DTB

My Feedback: (15)

Here is my latest toy. Took two days to build and two sheets of depron. 10.25oz complete without the battery. 13oz with a Thunderpower 1320mA 3s battery.

I hope to get a color scheme on it this week sometime.

This is replacing my trusty Diablo 3D, which has been flown more times than I can remember.

Plans from 3DFoamy.com
Wingspan = 39.25" (Full Length of Depron)
Weight = 9.5-15.5 oz
Power = 24-39 oz
Radio = 4-5 Channels (I am using only 4 to save weight)
Area = 301.0 sq in.
Loading 5.1-7.9 oz/sq ft.

I added a CF rod down the length of the fuse for extra support. Installed one aileron servo instead of dual servos. I also changed the design slightly to accept a radial mount outrunner design instead of a stick mount design.

Derrick

Edgeomatic

My Feedback: (2)

That looks sweet. Likes like an awesome flyer.

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

Thanks Edgeomatic,

I've been flying the Katana for a few days and loving it.

I flew Thursday afternoon and the elevator control horn popped out ending up with a smashed nose from about 300 feet up doing a blender. There wasn't too much damage except for the motor mount and a few other places. Overall, I'm really pleased at the strength of the plane with the CF rod down the fuse.

1st two photos shows damage, 3rd photo is fixed nose and ready to fly again.

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

While I was fixing my Katana's front end, I thought more about my color scheme and started on that Yesteray.

All the designs were free handed cut out the same as I did my Diablo 3D a while back. It takes a little longer to do, but I think the overall result is good.

I think I will add landing gear to the aircraft also.

Hope you enjoy.
Derrick

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

Bottom side...

Diver09

My Feedback: (1)

Which himax motor are u using? I have 2808-0980 looking for a home. Do u have any suggestions?

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

I'm using the Himaxx 2812-0850 with a 10x4.7 with a TP-1320mA 3S pack which rockets my plane out of a hover straight up unlimited. The performance is unreal actually. I get 16 minutes of full aggressive 3D flying. Over 20 minutes with gentle flying.

My 2812-0850 is slightly larger than your 2808-0980, but with a slightly lighter plane the 2808-0980 would be great combo.

Here are some links for what I think may be a good candidates for you if you are looking for a 3D plane also. The links below are all using a 2808-0980, so they are great examples for you.

1) Vulcan 3D EPP
Using only a 2-cell pack only, so a 3-cell would be even stronger. There is a video at the bottom of the page also showing what the plane will do.
http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=4870

2) 3DX Mini 3D
Using a 3-cell pack. There is a video at the bottom of the page also showing what the plane will do.
http://www.rcgroups.com/links/index.php?id=4844

3) You can also go to www.3dfoamy.com and look at their free plans which is where I got my Katana S 3D plans from for free. Be sure to look at the "Critical Mass" plane plans. This plane weighs 4-6.5oz. No video for this one yet.

"Critical Mass" **FREE**





Hope this helps...
Derrick

VictoryRoll-91

I just bought one of these off eBay, CAN'T WAIT TO GET IT!!!

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

Which one did you get?

VictoryRoll-91

The Katana S, came with a bunch of electronics too

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

It is a great flying plane. It will do an elevator so smoothly almost straight down and does really good harriers also. I put landing gear on mine and it really still handles great, but now I can land and take off from asphalt.

WhtBronco

I know most people don't put landing gear on these small foamies, but I do. I think it's more fun, try touch and goes without gear. Besides they last longer with landing gear. I had 43 hours of flight time on my Eflite Ultimate when I decided to retire it.

FWIW, I have no problem taking off or landing at my grass flying field. The club keep sthe grass cut fairly short, but even when 2-2.5" long it works out fine.

Nice looking plane DTB. I'm waiting for John, 3D Foamy, to cut an Advantage bipe for me.

Something to consider is that I recently tried a TP 910mah 3S pack and have since changed over from my 1320mah packs. I dropped 1 ounce in weight and lost only 30 seconds of 3D flight time, but the performance improvement was the real payoff. This flying my now 12 and 14 ounce AUW with battery planes.

VictoryRoll-91

Do you think a 2 cell 800 mah lipo would power my e-flite 370 ok?

WhtBronco

It might, but I always find on 12+ ounce planes 3S li-pos provide a lot more power. I have 1 2S li-po and it never gets used. Actually I am gonna give it to a buddy of mine for his Slow Stik.

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

Yeah, I agree. I had a 3-cell 1320 and had a bad cell in it that went bad. I made it into a 2-cell 1320. It flew the plane fine, but suffered greatly in the power department in comparision to the 3-cell. If you are going to do more than just fly the plane gently, I suggest 3-cells. 2-cells won't give it that humf.

VictoryRoll-91

Is the Katan S a real difficult kit to put together?

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

No Not at all. I put it together in 2 days while taking my time and watching TV in the basement last spring. Very easy and straight forward. I downloaded the plans and put them all together and been having a ball ever since.

VictoryRoll-91

Since I bought the kit, are the spaces for the servos pre cut?

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

I honestly couldn't tell you the answer to that since I built mine from plans and not a kit. I would think that the holes would be there, but you never know.

eugenefelisco

DTB....did you use 6mm Depron. Where did you buy it? How much plus shipping? I have a power plant and radio that I will take from my Tribute. Its AXI2205/26,TP3s1320,phoenix25,Spectrum dx6 radio with 4 servos. If that plane is 10.25 oz, as you stated I will have a lot of power to burn. Oh did you buy that decals from the web-site.

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

Yes, I use 6mm Depron. I bought it a couple of years ago from DepronUSA.com. I bought a couple of sheets then, so I can't remember exactly how much the cost was, but it wasn't too bad on price plus shipping. Go to the website and take a look. It was 2 years ago when I bought that 6mm, so the price may have changed by now. I added a CF rod down the length of the fuse for extra support. Installed one aileron servo instead of dual servos. I also changed the design slightly to accept a radial mount outrunner design instead of a stick mount design.

All the decals on my Katana S were hand cut by yours truly. I didn't buy any decals.

eugenefelisco

Well no problem on the mounts I have both stick and radial. Hand curved decal thats very interesting. Thank you very much

VictoryRoll-91

What did you guys use to hinge the control surfaces on your katana? I'm redoing mine for the third time because they always seem to pull to far away, thus, they get flimsy, and flap when I test the prop. Also, one of my ailerons goes up a little higher then the other does, it seems to have more throw, is this going to prove to be a huge problem in the air?

DTB

My Feedback: (15)

Most people buy the hinge tape from a LHS, but I work at a hospital in the radiology department and we use tape all the time for procedures, so I used tape from there which is actually the same exact tape, except for one type we use which is a little more sticky and works better. They sell the tape in hobby stores which they really over charge people for considering we get the stuff by the rolls of boxes for little or nothing. If you have a computer radio, you can adjust the throw rate out. If not, make sure the servo is centered before your attach the arm. Then you may have to adjust the control rod length. Sort of hard to say exactly what can cause the problem. Start with the basics with the servo and work from there. In the air, it could cause some problems, but that depends on your flying skill. I don't like to have different throw rates. I want it to react the same for both sides.