Tsunami

• 40-46 sized
• Over 50" wingpan
• taildragger
• Low/mid-wing

So, I found what looks like a good match in the Direct Connection RC Tsunami. It isn't built yet, so I won't write much. I've got an OS .61 SFN with which to decorate the nose. Looks kinda like a soupcan hanging off the nose.

HOWEVER, one of the fun things I'm going to do with the plane involves a video camera, ham radio and APRS. Read more...

I started building on 12 December 2000 -- I had other things to do, but it sure sounded like fun.

I haven't built a kit in a while -- I'm pretty sure it's cheating, as after only a couple hours I find myself with a finished fuselage. That just doesn't happen after only a few hours of scratch building.

4 April 2001: Plane is pretty much finished -- radio installation was a compromise between accessability and balance. I'd like it further back to offset the weight of the engine, but it'd be hard to access at that point. So, I will have to add weight to the tail. Usually that's not how these things work out.

6 April 2001: I think it's finished. I took it to the Madison Swapfest with the ATV transmitter for display at the BATS table -- people seemed to like it. Now I just have to start flying it.

Impressions
Well, it's a kit. I didn't get as much satisfaction from kit building as I do from scratch building, but at least there's a speed factor there. I ended up adding some things such as additional engine/firewall reinforcement, carbon fiber spar lamination, and I went to two aileron servos, if only because I hate that stupid single center servo arrangement.

15 April 2001: Got the engine running on the plane. Compression is sufficiently high with the engine that my starter couldn't turn it over at first. Had a bunch of problems with the wood prop and spinner backplate, ended up going to a nylon prop. A little too windy to taxi around, not that I didn't try. The amount of static thrust available is incredible. While hold the plane nose-high at high-throttle, it was a matter of not holding the plane UP but keeping it DOWN in my hands!

27 March 2001: saw another Tsunami at the field. It had a Webra speed .40. It had no problem with vertical. Why again do I have a .61 on the front of mine???

24 June 2001: Flew the plane for the first time this weekend. I used half as much fuel in maybe 10 flights as I did all last season with the SS20. Plane flies very well -- it's pretty predictable and has lots of power -- the first takeoff was a bit surprising, engine got up to speed and it took off (at a 60 degree angle) before I could let out the full up elevator that I normally use during takeoff with my taildraggers. I did have some engine problems later in the day, but I replaced the glowplug and tweaked the mix a bit more and it seemed better. I do think I need more aileron throw, but that's something to add later. Next flight will be with the video camera.

15 July 2001: First flight with the video camera. Lotsa tweaking to be done yet. Go see the rc-video page for more information. Ohbytheway, this engine sucks down the fuel like mad. Also, busted another 12-6 prop. Need to get some wood 11-8 or 12-7.

23 August 2002: Second flight of the year. Yeah, I've been a bit reticent in my flying duties this year. Granted, I probably put about 90 minutes on the airframe today, mostly at wide-open-throttle. Earlier in the day, I had a chance to fly a 1/4-scale cub with a Saito 180. It was slow, but something to be kept on-top-of for the entire flight. That made the Tsunami a lot more fun to fly. More like keeping ahead of a missle instead of a cow. A real fuel-burner of an afternoon. Did some playing with propellers. The 11x8 makes for a very fast plane. The 12x8 makes for a slower plane, with more power than I can use. Might be useful with the camera. Didn't feel like testing with my 11x7 props that I had in the flight box. No camera on-board in these flights. Maybe later.

last modified Sun Aug 25 01:30:20 CDT 2002 by timc!