Aerosquare - Messerschmitt ME 262 by GWS

Messerschmitt ME 262 by GWS

GWS has released some time ago a very nice kit of the Messerschmitt ME 262.
I'm tempted by this legendary model. The Me 262 was indeed the first operational jet fighter.

The kit offered by GWS is made of Styrofoam or white paint already decorated.
Several versions of the kit are available:
- A version NPS (No Power System), which includes the kit, turbines, but no motor
- A version equipped with brushed motors format 300
- A version equipped with a brushless 3900 KV
- GWS pss also sells a version without landing gear, or turbine.

If you do not have adequate engines, I can only advise the purchase of the kit containing the brushless motors. In my opinion, the brush motors will not provide the power necessary for the performance of an RC jet, nor a correct flight, even if the engine thrust Junkers Jumo 004 B that equipped the first ME 262 was ridiculously low compared to modern jets.
Had not in my drawers suitable brushless, I chose to paint the version with the 2 GWS brushless motors.

GWS ME 262 Features:

Wingspan: 1005 mm
Length: 842 mm
Total weight: Approximately 800g depending on the equipment
Engines: 2 GWS Brushless KV3900 2028
Battery: Polyquest 3S 2500 MAH
Controllers: 2 Castle Creations Phoenix 35.
Consumption per engine is about 16 amps. The controller 18 at 25 amps would be sufficient for this model elsewhere.

The kit

The GWS kit, very complete, contains all the elements needed to build the ME 262 and two turbines GWS 64 mm in diameter. There is also a Y-cable for the aileron servos and connecting cables for the motors.
There are also several clusters of plastic accessories, reminiscent of the plastic models.
Finally, 2 sheets of stickers to decorate the model for those that repels paint.

Depending on the version the kit also contains 2 KV3900 brushless GWS 2028 or 2 GWS 300H brushed motors. I still recommend the acquisition of brushless motors to fly the plane properly.
Some designers are eager performance even installed a GWS Brushless KV 4600 (ref GWBLM005). The flight is ballistic, but has little in common with the capabilities of magnitude. Moreover turbines GWS plastic dislike long as speeds and end up spewing blades ...

To complete the model it will add a set of radio 4 Channels, 4 mini 9g servos, brushless 2 controllers and a battery pack adapted Lipo (3S 2500mAH 2000 to able to hold at least 10C discharge) and a bust of pilot 1 / 10 to dress up the cockpit.

Construction (or) assembly

The fitting of this model is very reminiscent of assembling a plastic model. All elements of the aircraft are polystyrene glue and paint.
The fuselage consists of two half shells to be assembled and the engine nacelles. The wings are two parts to be glued together with epoxy.
Note that the box also contains a tube of glue GWS very efficient for connections on polystyrene.

The forms are well respected in the whole and this kit allows for a nice semi-scale. However the engine nacelles are too big compared to the magnitude, but it had to accommodate two turbines of 64mm diameter.
If the polystyrene has the advantage of lightness, it also has the defect of being very fragile. This material marks easily, and it must be ensured with gentle handling parts if you do not want to damage it. In general this type of model does not stay long flawless. You can always console themselves by thinking that the warbirds of the time were not blameless either.

The decoration of the first model

For my first model I used as a basis for the decoration ME 262A-1a W.Nr. 110 559 "Red 13" Major Heinz Bär pilot, based in Lechfeld in March 1945.

Is it the number 13 who has been unlucky in my plane (crashed on the 3rd flight)?
As honestly as I made a driving mistake worthy of a beginner.

To improve the surface condition, the model is fully primed before painting. Some modelers use it to the finish with spackle and Wall (type Rebouch'liss) diluted. I prefer to use putty Hobbylite Filler Balsa. It is very fine and goes easily on the model, diluted with water. The model is then completely dry sand with 400 grit before painting.
It is polystyrene and the surface is not perfect, but this way you can hide blemishes and other visible joints (joint planes etc..).

For decoration, I use acrylic paint Vallejo Model Air range, past an airbrush. You can find this painting under the name Prince Augustus in France.
Here are the references used for the Vallejo paint camouflage Me262 this:

Cam greeny 71,022 (MLR corresponds to 82 or 34,095 SF)
71013 Olive Yellow (RLM 83 or equal to 34,096 SF)
Pale gray bluey 71,046 (MLR corresponds to 76 or 36,473 SF)

The placement of the different masks always takes time for this type of decoration, but it's fun to make a model roughly accurate.
The ME 262 was painted in many delivered more or less difficult to reproduce. Everything depends on how long you want to spend on decorating.
Apart from the difficulty of implementation, the war paintings are also diffiiles to view in flight. But it is the primary purpose of camouflage paint!

Settings and flight

Centering:
Important Note: The balance advocated in the manual is too much back!
Several modelers have posted messages on the forums of RC Groups to warn that with the centering of the record the aircraft is almost impossible to drive.
Not wanting to take unnecessary risks, I followed their recommendations to the center of gravity.
The correct CG range is between 60 and 70mm from the leading edge to the wing root.
Centered in this way the aircraft shows the healthy and stable in flight.

Notes on the engines and turbines: Verify that the power turbine which is mounted on the motor shaft is rotating round. One of the adapters supplied was not centered on my kit. In engine tests, a turbine vibrated a lot. When accelerating it began to resonate and drive shaft snapped! Cost of the operation, an engine to buy (around $ 20).
Also the screws supplied to mount the engine in the turbines are too long and can cause short circuits on the coils. It is preferable to shorten before mounting the engines.

Surface deflections: As is often the records indicate excessive rudder deflections, especially for the ailerons. I have reduced the clearances recommended by about 40% for aileron differential and added to the exhibition (40% expo on all flight controls). Everyone can refine the settings according to their preferences.

Even well-adjusted, the steering of this model is absolutely beyond the reach of a beginner!
Equipped with brushless GWS, the plane took off about 20 to 30 meters and then took a nice hill climb and accelerate gradually as the turbines are gaining in return. The flight is fast and tense, the hiss of the two turbines very pleasant.
The aircraft proves to be quite lively, with a tendency to yaw. Turns therefore require coordinated use of drift and ailerons. But that's how we should fly any aircraft.
Cornering speeds are low to avoid: This is how I destroyed my model. Engines (too) low in the downwind approach, turn to stand in front of the track ... And it's very violent stall on the wing with starting a spin. At such a low altitude that does not forgive. The aircraft came apart.
The crash comes a driving error. This aircraft is a warbird, keep the airspeed indicator. In addition, both engine nacelles create additional drag. In turn, the inner wing tends to sink under the weight of the engine, which can lead to dropping out if you reduce too much power. It is imperative to keep the speed in maneuvers, otherwise it may end badly ...

The second model

After crashing my first model, I had a complete radio equipment and 2 brushless motors and a turbine intact.
So I decided to order another box without engines to rebuild this friendly model.
The kit engine is naked for about $ 40 USA plus shipping. The investment is not ruinous. What takes the most time, it's the decor!
The second model is identical to the first, except painting. I did not still do it twice a plane bearing the number 13!

This second ME 262 is painted the colors of the Me262-1A W. NR 110 400 Major Walter Nowotny, Kommando Nowotny Chief formed in 1944.
Wikipedia article on the Major Nowotny

Installing controllers

Record plans to install controllers engines in the fuselage. It seems to me not an ideal solution for several reasons: Very close to the receiver and risk of interference, lack of ventilation, removal of the engine, hence the need to lengthen the son between the motor and controller, which I don ' like it. Although opinion is divided on this.

So I decided to create a space on each wing for the controllers.
The modification is easy to perform. Just dig a little strawberry in a well polystyrene on each wing, and enlarge the passage for the son.

I then cut two caches in a perforated plate abs and voila:

Flight

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The second model flies as well as the first. In use the operator is given by GWS which caused me some concern.
So much so that I always apprehension by flying this model, always fearing that the two turbines and loose in flight.
After 2 years, I finally decided to address the problem to continue to enjoy this very nice model.

Change of operator

I find that the original GWS turbines are not up to par. The rotor is fragile and unbalanced, after 5 to 6 flights I've always had problems. Or one or more blades broken or downright motor shaft snapped.
Find themselves flying on one engine becomes much less fun! At full power the aircraft entered a spin on a wing and a return on the planet may not be very conducive to the integrity of the model ... So in case of loss of an engine, you must reduce everything, keep a little power to fly and try to land without breaking.
I even bought a whole bunch of spare rotors! But when it was exhausted, tired of replacing the rotors or turbine engine (twice), I decided to find new turbines. A little research on the net, I came across the turbine-EDF64 ADH300 sold by Hobbycity.

First good point: the dimensions are identical to the original GWS 64.
Secondly the price: A $ 20 and the turbine engine installed, it's worth trying.
The order is placed and received ten days later. The finish is very similar to GWS, the engine is installed brushless outrunner with a KV of 4300 announced. That should push hard!
To install them, I carefully cut the pods to remove the old turbines. I thought making removable hatches in the polystyrene pods, but I finally abandoned the idea, a bit of laziness, I must admit. Once the turbines Hobbycity installed, so I glued the pieces of pods cut and remaster everything. With a lick of paint the plane will be like new.

there is more to try.
First start with a battery 3S 2250. It blows hard from behind! engine noise is given very nice. Even without a tachometer it becomes immediately realize a regime much higher than the original engine.
The consolidated statement of 2 turbines: 68 amps. With a 3S battery gives it in the 700 Watts of power consumption. Ah, anyway ... It is 33C on battery 2250. The said batteries will not last very long in this little game .. I say he will not need to fly full throttle all the time table and also on a consolidated down in flight;

Be safe, I programmed a dual rate on the throttle of the issuer. Simply follow each procedure to a small startup:
Turn on the radio with the dual rate in high position, connect the drive battery, controllers s'initalisent with the race of the handle and then toggle the switch on the dual rate down to minimize the power available. I adjusted the low position for a consolation 40-amp ground, which should be enough to fly this beast. The two drugs together GWS turbines about 35 to 38 amps at full power.

Experimenting with new turbines

First flight at full power: The aircraft "rolling" on 2 meters and goes almost vertically! I only just caught up in pushing frankly depth, ME 262 returns to track and share like a bullet. Phew! for the next launch, no need to send all the sauce.
For the remainder of the flight I switch inter dual rate down position. The noise of the turbines is becoming less strident, it does not lag behind in flight. The reduced power is ample for a flight tonic.
These turbines develop Hobbycity thrust well above the original GWS. The aircraft did not need all those watts to fly, but the engine control is there to be assayed.
It is also very spectacular dive to come to light a low pass, then came over the track switch inter dual rate. One has the impression of light a post combustion. Obviously this game autonomy decreases as the consolidated increases on batteries!

Considering the price, I find that the investment is well worth the time. I even recommend to mount the turbines directly replace the original engine too fragile and not sustainable in my opinion.