ForumSandpiper Modifications
My Sandpiper (formerly known as 'The Green Thing') was orginally built with tricycle undercarriage. This was probably OK on a very smooth take off / landing strip, but on our mown field it just didn't cope. On take-off the nose wheel would find every imperfection in the field and slow down the model so much that take-offs were a nightmare! Also on every landing the nose wheel got bent backwards making the next take off even more difficult. I guess the extra weight of my multiple repairs didn't help!
Well now things have changed. I have modified the Sandpiper to a tail dragger! Locating the undercarriage was tricky - I now have the strongest battery box ever! (Ask me up the field if you are interested!)
The maiden flight of the modified Sandpiper was yesterday - 7th October. I have to say the change is amazing. Take-offs are straightforward, although they still need quite a distance, and landings are smooth (depending on pilot skill!) with no hint of stressing the undercarriage. The model rolls so well it does run on a bit - again down to the weight, and has a slight tendency to bounce back in to the air - probably due to the wheels being a bit too far forward, but all in all it's a great improvement. And it only took about four days of work!
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