Im a sucker for the F1's, so ive decided to see what limits i can push a cheap HK Hornet F1 Tunnel hull too.
I will use the supplied cheap outboard unit something breaks, and then upgrade from there, to alloy or FRP leg.
Initial test runs cooked the cheap motor (should have cooled the motor before esc) but the esc has held up, possibly because i added an extra cap to it. With a prop change at approx 60klm on 3S she made a spectacular blow over and amazing, completed a full 360 loop, and was able to drive it back to shore. With a rear heavy CG and at zero trim, I admit full throttle into a slight wind was its downfall.
Motor will be replaced with a leopard 2900kv, battery will remain at 3S, ESC will be upgraded to a T180 or T120.
Next stage the motor will be upgraded with the leg to a leopard 540 on 6S.
2012-02-23 19.08.07.jpg
I removed the hornet and sponson stickers, replacing with some small sponsers and 'Mercury Racing' team stickers as the main cowl sponser. I will remove the blue & silver hull stickers (yellow is painted) & recolour in red with black to match mercury's colours, cut out the window and add a sheet of clear lexen, possibly a driver head. ( I like my scale realism)
2012-03-14 21.37.07.jpg
Next i applied decals to the outboard,2.5 EFI mercury. And replaced the mounting bracket with a K&B 7.5 adjustable mount. The mount will then be bolted to some alloy U channels to enable up and down trim without breaking the transom bolt seals, and also act as a stand of bracket for better performance.
2012-03-14 21.32.43.jpg
As these hulls are very light, i cut out the front section to gain access for glass work, and later to be able to get my hands inside the front cockpit to place the lipo for more forward CG. I layed up an overkill bias ply glass sheet, covering the sponsons to seal the center section, giving air tight flotation, however will add noodles in the center incase of split decks.
Although adding a fair bit of extra weight, the heavy glass will hold firm electrics, hull and transome when she deciedes to take another higher speed flip.
2012-03-14 23.01.52.jpg
With the supplied radio box and batt tray removed, the steer servo will be hull mounted along with the esc and RX, then a bulk head will seal this rear compartment area from the forward lipo tray. The fuselage will then be sealed with a piece of bent perspex for the front half, and seperate sheet for the rear compartment.
I hope weight is not going to kill the project.
I need some digi scales
I will use the supplied cheap outboard unit something breaks, and then upgrade from there, to alloy or FRP leg.
Initial test runs cooked the cheap motor (should have cooled the motor before esc) but the esc has held up, possibly because i added an extra cap to it. With a prop change at approx 60klm on 3S she made a spectacular blow over and amazing, completed a full 360 loop, and was able to drive it back to shore. With a rear heavy CG and at zero trim, I admit full throttle into a slight wind was its downfall.
Motor will be replaced with a leopard 2900kv, battery will remain at 3S, ESC will be upgraded to a T180 or T120.
Next stage the motor will be upgraded with the leg to a leopard 540 on 6S.
2012-02-23 19.08.07.jpg
I removed the hornet and sponson stickers, replacing with some small sponsers and 'Mercury Racing' team stickers as the main cowl sponser. I will remove the blue & silver hull stickers (yellow is painted) & recolour in red with black to match mercury's colours, cut out the window and add a sheet of clear lexen, possibly a driver head. ( I like my scale realism)
2012-03-14 21.37.07.jpg
Next i applied decals to the outboard,2.5 EFI mercury. And replaced the mounting bracket with a K&B 7.5 adjustable mount. The mount will then be bolted to some alloy U channels to enable up and down trim without breaking the transom bolt seals, and also act as a stand of bracket for better performance.
2012-03-14 21.32.43.jpg
As these hulls are very light, i cut out the front section to gain access for glass work, and later to be able to get my hands inside the front cockpit to place the lipo for more forward CG. I layed up an overkill bias ply glass sheet, covering the sponsons to seal the center section, giving air tight flotation, however will add noodles in the center incase of split decks.
Although adding a fair bit of extra weight, the heavy glass will hold firm electrics, hull and transome when she deciedes to take another higher speed flip.
2012-03-14 23.01.52.jpg
With the supplied radio box and batt tray removed, the steer servo will be hull mounted along with the esc and RX, then a bulk head will seal this rear compartment area from the forward lipo tray. The fuselage will then be sealed with a piece of bent perspex for the front half, and seperate sheet for the rear compartment.
I hope weight is not going to kill the project.
I need some digi scales
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