Great video my friend. And great maiden. I had a bird like this before and just today got H-King version. Cant wait to test it and see if there is any difference. Big salute from Slovenia, Pilot Robert
Hi Robert, I seem to recall you had a bad experience with it, don't go off with full throttle but let it build up speed first, the torque caught lot of flyers out. I increased the tight thrust a bit. Good luck, I'll look forward to the video, cheers 😁
Great flight Cliff!, i see how good it respond with that degrees of right/down motor, i recommend this video to all my subs who where asking about this model. I bet it turns flat as a pancake using rudder with that design , right? - Good job Cliff!! :D
Thanks Aeroergo, it should turn flat on rudder, I didn't have chance to discover all her subtle characteristics on the maiden as I was holding in up elevator the whole flight, the next flight should be a lot more comfortable 👍
Great analysis of why you needed the trim you had to add in to fly. I'm sure your post flight mods will have the Savage Bobber dancing in the wind. Maybe you need to loosen the wheels like you mentioned in an earlier video, if the wheels were free spinning the chair would have pushed the Bobber off the bench 😊 Fantastic maiden Cliff, Salute on the Sticker shout out, Jeff in LA USA
Thanks Jeff actually I did loosen the wheels before filming, so it was a close call. Thanks for sending the 'lucky' sticker, it made all the difference knowing that you were watching over me 😁😁😁👍
Cliff, right off the bat I can tell you it sounds under powered. It flies, but needs mo'pow'a! It took off on the carpet nose heavy. You need a lighter engine with more kv's. Suggestion: Eflite Turbo Tundra 34,000 KV 2 cell motor. Or a 82,000 Kv 2 cell racing drone engine. That would be really grand! Successfully flown the first time. 2 degree shim on the left of the engine with a some degree of up thrust should help with your engine. Just add some shims. It looks like a nice kit! Too bad it came with flaws. "CHEERS. CLIFF!" Crazy idea came to be, Cliff: Two Guillows 900 series P51 Mustangs glued together to make a P82 Mustang. Great idea for a R.C. aircraft build.
Hi Richard, I don't think it's underpowered, just a little nose heavy, easily sorted of course. Flaps on take off will help as well. The P82 idea is good, but it's a way down the list 👍
Nice flight Cliff It would probably do better with a 3S battery though Yeah the right thrust is a must with this plane from what I've seen from other vids on it Nice build I like this little bugga 👍✌️
It definitely looked under powered, so the failed loop wasn’t a surprise. What size are the wheels? In the video, your grass landing strip looks near perfect. I’m wondering if the landing gear is too far back, or could it be the excess nose weight. Did you velcro the battery in? It may be boring to some people, but I like to see how easily the battery is installed and removed. It is something that has to be done for every flight. Congrats on a successful maiden flight.
Hi Koala, a little speed dive will sort the loop out 🙂 The grass was cut a few days earlier and was wet and 'grabby', I didn't want to spoil the chances of her getting off cleanly. The landing gear is in the scale position but, as you say, the nose weight wasn't helping the situation, I've removed some so we see on the next outing. The battery slides in very easily actually through the big open doors and a small piece of velcro holds it in place. Thanks for the congrats 👍
We need to get you a wing incidence meter, Cliff. They work great. I actually have plans for making one if you wanted. But for the price, I just bought one.
Ironic, I have one about that same size, I am converting from a fixed tail wheel, to a steerable tail wheel on the rudder. I can't keep the airplane going straight on takeoff. Every time I build a fixed tailwheel, I regret it. Those wooden glue in control horns, are dodgy in my opinion. The rudder does require metal geared servo then.
I don't think this one needs to be steerable, at least for taking off, it won't be on the ground long enough when I use the flaps. Wooden horns work pretty well on small models and would probably work ok on a model this size, it's quite light, thing is the horns are thin plastic 😐
It's ok actually Ben, to be honest I haven't flown her much, it was a review model to see if I could get her to fly without all the crashing that others suffered, turned out to not have enough right thrust and a bit too heavy on the throttle on take off, cheers
Great stuff! Love the Bobber. My only issue with it is the wing loading. For the type of plane it's replicating - you'd think the developer would have kept weight out in any and every way possible. It should be way lighter to replicate the true Shock Cub flying characteristics. She looks awesome in the air regardless! Nice video
I yearn for a good Savage Bobber but I've noticed the same thing: the available models are all built like sport trainers with just a few grams of covering omitted from the rear fuselage. Predictably, they fly like sport trainers, i.e. not STOL in any way whatsoever. Also odd is that this phenomenon isn't harped on by reviewers. The only Bobber worth duplicating IMO is this one here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-z5GQJq2esw0.html
@@echassin Two points to mention, the first is, at this scale with this style of construction, it's never going to be light enough to be a decent STOL machine and, secondly, in the model's defence I didn't set the flap control horns up the right way around so I could only get half the required amount of down to initiate a decent attempt at STOL. I watched the video you suggested, this model is made of incredibly light-weight polystyrene with similarly light-weight radio equipment, hence at this scale it performs as a rather decent STOL machine, brilliant for indoor flying but not so much out of doors I would have thought, thanks for commenting, cheers.
I love the preface and sum up format for a review! (may be a little bias...lol) I always learn something from your thoughts no matter the format! Great maiden flight Cliff...I knew you'd be successful! I think you've provided great information not only for people with the plane, people that want it, and for Dancing Wings as well. I think in no time you'll have it flying just as you want! Great video and thanks for the morning entertainment! I'm always pleased to see a Cliff Harvey video released!! Couple of thoughts on the gear - I think the gear shim/rake forward would definitely help with the nose overs. For the folks that may want the tail wheel... I find it odd they put the tail wheel as far back on the rudder as they did...should be at the hinge point. It will put a ton of stress on the rudder/hinges with it where it is. Usually this type of tail wheel has a L bend in the wire and fits in a slot that is rounded out along the leading edge of the rudder with a hole drilled straight in the rudder the L part goes in to. This puts it right on the hinge line and allows for a small piece of metal with a hole in it for the wire to go through that is screwed to the bottom of the plane...so the small piece of metal (light tin/aluminum) takes the stress of the tail wheel being pulled on by grass, etc. rather than the hinges having to deal with the stress.
Thanks Adam, I like the way your presentations go, it seems natural to bring viewers 'up to speed' before the flight, especially a maiden, then a little debrief about what happened during the flight, not sure if every video will have it but it's an option, cheers for the idea. The tail wheel position is scale but the method of fitting it certainly isn't. I've taken it off now and copied the idea from full size in so far as the main shaft goes upwards at 45 degrees to the top of the fuselage stringer, it looks pretty good actually, except it no longer steers. 👍
Well done! Nice flight. Thanks for the informations.I hope that dancing wings will change the motor angle in production that other owners will have no more problems. You are now in the exquisite club of those who got this plane into the air without a crash
Cheers Cliff, That was a great video get the wing warp out the weight out, I just knew that tail wheel would end in tears . So until next time Cheers, Cheers. 😉
Very beautiful plane! You did a great job building it. Thanks for the videos. My Dancing Wings Savage Bobber just arrived today. I got the PNP. After watching all these videos I'm a little afraid to fly it now. Lol
Definitely right to put that thrust angle in Cliff. I'm in total agreement with the tail wheel. Probably OK if you fly off tarmac, but not for us lot on grass 😉. I'm sure once you shift the battery she'll be good to go. Such a pretty aircraft. Looking forward to the next go. Nice conditions here today...I hope it is down your way. Cheers
Nice maiden Cliff. I think that right side thrust is spot on. Could be a tad nose heavy but also could be tailplane incidence. I would have thought it would have got off on your longish grass with those balloon wheels so maybe the undercarriage is a bit too far back? Anyway, I'm trying to tell you how to suck eggs and I'm sure you'll sort it out. PS. Did you have the wrong pair of glasses on when you built the wing!!!!! (saw 3 pairs on your video)! Cheers.
She is nose heavy Bob, I'll remove some ballast before the next outing. That'll also help with tipping. Adam at AV8R suggested packing up the rear of the uc to bring the wheels forward which is the same effect of course but it's in a scale position where it is so I'll keep that in reserve. I'm always picking up the wrong pair 🤯👍
A very successful maiden flight Cliff, a great looking little tail dragger!! I'm sure you'll have no problem sorting those few little issues out, I laughed as you did one of those strange Stally manoeuvres( like I did Lol ) instead of the loop!! Great video Cliff 😄👍
Lol, thought you would spot that one Ian, I thought the model would loop from level but she needed a little dive first. I'll move the cg back a bit that'll help with more response, cheers 👍😁
I got a chuckle when the chair almost knocked the plane off the table, because I have done more damage to planes in my workshop than I ever have at the flying field! Great looking plane Cliff! 👍
I laughed as well! But any 'accident' is always a collection of circumstances isn't it Jerry, remove just one of those and the event doesn't happen. The model was too close to the edge of the table, the camera was in a new position, the chair spun when I jumped up, I loosened up the wheel axels ... the list goes on, have an accident-free day, cheerws.
Fantastic build, maiden and review! Now we know that your day-job is test pilot! I enjoy listening to your words of wisdom as I build my own models. Thank you!
Thanks DC, said the wise old man, here's a great saying:' To invent an airplane is nothing. To build one is something. But to fly is everything.' Otto Lilienthal.
Glad to see someone having a successful maiden with this model. Wish I had known the plane was available as a kit. I bought the plane less electronics and put in a BGNing 2200 kv motor with a 30 amp esc I bought off Amazon. The servos are TGY 3.7 gram from Hobby King. I’m planning on using a 7” prop and a 1300ma 3 cell. I’ve added right and down thrust similar to your aircraft. I’ll try to do a maiden soon if the weather cooperates here in Massachusetts!
Hi William, yes definitely more right thrust, I used a single thin washer ... if you can take off from the ground try to do so on less than full throttle to keep the torque down just in case 👍
Well done Cliff. Educational and entertaining! It would be great to see you doing a series of films showing an own-design from a blank sheet of paper (or a blank screen) right through to a fully trimmed flyer. I'd do it myself but I don't have the appetite for all that video editing - and you do it SO well.
Thanks Dave, that gives me an idea, I start with a blank sheet of paper and two minutes later I have a paper aeroplane 😁 But seriously that is a great idea, we'll have to see 👍
It flies well, nice one Cliff. Definitely looking forward to building mine and I will incorporate your changes, thanks. I do wonder if it would fly better on a light 3s battery, an experiment to try with mine.
I could tell at the beginning of the video you were just a little apprehensive about flying this one. Get these wrinkles sorted out and you will have a very nice looking and flying model. I would like to see some more of this one. Nice one Cliff.
I edited out most of the deep breaths Terry 😁 I really wanted this maiden to go well after all the bad reviews the model has received on RU-vid, I knew hand-launching was a big risk but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and throw caution to the wind (or in this case the model) 👍
Thanks Cliff, a great video, and very informative. I came across the RTF version online, and instantly fell for it, just as well the retailer was OOS, as I wasn’t aware of the issues that have been reported. That said, all credit to you for thinking it all through, and for getting it up in the air. I must say, I still like model, but I wouldn’t rush to buy one, not until I have much more experience. Please keep up the good work with your videos!
Hi Mark, thanks for your comments I'm glad you found it useful. I wouldn't say it was a beginner's aeroplane but it does look very pretty in the air. Lots of people had trouble with it and I think mainly due to the lack of sufficient right thrust and too much power on takeoff causing most of the problems. The pressure was certainly on to get a good result and she didn't let me down, cheers 🙂👍
Great to get all the analysis before and after, thanks Cliff. Maybe if the other flyers are using a higher power plant they would also get greater torque twist effect? Thanks for the visds
Hi Cliff, - great build videos - a pretty plane and so nicely finished. Love to watch you at work. Ever since your Taube “incident” I’ve been thinking, and done some looking up on taking off with tail wheel/drag airplanes. There’s a lot about full size but not much on models. As far as I’ve been able to find out so far: The plane wants to turn right due to Torque, which also loads up the left wheel , P-factor (asymmetric thrust), Gyroscopic precession, and slipstream. The tail has to lift so that the wing can assume a “flying” AOA. Full size I’ve read that a 2 wheel plane can be lifted off at it’s static AOA with up elev but it is not advisable, due to high AOA. Your Bobber lifted the tail but ran out of runway. I’m sure it would have soared majestically skywards. I’ve seen the videos you mentioned, and I was concerned for your maiden. In those cases I think what happens is that up elevator is kept on all through rollout , this pins the tail to the ground. Eventually there is enough speed to lift off but the wing is near stall. Maybe ground effect helps premature lift off, and the tail is still on the deck. When, or if, it lifts off, it drops immediately unless the up is slacked off, - hard to do in just seconds when the plane won’t fly up !! (ie. The old spiral dive, I gave it full up but it kept on going down !!) - and the wing stalls completely and the left turn factors dominate. Splat ! Also note the rotors of BLMs are heavy, with all those the magnets, (more precession) the props on electrics are bigger (wider slipstream, more p, higher precession and higher nose static stance) . I don’t know if all this is correct, but I’ve seen this effect so many times. A member totaled a nice expensive foam RTF Zero at our field - exactly same thing, wing over stall on lift off !
All this theory isn't good for my brain Eric, you're right though I ran out of runway, I'll try flaps as soon as I'm happy with the way she flies (one step at a time!), she may get airborne by the end then. Of course a little wind would help as well. As soon as the tailwheel comes off the ground you're good to feed in some up elevator but it all happens so quickly!
Well done ! Looks like Dancing Wings have a new R and D department! 👍🤓 great diagnostic work! I will follow your lead with hanging the plane to check for torque/balance issues!! 👍👍👍
So true, I always said nose heavy flies poorly and tail heavy flies once. Great flyer will be better with the bugs sorted. Great build series, thanks Cliff, looking forward to the next one.
Thanks Cliff.Good video. I'm thinking of buying this model. Are you planning to do a second video one on this model, explaining any mods you have done, so others can do those in their initial build. That would be helpful, unless DW change things to correct the issues!
