In a previous response, Kiwi offered the following regarding the Twister problem I'm working on:
\\\Personally, at 50 Ounces and 490 squares, I'd say that the Twister needs to go on some sort of weight-loss diet! That is really a lot
of weight for that size plane. My first Skylark was that heavy, but with 80 more square inches, it had a much better relationship
between weight and lift.
The K.\\\
WEll...It was actually around 53oz!..But the first part of the Plan has yielded excellent results!
I had recorded 2 full oz of finished weight for the original elevator, carbon over kit balsa, heavy finished, wire joiner and aluminum horn.
I made a new elevator using 4-6lb wood, a carbon tube joiner and a custom carbon fiber horn. it is actually stiffer and weight is 3/4 oz.
Since this was 23-1/2" behind CG, it allowed me to remove all four ounces of lead ballast at the nose!
The CG is not quite as far forward as Ted recommended (its at 21%) but the plane is now 5-1/4 oz lighter.
Of course it flies like a different plane now...and I had to go back to square one for tip weight/leadout position (not quite sure why the leadout situation changes so much since I didnt move the CG) But at least for the time being, I can refocus on the consistency of engine prop combo. And basic trimming.
Best set-up so far is the de-compressed Tower .40, APC 11-5, 60' lines at 5.0 sec/lap or a bit faster. 10%/22 (50-50) powermaster GMA blend. and Bru-line Fine. / Macs 6650 muffler. Uniflow no-pressure.
PS for Brett:
Over the last couple of weeks, we've seen density altitude changes of 2000' !! from 72deg and 36%RH 30 in-hg to 93 deg at near 80% RH 29.8 in-hg. And all in between! It has been a great learning experience and I've re-read the thread on tuning for weather changes several times. Thanks
Thanks for all the help gentlemen.
Curt