Paul_Barsamian

My Feedback: (5)

OK boys here it is. I did it, I broke down and bought the Saito 30, I was at the hobby shop and it was just too darn cute.

First, pics...

Then flight report: EXCELLENT!!! With a 10x5 apc after about 3 tanks of break in, it flies and does it well. This plane feels exactly like my UcanDo60 with the Saito 100 but this one hovers at just over half throttle with 30% nitro Heli fuel (the ucando feels like it will go into a hover if you go over idle ). It won't flip start, but starts very easily with a small starter. Pulls uplines very well and punches out of a hover nicely. It is a little nose heavy and I need to move the flight battery from the tray it is on now to somewhere in the back.

The pics show my modular system, I have an extension running from the throttle up to the nose, I use 4 screws to hold the module in, and can swap from Nitro to Electric in about 5 mins.

Both systems have very similar power outputs, with .5 hp, the Saito 30 puts out just over 320watts of power and the brushless setup depending on cell and prop does nearly the same. Both setups fly VERY well. I love this plane!!!

Dennis Tampa FL

bOghOs, May I ask if the Saito 30 needed any modification to the motor mount?

Any other reccomendations you may have for those planning to put a Saito 30 or 40 on one?

Note, I do know the Saito 40 mounting may be a little different VS the Saito 30 but any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm soon to be putting a Saito 40 on a used Mini 3D that I bought last week, Clearing the garage out this Sat with a yard sale to just get assembly/work space :-).

Thanks, Dennis

Paul_Barsamian

My Feedback: (5)

The Saito 30 nestled right into the mount, (this particular mount was a copy that I made of the original so I could have two of them). You will need to mount it as far forward as possible to clear the firewall panel. Based on what I saw, I highly doubt a 40 would fit, but let me know and post pictures if you can make it happen. The 30 had great power, works very well, no reason to go bigger unless that is the only engine you have lying around.

Dennis Tampa FL

On Saito web page, 30 VS 40 the Saito 40 is larger in area's about 1 to 2 mm difference in the crital areas of Case wegth and Engine mounting hole. When I get to it I'll post about results.

Thanks, Dennis

soaringtuna

hey guys... I have a problem.
I want one of these really badly for brushless but this is the stuff I have.

AXI 2808/16
Castle Creations 25 ESC

Will this at least fly sport stuff with this setup? Until I can afford better?
Can you get a gearbox for this axi that will alllow more thrust?
How can I get more power without replacing ESC, I would replace motor. Just not ESC. Not yet anyway.

Can you guys suggest something that woudl work "well" but not balistic without exceeding 25 amps?
Is this possible?

Thanks soo mcuh for any info.

aeroman

What size/brand fuel tank are you guys using for the .25 engines?
I just ordered a mini 3d and want to buy the necesary hardware.

Stein

du-bro 4 oz fits nice but the 6 oz will to. I have the 4 oz in mine and I get around 18 min fly time.

Brian

FNG

I used the stock tank in mine with a OS FX 25.

Mike Parsons

The 2808 is not enough motor. I wouldnt expect it to break ground.

drumbum

My Feedback: (1)

im running a 2820/12 on mine with thunder power 3s2p 2100 packs and PH-35 ,, anywhere from 12x6 slow prop to 13x5.5 with unlimited vert..

aeroman

Thanks Stein and FNG for the info.

STG

My Feedback: (26)

I am awaking a thread that has not seen much activity in a long time. Is there another one for the E.F. Mini 3D that I am missing.

I just picked one of these up off the market place. Have not bought any other equipment for it yet.

So far my plans are

.25Fx with fly quite pipe to keep the plane clean.--Maybe the .25la, but I don't it as much.

85mg's on all surfaces

700ma 5 cell battery (2oz)

Please if anyone has input.

I am somewhat considering the .30 Saito-- anyone have input?

TailTwister

My Feedback: (1)

If you go Saito, I'd do the 40. I flew a saito 40 on a Pen Knife (similar weight) and it was very good. I think the 30 would be lacking. I had a 25LA, and the power was OK. Then I swapped to a 25FX, and power was insane. I liked the 10x3 APC. It gave almost 3:1 on the FX.

To this day, the Mini 3D is the most fun plane I've ever flown.

There are 4 or 5 still in my club. Glow power anywhere in the 25 range to an Axi one.

Great little plane, and exttremely capable.

FNG

25FX on mine, CG is about right with Rx and Batt in first bay of fuselage aft of wing. Details are in earlier posts.

Mark

STG

My Feedback: (26)

Thanks for the help guys.

TailTwister

My Feedback: (1)

My battery and RX were silicon glued to the underside of the wing, just inside the fuselage too. CG was good this way.

Paul_Barsamian

My Feedback: (5)

Saito 30 is not at all lacking, I am running one in mine, it climbs out of a hover with authority. I am running an 11x4 APC with 30% morgan cool power. It is even heavy since I have had to rebuild the front end several times.

The 30 requires a bit less balancing than the 40, and I only get 7 min flights with the stock tank, looking casually for a different tank to fit.

I put the RX battery all the way in the tail to get the CG way back and got rid of the switch, I just plug the pack into an extension I ran back there...

I am looking for another replacement Mini 3D kit but they have been backordered locally for some time, my airframe has taken an immense beating but it still flies every bit as well as my UCanDo 3D 60 size with a saito 100. I can fly the same aerobatics and 3D routines with both, I love the ease of fuel and fly with the Mini, no assembly and no fuss. I can fly it in soccer field.

30% nitro is all I run in my saitos now, I have consolidated to just heli fuel, (yes I am whirly bird guy) and I love the way the saitos run on it. Don't even need a smoke system and the power is immense...

Paul_Barsamian

My Feedback: (5)

And yes, this is still one of my favorite planes to fly, I love it!

STG

My Feedback: (26)

Do you have any pictures with the saito 30 that you can send me or post? No problems with the "4 stroke shaking the airframe apart"?. I don't mind running 30% as that is what I run in my YS110 now anyways. I see the 40 is another couple.

There is a O.S. 30 at the market place right now. I wonder how that would compare?

Paul_Barsamian

My Feedback: (5)

Should be able to see my pics earlier in this thread, I just scanned back up and saw them.

OS 30 should be comparable, personally I like OS for 2 stroke and saito for 4 but that is purely preference.

Interestingly, I did tear up the front end the first time on this plane when starting it, I was using a rubber one way cone with flanges so I wouldn't have to add a spinner on the prop, when the engine kicked, the front of the airframe fell apart in my hands!

I would recommend the following,
1) complete epoxy soak your engine mount, that means making an alcohol/5 min epoxy mix and brush on 2 or 3 coats onto the wood. Then for ****s and giggles, I got some thin unfinished carbon strips from the LHS and laminated those on using thin CA soaking the whole assembly (this is on the plywood engine mount). I opened up the slider rail gaps in the fuse to allow for the thicker assembly, and then used wood screws to go through the sides of the fuse into the engine mount/slider plywood from the sides as well as the suggested bolting of the front end too. The whole added weight was about 1/2 an ounce and well worth it. I added another 1/2 ounce to replace the landing gear setup with a thick hardwood former so the landing gear would not continue to snap out. I will include another picture when I get home to take one...

basically, stiffen up the stock plywood, double screw it in, and you are fine.

My saito 30 will not stick start for some reason, I was really hoping it would to make the stuff I need to carry from the car, minimal but I don't complain much. I just need a bigger fuel tank now.

That little saito 30 pulls it happily along fast or slow and has more than enough power for all 3d manuevers, my fav as of late is knife edge loops, (just figured out how to do 'em )

STG

My Feedback: (26)

Not sure how I could have missed those pictures of your plane earlier in the thread. Thanks.

T Erickson

If you go with the saito use a one peice glass mount. Mine flies well enough w/ the 30 that ive never bothered to swap it out for the fs- 40 i have in stock. It balances great w/ hs 85mgs and a 7.2v 600mah kokam lipo and reg in fuse at ailerons. The only down side to this plane is that I flog it like a foamy, but mistakes break it like a woody. Hurry up w/ the new batch please, EF. I found that flat cf from shocky wing glued to top and bottom of fuse really helps w/ those k.e. wing tip drags. T

motodude11

My Feedback: (1)

Finally got around to finishing my mini all i have left to do is servo leads, balencing, and throws. (Been workin on gettin my pylon racer, and fixin my gp cap 232 instead of buildin this) Got a K&B .28 in it think it should have quite a bit of stooch, has anyone else tried this motor in this plane just curious?

Josh

STG

My Feedback: (26)

Ok got the plane and .25FX( and 10 x3 apc props) and 81mg's. Just need time to get this thing together.

drumbum

My Feedback: (1)

GOT those wheel pants thanks again..