IT'S ALIVE ! ! ! The "Tree" LOST!!!!

[KrisW]

At 4:30 Easter time today the infamous/notorious/world renonwned BME110-powered "Tree Plane" flew again!!! Yes. . the infamous Plane-Eating tree at Joe Nall LOST!!!!! I have no idea how many people have lost planes in "The Tree", but this one survived to fly again.

The pictures of Biff in a Basket, hauling my 40% Composite-Arf 330 out of that tree, are everywhere, so I think it's fitting that I put the record straight. The tree LOST!!

A bit about the plane. . When BME first introduced the 110 some 2.5 years ago, I ordered a specially lightened Compoiste-Arf Extra330s from CA. It cost a few dollars more, but everything that was not "necessary" in the way of resin and CF reinforcement was kept out of the molds. This resulted in an airframe that came in at 16.5 lbs bare, with wheels installed, ready to install radio gear and powerplant. Careful attention to NOT adding extra weight resulted in a finished airframe, including paint, of 28.5 lbs Dry, 30 lbs ready to fly. Fantastic is the only word I know to describe how it flies, and the vertical performance was stunning. I have not seen another 40% plane that flew this well at low speeds. I called it my "40% Foamy".

Then, in the twilight of Dusk, last year at Joe Nall, it wound up inthe top of "The Tree". Luckily, a construction company in Woodruff had a boom crane which I could rent, and Brave (foolish) Biff went on up and hauled my baby out of the tree. Damage was extensive, with both wings being heavily damaged, and eventually discarded, as well as a destroyed gear plate, broken prop and lots of nicks and dings all over the airframe.

So, here we are, 9 months later. . wings from another CA330 that are not quite as light, but a lot stronger, new gearplate and gear, a couple of extra servos, some paint, and many nights staring at the thing, wondering if I'd ever get it back into the air.

I got in 4 flights today. . .the takeoffs are still 10 feet, the landings still stupidly slow. . the prop still rips going vertical when you throttle up at 1000 feet from 1/2 to full throttle. . the downlines are still ridiculously slow, and the overall flying characteristics are still as crisp and sharp as a stropped razor, and it will still do 5 continuous, deep, snaps on a vertical line, and the authority coming out of a hover has not lessened.

I need to dial in a little fine tuning on the mixes, but today, with winds 10-15 knots, and 45 degree temperatues, the flying was as good as it's ever been. Sometimes it's just good to be alive.

[Boulder]

Very good news Kris. I love good news

[DKjens]

Kris,
It looks and sounds good, glad to hear you resurrected her. Now, are you going to make a whole hearted attempt at "The Tree" this year ?

[DarcyWingo]

Congrats Kris...glad to see it in the air again...

[KrisW]

I was considering adding bomb and missile racks, DK. . . possibly a tank of Agent Orange . . .

[YaKs are BeSt]

thats really awsome!!!!!

the plane and the story!!!!

[RTK]

It was only 45 degrees and a 10 knot wind, why the heavy coat Kris Give it hell

[KrisW]

It just looks heavy. Actually it's linerless medium green cotton. Kind of like a military field jacket but half the weight. I wear it for the pockets. . great for being in the pits, just reach into a pocket, which probably explains why it looks a bit bulky

[RTK]

Just ribbing ya. If I were standing out in that wind I would have look like an Eskimo dressed to the hilt.

[SleepyC]

Kris... Tuesday night May 16th at the Nall , around 2am, an old bow saw, a can of WD40, and a few helpers..

THE TREE will never knew what hit it..

Let me know...

[RTK]

One more thing, I bet that plane flies very very light. What I wouldn't give to fly something that size at that weight. I think foamie would be a good description.

[KrisW]

	Quote: Originally Posted by SleepyC
	Kris... Tuesday night May 16th at the Nall , around 2am, an old bow saw, a can of WD40, and a few helpers.. THE TREE will never knew what hit it.. Let me know...

I was thinking more along the line of 120' of Det-cord, Sleepy. . may as well do it right.