The more equipment that is installed on the plane, the more load the wing will need to take. To prevent the wings from flexing too much, the plastic spar can be replaced with a carbon one.Materials:1. Hacksaw2. Masking tape3. Carbon rod (5/16" OD or 8 mm)4. Original sparProcess:1. Line up the two spars to get an idea of where you will have to cut the carbon spar.
2. Wrap the the location that you are going to cut the carbon spar with masking tape (only a few times around is necessary). The tape will prevent the carbon from fraying when it is cut.
3. Mark the carbon spar where it will be cut, using the plastic spar as a length reference.4. With the hacksaw, cut the carbon spar.
Another simple modification to increase the spar holes strength. I notices that after just a few flights (and a few hard landings) that the spar holes in the wing started to stretch. To fix this problem, I reinforced the holes with fiber washers. (Note that these pictures were taken after I had already done this modification)Materials:1. Hobby knife2. CA3. Two fiber washers (5/16" ID x 3/4" OD)Process:1. Place the spar inside the hole and the washer around the spar so that the washer rest on the root end of the wing. The spar should be fully inserted into the wing so that the washer will be well centered.2. Make a shallow cut around the washer into the wing root to outline where the washer will be installed.
3. Remove foam as needed so that the washer will sit flush to the root end.4. Apply CA on the foam where the washer will be located. Install the washer and let dry.
Posted by Zach Lovering on April 20, 2009 at 12:00pm
In this modification, magnets are installed into the wing root. This modification was inspired by the tendency for the wings to vibrate themselves apart during flight. Since simply pinning the wings in place (either mechanically or with adhesive) would not allow the wings to be compliant during a hard landing, magnets seemed like a good substitution. The process for installing the magnets in the wing root is very similar to the process for installing magnets in the canopy (see my previous post, "EasyStar Mods - Magnetic Canopy"). (Note that these pictures were taken after I had already done this modification)Materials:1. EasyStar RC plane2. Hobby knife3. Epoxy or CA4. Four neodymium magnets (I used 0.25" diameter, 0.125" thick; in retrospect, going one size up to 0.375" might be better)Process:1. In one wing, cut two small holes using the hobby knife for the magnets to fit into. The holes should be located near the forward and aft part of the root. The hole depth should be sufficiently deep to allow the magnets to be flush to the surface.2. Install the magnets by bonding them in place with either CA or epoxy. I used CA and have had no problem with them coming out.
3. After the adhesive has dried, cover the magnets with a piece of wax paper and snap 2 new magnets on top of them. Insert the spar into the wing (breaking through the wax paper). Slide the other wing over the spar and push down so that the magnets leave an impression in the wing. This will ensure proper placement of the magnets in the second wing.
4. Cut small holes in the second wing where the impressions were made and put adhesive in the holes.5. Replace the wing so that the magnets fit into the holes. I feel that this method is better than dropping the magnets into the holes since it guarantees that the magnets have the correct orientation.6. Once the adhesive has dried, separate the wings and peel off the wax paper.
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Posted by Zach Lovering on April 17, 2009 at 10:30pm
This is a pretty simply modification to the canopy to replace the plastic tabs with magnets. Once done, it is quick and simple to get the canopy on and off and, as a bonus, it makes a neat snapping sound when you put the canopy back on. The process is straightforward. (Note that these pictures were taken after I had already done this modification)Materials:1. EasyStar RC plane2. Hobby knife3. Epoxy or CA4. Four neodymium magnets (I used 0.25" diameter, 0.125" thick; in retrospect, going one size up to 0.375" might be better)Process:1. Remove the plastic tabs by cutting around them with a hobby knife and then pulling them out.2. Cut small holes in the canopy area of the fuselage to fit the magnets into. Install the magnets (I installed mine near the front, as shown) by bonding them in place with either CA or epoxy. I used CA and have had no problem with them coming out.
3. After the adhesive has dried, cover the magnets with a piece of wax paper and snap 2 new magnets on top of them. Replace the canopy and push down so that the magnets leave an impression in the canopy. This will ensure proper placement of the magnets in the canopy.
4. Cut small holes in the canopy where the impressions were made and put adhesive in the holes.5. Replace the canopy on the fuselage so that the magnets fit into the holes. I feel that this method is better than dropping the magnets into the holes since it guarantees that the magnets have the correct orientation.
6. Once the adhesive has dried, remove the canopy and peel off the wax paper.
