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DeHavilland DH-88 Comet
FLYING
 With
no experience in flying a twin engined model, I waited for a
calm day with the wind straight down the strip so at least the
weather wouldn't be an unknown factor.
I spent some time tuning the engines one at a time utilising
a tacho for accuracy.
The model was originally built to scale with a tailskid but I
later changed it to a tailwheel to improve the ground handling
under power.
The moment of truth had arrived!
With engines tuned, all controls adjusted and the retracts
checked, I had finally run out of excuses.
The model stood ready at the end of the strip. It was time to
fly!
I opened the throttles gradually and the model tracked fairly
well.
 I
figured with a wing section the shape this aircraft has, I
should get as much ground speed as possible to avoid possible
tip stalls which are notorious on highly tapered wings with high
wing loadings.
With the model gaining speed, I opened the throttles and we
were instantly airborne. No tip stalls, but the most obvious
difference to all models I have flown before was that this one
is a racer.
At full throttle, this plane lives up to its heritage - a
very fast model.
After settling into flying, the Comet seemed to fly very well
so I gained some height to check the stall properties. With the
throttle idled and the elevator stick coming back, once again I
thought, itŐs not a trainer, so slowing it down to land could
be interesting.
The stall was very definite and the wing did drop
dramatically. Recovery was predictable but exponential function
of about 25/35% is a help to avoid snap rolls. Flyers beware!
 After
many fast and slow flybys with the wheels up, I thought it may
be a good idea to land before I ran out of fuel.
The way I had the flaps set up meant I could only get about
50 degrees. The flaps actually seemed to hold the nose of the
model up and slow it down quite well.
Next as I throttled back to about 50% and put the wheels
down, it still seemed fairly quick.
With the model on final approach at about 25% power with the
flaps down, it was looking good.
I had to keep the power on to maintain a good approach. Once
over the threshold, I idled the motors and flared it out for a
smooth mains landing.
In later flights, rolls and low flybys were about my limit
and the model has survived one engine failure. With the engine
stopped it is a handful - I needed all opposite rudder and
aileron trim and the model crabbed its way back to the strip.
Not dissimilar to the real thing! |
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