Christchurch and District Model Flying Club
 

models revisited, by terry antell
(you can see the original article at http://www.cdmfc.org/archives/sep05/fournier.html)

Occasionally we all find a few models become redundant. By this I mean we move on to a new challenge. But what of the old model now lurking in a corner? Revisit them. Perhaps the original motor wasn’t man enough for the job or the Lipo had given up. A few years later you now find a motor that was used in a model that has been scrapped. (Smashed up!)

I was in this situation with my ¼ scale Fournier (B) which is so much like the RF4 version. Fawcett’s Field being somewhat small and Stanpit Rec being a longer walk with an 8lb model I’d put it away to rest!

It last flew at Stanpit 3 years since and needed an undercarriage repair after a rabbit hole removed the large single wheel AND the fuselage bottom. With Strawberry Field now available for our use I could see the chance of a few more happy landings without much turbulence. Repaired the wheel assembly, refitted the motor (it had been in the Cessna Skylane), introduced a new 5 cell Lipo and tested the servos, now using a 2.4 GHz Rx.

Watt meter tests have shown 1200 watts of power from the motor and drawing 63 amp (reducing) from the Lipo. The Lipo is capable of delivering over 100 amps. The ESC is a 70 amp opto unit. Power to the 6 servos and Rx is from the 5 cell Lipo via a UBEC which can take up to 7 1/5 amps, much more that I require. So, for the price of a UBEC unit and shared use of my 5 cell Lipo (it’s also used on my Cessna Skylane).

Once again I dream of soaring the powered glider, this time at Strawberry Field, Boldre. Update: The Fournier took to the air again on Thursday 17^th February at Strawberry Field, Boldre. Total air time (just one flight) was 23 minutes. Actual power on time was 7 mins 29 secs. Battery checker indicated just 3% left in the pack. I recharged and the battery accepted 4605 mlliamps. Battery is a 4500 capacity. It has recovered. Next flight will be restricted to 6 minutes of power! Original pic -- without my female pilot who now takes control?

She’s built from a plan, plus fibre glass wing and motor cowling & clear plastic canopy. This part is hinged. Has padded pilot seat that was not part of the plan as the lady pilot wasn't either. I've had this model a number of years. 10 foot span. 8lb RTF weight. Mega 22/45/3e in-runner. 5 cell 4500 Lipo. 70 amp ESC. 7 1/2 amp UBEC. 6 servos of which 2 are full size. Prop -- 12 x 11. U/C -- 4" air wheel without any added air pressure. Steerable tail wheel. Covering --- Glosstex.

Back to contents

[Home] [Chairman's Chatter] [Editorial] [Mustang] [Club Meetings] [Quiz Night] [Chinese Buddha] [Fournier] [Helix] [Cheaper 2.4gig] [Tiger Moth] [Diary of a Flier] [RC sailing] [Railways] [Ron Moulton]