Mark's RC Powers X-20

This is my second foam model and I'm really having fun. I'm still learning how to end up with nice glue joints and a nice finished product, but I'm having fun. I purchased the plans for this plane from RC Powers for $9.99. It took one evening to cut out the foam pieces and glue it together and another evening to hook everything up. I have a feeling I will crash it soon and be building a new one but that is OK as it is such a quick build.

The plans call for dummy air intakes on the side and suggest an air scoop. I build real air intakes and opened them up to the fuselage for ventilation. I may need to enlarge the hole in the rear to take full advantage but will see how hot things get first.

My first flight with the X-20 was on a windy morning with around 10mph winds. I gave it full throttle along with a light toss and it started to climb, roll, and then dove straight into the ground before I got my right hand on the control. The nose was about two inches embedded in the ground but aside from my motor mount coming loose, the plane was pretty much OK. After applying a little hot glue that night it was ready for another flight.

The next morning I was up with the sun to try it out before the wind started to blow. This time I only gave it a little over half throttle to avoid having the torque of the motor roll it over again. It gently started to climb after dropping but became uncontrollable as the ailerons seemed to be reversed. I set it down without breaking anything and reversed the ailerons. Feeling stupid I launched it again only to realize now the ailerons really were reversed. I should probably drink coffee before flying this early in the morning. Feeling really stupid I reversed the ailerons back to their original setting and gave it another toss. In the process of the prior two tosses I had adjusted the elevator to what felt like the correct setting. This time it rocked back and forth a few times and then shot across the field fairly close to the ground. I added power and entered a gentle climb not wanting to stall it. By this time it was on the far side of the field so I started a wide turn. It turned beautifully and quickly made it to the other side of the field. I was a little worried as I was heading for a well used road so I started my turn back. I gave it a little too much aileron and it rolled over and quickly ran into the ground. When it hit I saw foam fly up into the air and worried I had destroyed the plane. I should have climbed higher on this first flight and maybe even used a larger field. It looks like it may be fixable with hot glue. This is one strong plane.