Greetings good people,
Just so you all know, there is an earlier Review of this same model published right here at RCUNIVERSE back in August 2004 by Nathon Maat and you can see it at:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=334
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I have purchased a slightly used Giles G-202 by Phoenix Models and setup by a good friend that goes by dbc over at RCGroups dot com. The model is in better shape then when it got out of the box since his setup skills are just amazing and very meticulous. The plane came in at 4 lb 15 oz without the battery. It required 1 oz of nose weight and a 15.5 oz battery to achieve balance. AUW just under 6 lb and well under spec.
The model is powered by the
Emax BL3526/04 is an 8.1 ounce, 860KV, 1000 watt outrunner brushless motor that is equivalent to a .46 nitro engine. It's a good choice for sport and scale airplanes weighing 3 to 7 lbs, and 3D models up to 4.5 lbs. and coupled with a 60a ESC w/switch mode 5a BEC and Hitec HS-311 servos. The motor mounting holes on the board did not line up with the mount on the Emax motor. These Phoenix motor mounting boards are always pre-drilled for Rimfire motors - and they seldom align with other motors. It would have been difficult to redrill the smaller motor mounting board - spacing for the Emax motor X mount was tight. Only two of the holes on the firewall required redrilling and this was the easier and cleaner solution. If you mount the motor directly to the firewall on standoffs, you must carefully observe the amount of offset and adjust accordingly.
The motor's source is:
http://www.headsuphobby.com/Emax-BL3...otor-A-274.htm
Using Turnigy and Admiral 4-Cell, 4400mAH 35C Lithium Polymer batteries it yields 860 Watts (about 144 w/lb ), it's not as overpowered and it's probably a better plane for it. There's plenty of power for aggressive aerobatics, but not for unlimited vertical and 3-D hovering. The plane slows nicely without fear of stalling, and the landing speed even without flaps is reasonable.
Flight Summary Assessment:
I've now got a total of six flights on the Giles. Very pleased with its flight performance. A very nice sport/aerobatic plane that flys smoothly, tracks well, and responds predictably to pilot input. I could not provoke any nasty flight characteristics - did quite a few different stalls and spins with easy recovery from them.
Plane is still plenty stable at the rearmost recommended CG but responds quickly to input. Inverted with just a touch of "up push" required on the elevator but still very responsive here, too. Landing speed is reasonable considering its weight and no flaps. Tracked well on takeoffs. It's hard to find serious fault with the Giles - maybe too heavy for real 3d, but that was never the intention. I don't think anyone would be unhappy with its sport/aerobatic performance.
Flew it using: (Radio Gear and Battery Selection)
1. First Generation Spektrum DX7.
2. DSMX Generation Spektrum AR-400 (4-Channel Receiver).
3. Turnigy 4-Cell, 4400mAH, 35C, Lithium Polymer.
There was just no trim required as this 6-lbs model including battery flew like it was on rails. Best of all, I flew it like I had before as many at the Club didn't believe this was my Maiden flight(s).
It looks and performs just amazingly.
Here is the Video: ( make sure "HD" and Full Screen is selected!)
https://vimeo.com/135821979
Some in-flight pictures thanks to my buddy, Gerardo Rivera:
