Maiden Day for the Tank

Yes, finally after nearly six months, the 2m Tank took to the skies in a 15kt southerly off the top of the Bowl at the Mount. Ralph got some good shots of the launch with a very worried pilot about to test the new beast.

And beast it turned out to be - first flight lasted about 20 seconds before coming down. It was way too tail heavy to fly. Couple of goes later with ballast nicked from the JW and it was flying - well, sort-of.





It needs a long list of modifications : here's the list of things to do;
1. Change decalage angle of tail.
2. Strengthen elevator pushrods
3. Add noseweight to new C.O.Gravity
4. Reduce elevator travel.
5. Investigate elevator binding/double centering
6. Replace broken clevis's on flaps with metal inners.(did I say it had a bad landing??)
7. Add skewers to L.E. of v-tail
8. Add upstop for flaps to stop flutter (from gear slop)
9. Remove subtrim on flaps to enable centre of camber trim knob.
10. Provide steeper angle of v-tail to assist less yaw.

Phew, that will take a while. So just lay back and enjoy the pics for now.

One last shot showing the crow braking in action.