FlyingGiants Forums - View Single Post - 37% Ultimate Recover-Build-And Fly

sweetpea · 05-20-2009, 12:11 PM

Ok, Long Story:

So first; I met Ken and Jeff at the 2007 Las Vegas Huckfest. I had always wanted an ultimate and but never got around to getting one. Ken let me fly his PAU Ultimate and encouraged me to 3-D it. I flew very high up and didn't 3-D too well but Ken kept telling me to fly lower and not worry about losing his plane (He since knows better with my flying!). Then I watched Ken let everyone fly the 43% Edge except me. Somehow when it was my turn he "accidently" stepped on the wingtube cracking it. Ken had brought a trailer of New planes to sell with him. What he didn't know at the time was that I was very close to buying an Ultimate but just didn't have the funds to outfit.

Then we fast forward to the Shootout. As a competitor there is quite the prize pool. I went down the list and saw all the great prizes and on the list was a 37% Ultimate. Of course I didn't place well enough to get one of the DA's or the Krill planes but when it was my turn I jumped at picking up the Ultimate. Then it sat in my garage for 2+ yrs. I knew a move from Vegas was coming and I didn't have the time build/outfit or room for another plane. My master plan had always been to recover/repaint the plane in something custom as I never thought the silver/blue/red combo jumped out. While the covering is Monokote and should be shiny, something about the combination too me made it look dull.

Finally last week I stripped the covering off the plane. I recommend using a heat gun on any of the silver parts as this will stop the silver from leaving residue. Next I went through some schemes I had drawn up and some of those I saw on the internet. I believe I used one from back in the Aerotech design a scheme days and I modified it slightly to my covering ablities. To whoever I borrowed the scheme from......Thanks! Its not an easy one to do!

First Step was to lighten the fuse slightly. I found several places to drill some holes in the side of the fuse. I also put a hole in each side of the motor box. I plan to make a removable opening in the top of the motor box as well similar to the AW ARF line.

Second Step was to lighten the rudder. I used a compass and drew some circles on the rudder. Then I drilled them and used a sanding drum to enlarge them. Of course after I did all that I found my template for my 42% rudder that would have looked cooler, oh well.

3rd Step was to lighten the stabs the same way.

4th Step was to find a place for the Rudder servos to be in the rear of the fuse for a push/pull configuration.

***Check back for pics of all this as my camera battery died last night and I will edit them back into this post today.

05-20-2009, 12:11 PM	#1 (permalink)
sweetpea If you can't HUCK it BLING IT! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Age: 34 Posts: 7,326 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 2	37% Ultimate Recover-Build-And Fly Ok, Long Story: So first; I met Ken and Jeff at the 2007 Las Vegas Huckfest. I had always wanted an ultimate and but never got around to getting one. Ken let me fly his PAU Ultimate and encouraged me to 3-D it. I flew very high up and didn't 3-D too well but Ken kept telling me to fly lower and not worry about losing his plane (He since knows better with my flying!). Then I watched Ken let everyone fly the 43% Edge except me. Somehow when it was my turn he "accidently" stepped on the wingtube cracking it. Ken had brought a trailer of New planes to sell with him. What he didn't know at the time was that I was very close to buying an Ultimate but just didn't have the funds to outfit. Then we fast forward to the Shootout. As a competitor there is quite the prize pool. I went down the list and saw all the great prizes and on the list was a 37% Ultimate. Of course I didn't place well enough to get one of the DA's or the Krill planes but when it was my turn I jumped at picking up the Ultimate. Then it sat in my garage for 2+ yrs. I knew a move from Vegas was coming and I didn't have the time build/outfit or room for another plane. My master plan had always been to recover/repaint the plane in something custom as I never thought the silver/blue/red combo jumped out. While the covering is Monokote and should be shiny, something about the combination too me made it look dull. Finally last week I stripped the covering off the plane. I recommend using a heat gun on any of the silver parts as this will stop the silver from leaving residue. Next I went through some schemes I had drawn up and some of those I saw on the internet. I believe I used one from back in the Aerotech design a scheme days and I modified it slightly to my covering ablities. To whoever I borrowed the scheme from......Thanks! Its not an easy one to do! First Step was to lighten the fuse slightly. I found several places to drill some holes in the side of the fuse. I also put a hole in each side of the motor box. I plan to make a removable opening in the top of the motor box as well similar to the AW ARF line. Second Step was to lighten the rudder. I used a compass and drew some circles on the rudder. Then I drilled them and used a sanding drum to enlarge them. Of course after I did all that I found my template for my 42% rudder that would have looked cooler, oh well. 3rd Step was to lighten the stabs the same way. 4th Step was to find a place for the Rudder servos to be in the rear of the fuse for a push/pull configuration. *Check back for pics of all this as my camera battery died last night and I will edit them back into this post today. __________________ Offical Member of Team Caribou Lou A 'Veteran'** -- whether active duty, discharged,retired, or reserve --is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America,' for an amount of 'up to, and including his life.' That is honor, and there are way too many people in this country today, who no longer understand that fact Last edited by sweetpea; 05-20-2009 at 12:29 PM.