So I have a vintage Aquila. What should I do with it?

[Wayne]

Like really vintage. I was planning to bring it to Sunset to fly it in stock trim on the VERY VINTAGE Heathkit radio system.

I brought the plane last year, but we managed to misplace the wing joiners so it didn't fly. Probably for the best as we later discovered the "good" nicads were not.

The plan was to fly it, let others fly it, and if it survives donate to to a new caretaker.

I made up some new wing joiners yesterday, and in the process I sort of fell in love with the plane again. Always liked the Aquila but never have flown one.

So thinking of maybe investing more time and restoring it to a little higher level with some modern changes and fresh paint on the fuselage, tighten up the film, etc. But the problem with this is I get pretty bored with rudder elevator ships from this vintage. They are a little too stable. It came to my mind this would be a very easy swap to a wingeron for a little more roll control. No idea how well it would work, but it would be fun. (I'd pull out all of the Heathkit in favor of modern gear.)

(Thinking this over, I'd probably use dual servos for the wing pitching as I suspect I'll need to dial in the differential, so it could be a pitcheron..LOL)

 

[rcsoar4fun]

On one hand, it is sad to see a true vintage plane get changed up too much. Might be a good time to take a micro scale version of it to test the wingeron idea.

I have a Hobie Hawk sitting here I am always conflicted about. Wife bought it for me and I would feel bad about breaking it, even if I am not a Hobie Hawk guy. I have owned a number of Hobie boats.

 

[Konrad]

Hum, the idea looks like a CR Contender? As I recall the Airtronics Aquila was a fiberglass fuselage ship. Airtronics took the liberty to make the fuselage with curves. (We love curves). This means that there isn't a good flat surface for the wing root to seal against. This would result in a huge junction drag penalty! Kinda like the Sailplanes International Axle. (Now there was a dud)! As the Aquila isn't fast any benefit from loosing the aileron hinge line wouldn't materialize. As you said the Aquila is too stable. Changing to wingarons won't change this. This stability will fight any performance you are hoping to gain with ailerons or wingarons. As Bob Dodgson said these planes are infected with bent wingitis disease. Love the Aquial for what she is!

As the micro Aquila is an Aquila in name only it won't make a good scale model to test the wingaron configuration. The micro Aquila has flat sides.

Do make the major upgrade of moving to a modern radio. The saving in mass and the rearranging of the mass (to maintain balance) will move the performance so far as to have little in common with the original.

 

[gp49]

Too many projects not enough time. I would leave it alone. IF you want less stability just leave your rudder/elevator servos at max throw and change you expos in the opposite direction then usual or switch to a surface radio controller like @thenated0g


Get it to flyable condition for Sunset and I will find you another project to modify for next year!

 

[Wayne]

I've decided to leave it be. In the end I'd not be happy with it and would just be cutting up a pretty cool plane. I'll get some new battery cells for her and see how she does at Sunset. Raffle it off at the event.

It is the original wood fuselage with rather flat sides..

Thanks all!

 

[gp49]

I have one of the original wood fuse as well. Better looking then the fiberglass. Also have the Grande version with the fiberglass fuse. Both are ~40+ years old and still get a regular exercise at Coyote on light days.

 

[Wayne]

Hmm, maybe I should keep it.. I do love the lines. Your covering job really shows it off well.