Katana 140 build help
02-18-2011, 09:49 PM
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Katana 140 build help
I was given a Katana 140 ARF. its blue, white, red with checkers on the tail, right wing. red on the bottom. just the plane no engine or electronics.
here are the specs from the book.
72" wingspan
Weight: 5000-5200g = 11.43 lbs
length: 66.5"
wing area:64 dm2
Wing loading: 78-82g/dm2
Airfoil: Naca-0014
Engines: 2C 108-160/4C 120-140
first off I want to know if this plane is 3D capable (hovers, harriers, knife edge, etc).
A guy from a local club pointed me out to a zenoah g 45, I feel thats too big. I was thinking a 30cc gas engine.
So what engine would you recommend? i have seen these DLE 30cc engines for 201.00. and RCG 30cc engines for 169.00 why so cheap, are they reliable?
Servos? I was looking at hs 645mg servos. but i have seen the towerpro mg995 servos but theres got to be a reason they are $10 servos, are these reliable?
I want to be able to do aerobatics and some 3D with this plane but I dont think I need top-top of the line equipment. Just reliable decent servos and a reliable decent engine.
I want an engine that will perform reliably without blowing up and servos that wont fry but they dont have to be top of the line and cost me my arms and legs.
Ill be running my Futaba 6ex radio system with a 6v battery
What do you guys recommend?
I am not planning on going into competition right now, maybe later down the road.
thanks for your help.
Scott
here are the specs from the book.
72" wingspan
Weight: 5000-5200g = 11.43 lbs
length: 66.5"
wing area:64 dm2
Wing loading: 78-82g/dm2
Airfoil: Naca-0014
Engines: 2C 108-160/4C 120-140
first off I want to know if this plane is 3D capable (hovers, harriers, knife edge, etc).
A guy from a local club pointed me out to a zenoah g 45, I feel thats too big. I was thinking a 30cc gas engine.
So what engine would you recommend? i have seen these DLE 30cc engines for 201.00. and RCG 30cc engines for 169.00 why so cheap, are they reliable?
Servos? I was looking at hs 645mg servos. but i have seen the towerpro mg995 servos but theres got to be a reason they are $10 servos, are these reliable?
I want to be able to do aerobatics and some 3D with this plane but I dont think I need top-top of the line equipment. Just reliable decent servos and a reliable decent engine.
I want an engine that will perform reliably without blowing up and servos that wont fry but they dont have to be top of the line and cost me my arms and legs.
Ill be running my Futaba 6ex radio system with a 6v battery
What do you guys recommend?
I am not planning on going into competition right now, maybe later down the road.
thanks for your help.
Scott
02-18-2011, 11:55 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
Hello there ..the 45 cc motor is very big and heavy for your plane ..a 160glow or a 30cc gas ..lets say a DLA..will be better ..I dont know what will be
the real flying weight of your plane so i cant answer if it will 3d good or not so good[
].The hitec 645 ar not expensive and they are ok for a moderate setup ..if you want top servos then there are so many ...also there are cheaper if yoy like ..like the HXT HK12K.
What make is yor plane ??
the real flying weight of your plane so i cant answer if it will 3d good or not so good[
].The hitec 645 ar not expensive and they are ok for a moderate setup ..if you want top servos then there are so many ...also there are cheaper if yoy like ..like the HXT HK12K. What make is yor plane ??
02-19-2011, 04:53 AM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
You'll need a DLE 30, nothing worse than a cheap heavy engine. It sounds a little heavy so harriers may be a trick and you may want to do everything up high 1st and learn where she stalls at and if she snaps on a stall
02-19-2011, 05:14 AM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
Your plane is a first-generation CMPro Katana 140. There are many threads on that plane over in "ARF or RTF" section; do a search for "GSP Katana" or "Katana 140". Gen 1 had some issues with the wings and spar; check out all the details and make the mods needed to keep your bird alive. The CMPro 140 size airplanes are really a bit too heavy for good 3D, but they are solid airplanes with decent handling and make good aerobats. Kerwin50 is right: the DLE 30 is a perfect match for these airplanes.
02-19-2011, 10:10 AM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
Thank you so much for your input. So a DLE 30cc. this is a decent engine I am guessing? what prop do you recommend for this engine. my main thing I want to do is hover this thing.
Now servos. what do you guys recommend. What about those $10 towerpro servos. they are 209 oz in at 6v so they say.
should i go with battery redundancy?
Weight of the plane with wings, control surfaces, and parts. no servos, or engine, electronics. 5.5-6 lbs
The plane I believe is a CMP Katana-S 140 (72")
Scott
Now servos. what do you guys recommend. What about those $10 towerpro servos. they are 209 oz in at 6v so they say.
should i go with battery redundancy?
Weight of the plane with wings, control surfaces, and parts. no servos, or engine, electronics. 5.5-6 lbs
The plane I believe is a CMP Katana-S 140 (72")
Scott
02-19-2011, 03:22 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
keep it simple and light. it flies all aerobatics like a champ. It is not a 3D plane, unless you are a Master on the sticks.
put the 645's in there and a 1600 nimh receiver battery, its all you need.
I flew mine with an OS 1.20 Surpass, and it did OK, but not unlimted vert. The DLE 30 will have plenty of power. make sure you get V2 its a rear carb.
put the 645's in there and a 1600 nimh receiver battery, its all you need.
I flew mine with an OS 1.20 Surpass, and it did OK, but not unlimted vert. The DLE 30 will have plenty of power. make sure you get V2 its a rear carb.
02-19-2011, 03:37 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
On a DLE 30 your going to want to start with an 18 8 and after 5 to 10 gallons you can go to a 20 8 prop.
DLE's are good engines with a high resale value and there is a good parts availablity. It should have no problem hovering that plane and general aerobatics.
With a gas engine you'll want metal geared servos I bought these http://www.giantmodelproducts.com/in...9fp278b4lml454
DLE's are good engines with a high resale value and there is a good parts availablity. It should have no problem hovering that plane and general aerobatics.
With a gas engine you'll want metal geared servos I bought these http://www.giantmodelproducts.com/in...9fp278b4lml454
02-19-2011, 08:00 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
Kerwin, a guy told me to go redundant on the batteries. 6v. and I have to program the servos? what does he mean by programming servos?
Scott
What do you guys think of the Towerpro 995mg digital servos, any good or are they junk?
Scott
Scott
What do you guys think of the Towerpro 995mg digital servos, any good or are they junk?
Scott
05-15-2011, 02:12 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
For what it is worth: I have one of these* and it took an excessive amount of weight to balance it [about an inch in front of the wing tube]. It had an all up weight of 12# 9 oz.. It flew OK but had to be landed fast or it would stall and crater. It is back in the shop and I am still trying to figure out why it is so tail heavy. I have 3 Futaba S3010 servos in the tail. Even if I remove these and use linkage and a pull pull rudder it is still going to require more weight than I want. I had an ASP 180 and a pound on nicads up front. Maybe they used oak or mahogany for the tail section, this plane looks so great but the design or construction is off balance. An OS 95AX should be enough engine but it would have to be mounted a foot further forward to balance the plane. The wing retainer springs require little hands so I installed plastic bolts. For what its worth, the ASP 180 with 18x6 pulls 16-17# at 8500. I am looking to replace this with a plane having AUW in the 10-11# region. Wild Hare has some but $400 is not in the budget this summer.
Just be sure to land this plane fast and have plenty of runway. My last landing was looking really good until it was about 5 ft up and the wing ceased to function.
* purchased from Nitroplanes at least 2 1/2 years ago so it is probably "first generation' and maybe why it was $155 The construction was excellent, hardware was good. Had to use 3 1/2 wheels for grass field.
Just be sure to land this plane fast and have plenty of runway. My last landing was looking really good until it was about 5 ft up and the wing ceased to function.
* purchased from Nitroplanes at least 2 1/2 years ago so it is probably "first generation' and maybe why it was $155 The construction was excellent, hardware was good. Had to use 3 1/2 wheels for grass field.
05-15-2011, 02:51 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
Stay away frombthe tower pro servos there absolute junk, I would suggest looking into Cirrus servos if you want to keep the cost down, they make a high torque mg servo that works very well, I tried one of the tower pro servos your asking about in a 1/8 scale buggy and it fried after 2 uses not to mention it wouldn't zero for crap
05-15-2011, 04:14 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
Take a look at the new Funtana 125, a 1108 sqi wing and 8 to 8 1/2 #, the WCL is 6.4. http://www.hangar-9.com/Products/Def...ProdID=HAN4750
I am shelving my CMPro Katana repair project and chalking it up to experience.
I am shelving my CMPro Katana repair project and chalking it up to experience.
06-07-2011, 06:44 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
I rebuilt mine and extended the engine box 2 3/4" forward. It has an ASP 180 4 stroke on it. The weight is 12 1/4#. If I can fly and land this pig I will be ready for my first gasser. If it survives I will post pictures. By the way CM Pro has a 59" electric Katana which comes with servos (5) ESC and motor w prop. On sale at Nitroplanes for $209. Weight is 4 pounds plus battery, 4cell x 3000.
06-14-2011, 09:12 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
This sounds all wrong.. I had a small OS 120 4ST up front, no added weight and it was a clean simple plane to fly all day long..this was back in 2005-06
ORIGINAL: Bobhend
For what it is worth: I have one of these* and it took an excessive amount of weight to balance it [about an inch in front of the wing tube]. It had an all up weight of 12# 9 oz.. It flew OK but had to be landed fast or it would stall and crater. It is back in the shop and I am still trying to figure out why it is so tail heavy. I have 3 Futaba S3010 servos in the tail. Even if I remove these and use linkage and a pull pull rudder it is still going to require more weight than I want. I had an ASP 180 and a pound on nicads up front. Maybe they used oak or mahogany for the tail section, this plane looks so great but the design or construction is off balance. An OS 95AX should be enough engine but it would have to be mounted a foot further forward to balance the plane. The wing retainer springs require little hands so I installed plastic bolts. For what its worth, the ASP 180 with 18x6 pulls 16-17# at 8500. I am looking to replace this with a plane having AUW in the 10-11# region. Wild Hare has some but $400 is not in the budget this summer.
Just be sure to land this plane fast and have plenty of runway. My last landing was looking really good until it was about 5 ft up and the wing ceased to function.
* purchased from Nitroplanes at least 2 1/2 years ago so it is probably ''first generation' and maybe why it was $155 The construction was excellent, hardware was good. Had to use 3 1/2 wheels for grass field.
For what it is worth: I have one of these* and it took an excessive amount of weight to balance it [about an inch in front of the wing tube]. It had an all up weight of 12# 9 oz.. It flew OK but had to be landed fast or it would stall and crater. It is back in the shop and I am still trying to figure out why it is so tail heavy. I have 3 Futaba S3010 servos in the tail. Even if I remove these and use linkage and a pull pull rudder it is still going to require more weight than I want. I had an ASP 180 and a pound on nicads up front. Maybe they used oak or mahogany for the tail section, this plane looks so great but the design or construction is off balance. An OS 95AX should be enough engine but it would have to be mounted a foot further forward to balance the plane. The wing retainer springs require little hands so I installed plastic bolts. For what its worth, the ASP 180 with 18x6 pulls 16-17# at 8500. I am looking to replace this with a plane having AUW in the 10-11# region. Wild Hare has some but $400 is not in the budget this summer.
Just be sure to land this plane fast and have plenty of runway. My last landing was looking really good until it was about 5 ft up and the wing ceased to function.
* purchased from Nitroplanes at least 2 1/2 years ago so it is probably ''first generation' and maybe why it was $155 The construction was excellent, hardware was good. Had to use 3 1/2 wheels for grass field.
06-14-2011, 09:29 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
I agree - something about the wood they used made this particular fuse too heavy in the tail. A 120 is ideal, I used a 180 just for the weight. I need to get a new 30mm wing tube for it, the one I have is usable but not straight as it was originally.
06-28-2011, 11:14 AM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
I too had a katana 140,ended up putting around 20 oz of lead up front just to get it to balance.
And yes you had to land it very fast.In my oppinion that plane was to heavy to do anything.
It is now in the happy hunting ground, i'll never buy another one.
And yes you had to land it very fast.In my oppinion that plane was to heavy to do anything.
It is now in the happy hunting ground, i'll never buy another one.
07-13-2011, 04:49 AM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
ORIGINAL: Penuts
I too had a katana 140,ended up putting around 20 oz of lead up front just to get it to balance.
And yes you had to land it very fast.In my oppinion that plane was to heavy to do anything.
It is now in the happy hunting ground, i'll never buy another one.
I too had a katana 140,ended up putting around 20 oz of lead up front just to get it to balance.
And yes you had to land it very fast.In my oppinion that plane was to heavy to do anything.
It is now in the happy hunting ground, i'll never buy another one.
05-24-2012, 01:17 PM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
Here are pictures of my mods to the CMP Katana 140. Shown is the 2 1/2" motor box extension, and the landing gear mounted directly to the motor box. This plane is 12# 5OZ and has to be landed with speed. The original gear mount was not strong enough and was destroyed about 3 times before I came up with this. The plane is serving its purpose which is to sharpen my flying and repair skills before I spend serious bucks on something nice. That ASP 180 has been an excellent runner and I am thinking of putting it on a 72 - 74 plane from Pilot RC or 3DHS.. In some pictures the CF landing gear is mounted right behind the engine. When I added the cowl, I moved it back to the rear of the extension box, mounted the cowl on backets, and made panels to cover the 1 1/2" gap. BTW I carefully calculated the wing area , which is claimed to be 992 sq inch, and came up with about 940, resulting in a WCL of 12.2. After test flying it today, this plane is a pig and I am going to junk it.
05-25-2012, 07:27 AM
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RE: Katana 140 build help
I agree with the towerpro servos being junk. soldering on the board is bad and I had one come doa because of bad soldering. drive train and gears are good though but the control circuitry is substandard. the servo will overrun the position you command and then come back to it. control circuitry will blow out if not the first flight then at least by the 100. A friends plane had them on it and the canopy blew off. the plane became uncontrolable. a postmortem of the remains showed every servo was dead, maybe a coincidence but too spooky for us ever to use them again. not worth a plane to use these pieces of crap. they are now spares for slope soaring junk
