stangflyer
I like 'em "BIG"!
Hey everyone. I received an email from Dolly at Pilot RC last night. She is the little gal that does all the confirmation shipping of parts and pieces ordered from Pilot. What a bang up job she does too. I remember back earlier this year when I ordered the complete covering kit for the big Yak, she emailed me with all the pictures of the covering before she even sent it out. And many other times I have ordered something direct from Pilot. Anyway, she sent me photos of all the wood that will be shipped to replace and repair the big yak. Wow! Is all I can say. Tony has an outstanding company and staff. Every single piece right down to the canopy doubler rings is being included. I thought I would share a few photos of what will be on the way come Monday, (our Sunday night). Not pictured is the firewall and the wing tube sleeve for the fuse.
You all will notice in photo number 16 (F37A) and number 18 (F7), (as they were downloaded) will also be included. Those two pieces were the ones that I was waiting to see before making my final decision on whether to just replace the broken components and repair the forward section of the fuse, or simply rebuild the entire section. I can now in all certainty say...the "entire" forward section of the fuse will be completely rebuilt with all brand new precut wood. There won't be a square inch of that section that is not new. Whoo hoo!!! The aft section basically from the Turtle deck back starting past F7 will all be original. I have no damage so to speak of back there so the big Yak should be just like brand new when finally reassembled. I do have one former back at the stab area that popped loose on the impact, but that really is nothing. It will be a simple matter of accessing that area, applying some CA and clamping until set. She'll be as strong or stronger in that region than she was when new.
The only draw back to this procedure is everything appears, (as I noticed when disassembling the fuse) to be interlocked and methodically assembled. Like a jigsaw puzzle. i.e., this piece before that piece and so on.
It may take me a minute to figure it all out. Any chance any one of you out there has a set of plans for the 40% Pilot Yak 54?
Time to get busy removing the complete forward section of the fuse. Anyone need some firewood?
I do want to add this little "personal" opinion. There are a "LOT" of ARF manufacturers out there and it is getting increasingly difficult to decide which airframe would be the best or the sexiest or the truest or the best flying plane for the money. I personally have dealt with PAU, Aero-Works, Aerobeez, Top-Flite, Hangar 9, Extreme Flight and many others. While some I would not touch again with a 10' pole if they were the last ARF manufacturer on the planet due to company representation or build technics, others have been pretty ok in my opinion. There are some that I have my eye on just simply because of what I watch and see. But that being said, (and it is only my opinion from what I personally have witnessed first hand) Pilot RC is a top shelf company and anyone would be hard pressed to find a more durable, well flying and overall thrilling airframe to fly. Not to mention the customer service that Tony Tan offers each and every one of his Pilot RC customers.
You all will notice in photo number 16 (F37A) and number 18 (F7), (as they were downloaded) will also be included. Those two pieces were the ones that I was waiting to see before making my final decision on whether to just replace the broken components and repair the forward section of the fuse, or simply rebuild the entire section. I can now in all certainty say...the "entire" forward section of the fuse will be completely rebuilt with all brand new precut wood. There won't be a square inch of that section that is not new. Whoo hoo!!! The aft section basically from the Turtle deck back starting past F7 will all be original. I have no damage so to speak of back there so the big Yak should be just like brand new when finally reassembled. I do have one former back at the stab area that popped loose on the impact, but that really is nothing. It will be a simple matter of accessing that area, applying some CA and clamping until set. She'll be as strong or stronger in that region than she was when new.
The only draw back to this procedure is everything appears, (as I noticed when disassembling the fuse) to be interlocked and methodically assembled. Like a jigsaw puzzle. i.e., this piece before that piece and so on.
Time to get busy removing the complete forward section of the fuse. Anyone need some firewood?
I do want to add this little "personal" opinion. There are a "LOT" of ARF manufacturers out there and it is getting increasingly difficult to decide which airframe would be the best or the sexiest or the truest or the best flying plane for the money. I personally have dealt with PAU, Aero-Works, Aerobeez, Top-Flite, Hangar 9, Extreme Flight and many others. While some I would not touch again with a 10' pole if they were the last ARF manufacturer on the planet due to company representation or build technics, others have been pretty ok in my opinion. There are some that I have my eye on just simply because of what I watch and see. But that being said, (and it is only my opinion from what I personally have witnessed first hand) Pilot RC is a top shelf company and anyone would be hard pressed to find a more durable, well flying and overall thrilling airframe to fly. Not to mention the customer service that Tony Tan offers each and every one of his Pilot RC customers.
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