Align Speed Fuselage

[ReadyToCrash]

Originally Posted by seefest

I guess my picture didn't post above, but it was a detailed shot of Aligns new boom cover.
Its fully structural and mounts rigidly with 6 bolts on the frame. I didn't have a detailed shot of the tail rotor end however.

where did you see this picture? thanks.

[seefest]

Originally Posted by ReadyToCrash

where did you see this picture? thanks.

Posted in a thread on Runryder on the main page. I suspect that was why it was removed. (was positive it posted properly)

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by seefest

I guess my picture didn't post above, but it was a detailed shot of Aligns new boom cover.
Its fully structural and mounts rigidly with 6 bolts on the frame. I didn't have a detailed shot of the tail rotor end however.

Sounds like they added the necessary structural reinforcement.

Hopefully it holds up well. It appears that there are people interested.

[ReadyToCrash]

could it be this one?
i don't think it is structural. to me it is just a cover that is attached to the frame.

[seefest]

Originally Posted by ReadyToCrash

could it be this one?
i don't think it is structural. to me it is just a cover that is attached to the frame.

That cover IS structural. Has to be. Look at the thickness of the laminate where it bolts on to the frame. If its carbon it will be very stiff and light, if its a lesser composite (polyester/glass), it will be slightly less stiff and quite a bit heavier. Six bolts holding it on is more than adequate. In contrast, the Goblin 700 tail is held on by two plastic bolts and two M3 studs.

Its all in the execution.(like anything in life) It looks to be engineered sufficiently enough from preliminary pics. Time will tell.(again, like anything)

[Atomic Skull]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

Keep in mind
The TDR has a 25mm aluminum boom
The Diabolo has a 30mm aluminum boom.
Align has a 21.5mm aluminum boom which needs structural reinforcement.

The fix is pretty simple though, a new boom mount and tail gearbox sleeve that support a larger diameter boom. While they are at it they could increase the module/diameter of the front miter gears.

[TheKingPhisher]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

Keep in mind
The TDR has a 25mm aluminum boom
The Diabolo has a 30mm aluminum boom.
Align has a 21.5mm aluminum boom which needs structural reinforcement.

Without knowing the wall thickness that information is almost useless...

Anyway easy fix is to change to CF boom and depending on how much rigidity you want you could select the appropriate wall thickness on the CF piece...not exactly rocket science.

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by Atomic Skull

The fix is pretty simple though, a new boom mount and tail gearbox sleeve that support a larger diameter boom. While they are at it they could increase the module/diameter of the front miter gears.

That may be true, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

[Atomic Skull]

Originally Posted by mkovalcson

That may be true, but I wouldn't hold your breath.

Knowing Align you're probably right. They still haven't fixed the front tail drive gear being off center from the gear face of the auto gear going on 8 years and multiple revisions of the tail drive jackshaft (among other egregious things)

Originally Posted by TheKingPhisher

Without knowing the wall thickness that information is almost useless...

Given the same wall thickness larger diameter tube is stiffer than a smaller diameter one.

[TheKingPhisher]

Originally Posted by Atomic Skull

Given the same wall thickness larger diameter tube is stiffer than a smaller diameter one.

Of course...without that information it's pretty much useless to say larger diameter means stronger...

And as I said easy fix is to use CF boom of same diameter as the aluminum one but with thicker wall if needed. No need to change the boom brace or anything...just a simple drop in fit.

[Atomic Skull]

Originally Posted by TheKingPhisher

Of course...without that information it's pretty much useless to say larger diameter means stronger...

And as I said easy fix is to use CF boom of same diameter as the aluminum one but with thicker wall if needed. No need to change the boom brace or anything...just a simple drop in fit.

In my experience CF booms on Align helicopters cause horrible tail vibrations. They already vibrate a lot to begin with and the CF boom resonates and makes it even worse.

[mkovalcson]

Originally Posted by TheKingPhisher

Without knowing the wall thickness that information is almost useless...

Maybe so, but the strength of the boom increases with the square of the radius, and
according to my measurements Align's TT is not any thicker.

[TheKingPhisher]

Originally Posted by Atomic Skull

In my experience CF booms on Align helicopters cause horrible tail vibrations. They already vibrate a lot to begin with and the CF boom resonates and makes it even worse.

If that's the case then their problem is not boom supports or lack thereof but some other fundamental design issue.

[Atomic Skull]

Originally Posted by TheKingPhisher

If that's the case then their problem is not boom supports or lack thereof but some other fundamental design issue.

Yes.

Miter gears that don't wobble like a top would be a good start. And they need to fire that guy at the Align factory that installs bearings with a hammer.

[seefest]

Isn't the stock tail boom on the newest Trex 700 carbon?

Regardless, tube size means almost nothing if the cover is designed properly.

Like I said before execution is everything.

[Michaelinpr]

I think the heli is going to fly about just as fast as a heli without the tail wrap and canopy. Speed runs are actually pretty hard. I do not think most would get a substantial increase in speed. I know I wouldnt. Just sayin'.

If its for looks then fine. To each there own.

[TowPilot]

Originally Posted by seefest

Posted in a thread on Runryder on the main page. I suspect that was why it was removed. (was positive it posted properly)

Not posted correctly.

I looked at your post, there is some javascript posted there.
It is not a link to a photo like from a photo hosting site.

This likely displays on your computer due to being in the browser cache?

[gothicbunny]

For those that say a bigger boom is needed, the 800DFC tail case and boom mount should work and then cut down your own 800 boom to fit.

I am holding off judgement of the engineering until they are actually out in the market. You can't judge a book by its cover and you can't judge a heli by pre-release details.

[ReadyToCrash]

We learned since day one that boom braces were needed to avoid excessive vibration. Now all of a sudden they remove the braces in order to fit a pretty dress on the heli without reinforcing the structure to compensate the lack of braces. I can only think align doesn’t care about us.
They test the helis under perfect conditions, with a professional team of engineers to balance everything. They even have gadgets do gauge the amount of vibration and they don’t fly the same heli for weeks or months. In real life, things are different. Trex 700 boom is too thin to work alone and I think we will start having vibration issues as things wear and get just a little bit imperfect. Even a tail wag caused by improper tail gain may cause the tail to break apart in the future.

[seefest]

Originally Posted by ReadyToCrash

We learned since day one that boom braces were needed to avoid excessive vibration. Now all of a sudden they remove the braces in order to fit a pretty dress on the heli without reinforcing the structure to compensate the lack of braces. I can only think align doesn’t care about us.
They test the helis under perfect conditions, with a professional team of engineers to balance everything. They even have gadgets do gauge the amount of vibration and they don’t fly the same heli for weeks or months. In real life, things are different. Trex 700 boom is too thin to work alone and I think we will start having vibration issues as things wear and get just a little bit imperfect. Even a tail wag caused by improper tail gain may cause the tail to break apart in the future.

Lets all heed Gothicbunnies words and take a "wait and see" approach to this.

Good or bad, neither you nor I are required to purchase this tail boom fairing so why are you getting all ruffled? Relax, lifes too short.