New TopRC T-28 Trojan
10-14-2023, 03:56 AM
#101
Member
10-14-2023, 05:52 AM
#102
For the record, I’ve been flying the “Blackstar 5-250” which is essentially Tomahawk branded UMS 250/260 radial for the past 2 years - love it! (I also have a Moki S215 & S250).
Suspect if you go UMS, you’ll need another for your Stearman!
Cheers
10-14-2023, 02:12 PM
#104
Member
hoping you pick the radial because i'd love to see how it fits and balances. i would love to put a big radial in mine!
10-15-2023, 06:31 AM
#105
Member
my plane is going to be here this wednesday but i got my retracts yesterday. look ok but of course the manual is hard to understand and the controller in the manual is different than the one i got lol. sounds about right
10-18-2023, 12:31 PM
#107
Member
nose gear mount area extends forward of firewall now and is essentially unsupported. Easy fix in my case but for those fitting a radial good luck and god bless.
You will also have issues fitting collector ring but that is not my problem as I have opted for reliable and simple.
You will also have issues fitting collector ring but that is not my problem as I have opted for reliable and simple.
10-18-2023, 01:39 PM
#108
indeed 
if you guys wish to go down the radial route then I'd be getting in touch with Mike @ Gator and get photos of how he did his. I'm surprised he did not document it here, would be great for marketing, or maybe not!!
if you guys wish to go down the radial route then I'd be getting in touch with Mike @ Gator and get photos of how he did his. I'm surprised he did not document it here, would be great for marketing, or maybe not!!
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marksp (10-18-2023)
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planenutzz (10-28-2023)
10-28-2023, 05:42 PM
#111
My Feedback: (6)
I disassembled the nosewheel strut to see what I'm dealing with. Not sure exactly how much pressure I had to put to get it to begin to compress so I could pull the bolt that is the pivot of the scissors link but I'd guess 50lbs or more. As they come the oleos won't absorb much of any of the force of landing, and all will be transmitted to the airframe. Not good, however the geometry of the scissors link itself doesn't seem like it is causing any binding,
I'm not ready to say that the spring is to stiff (spring rate), but rather I think it's too long and so creates too much preload. I'm going to try to source a shorter and perhaps softer spring, leaving the original one alone for now. A progressive spring would be ideal, but maybe hard to find. Probably a trial and error process.
The 2nd issue is that the grease used is more like glue than grease, and would I believe inhibit smooth operation with a softer spring. I'm going to clean that "grease" out and have a some lithium grease I will be using instead.
I'm not ready to say that the spring is to stiff (spring rate), but rather I think it's too long and so creates too much preload. I'm going to try to source a shorter and perhaps softer spring, leaving the original one alone for now. A progressive spring would be ideal, but maybe hard to find. Probably a trial and error process.
The 2nd issue is that the grease used is more like glue than grease, and would I believe inhibit smooth operation with a softer spring. I'm going to clean that "grease" out and have a some lithium grease I will be using instead.
10-28-2023, 07:04 PM
#112
I disassembled the nosewheel strut to see what I'm dealing with. Not sure exactly how much pressure I had to put to get it to begin to compress so I could pull the bolt that is the pivot of the scissors link but I'd guess 50lbs or more. As they come the oleos won't absorb much of any of the force of landing, and all will be transmitted to the airframe. Not good, however the geometry of the scissors link itself doesn't seem like it is causing any binding,
I'm not ready to say that the spring is to stiff (spring rate), but rather I think it's too long and so creates too much preload. I'm going to try to source a shorter and perhaps softer spring, leaving the original one alone for now. A progressive spring would be ideal, but maybe hard to find. Probably a trial and error process.
The 2nd issue is that the grease used is more like glue than grease, and would I believe inhibit smooth operation with a softer spring. I'm going to clean that "grease" out and have a some lithium grease I will be using instead.
I'm not ready to say that the spring is to stiff (spring rate), but rather I think it's too long and so creates too much preload. I'm going to try to source a shorter and perhaps softer spring, leaving the original one alone for now. A progressive spring would be ideal, but maybe hard to find. Probably a trial and error process.
The 2nd issue is that the grease used is more like glue than grease, and would I believe inhibit smooth operation with a softer spring. I'm going to clean that "grease" out and have a some lithium grease I will be using instead.
Agree as they are the oleos are far too stiff and will not compress. The forks worry me as they are flat against the side of oleo.
10-28-2023, 07:21 PM
#113
Member
The retract controller instructions provided with the gear are useless jinglish IMHO. I found an excellent tutorial on YouTube that fully explains all you need to know about setting up and using the controller:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmxKYJsmJ-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmxKYJsmJ-8
i have the flaps, ailerons, elevators and main gear done. might be ready to fly in a week or so depending on how motivated i get.
10-28-2023, 09:21 PM
#114
Finally some pictures of a completed Trojan from Top RC.
It definitely sits too high on the gear. Stilts anyone?
There is also a video on the Top RC Facebook page. It looks to fly light at 22kg with a DLE 111. Jumps off the ground at take off, but lands quick with no flaps and an unnecessary burst of power on late final.
It definitely sits too high on the gear. Stilts anyone?
There is also a video on the Top RC Facebook page. It looks to fly light at 22kg with a DLE 111. Jumps off the ground at take off, but lands quick with no flaps and an unnecessary burst of power on late final.
Last edited by BOLTMAN; 10-28-2023 at 09:23 PM. Reason: Add info.
10-29-2023, 05:48 AM
#115
My Feedback: (6)
However it was done, they got the radial in there. Looks like the prop is centered in the cowl, and judging from the stacks in the bottom it has a collector ring.
Another concern I have with a radial instillation is adequate cool air exit. I would plan on opening up the molded in cowl flaps in the upper portion of the cowl and perhaps cutting them out and repositioning them to be more open than the molded in angle. also plan to open up the exhaust exit area.
Another concern I have with a radial instillation is adequate cool air exit. I would plan on opening up the molded in cowl flaps in the upper portion of the cowl and perhaps cutting them out and repositioning them to be more open than the molded in angle. also plan to open up the exhaust exit area.
Last edited by scalebirdman; 10-29-2023 at 05:51 AM.
10-29-2023, 12:30 PM
#116
That is a DLE-111 in there with dummy cylinders around it.
Of note for me is that the scissor links are not flat against the oleo like the ones I have. I wonder if those were modified?
Of note for me is that the scissor links are not flat against the oleo like the ones I have. I wonder if those were modified?
10-30-2023, 12:23 PM
#118
10-30-2023, 04:02 PM
#119
Member
i'm still shocked gator flew one with a radial. even the mufflers on my dle-130 hit the nose gear mount. they will need to be cut some so my prop isn't sticking way out.
mines coming right along. flaps are totally in now. the wing is huge.
mines coming right along. flaps are totally in now. the wing is huge.
10-30-2023, 04:18 PM
#120
Nice progress, I'm tempted to get mine on the bench but other project on the go right now.
Photos of flap hinging and linkages would help others.
You may consider the smaller DLE-111 if you have clearance issues with the 130.
Photos of flap hinging and linkages would help others.
You may consider the smaller DLE-111 if you have clearance issues with the 130.
10-31-2023, 04:23 AM
#121
Member
it's always hard when you get a new plane and still have a project going. i never like to be building 2 at once. i had some issues with one of my turbines so fixing that and building this is too much already lol.
i would go with the 111 but i have this 130 sitting with no home so i hate not to use it. little bit of light dremel work and it should fit fine.
