John Ralph's Wagtail

Waggly tails
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Twitcher
Posts: 53
Joined: 16 Feb 2018, 12:17

John Ralph's Wagtail

Post by Twitcher »

I noted a recent reference to the Wagtail in another topic and I thought this would be a good moment to post some photos of my own, newly-built Waggy.
It's electric (3S 1800MAh/ 150W per lb.) and the control system (naturally) is GG. In fact, it's another iteration of the prehistoric Mighty Midget - type actuator that's served me so well. The only difference is that this time I opted to mount it in the vertical plane rather than horizontally. Seems to work just as well and, in some respects, is more convenient.
The other change I made was to concoct a simpler method of mounting the nosewheel. The original had the nosewheel leg soldered to a piece of PC board, and this in turn was stuck to the underneath of the model with either Evostik or Araldite. I didn't fancy that, so I inset a 4mm birch ply plate into the lower sheeting and attached the u/c with common or garden nylon clamps.
The only tricky bit of the actuator/birdcage set-up is getting the necessary throws on the rudder and elevator (the actuator has plenty of power). That's 35 degrees each way on the rudder and 12 degrees of down/35 degrees of up for the elevator. It needs a quite acute bend on the wire end of the torque rod: something like 40 degrees in order to get the deflections you want. That involves a bit of cut-and-try, and, as happened the last time I did this, I had to remake and juggle with the elevator linkage. If it isn't right first time - and it probably won't be -It takes a good deal of looking-at, squinting and teeth-sucking to work out what you need to do! All good fun.
The model needs a bit more decoration but I may wait until it's been proved before doing that.
Cheers
David

Wagtail 3.jpg
Wagtail 4.jpg
Wagtail 2.jpg
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Wayne_H
Posts: 809
Joined: 17 Feb 2018, 05:26
Location: Temora, NSW. Australia
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Re: John Ralph's Wagtail

Post by Wayne_H »

very nice! ;) :P
Cheers,

Wayne
Once a Retrobate, always a Retrobate............ ;)
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tiptipflyer
Posts: 393
Joined: 16 Feb 2018, 22:49
Location: Germany

Re: John Ralph's Wagtail

Post by tiptipflyer »

Here is a picture of my Wagtail, built using Neil`s rib set and the free plan from RCM&E Sept.2019 issue.
I installed one of Tobe´s GG actuators and a brushless electric motor powered by a 3s lipo (110W).
It can take off from a grass field easily and touch and go´s are a beauty. Also nice loops, but no barrel rolls.
A great flying airplane waggling around happily.
Wagtail2.JPG
Wagtail4.JPG
Cheers
Frank
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Shaun
Posts: 1049
Joined: 15 Feb 2018, 21:49
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: John Ralph's Wagtail

Post by Shaun »

Like the colour scheme Frank.
What's it covered in ?
Shaun
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tiptipflyer
Posts: 393
Joined: 16 Feb 2018, 22:49
Location: Germany

Re: John Ralph's Wagtail

Post by tiptipflyer »

It´s yellow tissue with clear and red dope. Black stripes are film. The dummy engine is 3D printed.
Frank
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Shaun
Posts: 1049
Joined: 15 Feb 2018, 21:49
Location: West Yorkshire

Re: John Ralph's Wagtail

Post by Shaun »

Old School finish..... Great.

Shaun
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