Defect in ARF Nobler Leadouts to Bellcrank Connection

Last Sunday at the Spring Tuneup Contest in Woodland CA, I crashed my ARF Nobler. I thought this was due to failure in the clip that is attached to the bellcrank. I notice before my second flight that my handle was off. Thinking the handle controls might have slipped, I just re-adjusted my handle back the neutal. Boy, I was WRONG!

Upon further inspection, I discovered that their was no real faulure in the connection, but the clip got stuck behind the bellcrank shorting my down control by 1/4" and change the fulcrum point on the bellcrank. I tugged on it for the leadouts and still could not unstuck it even looking at it with the wing apart.

This is definitely a design flaw!

LAST EDITED ON May-04-04 AT 12:55 PM (CDT)
 
Actually that was one of my comments in my Arf Nobler review (which disappeared from the Review forum). Since I left my clips on, I always check them (to make sure the lengths are the same) before walking out. Probably should just remove them, which I can since my wing is removable (and as I see so is your wing).

Yes, I did not glue by wing in permanently. That was a good thing. Should I replace their clips with standard line clips?

I wouldn't use any clips.. Just replace the leadouts with solids.

Heman,
I think replacing the original with "standard" clips would still present you with the same problem. I think clips (any) always have a chance of getting hung up around the bellcrank arm. I would just pull the belcrank, and install your favorite leadout system.

You might want to check out the photos in my FM columns on the ARF Nobler. Issues March, April and May cover the full kit and has shots of the leadout replacement.

LAST EDITED ON May-04-04 AT 03:06 PM (CDT)
 
SO! Smart American Company Buy-Up All Fishing Supply Shop Gone Broke Clips For Nobler!

Mine too. I've replaced the clips, fast with solids. Now I know why Tom Dixon charges twice as much for his ARF Nobler, because all of the bad stuff is replaced. I'm not saying this clip mechanism is a design flaw, but solids reduces the chances of crash. I think about the engines damage actually more than the ARF.

Also, just to be on the "politically correct" side, the "AH SO" business is from the specific language of a People in the former Qubachanonstan, which has been absorbed by China over the past two hundred years, and the People speaking Qubachanonstanian, are believed to be extinct.

SO! No Crash Too Much!

Ron B.
F4Fguy

M.Henri:

Zat eez not fonnee,and your disclaimer makes it worse!!!!

LAST EDITED ON May-04-04 AT 03:17 PM (CDT)
 
I'm rumored by my parents to be a distant 1/8 th Qubachanonstanian, as so, I object! The great thing about harmless fiction, as Kurt Vonnegut pointed out, it is simply real life in carnival mirrors. Much like our evening news broadcasts.

While Heman appears to know his stuff, and sure put the hurt on some guys at the 2003 NW Regionals--with a 1/2A-powered model, no less--I think his conclusion as to there being a design defect is a bit harsh.

For one thing, I've got an Oriental that has a bellcrank/leadout connection that is very reliable and that no one could fault. If they could see it, of course.

However, there is something about one of the terminations that causes a disconcerting binding *if* the controls are moved around willy-nilly, such as happens when cleaning the model. A couple pulls on the leadouts, which is how they are designed to be operated, and it all comes good.

In any case, discovering one's handle to be so far out of adjustment must be regarded as a real clue as to potential problems.

Yes you are right, I should have known something was wrong when the handle was 1/4" off. But, in the heat of the competition, I used bad judgement.

>While Heman appears to know his stuff, and sure put the hurt
>on some guys at the 2003 NW Regionals--with a 1/2A-powered
>model, no less--I think his conclusion as to there being a
>design defect is a bit harsh.
>
>
>Dan

Maybe is not a "Defect", but I'll call it a "Design Flaw" or "Oversight". If this was a car, the manufacturer would have issued a "Recall".

>>While Heman appears to know his stuff, and sure put the hurt
>>on some guys at the 2003 NW Regionals--with a 1/2A-powered
>>model, no less--I think his conclusion as to there being a
>>design defect is a bit harsh.
>>
>>
>>Dan
>
>Maybe is not a "Defect", but I'll call it a "Design Flaw" or
>"Oversight". If this was a car, the manufacturer would have
>issued a "Recall".

When it comes to control systems, Murphy's law is in full force.

I changed mine.

What size music wire are you using for solids on the lead outs? Thanks

.032

Hi There, Just a thought I was looking at your Bell crank and noticed that there wern't any bushings installed. The crank at the push rod joint is showing wear. Cut a small length of brass tubing and peen it around the material at both the pivot place for the rod and at the lead outs for better wear. Add some hard lube too before covering up. I use greese.

Yes, I notice that too. I'm going the change the bellcrank with a Tom Morris one and install a ball-link the the bellcrank pushrod.

I am sorry about the problem but if I am not mistaken here's the answer.

I believe that by a vote of 500 to 1, the suggestion to change the lead out configuration completely in the Top Flight ARF Nobler was adopted. If you don't believe ask Dirty Dan.