Whether top or bottom actuated, the 40 year old horn/clevis/pushrod technology being used to move flaps and ailerons with stuff hanging out, needs to go the way of the dinosaur.
The RDS technology, if generally used, would render it all obsolete except for entry level airframes. Moldies and composite bagged wings can be totally clean. Alas, manufacturers, being able to sell all the airframes they can make, anyway, and evidently assuming modelers are not sufficiently intelligent or competent to use the RDS technology, just go merrily on, orienting and shaping those servo wells to block its use. I'm gratified to see that Mark Drela, who is likely smarter than most of the rest of us all put together, has adopted the RDS to move flaps and ailerons on his Supra F3J/TD design. While he has his own ways to do the mechanics, they do incorporate the essential basics I've discovered over the last several years by doing the installation in some 60 airframes. Just between us, the RDS, while different, is still something of a "no brainer" that should not overtax the capabilities of most guys to install. . . .if only those manufacturers would not make it impossible! Speaking of Mark Drela, his method of mounting servos for RDS is the slickest method I've ever seen. As soon as I saw it, I found an old wing panel to use to get the experience of doing it. You learn by doing, not by acquiescing to manufacturers that limit your options. #5 Genie LT/S has RDS-operated flaps and ailerons using Mark's servo mounting. They are neither ugly "top-actuated" or "bottom-actuated", but "rotary-actuated". There are no unsightly horns, clevises, threaded rods, output arms, setnuts, keepers or bumpy covers hanging out and, no servo cans, servo mounts, etc. In a 3 piece wing, as the LT/S, the four wing servos are in the center section, keeping mass more inboard. Aileron-moving mechanics are automatically linked as the tip sections are attached. There is no need for any wiring or connectors between center and tips. There is nothing protruding to catch on wing bags, doorways, weeds, etc. If a flap or aileron should part from the wing, nothing is going to get torn up. . .it will just slip apart, unlike being tethered by a horn, clevis and pushrod. If you have not yet seriously looked into RDS, it could not be better documented than it has been the last few days. Go to the Genie web pages at http://genie.rchomepage.com/ starting page 25 of File 3. It's all there, step-by-step. While you're at it, why not plan to build something. The LT/S will "knock your socks off" with its performance.. If you think you can't build something, at least, if possible, order your next wing without servo cutouts and do the RDS. I'm in a position to lay in a supply of the Kimbrough couplers used in installing the RDS. RCSE-List facilities provided by Model Airplane News. Send "subscribe" and "unsubscribe" requests to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Please note that subscribe and unsubscribe messages must be sent in text only format with MIME turned off.
