Sequoia 2m - Build log

[thenated0g]

kapton tape to hold em down and than some vinyl for orientation.

 

[Konrad]

I like how you did the control horns. Nice large clean fillets.

 

[thenated0g]

first time doing this but I think I got some epoxy and filler in the places it needs to go. The ones inside I had to basically kind of like drip it down on top of them so it ain't pretty but there's some around it. About 3.5 to 4 grams weight added in the tail.

 

[Konrad]

To get some on the backside (forward) I often use a coffee stick pushed past the mount tubes. Then place the stick against the tubes and draw the stick back, using the tubes as a scrapper depositing the epoxy around the tubes (mount).

 

[thenated0g]

Since this is my first build out of a fiberglass fuselage kit i decided to keep it simple and not put any ballast in at this time. This will be my slower wind plane and let me see what i want/need for the next build i do. Ill be using goop or similar to put the electronics tray in so i could in the future remove it if i really wanted to add a tube later.

 

[Konrad]

While I understand this. To my way of thinking this class of model is all about the ballast. Learning how to use it opens up a whole new world of possibilities on the slope. Installing a ballast tube isn't difficult. In fact I think if you read my posts in this forum, I've documented all the gotcha's. Yes, it takes a bit of planning mainly figuring out what to use as the ballast (brass rod is a good start). The only thing you need to be careful of is the center of mass for the ballast. Also keeping some clearance for the push rods. This is not a Gentle Lady, but rather a thin winged slope ship.

What I've seen of your fabricating , building and flying skills I'm positive you will want the ballast tube and the flexibility it offers!

 

[Wayne]

I agree with both of you, LOL. It can always be added later and it keeps the plane nice and simple for now. But it does open up a wider range for the plane if you install one and adds another step to the learning curve that we know Nate loves.

 

[Konrad]

Leave it out if you want but make sure the snakes or push rods are out of the way for later growth. Or install the ballast tube and not use it if you don't want. To my way of thinking there is nothing to be lost installing the ballast tube other than some fuselage room. With the ballast tube you gain a lot of strength in the fuselage and flexibility in the tune. Now truth be told I fly my light weight ship the Mefisto usually without ballast. But as the winds come up during the day I add the ballast. It really is nice being able to tune the ship to the slope and/or your mood.

 

[thenated0g]

I was able to get 300g of ballast in.
I just need to dry fit the electronics in there and see how much lead I need in the nose.

 

[Hank GB Z]

Looking good Nate.
Hank

 

[thenated0g]

No pictures, but got some lead in the nose this morning. Needed about 118g to hit cg. Looks like i should be pretty close to the recommended flying weight with a 850mah LIFE pack. Just need to add some graphics on the top of the wings and ill be ready for maiden. Hopefully get some premaiden pics later this week.

 

[Konrad]

118 grams sounds like you did a good job keeping the weight out of the tail.

I do have one concern in that it looks like the Bowden tubes have been moved away from the fuselage sides as you come to the servos.

Are the Bowden tubes (outer sheaths) glued to the fuselage shortly after going past the wings? I like how the Bowden tubes look in the ballast tube photo.

 

[thenated0g]

In the picture, what your not seeing, is that the tubes are being held to the fuselage by magnets so they dont get in the glue of the ballast tube. The tubes are glued right at the back, to the vtail braces, and in the front they are glued on both sides of that piece of birch ply they go thru. Not glued to the fuselage itself.

 

[Konrad]

As long as there isn't flex between the two anchor point this would work.

Do the snakes feel solid if you hold the servo wheel and try to move the control surface? (You shouldn't see the snakes (Bowden tubes) move as you pull and push on the control surface). Any apparent motion can set the control system into a flutter situation.

I like to run thick epoxy down the outside of the Bowden tube to try to bind the tube to as much of the fuselage for as much of the length as possible.

 

[Doc James Hammond]

View attachment 5786
I picked up a Sequoia 2m from @Wayne and will be documenting the build process here.

From the store listing:

Sequoia 2 Meter

This is the sort of plane we dream about at Aloft. We love finding well thought out and well made gliders. We stumbled across these and had to bring them in. When they arrived it was like Xmas. I have been flying slope gliders for many decades and you know a well refined design when you see it...

alofthobbies.com

AIRFOIL	HN 785 7%
WINGSPAN	2 Meter
EMPTY WEIGHT	about 850g, 30 ounces
RTF WEIGHT	from 1130g, 40 ounces
CONTROLS	Aileron, Elevator, Flaps, Rudder
CONSTRUCTION	Foam / Wood Wing, Carbon Reinforced, Fiberglass Fuselage
FUSELAGE LENGTH	1150mm

View attachment 5779View attachment 5780View attachment 5782View attachment 5783View attachment 5784View attachment 5785View attachment 5789View attachment 5790
I have read thru a ton of similar builds on rcgroups, but this will be my first "kit" build. I plan to keep it stock with the exception of adding a ballast tube in the fuselage under the wing joiner tube. Probably a carbon tube as i have those on hand.

From the product description it appears that the wood is finished already.
View attachment 5781
Here are the electronics going in:
6x Corona DS843MG servos
Double Wall Pushrods for tail controls
Frsky RX8R Pro RX
6v 1300mah nimh battery
and ill try and stuff in a vifly finder 2 lost model alarm.

I'm pretty surprised that the airfoil is only 7%.

Doc.

 

[thenated0g]

Was able to button it up and weigh this morning. Looks like 1,115 grams. So i think without a ballast tube setup you could come in a lot lower than the recommended flying weight of 1,130 grams.

 

[Konrad]

I'm sure you will like the flexibility of the ballast tube over that of a "lighter" ship.

How much did the ballast tube weigh?

 

[Wayne]

Just give the elevators a quick wiggle check, if there is any play you will need to get those cables more secure in the fuselage. This can be as easy and installed a little block of foam into the middle of the fuselage.

 

[thenated0g]

thanks for the tip @Wayne ill file that away for later. I think if i need to i can do that or some epoxy or something thru one of the access holes. Ill check it out this weekend. I just need to program the radio and its ready to go.

 

[chadbastian]

Hi all, just completing my new Sequoia from Aloft, what a nice ship! It's been a challenging build, but I am getting most of it done and thought I'd put up some pictures. This thread has been super helpful to me and thought I'd try and give some back to the group. These first shots are of the fuse section, and the way I put the servos and pushrods in.