me into this mess, why can't it get me out? --Will Rogers