Lanier 35% Giles 202 Construction Notes
By Terry McElrath
After purchasing and flying a 1/3 scale Laser 200 I got the giant scale bug bad. I decided I wanted to build a kit rather than getting an ARF. I do have several ARFs but seem to need to do some reverse engineering to get it the way I like. This time I’ll build it the way I want from scratch. I decided on the Lanier Giles after reading some good reviews on it. I’ve been picking both Joe’s and Mark’s brains for equipment choices and design modifications. Remember to support your local Hobby Shop.
* See review by Mark Poole at RC Flights Unlimited
Hardware I plan on using
Servos Hitec
Ailerons - HS-5945MG (168 oz.in., .18 sec. 2.1 oz) One per wing half
Elevator - HS-5945MG (168 oz.in. , .18 sec. 2.1 oz) One per elev. half
Rudder - HS-5955TG (333 oz.in. , .29 sec. 2.18 oz)
Throttle - HS-225MG
Choke? - HS-225MG
Receiver
Hitec HPD-07RH 7 Channel Q-PCM
Battery
Radio – 6.0 V, 2000 mah NiMH - use two
Switch Harness
Radio – Two Heavy Duty, with built in charger port
Engine
ZDZ Super 80 (9.5 HP)
Inverted mount
ZDZ accessory Pack: Prop Drill Jig with drill bit, 1400 mA, 4.8V Sanyo NiCad battery pack, Ignition Switch with built-in charger port, Over-night ignition NiCad battery charger.
Engine Mount
Stand offs to be determined by engine/cowl positioning.
Muffler
Inverted Pitts Muffler
Propeller
26X10 ZM Carbon Fiber prop recommended by RCShowcase.
Spinner
5” Tru Turn or Dave Brown Vortech Spinner for ZDZ
Hinges
Robart’s
Tail Wheel
Sullivan tail assembly?
Main Wheels
4”, brand?
Fiberglass Cowl and Wheel Pants
Lanier stock or Fiberglass Specialties?
Scale Documentation
www.geocities.com/Nashville/7348/g.html
www.avialantic.com/performers/giles1.html
http://diamond-back.com/photos/airsea/airsea05i.html
CONSTRUCTION DIARY
10/2006
I’m waiting for Kit. I got a good price for one on eBay, now I just need the $1,200 for the engine setup and $600 for the electronics. I will need the engine, muffler and servos before construction of the fuselage. I plan on mounting the wing servos flat to get a liner linkage. Will I be able to mount the servos in the horizontal stabilizer? If so then mount them flat like in the wing.
Check RC Showcase for proper engine break-in. I’ve read somewhere that the engine should be broken-in on the plane, in flight. Find out for sure.
11/2006
I got the kit, two HUGH boxes. I’m resisting unpacking the kit yet. The rudder, canopy and cowl are bigger then I expected. The dimensions of the HS-5945 MG are 1.55" x 0.78"x 1.48". The stabilizer looks like I will be able to mount the servo there with the output arm parallel to the elevator control horn. I will mount the Aileron servos the same way. I want to keep all the control linkages parallel to eliminate any control throw differential. The rudder servo will be mounted in the tail with hard linkage to the control horns. I used this technique on a 1/3 scale CAP I build for Chris Petriccione and he like the solid linkage.
The plans call for sheeting only the leading edge and trailing edge of the wing with cap strip of 3/32” balsa. I’m considering sheeting the entire wing with 1/16” balsa instead to make the covering and additional graphic designs easier to apply.
2/16/07
I ordered the ZDZ Super 80 with the accessory kit, muffler and propeller. I should have them in a little over a week. I’ll order a single HS-5945 MG servo soon to make a mounting platform which will be used on the wing and stabilizer. At this point I’ll try using the supplied cowl and wheel pants, I can always upgrade to fiberglass ones latter
There’s still the question as to what kind of tail wheel assembly to use. I’m leaning towards the Sullivan brand, as I’ve used in the past. I like the way the tail wheel is mounted to the rudder using a spring, giving the servo some shock relief. With the rudder servo mounted under the tail I should use a hardwood or basswood leading since the control horn will be mounted near the bottom of the rudder.
To be continued with pictures….