Mid Wing Kadet Senior Construction Article

Irv Cooper ijcooper@juno.com

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Fig # 1The Elect Mid Wing Kadet was customized and framed by Bob Benton 

Click to visit his web site to see all the options he offers and/or to order one from Bob Benton This was the very best ARC I have ever gotten.  Bob jig builds these and it was straight and well crafted, just the way I would have done it if I could build that well.

Spec's for Cooper's Bashed Sig Kadet Sr - Wing extended to 85" and changed to Mid wing and tail dragger.  Power will be Aveox 1406/4Y Brushless 3:1 Inline Gear Box, 13X10 APC Electric Prop & 16 2000mah Nicad Cells.   This is a big airplane IMAA legal!  The projected flying weight is 107 oz or 6.7 #

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Approx 100 watts per # and about 10 minutes of sport flying predicted.

Other modifications included all flying surfaces are bolt or pin on to make for easy transport, and a special fiberglass windshield and cowl.  The windshield flips up to reveal the battery compartment for easy charging and removal.

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Basic color scheme is red on top, White on the bottom Covering is Aero Span From BalsaUSA.  Really light stuff and comes in a wide variety of colors, low temp, has adhesive already on it, and is very low weight.

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I always pick a theme for a name and the covering scheme.   "Barbwired" is the name and the white highlights are Barbwire graphics.

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I also trimmed the leading and trailing edges in dark blue to give the wing a tapered appearance or illusion.  I did this both top and bottom.

The maiden flight:   Ground roll was not more than 20 feet and it climbs out easily at about 40 degrees with the Aveox 1406/4Y and 3:1 gear on a 13X10 APC Prop.  I thought I had lots of control surface throw, but decided I could use all that I can get (Herm Perz's advice also).   

Subsequent flights: I have 6 flights on it now, two with the Aveox and 4 with an Astro 15 Colbat, SuperBox with a Zinger 15X6-10.  The jury is still out which power system I like the best.  I definitely still need to experiment with various props to find the one that fits my power systems and my flying style.

It is a docile flyer, but will loop from level and can be coaxed through a axial roll.  I have enough side body and rudder area and throw, that maybe I can even hold a knife edge long enough to learn how to do a 4 point roll.   The Barbwire trim, graphics and letters are custom cut Vinyl on a Computer driven Stika Cutter.