Bad Boy – Post Mortem
On closer inspection, the damage is worse than I thought. The top, bottom and middle spars were all cracked. It was just really the balsa sheeting that was holding it all together. As I removed the sheeting to inspect the damage, it basically came apart in my hands.
Try clicking the image above to go to Flickr. You'll see the same image but also my comments embedded onto different parts of the photo. Cool hey. That's one of the reasons I paid for a Flickr pro account.
So I've taken the old Precedent Fun Fly out of storage and transferred the gear into it for the time being. The Bad Boy isn't dead, it just aint being resurrected this Easter Weekend.
The Fun Fly used to have an Irvine .40 cubic inch engine in it. I've transplanted the OS 46AX so I'm hoping it'll have plenty of power - but not too much.
Bad Boy – Bruised and Battered
The Bad Boy V2 suffered some rather harsh punishment today. On take-off the engine died and with not much altitude or speed, came down to earth rather quickly.
A number of factors contributed;
1. I forgot to reconnect the pressure line between the muffler and the fuel tank. As soon as it went vertical, fuel supply cut.
2. I took off too steep. If I had've climbed out nice and gentle I would have had more time to react and glide back in safely.
3. I didn't do the pre-checks like I should've. Holding the plane vertical at full throttle for about 5 seconds before takeoff will usually tell you if you have a problem. I only held it up for a couple of seconds at half throttle.
The wings are ok with minor damage that can pretty much be glued back together. The fuse on the other hand has 'had it's back broke' with the spar running down the middle having cracked. The good news is I can get a replacement fuse for about $90. The bad news is a replacement fuse will cost me about $90.