Pacific Planes Yak 54

[rceagle1a]

I am about to really get started on building my 30% Pacific Planes Yak 54. I have finally gotten all the stuff I need to build it. I have done some work on it and I'll take pictures of that work first to post at the beginning. I plan to start either tonight yet or tomorrow night.

[rceagle1a]

Ok guys, I FINALLY got to making some progress. I am on dial-up so pictures will be less than most build threads. I started with working on the rudder as the factory hinge holes didn't line up right and the top of the rudder had about an 1/8 inch gap between it and the top of the fin. I cut the factory Hinge point style hinges off and drilled holes for 5 new hinges.(I'll post pictures in order of the text so you guys can follow my work,Lol as if that would be possible, my work shop is mass chaos). I added a piece of 1/8 thick balsa to the bottom of the counterbalance on the rudder to close up the gap between the fin and the rudder. I then moved on to mounting the engine. I used the aluminum spacers that came with the kit but I had to make another spacer as well. I think my engine mounting came out fairly well. I also put two layers of fiberglass over the firewall and about an inch over the sides of the powerbox. I am in a quandary now though as I'm not sure how I'm going to mount the throttle servo. The carb linkage will go through the firewall below the tank floor of the fuse and the servo is supposed to mount on the side of the fuel tank area above the tank floor. I usually like to use a nyrod to hook up my throttle but Pacific planes shows using a metal rod with a nylon ball link on one end. I doubt I'll use that method and go to the nyrod.I am thinking I might mount the servo under the tank floor on the bottom of the powerbox and have a push rod that is about 2.5 inches long. Otherwise I'll have to put the servo way back in the plane somewhere. I'll have to wait on that for balance purposes. I also got the cowl cut out to clear the engine and muffler. Let me know if you guys think I should add more outlet holes. Also I have the stock velocity stack on the carb and it has about 3/4 to 1 inch clearance to the side of the cowl. Should I either cut a hole in the side of the cowl or should i remove the stack since it is inside of the cowl.The last pic is of the velocity stack. Well this is it for this installment. I'll look forward to posting more of this project and also hearing your suggestions.

[hpelsromantic]

How do you like everything so far? I have a friend that is pretty close to maiden for his.

[rceagle1a]

It's ok so far but some of the stuff I have had to do shouldn't have been necessary to get it going.

[rceagle1a]

I will post the balance of the build photos tomorrow possibly. The Yak flew today! No airborne pictures but I did get some pics of the plane and I after I got done flying it.

[rceagle1a]

I am attaching pictures of my Yak. The first few are of the radio and fuel tank install. The plane Balanced out right at 5.5 inches back from the front of the wing at the root. I had to add about 1.8 oz of lead to the inside of the left wing tip to laterally balance the model but that was no problem. I flew two flights on the 4th of July and everything went AWESOME. The only problems I encountered with this kit was as follows. The rudder hinges didn't line up with the fuselage holes so I cut them off and put in 5 new robart hinge points. Also to line up the trim lines on the rudder and fin I had to put an 1/8 thick piece of balsa on the bottom of the counterbalance on the rudder. The hatch didn't fit very well but some sanding and a layer of thin silicone on the hatch tightened the fit up enough to be acceptable.Also the paint on the cowl isn't as nice as I think it should have been but it isn't terrible, and I didn't use the pushrods that came with the kit because they flexed too much. As far as flight performance goes I am 100% satisfied with this plane and would recommend them to anyone looking for a good 30% ARF. Plus Richard Mowery will help you 100% if you have any problems.