FW: NOT Nats == Now Sword.

Sun Jul 17 21:06:02 AKDT 2005

I got this returned twice without knowing that it was formatted as HTML. 

From: Ihncheol Park [mailto:PatternFlyer at sbcglobal.net] 
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 11:51 PM
To: 'discussion at nsrca.org'
Subject: RE: NOT Nats == Now Sword

Chuck, 

I have the following info regarding the kit.
8 pages long manual.  first page is spec with picture.
All numbers below are in grams.
Engine mount 81.
Fuel tank 85.
Tail wheel/brackets screws 17
Main gear w/ mounting screws 222 
Main wheels w/ pangs 52.
Wing joiner (dihedral built-in) 38
Stab tube (aluminum) 19
Pushrods/servo hole cover (may be the plywood piece for the wing mounting
screws) 41 
Engine Mount support wood blocks 82
Engine mount screws 69
Bellcrank, pull-pull, control horns 71  (There is an opening at the buttom
of the fuse where the bellcrank goes on. Pull-pull wire exits are under the
covering based on the manual).
Other screws 16
Cowl  128
Belly pan (open tunnel, not really a pan) 104
Front pan (covers the landing gear mounting & header, removable to front
after cowl removal) 34
Uncut Canopy 91
Rudder 59
R. horizontal stab w/ elevator 111
L. Horizontal stab w/ elevator 105
R. Wing panel 409
L. Wing panel 458
Fuselage 617
Approximate distance from front of thrust washer (back of the spinner) to
beginning of pipe stinger 34.5" +/- .5"

Total weight 2909 grams.  All including CA type hinges.
Hinges have been pre glued to one end, so no need to have them measured for
half.
Fuselage bulkhead appears to be too thin.  first bulkhead behind the wing
was broken.  I can reach it, so no problem supporting it.
Top of the rear fuse has foam inside similar to CA Models' Widebody 60.
Fuselage sides have plywood that appears to be too thin.  
During wing sheeting, the manufacturer was not careful enough to evenly
distribute the weight, so the result is slightly curved wing.  Tip sides
were heavier.  (one tip up, the other tip down).

Horizontal stab halves have dowls near the leading edge, but not same sizes
nor at identical locations.  (may be better off retrofitting the Gator
adjustable stab kit, but not sure yet).

Vertical stab was attached similar way for normal ARFs, but covered later.
Front of the fuse was covered prior to the rear (near the vertical stab.)

Hinge lines not very good.  I have one elevator about 1/16" higher at tip. 
Rudder is similar to Excelleron/Explorer style.
ONE PIECE wing!  (I really hate this = need to get another car/van/truck)
As usual, no spinner.  manual is very similar to Explorer v90 Acro/ FAI.
Firewall does not have any mark for engine mount. But after reading the
manual again there is a picture showing where you should center it.  Still
need to verify this with the fuse. One of the wood blocks (3) has side
thrust built in.  However, I am not really sure if it has currect amount of
side thrust.  Appears no down thrust.

Wing mounting is not that good. Trailing edges have two screws as usual.
Front does not have dowels.  Both wing panels have plywood rootribs that has
front end protruding about 10mm (don't remember exactly if they were
matching both sides) 
Last page of the manual says 105 ~ 110 mm for CG, but does not specify if it
is from center of the wing, or wing saddle etc.  If you have seen some of
the OK model's EZ ARFs, you should know what I mean.

Thing to check/change
Replace the engine mount with Budd Engineering's mount.  I have them in
stock at my shop. BUT, no idea on how to get the nose ring setup to use.
Replace the main gears with carbon (the stock may work, but kinda too
heavy).
I may replace the bellcrank with the one from MK after checking the quality
of the plastic and fit.
Control horns with MK.
Canopy (I may get the Icepoint canopy or get a mold out of the original then
glass one).

That's all I know so far.
I am trying to get Everying checked up by Todd Schmidt this week, and choose
the engine between the Webra 160, YS 140L.

Ihncheol Park

________________________________

From: discussion-request at nsrca.org [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org] On
Behalf Of Chuck Hochhalter
Sent: Saturday, July 16, 2005 11:57 PM
To: discussion at nsrca.org
Subject: RE: NOT Nats

INCH: I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFO ON THE Sword.  I might have an opportunity
to buy one for less than 200 new in box.  Thanks Chuck

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