Aviation Models 35% Extra 260

[RC Loco]

I recently started putting together a AM 35% Extra 260 and have run into a situation I'm not happy with.
The build quality on this airframe is great but I really dislike the elevator servo location, you know inside the stab. Well for starters I always give my airplane a visual inspection before each flight session and I go over everything...including little things like servo retainer screws and servo arm screws. Maybe it's a little overdone but it has worked for me for the last 15 years flight giant scale. I don't like things buried and out of sight.
My question to you folks out there is, has anyone modified the elevator servo mounting so that they are upright instead of buried sidemounted in the stabs? If anyone has and could you share pics/info on the matter.
Thanks for your help.

[JeeUm]

What is you just made access hatches for the servos?

[RC Loco]

I thought of that JeeUm but it would be just more screws to worry about IMO, and it would not solve the problem of accessability. for crying outloud you need almost 1 1/2 ft. long driver to secure servo mount screws and servo arm retainer screw. But your suggestion is probably the best compromise, otherwise I'd have to do some chopping in the stab.

[Mithrandir]

Locktite the servo arm screws, put goop on the servo mounting screws, secure the extensions with heat shrink...

What could go wrong?..........go wrong?..........go wrong?..........go wrong?..........go wrong?..........go wrong?..........go wrong?..........

LOL....

Really.. no biggie here... all the large Comp-Arf stabs have layed-down and buried servos... on the wings too... Just secure the screws with some kind of locking compound... and it is all good!!!!

[RC Loco]

I vaguely recall a thread somewhere where a modeler modified the stabs to have the servos mounted upright. I have seen folks lose great models due to loose/missing servo mount screws or servo arm retainer screws, especially with hi-torque digital servos with metal shaft splines.

[torquen]

There are a lot of models out there that use the laydown method of the servos. This really is the best way to mount the servos because the linarity of travel stays the exact same no matter where you are on the throw. You can get more throw and more torque this way. The comp-arf planes have 3 servos in the wings this way, two in each stab. I have setup many AM planes with the servos mounted in the stabs and have never found a problem. Use loctite on the servo arm screws and some CA on the servo mount screws.
Garrett Morrison

[RC Loco]

Yes Mithrandir you're right! I already use thread locker on the servo retainer screw(all switched to allen head btw), and ca the servo mount screw hole and then use canopy glue when I install them. I have yet to have one come loose. But I still like to be able to visually inspect everything.
I also have a Comp-ARF 2.3 Extra w/3W 75 that I have flown for year now and recently found two servo mount screw a llittle loose.
There's a lot of vibration being absorbed by the airframe and it just wreaks havoc on stuff like this.

[RC Loco]

Thanks Torquen for your reply. I know you dealt with many of these type mounted servo. But then again you probably don't fly your airplanes for as long as I do. On average I'll put 4-5 years on an airframe before selling or bequeathing to a friend. I still fly on occassion a 12yr old Carden 30% Extra w/3W 60.
Again I'm not against the mounting system in the stab, I just don't like it fir the reasons I stated earlier.

[JeeUm]

You could make the hatches, and instead of using screws to hold them on, use the hatch hold down's latches like the jet guys use.

[toprudder]

If your only problem with the side mounted servos is not being able to inspect them, why not cut a small hole in the sheeting, possibly reinforced with some 1/16" ply around the rim of the hole, and cover with clear monokote or very thin clear plastic. You have an inspection window that should allow you to see that the screws are intact.

Come to think of it, I may do that to mine. I have the AM 33% Yak that I have not started on yet.

Bob R.

[racinjasonr4]

Ok guys, the site is up and running. We are just going to use the SD-Model.com site for now and see how it goes. I do know we need to get the color schemes up that are ready, and some other stuff. We do have planes instock, and the accessories will be here shortly we hope along with more planes. Feel free to email me at sales@sd-model.com

[Tailchaser]

Something is messed up on the link Jason try this one: http://www.sd-model.com

Chuck