WSM Smoked Turkey And Salmon Superbowl Sunday

For Superbowl Sunday BBQ I am cooking two Pre-Brined Turkeys and a fillet of Steelhead Salmon on the Weber Smokey Mountain (WSM). I am trying another injection to marinate one of the turkeys. It is Tony Chachere's Butter Creole Injectable that included a injector with the marinade.



The rub that I am putting on the Salmon will be a light combination of Golden Brown Sugar, Granulated Garlic, Fresh Ground Pepper, Salt, Light Dusting Of BBQ Rub and that is it. It needs very little and the end product will be fantastic. Even those who do not eat Salmon normally always try this and usually have seconds and are surprised they like it so much. I can eat Salmon all day so I love it, smoking it is a bonus and this is just the appetizer version.

The Turkeys cooked fairly fast as the Smoker temperature was 350° for several hours and overall was on the WSM for around 4 hours total. I added a few fist size Hickory pieces to 2 full chimneys of Charcoal and still had plenty fuel left. The Turkeys were once again outstanding. I am beginning to prefer just to season the Turkeys with dry rub and other herbs as I feel it gives excellent results. The injection marinade from Tony Chachere's was just ok. I only used 1/2 to 3/4 of the bottle and the Turkey was plenty saturated with enough as it was. The main difference was the texture, taste wise they're both delicious. and each was very moist. It would be hard to really change the excellent taste of just adding a brined Turkey to the WSM with a little seasoning under the skin and dusted on top and inside the cavity. You really can't go wrong with a Turkey on the WSM and I enjoy trying new marinades, spices, herbs and will continue to mix it up.





There were plenty of Turkey and side dishes for leftovers. The Turkey carcasses will be used to make Turkey Stock and this will go into a 7 Bean Soup I'll make later. I also will make another soup this time using noodles, celery, and carrots with the Turkey stock and meat.

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Parkzone Radian Repairs And New Flight

After the crash back in the summer I had to wait for some of the parts to come off backorder and finally arrive at my local Hobby Store. During this time it allowed me to use some of the neglected RC planes in my hangar such as the Hobbyzone Super Cub and Parkzone Corsair. Well the parts finally arrived months later and they sat with the damaged plane untouched for several more months. During the Radian's long retirement I also purchased a Parkzone Sukhoi and an E-Flite Blade MCX helicopter, both which kept me entertained for some time. I finally got disgusted at looking at the Radian's current state of condition and started to organize all the parts both new and salvageable in order to get the plane back in the air.

Parts I had to purchase:

• Bare Fuselage: Radian
• Prop Adapter & Spinner Set: Radian 
• Propeller 9.5 x 7.5_1: Radian 
• Canopy: Radian 
• DAP 100% Silicone (servo glue 2.8floz)

I could have replaced the wing due to several cracks and a huge split down the right wing in particular. But with a little Gorilla Glue and some strapping tape I determined that it was stable but would keep and watchful eye on it during it's repaired maiden flight(s). I installed larger, stronger neodymium magnets in the wing mounts using silicon and X-acto blade to recess area then covered with a piece of strapping tape. I also was undecided at replacing the ESC as it took a nice dent in the front and wasn't confident in it's ability to deliver uninterupted power or worse a complete failure at altitude. After re-installing the ESC 30A E-Flite and motor testing it seemed ok.

Started with the new bare fuselage which needed everything installed. First was the servos from the old fuselage that I removed with the help of an X-Acto blade and then pliers to lightly pull out. The Parkzone servos where installed with a flexible white caulk of some sort and which I assumed was silicon. Others have installed servos with a hot glue gun, which I have, but thought I would use the original silicon adhesive which would make removing them at some point easier. I purchased 100% DAP silicon which was labeled as Kitchen and Bath sealer and tested it on the old fuselage's foam which worked well. So the servos went into the slots with silicon already bedded in and excess silicon that squeezed out I smoothed off. The old AR500 receiver was installed with new double sided foam tape and then I proceeded to the install the Brushless Motor, the Prop Adapter/Spinner, Prop, ESC, and binded everything to my Spektrum DX6i. Everything worked well and I added necessary trim and programmed some exponential and high/low rates for the Radian. Only thing left was to test fly it at the local park and hope that all is well with the repairs and the ESC holds up as well as the wings. And oh ya, DON'T FORGET TO INSTALL THE CARBON SPAR PRIOR TO FLIGHT!

Flight went perfect, an even better hand launch as it needed almost no additional trim. Did a few slow, throttle on laps at low altitude to ensure all is well. Then I flew at higher altitude and powered off for a 25 minute flight in moderate/light wind. Everything felt great and I was relieved to see the Radian fly so well and missed flying it all these months. I had quite the audience from the moment I arrived at the park with the huge wingspan of the Radian the kids and eventually the parents came closer to watch. The Radian is very easy to fly and while I was gliding I was casually answering questions from a curious Dad on the plane, flight times, costs, last crash I experienced at the same location etc. I'm glad to have the Radian back in the active hangar rotation.

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Parkzone Sukhoi Micro RC Airplane Modifications Begin

So after a few flights on the Parkzone Sukhoi Micro RC Airplane I began to search on what I could modify to improve it's speed, visibility and overall flight time. This led me to the various RC forums and helpful hints from the owners who have had the Sukhoi a lot longer than myself and who collectively flight tested many of the solutions and then posted their results. So here is what I have done thus far.

Visibility
I removed the original stickers on the Parkzone Sukhoi and thought that I was going to use the Krylon H2O spray paints that I have used in the past on some of my other planes. The additional weight that the paint would add concerned me so I am trying the MonoKote Trim Sheets like I have also used on my other planes. I added an exact copy of the original shape in the Yellow color then added a little strip of Red on the wingtip to experiment. So far it works well but adding more would help additionally but will add to weight. Not through testing on this mod. Here are some tips and examples of other Sukhoi owners painting and using markers for color

Programming
I started flying the Sukhoi with the Spektrum DX5e but soon thereafter knew that this plane would benefit from the additional programming that the Spektrum DX6i allows for, especially the exponential programming. Horizon Hobby has a good article as well as video HERE that covers this. I have many flights now using the DX6i and it's programming it has smoothed the flights as well as allowing for the original snap barrel rolls and fast loops.

Propellers
Reading through the online forums several GWS props are being used to increase speed and torque to the Sukhoi. So far I have purchased the GWS 5030 and I have placed an order for the GWS 5043. Here is a analysis done on the props from RCgroups member turboparker.

Battery Upgrade
Several different options that I have read about but I have an order for the larger Hyperion 240mAh so I haven't received them yet. Here is some information on the batteries. (on another plane)

will be continued, here is another link to the RCGroups Sukhoi HUGE Owners thread
also the MOD finder thread is HERE


rest of post here.

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Parkzone Sukhoi Micro RC Airplane Added To Hangar

The Parkzone Sukhoi has been available for some time but it never really appealed to me based on it's size and cost. I figured for the money I'd rather purchase a "full size" RC plane that isn't as delicate as a micro plane and that allows for greater speed and distance. Well I purchased one anyway and I'm glad I did. The Sukhoi presently comes in a BindNFly version which allows me to use my Spektrum DX5e or my new DX6i 2.4ghz radios. For my first flight I used my DX5e and it was immediately apparent that I should have used the exponential on the DX6i radio. The Sukhoi is a very aerobatic, responsive plane and I knew as much from the other owners who warned of it's fast controls. I broke the propeller on the plane not long after my first hand launch. I mis-managed the throttle and simply didn't have enough. I assumed it was going to fly vertical I guess and really take off with too much throttle. This was not the case, and after replacing the propeller my second hand launch was successful but I had a heck of a time trimming the little plane in the air while maintaining it's flight path away from the ground. I needed to add a lot of up trim and right aileron in order for it to fly straight but once trimmed I was having a great time with barrel rolls, inverted flight, and loops. It wasn't exactly relaxing when flying the Sukhoi as I was fully concentrated on preventing a day ending crash and then pushing myself to try a few tricks. I left the flying field happy at the results but came away with a few thoughts on how to improve future flights.

Not long after the first flights I re-binded the Sukhoi to my Spektrum DX6i which allows me to use the radio's programming to add exponential and adjust the High/Low rates as well. This "softens" the controls a little so I can fly less "twitchy" and when comfortable I can easily turn on the High rates for the ailerons and rudder to allow for sport flying. Here is an article and video on programming the DX6i for the Parkzone Sukhoi. I also have begun small modifications to the plane which address my need for additional speed, visibility, longer flight times and added thrust at launch. I'll cover the modifications in an additional post in which I'll add cost and where I purchased as well as my thoughts on the end results.

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Marlin 795 Rifle - Range Report With Intensity Scope Installed

Range Trip - (ati stock, caldwell nxt rest, various ammo, new Intensity 4-12x44mm AO scope and one piece mount)

My recent trip to the range with the Marlin 795 confirmed that there is no way the new one piece scope mount will be moving anytime soon. The scope mount probably would be secure without the extra loctite blue I added but it's just added insurance at this point. Others that were using two piece mounts have experienced the mount moving after shooting hundreds of rounds. I ensured that the mount and the receiver were cleaned of all oils and grime using Gun Scrubber and a rag. I furthermore added a few drops of Loctite Blue to the inside left of the actual mount and also to the threads of the 5 mount screws.


I started the target at 25yards, to make the zeroing of the scope easier. Prior to arriving I had the scope elev and windage all set as close to the middle as possible. The scope needed a lot of up elevation clicks (50+) and a little right adjustment. Because of the various heights of the shooting benches, I struggled with the rest that I purchased. It was too tall, and I couldn't use the rear rest at any point and was fighting the front rest for a comfortable position. I had to many variables I was playing with. New rifle, stock, mount, scope, and way to many varieties of ammo (cci blazer, rem gold, rem sub, win 333, eley). I had a bunch of FailureToFire, FailedToEjects, and more through approx 250 rounds. Most can probably be due to a newer rifle settling in and some of the subsonic ammo I was cycling through it.

Between 25 to 50 yards no adjustment, 100 yards need a lot of up elevation, I think 25+ clicks on the already 50+ clicks added at 25 yards.. I ran out of sunlight so I never finished all that I wanted at the range that day. What I thought was a powerful scope at first at 12x quickly looks small at longer distances when trying to hit the paper targets. I'm adding 2 small strips of electrical tape to the inside of the rear scope ring to gain back some elevation clicks. I didn't want to remove the scope mount and add shims underneath the mount after securing it so well. We'll see how it works on my next trip to the range.

I see a lot room for improvement in my shooting and perhaps now that I'm finished inhaling all these paint fumes I can concentrate I why I purchased the rifle in the first place,   ... to shoot the darn thing :)

1.) orig stock just painted 2.) 25yard second target sighting in

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Marlin 795 Rifle Scope - Intensity 4-12x44mm AO unboxed

Here is the Intensity 4-12x44mm AO scope that is going on my Marlin 795. I am mounting it using a One Piece Mount that will be extremely secure and prevent and scope movement. The scope mount rings you see in the pics below are going on another rifle, and it's a bolt-action unlike the Marlin 795 semi-automatic.




** Updated Pics - Intensity Scope Installed the Marlin 795 **

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Marlin 795 Rifle - Value .22LR plinker fun

I started modifying the Marlin 795 later in the afternoon and just brought the ATI Fiberforce stock inside from recent painting since its warmer then my garage and I wanted to see it installed. I didn't receive my scope this week as I thought I would so that will go on next week. I also just received my Caldwell NXT rest the other day. I am going to go ahead and bring the Marlin to the range tomorrow for kicks and test out the iron sights. My rear sight was installed crooked, looking down sights it is way to the right. Very tiny rifle compared to my old bolt action. Looking forward to tomorrow!

I also used the Krylon Camouflage paints (khaki, olive, brown) ... forgot to add that I used Krylon Matte clear on top of the paint in hopes of added durability.







Here are few pictures of the ATI Fiberforce stock modification using a Dremel and high speed cutter bit. Since it wasn't made for the Marlin 795 you have to remove the section in (pic 2) to fit the magazine. And also on the bottom of the stock you must remove a little of the stock to make a recessed area to fit the Marlin 795 trigger guard (pic 3)


Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Pic 4

Overall a fairly easy task to adapt the Ati Fiberforce stock to a Marlin 795 and might be worth a little coin and effort to experience a different feel for the rifle.

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Smoked Meatloaf - Bacon Wrapped and Other Versions Weekend Smoke

I haven't done Meatloaf on the WSM (Weber Smokey Mountain) in quite a long time so while I was at the store I picked up the necessary ingredients and thought I would add a little variety to the cook this time by adding a few more ingredients. I purchased  4lbs Ground Beef, 2lbs Ground Pork, 1lb Bacon, Red and White Onions, Zucchini and the rest of the ingredients I already had at home.

So with the amount of meat that I purchased I was going to make two separate loaves and try different ingredients in each. While this would be fine, I figured what the heck, I'll make 4 different loaves and see if I come across anything that is remarkably better than the other Meatloaves that I've had. A quick look around the kitchen to see what I had and I was off with my plan. Here is what I came up with for the 4 loaves. Before adding the unique ingredients of each I mixed all the meat together with the sautéed onions, red bell peppers, garlic, then ground pepper, corn flakes, saltines, oats, then lightly dusted with BBQ rub I had left from the Butt/Chuck smoke, after mixing with my hands I then added 6 beaten eggs and sectioned off 4 pieces to make the individual 4 loaves:


Meatloaf #1 - Double OG (onion garlic)

• red and white onions diced (doubled)
• garlic freshly minced (doubled)
• red bell peppers diced
  
• corn flakes, saltines, oats
• eggs beaten
• bacon wrap
  

Meatloaf #2 - Zucchini Mushroom

• red and white onions diced 
  
• garlic freshly minced
• red bell peppers diced
  
• corn flakes, saltines, oats
• eggs beaten
• zucchini diced
• mushrooms diced
• bacon wrap
  

Meatloaf #3 - Jalapeño

• red and white onions diced
  
• garlic freshly minced 
  
• red bell peppers diced
  
• corn flakes, saltines, oats
• eggs beaten
• jalapeño fresh (2) de-seeded diced

Meatloaf #4 - Salsa, Black Beans & Cilantro

• red and white onions diced 
  
• garlic freshly minced 
  
• red bell peppers diced
  
• corn flakes, saltines, oats
  
• eggs beaten
• salsa
• black beans
• cilantro fresh
• chili spices(new mex, ancho pasilla)
  

After all the loaves where formed I placed each on wax paper and lightly dusted with BBQ rub.

The WSM was filled with 1.25 chimneys of Kingsford charcoal and Cherry and Hickory wood chunks. It was at 325° when I placed the waterless foiled pan on and then on the lower grate I added the Salsa Bean and the Jalapeño loaves. The upper grate was installed and the 2 bacon wrapped loaves (zucchi-mushroom, doubleOG) went on. I placed a probe in one of the loaves on the lower grate and one probe to the upper loaf to monitor temperatures.

First basting with the 2 different glazes came on when the loaves hit 155°, the WSM smoker was running around 295°. The bottom loaves got a glaze of ketchup and Tapatio hot sauce, chile powders. The upper loaves got a glaze of BBQ sauce, Ketchup, brown sugar.

After around 10-15 additional minutes the loaves reached an internal of 165° and I removed them from the smoker. The rested with a aluminum foil lightly covering the top then sliced and sampled. My impressions were the additional spices and salt could have easily been increased to all the loaves. Each had a very mild taste as I was very light on adding spices. There was no clear winner out of the 4 loaves we tried. Perhaps when the second or the third servings are devoured we'll have a favorite. The Jalapeño was not spicy at all and I could've increased the amount added to that loaf. The Salsa bean loaf flavor wasn't nearly as flavorful as I thought it would be with the strong ingredients added, especially the chili powder. They each were very delicious and had great smoke flavor and added depth with the glaze and different ingredients. I'm looking forward to the arduous task of judging the leftovers until they're finished.


Bacon Wrapped Double Onion Garlic & Zucchini Mushroom Meatloaf



Salsa Black Bean Cilantro & Jalapeño Meatloaf


Bacon Wrap Zucchini Mushroom Sliced


Salso Black Bean Cilantro Sliced


Jalapeño Sliced

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