Model Forum / Radio Controlled / Air Models / May 2004

Anybody ever try to balance the Great Planes 70 inch Stuka where it
didn't practically fall off the balancer because it's so nose heavy?
Just curious as to what you have done to balance it. I could do the
obvious but I only want to add lead weights as a last resort. Here's my
set up.
I have a OS 91FX for power. According to the specs it weights the same
as the recommended OS 61FX. (550g-19.42oz) (too much power is almost
enough) I have the smaller 61 FX muffler on it. It weighs less and fits
better in the cowl. I have a 3 blade 14/7 master air screw prop on it. I
could use a lighter wood prop but I want to keep it as scale as
possible. I have a five cell, 6 volt 1800 mah ni-mh battery installed
aft of the servos. You can't put it any farther back without cutting a
hole in the bottom of the fuse to re-locate it. I also scratch built the
horizontal stab struts out of ply wood for scale reasons and for the
weight. I also used dubro ball joint clevises instead of the cheap
plastic ones that come with the kit. They weight more as well. I also
installed an I4C air whistle on the bottom of the fuse just before the
tail wheel. After all that it's still VERY nose heavy. I suppose I could
mount the rudder and elevator servos in the fuse, near the tail, but I
really don't want to go through all the hassle. What did you do to
balance it?
Thanks,
Kevin