Precision aerobatics katana mx build.

I would go for the covering iron with a remote satellite temperature control. The last thing you want when covering, is to suffer from a loss of signal, or even worse, brownout....

Wouldn't bother with an iron if you have no plans for a full covering job cheep heat gun works loads better for wrinkle removal if used carfuly IMO

My experience of PA stuff is the covering is ultra thin (gossamer), be very careful what ever you use to take the wrinkles out or you will need a covering iron to recover.

I don't do Spektrum so wouldn't dare comment on reliability or recommendations.

FUTABA

Ah ok so would a hair dryer useable instead then?
I've gone over it all and there's no creases anywhere. It's just for when I open up the holes for the servos and such.

You'll need an iron then, hair dryer does the job, although a lot slower but safer.

Thanks Rich, I've just ordered one. Who knows, maybe it'll come in handy if I build another one in the future.

The longest build thread ever and not got the glue out yet

It is a bit isn't it.
If the parts turn up on Tuesday I should be able to get cracking.

Finally made a start. Just a little progress last night.
First up soldering and testing the radio and electrics. Wiring for the esc is in series and after testing the servos I then put each one on a servo tester for 10 mins to be sure they're working fine.
The reciever in the picture is the one I use for testing as I'm still waiting for the 6200 to arrive.

Next up is the servos fitting into the wings.
I carefully cut the covering to reveal the servo mounts using a scalpel. Then test fitted the servos. One went right in but the other needed the carbon filing down slightly before it went in.
I then carefully drilled the screw holes to 0.6mm then 1.2mm and finally to 1.5mm.
I carefully worked in the screws until they threaded the holes, then put a drop of thin ca in the holes to let it set the thread.
Finally screwed in the servos and fed the wire through the wings.





Next up is to cutout the holes in the fuse for the landing gear,servos and cooling. Should have more progress later.

Where the heck did you manage to get lipos with a 70C rating from? I did'nt know they even made them with such a high C rating.

Even higher now available - up to 120C
( to be taken with a moderate pinch of salt )

Of course, if used at 120C, that would give a whole 30 seconds of flight

But what a flight that would be!

These really are great lipos, more for the 12C charge than anything else.
I don't charge em at that though, just stick to 15A each.
60 -70 C is about the average for the current lipos.

Evening peeps,
Some more done today, first I cutout all the holes on the fuse.




The servo holes and elevator stab area.




Landing gear mount.




Mounted the tail servos.




Installed the servo extensions and locks,then fed the cable through to the reciever area.






Next I test fitted the wing tube which fits perfect. No sanding needed.

A little more done,
Elevator glued into the horizontal stab. It gives 55 degrees as per the manual.




An even gap right across.



I trimmed the wedge at the back so I could slide in the elevator for a test fit.






The next steps are to fit the reciever and make up all the linkages.
Then it's onto the motor box.
So far the parts fit and finish is really spot on.

Notice you managed to get a pose in on that last shot. Saw you in the mirror!

Looking good Danny. You'll soon be an ex heli pilot!!!

You never know Mike. I'm already thinking what my winter build should be this year.

A little more done today, I haven't uploaded the pictures yet.
Wings are finished, reciever is in and I spent some time gluing all the joints on the motor box.
I'll post some pics tomorrow.

A little more progress,
Wings done,








A bit of ironing sealing the elevator hinge. After a bit of messing round I found 110 degrees C worked fine and used a black marker to colour in the black bits.




The bling kit arrived today consisting of the carbon spinner, wing bags, vvg's and carbon wheel pant things.







And this is where I'm up to now. I fitted the elevator and had to do a little sanding to line it up properly with the wing tube.
The motor box took tons of epoxy but it looks and feels really strong. I also sanded the front left edges of the box as it says in the instructions to get it to clear the cowling.
Here it is with the elevator and motor box with the glue setting.

Had a productive day yesterday. I fitted the tail wheel to the rudder, then fitted the hinges which are precut in the rudder and the fuse.
The middle hinge was about an inch too high so I just recut it so it was in the middle.




Once the rudder was done I got the iron out and sealed the hinge area.
It's actually quite relaxing doing the covering thing.




Landing gear on, and it looks very strong and simple.
I also ironed a piece of orange covering over the landing gear area for a nice clean look.




Next up was the motor and esc fitting. The motor is a perfect fit with the relevant thrust line thingy built in.
I also fitted the scoops using UHU por.






Finally got the Velcro out for the batteries which fit nice and snug. There's not much room though for moving the c of g. I've got my fingers crossed on that one.




Onward and upward. Hopefully it may be finished tomorrow.

Hope you've got a garage

Wish I did. It lives in the living room at the moment while I figure where to put it.

All done. I had to dremel the spinner for a nice snug fit. The cowl was a bit tricky but some light sanding of the motor box front corners sorted that out.
I stuck the wheel pants on and some light sanding of the landing gear legs was needed for them to sit flat.




None of the servos needed reversing and it didn't need much subtrim to centre everything which was nice.
The wing tube needed a little sanding on one side because it was very tight going into one of the wings.
Anyway, some stickers to finish it off and here's the finished pictures.









That was a nice one to build. I hope it flies nice.

Good weather this afternoon