Curare EP A Demise!

Previously flown last Saturday with no issues. Saturday the 9th October. Took off and climbed out. As I climbed higher steering felt odd. Then I got RSSI critical warning. As I tried to turn right I had to fight it. Then I got back control so I now flew left to come back over or near the runway line just in case. It had settled down momentarily and then started flying odd. I called to Mitch, "landing, there is something wrong". As I came round at the West end gear down, half way through the turn it stopped responding again and it did a knife edge over the big trees and into the trackside trees and into field on the other side of the track. At 40 mph there ain't gonna be much left.

With the help of Matt we had to dig out the motor, it was in deep. Totally destroyed. Lipo Pack like an accordion. In some ways as luck would have it the servos and landing gear were undamaged and I have tested them today. I checked the log data on my PC and it appears that there was low RSSI even though I was not that far out. This may explain why It did not respond to me, the RX had gone to fail-safe. Hence maybe the perfect knife edge (I don't do knife edges normally) over and into the next field. I may have another explanation - The fuselage is narrow and when the wing servo leads are squished down in along with all the metal control rods and other wiring possibly the RF got blanked. Although it did not show up at range check. :huh:

I loved that Curare MK1 because it was as fast as Jon's tuned pipe version. It had a good life though as it was 7 years old. My Curare MKII with an OS 55 is slow in comparison.

Someone who shall remain nameless says Weston do the Curare special engine kit at £229. You will get me in trouble. :lol:

Sorry to read this Phil. 7 years though, couldn’t believe that when I read it.

Phil - Just read Curare demise, so sorry you have lost a classic model.
Cannot believe you had the model for 7 years , how time flys.
Regards
Colin

Have you found out the cause of the crash Phil? If you have a plentiful supply of chocolate digestives and a big tea mug, Outerzone do the Curare in three sizes, nice Winter project.

Brian Jackson wrote:

Have you found out the cause of the crash Phil? If you have a plentiful supply of chocolate digestives and a big tea mug, Outerzone do the Curare in three sizes, nice Winter project.

I have still got the slow n glow version Brian. The log file showed a big drop in RSSI as I turned whilst climbing out. However, it was not that bad 30 secs later when it went knife edge into trees. However, I am going to check the receiver on my PC shortly.

I got no sympathy at home. Especially when I said I have a lot of spare parts, servos, retracts that need a new home. "You have already got to many planes, you have planes in the roof, in the bedroom and hangar". I am speechless.:ohmy:

Checked the S8R receiver. On board stabilise I disabled as I don't use it but definitely disabled. So, still points to RSSI problem.

Phil Ford wrote:

I loved that Curare MK1 because it was as fast as Jon's tuned pipe version. It had a good life though as it was 7 years old. My Curare MKII with an OS 55 is slow in comparison.

Sorry to hear you've lost the electric one Phil.

Puzzled why your OS55 powered one is so slow, have you tried a higher pitched prop, I have an 11 x 9 on mine?

I will check the prop size Jon. Been so long since I put it on.

On another note. My first Curare ARF cost me 320 Euros. 18 months later the GP one I got during a discount sale at 340 Euros. today you can by it for a "550 Euros down from 600 " They are extracting the P*ss. By the time you have fitted an engine, retracts and servos you could be nearing £900+. :ohmy:

With that sort of replacement cost - If you haven't binned the remains how about reproducing the parts for a winter self build project. You'd be welcome to make use of my bandsaw if you're interested.

It all went in the garbage truck this morning. If I was really keen I think I would build one or something similar from kit. i doubt I could make a £500 cock up. :lol: