GliderIreland - Ireland RC Forum - Flying Model forum in Ireland

Planes => Sports => Topic started by: Fred on April 07, 2009, 08:45:01 AM

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on April 07, 2009, 08:45:01 AM

Tow plane is back on track !
Yesterday evening, started the re-covering of the beast.
Will be all bright yellow for better visibility  :D
Slowly but surely, I hope to have it ready for Retroplane along with the electric one.

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/DSCF6892.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/DSCF6893.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/DSCF6894.JPG)

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: DennisZ on April 07, 2009, 11:16:51 AM

Hi Fred,

how much power tow plane is expected to have ?

also what mods have to be made to convert "ordinary" plane to a tug ?

I'm thinking maybe my electric monster can be used for that ?

http://www.leinster-model-flyer.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/dscf4146.jpg

80" wingspan

Dennis

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on April 07, 2009, 12:18:00 PM

Hi Dennis,

In general, well, that depend of what you have to tow !
The BigLift will go with a 26cc first, and if there is some interrest, I will certainly upgrade to a 50cc to go with bigger gliders.

The first thing you need, is a stable platform (the BigLift is born as a tow plane...) and power (tork). After that, everything else is in the way you fly the tow plane... Tow pilot is a R/C category on its own.

Then, of course, you need a release hook, as near as possible of the CG (we usually put it at the wing TE). Tow hook must be remotely controlled for the release.

I guess any planes can be converted as a tow plane, as 50% of the towing success are from the pilots, the rest, is the machine in my opinion.

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: DennisZ on April 07, 2009, 12:31:58 PM

Quote from: "Fred"

Then, of course, you need a release hook, as near as possible of the CG (we usually put it at the wing TE). Tow hook must be remotely controlled for the release.

Thanks Fred.
my plane certainly is nowhere near 50cc.

about tow hook: does it mean after glider has released its end, tug drops another ?

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on April 07, 2009, 12:37:10 PM

No worries, any power will do. That will only limit the weight of the glider you can tow !
My electric one will be for gliders up to 2 kg for example...

For the tow hook, no (well, not necesarely. I know some tow plane pilots who release the line before landing on a low pass...) but that is more an essential safety feature.
If the glider have a problem, the tow plane can always release. You save the plane...

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: joe on April 09, 2009, 10:36:55 AM

Good colour Fred. I think we will see that in the air.
When do I get my hands on it?? :D  :D  :D  :D

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on April 09, 2009, 11:49:46 AM

On my dead body !  :P
Or when I want to fly my gliders really...  :P

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on April 20, 2009, 08:49:13 AM

The BigLift now sits on his wheels !
Servos are in the fuselage too !  :D
And no photos! Tonight!

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on April 21, 2009, 11:02:03 AM

So, here is the progress so far  :D
A little bit of work every now and then...

Going to be visible I'm sure...  :lol:

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/DSCF7038.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/DSCF7040.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/DSCF7042.JPG)

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/DSCF7044.JPG)

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Happy Days on April 21, 2009, 17:56:32 PM

Corrrr, you've certainly got a big one Fred! :shock:  :oops:

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Alan_Perse on April 21, 2009, 18:56:08 PM

Hey Fred. Is that the old MPX Big Lift.

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on April 22, 2009, 07:22:05 AM

Hey there  :D

Wel Keith, not that big, but all square, that make it bigger than that thing really is I think !
On the nose, a 26cc (originaly, this plane towed hundreds of gliders with a 15cc...), but if we have lots of interrest, I will go for a 45 / 50cc in the future... (The 26cc with the 18x6 pull 5kg static...)

Alan, this is an original vintage BigLift from Multiplex... About my age !  Pure unobtainium !  :D

Full functions, at the time, we used to put a video camera on it (there is a window on the belly), tow hook, top (gliders) and bottom (parachutes, banner) etc etc... All the linkage were push/pull with steel cables, but now updated to a more modern standard !  :)

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Stephan on May 12, 2009, 20:08:30 PM

Fred, could you measure on your BigLift the incidence? Has your BL ailerons and flaps, if yes you could measure them  too  :D
Thanks
Stephan

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on May 13, 2009, 16:55:29 PM

Hey Steph, sorry for the late reply !

Will do asap! Have to set it up in the garden to do it.

But the wing incidence pins should be built in no?  :?:

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Alan_Perse on May 13, 2009, 17:02:16 PM

Maybe Stephan means the incidence between the wing and the tailplane?  :?: :?:

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on May 13, 2009, 19:38:28 PM

Hi Alan,
Yes, but the incidence pins are built in as far as I remember, so cannot be changed without quiet extensive work.

Rain tonight Steph, Hopefully tomorrow  :D

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Stephan on May 13, 2009, 22:19:46 PM

Quote from: "Alan_Perse"

Maybe Stephan means the incidence between the wing and the tailplane?  :?: :?:

Yes exactly (longitudal dihedral), my Big Lift was already build partialy when I got it, because I am a cautious person I verfied it and got 3°. I changed it now to 2°.
The wing dihedral I think should be 2° but I was not able to get this. I have now 0.8°, but thats ok. I cannot get more because I added some plug in mounts which are not designed originaly in the wings.
Stephan

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on May 14, 2009, 20:55:19 PM

Hi Stephan,

Just checked, and I have 2.5°
Cannot check the diedhral, but looks like 2° to me too  :?:

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Stephan on May 15, 2009, 08:13:56 AM

Quote from: "Fred"

Hi Stephan,

Just checked, and I have 2.5°
Cannot check the diedhral, but looks like 2° to me too  :?:

ok, so I am not to bad. Have you checked the depth of the ailerons and Flaps too  :?:
Stephan

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on May 15, 2009, 10:50:04 AM

Feck no!
Sorry forgot, I do that tonight!

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Stephan on May 16, 2009, 17:29:59 PM

Hi Fred
here it is my baby, first assembly today, I think it will fly end of May.
Cheers
Stephan

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Stephan/IMG_4884-c550.jpg)

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Fred on May 16, 2009, 21:48:27 PM

Looking good Stephan !  :clap:

Here are all the dimensions for you for the ailerons and flaps :

(http://www.gliderireland.net/forum/images/uploads/Fred/DSCF7170.JPG)

I hope to have mine done sometimes in June now  :oops:

Title: BigLift I - Rebuild
Post by: Stephan on May 16, 2009, 23:42:57 PM

Thanks Fred. This evening I mounted the engine and I am quite happy. It's easier than I thought it to be.
Steph