> > I've just received delivery of a Dynaflite Bobcat, and as I'm still > finishing off my current project, I was wondering if there are any > suggestions of modifications for better performance of the Bobcat that I > should be aware of before starting? > This subject should be in the archives. "Bobcats and how to keep them flying" was a regular topic some years back but I've not seen it recently -- I didn't know the plane was still being sold. Its not that good as a thermal ship (it will work, though) but it's OK as a lightweight sloper.
0) Building it without a rudder is not an option if you want to steer the thing. 1) Use two servos in the wing for ailerons. I've tried the cable and I've tried pushrods and bellcranks. Neither work as well as servos. Servos are cheap, a couple of Cirrus or HS80s will do fine. You can wire them in parallel if you can keep the original drive arrangement but if you've got a computer radio then you can just mount them with the horns underneath and get the differential by using the transmitter. 2) The wing's TE is made from a couple of pieces of sixteenth balsa. Don't bother. Get some TE stock, sand it to shape and use it instead. It will add very little weight to the plane and it will make the wing a lot stronger. You'll be doing this anyway because the standard TE crushes on a hard landing. 2) The lite-ply fuse is weak. Reinforce it at the back (especially where the rudder cable exits) and at the bulkhead at the TE. Reinforcing can be glass or carbon strip. Strapping tape is as good but maybe difficult to hide. I've used carbon mat in the balsa/ply sandwich with success. 3) The horizontal stab will either fall off or fall apart. Or both. Consider replacing it with a Coroplast one. If you do use balsa use triangular strip to increase the contact area between the stab and the fin and maybe a couple of small pegs to help locate it. A bit of prudent reinforcing can make the plane last. Don't overdo it, though. You need to keep it light so if you add things like carbon mat or strip keep it small, use common sense. Last -- its not the easiest aileron plane to fly so if this is your first get something cheap and foam to play with first. These things fly differently from polys, the 'cat will go out of control if you float it, so get your crash time in on something you don't have to keep repairing. Martin Usher RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
