Akromaster mods

A recent post mentioned a "Francherized Akromaster". I have one I will sytart soon and was wondering where to find the info on these mods. I did a search here but did not find anything on these mods.

The results I did find and read have really spooled me up to get going on this project. Seems that I have been sitting on just what I've been needing to fly another of my Fox .15 slant plugs on, or would the old .19 ( baby .35 Stunt) be a better choice. I tend to build / finish on the heavy side and most of the posts stressed keeping it light.

Thanks all

Go ahead and try the little 15 first. Run an 8-4, and at least 15% nitro. Currell

I don't recall specific mods, but I added ~1.5 inches to mine, and also a nose tripler. I could have left off the tripler since the vibration is pretty negligible on the FP10 I used. Best reason for the extension is that it sure helps in balancing the plane if you use a "modern" muffled engine.

Alan is right if you use an engine with a muffler. The extra tail moment can help keep the CG from getting too far forward.

But...the little akromaster with the slant plug 15 is an amazing little plane. Fully capable of the entire pattern if you can carry enough fuel. Flies VERY well on 52' lines and 15% fuel like Currel indicated.

LAST EDITED ON Feb-26-04 AT 01:36 PM (CDT)
 
Bill,

The "Fancherized Acromaster" is my own invention. We all know what a "Fancherized Twister" is: Change the profile appearance and add 3 inches to the tail moment. Well, what is an Acromaster but a 15 size Twister, ergo a "Fancherized Acromaster" is an Acromaster with the modified appearance and about 2" (I forget the exact amount) added to the tail moment. It flies great with an LA 15.

If I can get my old digital camera working, I will post a picture later.

Yep..they are very similar. Originally designed for the very light Fox 15 w/o muffler. Plenty of power and the weight is right.

With the LA 15 or FP 15 and a muffler, there is alot of power available with some (excess) nose weight. I Always thought an extra half wing panel per side and a little tail moment would be good for the newer, bigger engines.

Are those working flaps??
How did that work out for the Akromaster?
Where did you set the CG?
I've done the same thing, but haven't flown it yet.
Rob Johnson
Orange,CA.

The flaps do work. I'm really very impressed with the flight characteristics. But then, I'm only and intermediate flyer. I still consider it a good flight when I get all the way through the pattern and someone recoginses my four leaf clover.

The CG is presently 1-1/2 inches back form the leading edge. I just added 1/2 oz to the nose since I thought it was just slightly tail heavy. I haven't flown it enough since to make any judgements.

Oh yes, I fly it on 60 ft. lines. My theory was to make up the lines as long as practical straight off the reel. Then I would shorten them as needed. I'll tell for sure after a few more flights, but I have no problems with 60 ft. It has good line tension, even overhead.

I'm a beginner. I think I've had a good day when all I do is pick dirt out of the intake! More times than not, I'm doing major repairs.
I'm running a stock Magnum 15 with a 8/4 Zinger. This engine seems very heavy when compaired to an OS. Last time I re-did the fuse I shortened the nose by 1/2". That allowed me to get rid of 1/2 oz. lead tail weight. Next time (this weekend?)I re-build the fuse I'll try adding a couple inches to the tail. Should balance real nice then without weights.
Going to try and get out to Whitter this weekend to trim this plane out. Have never flown a flapped plane before!
Rob Johnson
Orange,Ca.

LAST EDITED ON Feb-27-04 AT 08:21 AM (CDT)
 
Hi Bill,

Have you flown one without flaps to compare it to? It also looks like you have an adjustable rudder, is it a wiggler or ground adjustable?

You also mentioned adding weight to the nose due to slight tail heavy condition after the fuse stretch,so a 1.5" stretch would probably be closer to the correct # ?

Thanks to everybody for all the responses, now I have to decide which route to take, stock and the .15 slant w/o muffler, or modified with flaps and a newer engine. Might just have to make 1 of each!

Thanks again

Flew my flapped Akromaster today at Whitter. The plane has good response and can pull a very tight loop. Set CG at 1 1/2" with a 1/2" shortened nose. Flew so good I used most of the day tinkering with the engine. Don't know the flap to elevator ratio. Will check this out later when I have the time.
Rob Johnson
Orange,CA.

Here are a couple photos of my boy Kevin and his Akromaster. We copied the lines of the Pathfinder for the tail feathers and the canopy fairing all the way back to the rudder. The wingtips were cut from the fuselage's wing cutout slug. Just sawed it in half and glued 'em on. The plane is powered by a ST G15 that we built from a box of parts.

Kevin is 5 years old and has flown some 1/2A planes and a couple combat wings with the help of the experts in our local club. He'll be ready to solo by summer.

Regards,

Good looking young pilot & plane. If I don't start practicing more, he will probably outfly me soon.

I've been sitting on an Akromaster kit for several years. Thanks to all of the response to this subject, I'll build it this winter. I have an new/old stock HB .20 or an OS .20 FP, would either of these be too much for the craft?

>I've been sitting on an Akromaster kit for several years.
>Thanks to all of the response to this subject, I'll build it
>this winter. I have an new/old stock HB .20 or an OS .20
>FP, would either of these be too much for the craft?

Seeing as how a stock FP 20 or 25 would fly a light full-size twister pretty well....and you would have trouble with the weight and subsequent CG location with these.

The stock plane would be a good match for an FP .10

JMHO

Oh Man! now a third option to consider - I really like the looks of that one! I guess I'll make the templates and cut enough wing ribs for 3 or 4, build the stock one and see where it goes from there.

You might try a fuselage profile that resembles Delany's pathfinder.
We are enlarging the plane about 20%, making removable foam wings with the bellcrank mounted to the fuselage and the lines run above the wing (exposed) to a taped in leadout guide. The planes are powered with FP10' and FP15's and make great trainers that will do the complete pattern.

Extended wing to 36 inches, added flaps, and aluminum gear. Flies zippy and performs a decent pattern with an Enya 15 III.

Nice looking Akro!
I may have to steal your landing gear idea. I've had problems with the stock gear letting the Plane lean.
Rob Johnson
Orange,CA.