tisrich
Senior Heliman
Location: western NY
My Posts This: Topic Forum | I've been working on a scale T-rex using the Bell 222 fuse from JMD models. The only re-tracts available for this model were designed for the Zoom/Shogun 400 so I had to come up with my own version. In fact, the 222 fuse is for the Zoom too but I have found that it will fit fine.
This project which is using an older V1 Trex is taking a lot longer than I thought. Currently I am working on the fuse when I get time having pretty much handled the mechanics using extra parts I had laying around.
Anyway, the re-tracts must be built into the existing T-rex frame and not on a separate plate. The JMD fuse is not very forgiving and everything has to be shoehorned in to fit. When put in properly there is a surprising amount of room. There is sufficient room for the pitch arm so long as you mount the frame low. This is why the re-tract servo must be installed inside the frame as shown and not below it. Also, it is important to mount the T-rex frame in as low as possible using four mounting points and not two as the instructions say.
Here is a pic of the assembly showing how I mounted the servo for the re-tracts directly into the frame:
The front wheel is mounted on a unit attached to the front battery plate extension as seen here:
Now this was the hard part. How to attach the rear landing gear assembly.
In order to be able to put everything in I made the rear gear assembly removeable from the bottom of the frame. I small slot had to be cut into both sides of the frame in order to allow the gear assembly to slide in. It is attached to the bottom of the frame with two screws that will be accessible through a hole cut in the bottom of the fuse. At least that's the plan.
Here is how I attached the main gear assembly to the frame:
I think this will work but I'm still working on it when I can.
I personally think the JMD Bell 222 fuse looks a lot sleeker and stylish like some of the Airwolfs I've seen posted. It doesn't have that kind of funny porpoise look to it.
I've just started working on the fuse itself. These pictures look bad but it's because I have sprayed black window tinting from the inside and will be masking of the windows before I paint the exterior. The rear exhausts have been painted black from the inside too. The fuse comes in four pieces excluding the tail boom cover which must be cut out and attached. Through experimentation I found Shoe-Goo to bond the strongest.
As you can see, a lot of work remains before I can even get to painting it. This was my winter's project but I started early.
As I get along I'll add some other photos. |
