Hangar 9 - 27% Cap 232G
Hangar 9 Introduces The New 27% Cap 232GScale Aerobatic and Sport Scale enthusiasts everywhere are jumping with joy. The demise of the old Hangar 9 27% Cap 232 was not without protest from the many builders of the very nice “AlItalia” trimmed 27% Cap 232. That model was a favorite of people everywhere, and for good reason. It flew as well as just about any scale aerobatic model available and it was certainly “state of the art” for ARF aerobatic models at the time it was developed. But time marches on and now Hangar 9 has taken the 27% Cap 232 to a new level. The new model caries a title of 27% Cap 232G. Of course the 27% Cap was originally designed by Mike McConville but the new “G” version includes a plug in wing as well as a number of other very important improvements including a new trim scheme. If you had one of the old ones, you are going to really like the new one The new Hangar 9 produced 27% Cap is designed as one of the 27% scale aerobatic models which seem to be just about the most desired size models in RC currently. People familiar with these models will identify with the requirement for a 45-50cc size gas powered engine. First production models were powered by the Evolution Gas Power 45GX. In the case of the 27% Cap 232G the wing span is 80” and the weight will come in at 13.5 to 15.5 pounds depending of course on the equipment that is installed by the RC modeler. This size has become popular for a number of reasons. The model can be powered by conventional glow 2 stroke and 4 stroke engines as well, notably the Saito FA-220a.
Following a tried and true construciton method, the Hangar 9 27% Cap 232G is built using quality balsa and plywood airframe structures. This has been the secret to the success of so many Hangar 9 ARF aircraft. It has resulted in a strong following of RC modelers everywhere. The multi-color Ultracote covering provides the very attractive trim scheme popularized by Horizon Hobby’s own Peter Goldsmith, hence the “G” designation in the name of this new 27% Cap. Also adding to the attracive good looks and finished appearance of the model are expertly done epoxy glass cowling and wheel pants. Both are painted and finished to match the color scheme of the rest of the model. The new aluminum landing gear provides ground clearance for propellers commonly used on the 45-50cc engines. The gear also provides for the easy installation of the wheel pants. Hangar 9 has spent time and effort to include wheel pants for this model and it just doesn’t look right when they are not installed, so don’t let Mike McConville catch you with out your pants on.
But of course the most important thing about RC models is their performance at the flying field. Right? New improvements to the original design have significantly improved the flight performance. The writer’s Alitalia 27% Cap 232 has been a great flying model with exceptional aerobatic 27% Capability. The new 27% Cap 232G goes beyond the earlier one, reducing finished weight by one to two pounds and improved structural rigidity. The biggest news of course is the Plug-in wing. Probably one of the most important features of the recent Hangar 9 offerings has been the two-piece, plug-in wing. They make the 27% Cap 232 into a convienent size that can be easily transported in autos or minivans. Of course there are other benefits to the two-piece wing. The ease of assembly at the flying field makes everyone look very professional. And the removable canopy/top hatch really simplifies acess to radio, wing attachment, and fuel tank. Once you have built one of the Hangar 9 models with these features it, is just not acceptable to have to lay a model on its back and remove the wing to adjust a servo linkage or something of this sort. The “new school” really wins here. Well if the plug-in wing is so cool, how about the stabilizer? Ok, done deal. The new 27% Cap 232G includes a plug-in stab as well. This one will give you the option of taking off the stab halves if necessary.
There are more features of the new 27% Cap 232G as well. As previously mentioned the model can be powered by glow power as well. Overall the modeler has many choices in this age of RC flying and the new models such as the 27% Cap 232G will allow you to incorporate many of those features when you assemble the model. A few things are needed to complete the new 27% Cap 232G. The modeler must supply the radio, engine, spinner and exhaust system. The other necessary assembly hardware is included. These are the items such as fuel tank, wheels, tailwheel, hinges, nuts and screws. These are pretty typical of the high quality items included in all Hangar 9 aircraft. The setup of the new 27% Cap is pretty straight forward for models of this size and type. The proven method used on the Hangar 9 Extra 260 is also perfect for the 27% Cap 232G. Two aileron servos are required. Production models have been setup using the JR 8411 servos and this has proven to work extremely well. By leaving the servos in the wing halves, the servo connection is a simple question of plugging in a connector when assembling the model at the field.
There are at least three methods of connecting two wing servos with each providing benefits dependent on the transmitter being used. The most popular method is to simply use two separate channels and enable the electronic “flaperon” mix in the transmitter. This permits separate fine tuning using the sub-trim function and the travel adjustment to match both ailerons exactly or to program in differential for each aileron. Normally one servo would be plugged into the aileron channel and the other would be plugged into channel 6 or 7 depending on your radio system. A second method of actuating the separate aileron servos is to use the JR MatchBox. This will provide an extremly precise setup and fully synchronized servos. It will also allow the use of a separate battery pack, thereby, not having to load the receiver circuits with high load requriements from multiple servos in the finished installation. Using this method, a model can be setup using a single channel from the receiver and not requiring a radio with flaperon mixing. It is almost as convenient as using separate receiver channels. The third method of setting up two aileron servos simply uses the standard “Y” harness. Again, two servos will be connected through the harness to a single channel in the receiver. This method is the least flexible and requires careful mechanical setup and adjustment to achieve the correct servo direction, synchronized travel and linkage settings that are available when using the “electronic” methods. This method will also send higher current through the single receiver port being used. It is conceivable that using this method may enable a 4-Channel radio to fly the 27% Cap but this is probably not the desired setup for the majority of modelers.
Once the aileron setup is complete it will be time to get back to the fuselage. As on the ailerons we used two servos on the elevators. The JR8411 is the suggested servo for this application. With the two-piece plug-in stab, two servos will simplify removing the stab halves for transportation when necessary. The same methods used for the ailerons can be employed for hooking up and adjusting the elevator servos. Two receiver ports, JR MatchBox or “Y” harness will do the job. The benefits of each have been outlined above. Most current radios feature transmitters that provide mixing functions which easily allow you to connect servos to separate receiver ports and control the elevator function while maintaining the coordinated trim of each surface. Being able to adjust travel, center and subtrim of separate servos on the two surfaces is a major benefit and convenience. The rudder sevo ends up being a normal installation in the radio bay of the model. The Hangar 9 suggested linkage for the 27% Cap 232G is a pull-pull cable hookup that works very well and does not introduce any “play” into the linkage. The throttle servo is very standard as well and can be connected as you like for your engine installation. Final location of items like radio battery and ignition battery will provide the opportunity to properly position the center of gravity as outlined in the instruction manual. By the way it is important that you read the instruction manual that Hangar 9 has carefully prepared so that you can assemble this 27% Cap 232G correctly and without having to do anything a “second time”. Correct control surface deflections are outlined in the instruction manual. Again, by starting with the suggested setup you will have a successful first flight experience at the field. You may be able to improve on these settings but it is suggested that the factory reccommended throws be used first. Engine mounting in the 27% Cap 232G is pretty straight forward. The popular Evolution© 45GX will require 45mm long standoff engine mounts. This will properly locate the spinner at the front of the cowl. It will also allow the proper spacing for the suggested inverted wraparound muffler as well. The throttle hookup can be accomplished with a normal pushrod arrangement common to most RC models. Ignition module and battery can be located as desired to achieve the final center of gravity. They should be mounted as far from the receiver as is practical. The DA-50 engine will fit the airplane perfectly with the DA supplied standoff motor mounts. The spinner will have the proper clearance from the cowling when the cowl is installed. The wraparound inverted style muffler will also fit properly and is the suggested type for this model. Throttle and fuel line connections are very straight forward and will not require any special hardware. Other engines will easily fit this model when using the correct motor mounts.
At this point your 27% Cap232G will be complete and the fun begins. This model exhibits all the characteristics that have made 27% Cap designs the favorite of aerobatic pilots all over the world. It is capable of competitive performance in the hands of experienced RC pilots but it is easy enough to fly, that any sport modeler can handle the model with basic flying skills. The Hangar 9 27% Cap 232G will be a popular model that interests everyone at the local flying field with startling good looks and extreme flight ability. It is surprisingly, easy to assemble thanks to the years of design experience at Hangar 9. This one is undoubtedly going to become more popular than any of the other competitive offerings in the marketplace. That plug in wing feature is going to be the one thing that makes the decision to buy simple. 27% Cap 232G by Hangar 9. |
