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Another crashed Phase 6

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Happy Days:
Well here’s a little tale for you all to ponder before you next take your precious models out on a windy day.

There was I, on the north slope of Big L. today, wind speed 50 -60 Km/h at the ridge. Everything was lovely, :)  with clear skies, :D  no spectators, :D  :D  and a blue’ish sky. :D  :D  :D

The Phase 6 was ballasted up to 150% of normal flying weight. I was going through my normal little repartee of aerobatics and put the model into a steep dive, pulled out sharply and rolled the plane hard right.

The model started the roll and then went almost completely out of control. Fighting the sticks I just managed to get her the right way up, back to the ridge, and over the landing area. Had great difficulty trying to keep the wings level for a landing.  (Not helped by the gusty winds)  As soon as I started to apply the crow brake she ballooned up, stalled, and corkscrewed nose first into Mt. Lienster.

(The funeral mass will be held at Bree church tomorrow at 4.30pm. All are welcome) :cry:

But what caused the demise of my (second) Phase 6? :?:

Well, it turned out to be something that I would never have imagined.

The following picture shows the underside of the wing and the left aileron servo. The servo arm has snapped off of the servo arm flange. i.e. the part of the arm that located onto the servo splined shaft is still in place, but the actual ‘arm’ that connects to the control rod (and should be pointing up towards the camera) has snapped off! and was left dangling from the aileron horn.
I’m amazed, I would never have thought there would have been enough force during flight to snap it off. :shock:  I’ve had servos pulled out from their sockets before on windy days  but this problem would never have entered my head!

Well,……………you learn something new every day.

Fred:
Ouch !  :(

Peter:
Too bad Keith - sorry to hear your Phase Six is no more.

Happy Days:
Thanks for your commiserations guys. :(  

As with my first Phase 6 the wings are okay, it was the fuse that’s sustained 95% of the damage. It’s split longitudinally in two places and cracked open on one side and across the bottom around the wing saddle area. The number two former has snapped and the fin and rudder have come off. The rudder and elevator servo mounts are split as well.

I really am of two minds whether to try and repair it, or simply buy another kit. In terms of the amount of  work time the two options would probably take about the same, although trying to repair the existing one STRAIGHT might prove problematic. :!:  

I might have a go at sticking all the little bit and pieces back together tomorrow and if it doesn’t seem plausible, as I’m in the South of England next week, I might pick up a new one from SMC. :D

K.

Peter:
If the wings and tail surfaces are OK, you could always buy some ply and balsa and fashion your own super strong version of the fuselage - it's quite a simple box affair.  Getting those servo leads into the wings must be fiddly enough and you could avoid having to do this again.  Just an idea.  Incidently found this thumbnail of the Phase 5 on the web - very nice looking glider. Love the tail. I'm tempted to try and track a plan down.

Peter

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