1/4 Scale Lama - REBUILD
Michael K.
ALMOST FINISHED! Phasing.
I am finally ready to get this bird in the air again! First, I'll phase the head. The next chapter will feature tracking the blades. Closing in!
LEAD OR FOLLOW?
During this step, I went back and forth on the swash follower/driver. People will say that the VARIO logo should be on the OUTSIDE when attaching the follower. Based on a stock configuration of the follower from Vario, this would make the "hockey stick" point down. What I experienced was a poor ball link fit when I pressed the link on with the Vario logo facing outward. The link pushed too far onto the ball stud and that made me concerned.
Before Joe Howard passed away, he would say "hockey stick up!" I never asked him why, but it's quite possible he experienced the same thing I (and others) have. I reversed the follower and the link snapped on normally -- logo IN. I'm going to run it this way. I'm happy to hear from others and I just wonder whether the logo out mantra we have heard for decades on pushrod links is not applicable to this particular part?
VIDEO
10 Comments
Hello Michael it’s terrible when something goes wrong and you end up crashing. I have a problem with my Hughes MD500E I just don’t know why it keeps loosing tail rotor. Put a new Servo on it and it worked for little while then it went bad so I put the old one back on and it worked for a little while but It’s still loosing
It. Are you going to go flying any more?
Since I'm selling the 429, I won't be flying until I fix the Lama, in all likelihood. If my Chinook gets painted soon, I'll be flying that.
Yeah, I’d say she’s doing a little dance. Not much love in that however.
Yup, I ordered a new shaft. No chances will be taken!
Nice! How does it work? Does a part of it slide after the bolts are removed?
I’ll add another picture!
I’ve had links in the past were the logo goes in. I Ive always looked at the link and determine which side needs to snap. One side you’ll be able to get both holes visible the other will only have one. You never want to force the ball-link past the small opening. It Stretches and deforms the plastic.
I’ve had problems with vario drivers and well qc in general and decided to make my own driver using Diabolo driver parts and the main hub from vario’s like yours.
Would you share your techniques in a separate post? I think many pilots (including me) would appreciate have an alternative!
Looking good Michael!