Dale W
Heliman
Location: Hodges, SC
| I have just been able to get back on the Airwolf project and have the Joker mechanics fitted. I used the stock rails, but cut about 1/4" off the width and spaced them to the outside of the mechanics width, then inserted 'T'nuts from the bottom and JB welded them to the floor. Metal tabs fore & aft on the mechanics are bolted to the rails. Washers under the tabs (between the tab & rail) can be used to handle any minor centering if needed.
The next issue to deal with is how to get the battery packs in and out. I have made the front dash removable and the windshield will be held on with small magents to allow the pack to slide in and out the front. The rear section of the mechanics was cut away to allow a fit to the rear cross tube and bulkhead. This does not affect being able to use as pod & boom.
I couldn't find anything on how the retract servos for an Airwolf were configured and the ply pieces that came with mine seemed to be different that any shown on the instructions.. they seemed to have some pieces shown for a 222 and others were just plain different. So, I placed a Hitec 81MG at each of the gear bays and used two channels (two are on a 'Y') on my Evo and set them at a 2-second travel... looks cool.
The tailboom is kind of interesting in that I need to be able to thread the belt to the TR box, as the belt is not easily removed/replaced at the mechanics end due to the rear collective servo location. I haven't tried putting the belt in yet to see how it will work out, but it may require a bigger cutout for the tail box than I currently have. I will use a piece of light foam that will act as a press-in bulkhead about mid-length down the tail to help supprt the boom and CF TR rod.
Once all that gets done, I'll be going with a lightweight paint of a white belly and satin black topsides as a 'normal' Airwolf. Any suggestions on paint would be appreciated. I'm glad I don't have to use those automotive paints, as there is no gunk & goo to worry about!
A few pick of the current status on this are in my gallery... one is below.
Dale
dale.wilkins@gmail.com |
