Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Kansas City,
MO
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
Hey guys...I'm finishing up putting together my 3D profile and decided to weigh it. Radio isn't installed yet, but had all the particulars in a baggie which I held along with the plane standing on a scale. Here is the setup, which was all new in the box, purchased seven years ago. Plane is a Thunder Tiger Fun Tiger Extra 300 profile. 47" span, 43" length, 696 sq. inch wing area and advertised weight of 4 pounds. Not sure if that weight included the reccomended Thunder Tiger Pro .46. My engine is an Irvine .53 ABC. Servos are all standard Hitec BB HD. I realize my weighing method isn't the most accurate way to do it, but my curiosity had to be satisfied. Stepping on the scale, just me- no plane, then me with everything but fuel, the weight calculated out to 5.2 pounds. These same numbers repeated themselves three times in a row. My wife then did the same thing, as I am not the littlest guy and worried about the accuracy of a digital scale past 300 pounds. Her result was a repeated 6.0 pounds. Go figure!
I have never flown 3D, nor seen it besides videos. You all think I should be concerned about a heavy set up? Or you think the Irvine .53 (two stroke by the way) will handle it just fine. I will try to learn as much about flying techniques before I take the sticks, but for now I just hope the planes weight isn't too much for basic really slow flight and hovering.
Comments, input are greatly welcomed and I thank everyone in advance. Tom.
I have never flown 3D, nor seen it besides videos. You all think I should be concerned about a heavy set up? Or you think the Irvine .53 (two stroke by the way) will handle it just fine. I will try to learn as much about flying techniques before I take the sticks, but for now I just hope the planes weight isn't too much for basic really slow flight and hovering.
Comments, input are greatly welcomed and I thank everyone in advance. Tom.
#2
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
Welcome to 3D! Get a proper scale to determine the weight. For your first 3D plane your only concern should be reliability. Setting out to achieve a very good power to weight ratio is good, but not critical for a begginer. The plane chosen for the job will do some 3D clean, but most 3D dirty. Dont get too attatched to your first 3Der.
#3
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Anchorage,
AK
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
Take it to the PO after it is all together and weigh it with a decent scale. Really though, does it matter? There isn't anything you can do about it after the fact.
#4
Senior Member
My Feedback: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
Yes and Yes, Wieght is very important, thats is why Profiles 3d so much better then Fattys. More important is a good design, and you have not chosen a very good profile for learning 3d or flying 3d (unless they have been changed). So take it do all you can and after the first mishap, Take a look into some of the planes from Swanys House they are built for 3d and can take a beating. These are the type of planes that can help transform you in to 3d Monster
5lbs would be too much, 6 lbs is not even close ..(4-4.5 lbs would be a good target on a 40 size profile)
5lbs would be too much, 6 lbs is not even close ..(4-4.5 lbs would be a good target on a 40 size profile)
#5
Senior Member
My Feedback: (13)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Merced, Ca.,
CA
Posts: 2,118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
ssc161:
The guys are right on, that bird is limited in performance by 7 years back. The 53 is a good engine, try 13 or 12 X 4 W apc . It may hover at 5 lbs, iffy at 6, but hovering is not the only thing to learn. Best set it up as good as you can with pleanty of expo and throws, and just fly the heck out of it. The 2007 birds (better ones) fly so much better than the old crop, you will not believe. Swany House still has the best 3d'r I think, there are some closing in quickly. You do not have to have a 47% gasser to enjoy 3d. So far, one of my favorites is a rcx planes Yak 54 foamy yet, the QQ 73" Yak follows with AJ extra 330L electric following. There are many many sizes and makes out there that will blow you away. ENJOY
The guys are right on, that bird is limited in performance by 7 years back. The 53 is a good engine, try 13 or 12 X 4 W apc . It may hover at 5 lbs, iffy at 6, but hovering is not the only thing to learn. Best set it up as good as you can with pleanty of expo and throws, and just fly the heck out of it. The 2007 birds (better ones) fly so much better than the old crop, you will not believe. Swany House still has the best 3d'r I think, there are some closing in quickly. You do not have to have a 47% gasser to enjoy 3d. So far, one of my favorites is a rcx planes Yak 54 foamy yet, the QQ 73" Yak follows with AJ extra 330L electric following. There are many many sizes and makes out there that will blow you away. ENJOY
#6
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
At 6 pounds RTF weight, your wing loading will be about 20oz. Not terribly horrible, but not really where you want to be either. For solid 3D performance, you want to be down around 16oz wing loading or less.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Kansas City,
MO
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
Guys....Thanks for the replies. I bought that plane on a whim at a swap meet. I had since heard that the Thunder Tiger planes were heavy. Oh well. Like was mentioned, I shall try to learn what I can with this plane and not worry too much when it does get dinged. I did check out the Swany's website and their 3D'ers look like a nice deal on the kit price. Hmmm...winter project!! Thanks again for the quick replies as always. Tom.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: The Ozarks,
MO
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
If ya get tired of that one, do like I did an get one of OMP's 540 Edge V3 ARF. Its a great starter out profile that I have learned a lot on. One of the best profile fliers around this part of the country is John Wells an he can fly the heck outta this/my plane....
I have a OS .55AX on it with an APC 12.25 X 3.75 prop and the plane weighs in at a tad over 5 lbs. using full size servos.
Ronnie-The Toolman
I have a OS .55AX on it with an APC 12.25 X 3.75 prop and the plane weighs in at a tad over 5 lbs. using full size servos.
Ronnie-The Toolman
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: The Woodlands,
TX
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
ORIGINAL: The Toolman
If ya get tired of that one, do like I did an get one of OMP's 540 Edge V3 ARF. Its a great starter out profile that I have learned a lot on. One of the best profile fliers around this part of the country is John Wells an he can fly the heck outta this/my plane....
I have a OS .55AX on it with an APC 12.25 X 3.75 prop and the plane weighs in at a tad over 5 lbs. using full size servos.
Ronnie-The Toolman
If ya get tired of that one, do like I did an get one of OMP's 540 Edge V3 ARF. Its a great starter out profile that I have learned a lot on. One of the best profile fliers around this part of the country is John Wells an he can fly the heck outta this/my plane....
I have a OS .55AX on it with an APC 12.25 X 3.75 prop and the plane weighs in at a tad over 5 lbs. using full size servos.
Ronnie-The Toolman
Anyhoo, rmenke got it. old plane, thats about right on that bird. Over the years we have firgured how to build them lighter. 40 size profile we aim for 4 and their a bunch in the 4.5-5.
Fly the sucker.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: The Ozarks,
MO
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
My POINT?????
I was just throwing it out there so he would have some more info about other planes out there if he wanted to try one.
Not to worry though, that'll be the last time I mention anything in this thread.
Ronnie
I was just throwing it out there so he would have some more info about other planes out there if he wanted to try one.
Not to worry though, that'll be the last time I mention anything in this thread.
Ronnie
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Kansas City,
MO
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
Hey guys.....I appreciate EVERYONE'S opinion here. If someone feels they can contribute with other info they may feel helpful, be it about another plane, engine, etc., please, I welcome all. Toolman...thanks for the tip on the other plane, and YNOT...thanks for confirming that the 'newer' profiles are a helluva lot lighter than the older ones.
Toolman, please continue posting if you feel you want to. If not, thanks for the reply, it was well noted.
Tom.
Toolman, please continue posting if you feel you want to. If not, thanks for the reply, it was well noted.
Tom.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Nashville,
NC
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
I have a fusion 52'' waiting to go together
I've been flying a modeltech magic 3d 52'' it came in at 4.5lbs, you have to fly it into the ground it floats so good
so if the profiles are lighter then the fatty what can I expect on the Fusion since it is the same wingspan I think the Magic has a bigger wing not being tapered
I've been flying a modeltech magic 3d 52'' it came in at 4.5lbs, you have to fly it into the ground it floats so good
so if the profiles are lighter then the fatty what can I expect on the Fusion since it is the same wingspan I think the Magic has a bigger wing not being tapered
#13
Senior Member
My Feedback: (2)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Auburn,
MA
Posts: 179
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
Tom,
If you want to lose some weight on this plane you can safely drop 8 ounces from the fuse. Obviously this would require uncovering -recovering but there is a lot of heavy ply that can be cut out by enlarging the existing cutouts to the balsa inner cores. The wings will yield no gain as they are built well but super light. I managed to get one down to 4 pound 13 ounces by fuse mods, recovering, mini's on the ailerons and throttle and careful selection of hardware. There’s no doubt that the lightening helped immensely but, with all of this "it is what it is"! The short coupling and forward servo location are throw backs to the old school fun flyers and it performs this duty better than today's 3D.
Be very watchful of the elevator joiner as several that came off the line had failures at this location.
G/L and have fun !
If you want to lose some weight on this plane you can safely drop 8 ounces from the fuse. Obviously this would require uncovering -recovering but there is a lot of heavy ply that can be cut out by enlarging the existing cutouts to the balsa inner cores. The wings will yield no gain as they are built well but super light. I managed to get one down to 4 pound 13 ounces by fuse mods, recovering, mini's on the ailerons and throttle and careful selection of hardware. There’s no doubt that the lightening helped immensely but, with all of this "it is what it is"! The short coupling and forward servo location are throw backs to the old school fun flyers and it performs this duty better than today's 3D.
Be very watchful of the elevator joiner as several that came off the line had failures at this location.
G/L and have fun !
#14
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Kansas City,
MO
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
pcsol....Thanks for the tip. I think I will leave the plane as it is for now and learn what I can flying it. If I happen to damage it and it requires repairs, I of course will go on a weight reduction mission with it. Nice to know yo uwere able to get that weight off of one. Thanks, Tom.
#15
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
As mentioned, those planes and the TT giles 202 were more of a sport type plane than 3D and not to mention, they are very weak!!! I have seen a guy fly one-and flown it at my local club and it sucks pretty bad. There is no way it would even come close to being an acceptable 3D trainer. If you allready have it, then I guess it wont hurt to fly it, but personally, I would'nt waste the time getting it together.
In my opinion, a 40 size profile should weigh 4.0-4.5lbs max. There is a night and day difference from planes mentioned and a Swany plane for example.
In my opinion, a 40 size profile should weigh 4.0-4.5lbs max. There is a night and day difference from planes mentioned and a Swany plane for example.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: ankara, TURKEY
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
I have TMPRO 3D Profile with OS 55 AX and I love it... Fun fly style ( inc. inverted limbo etc.) + 3D style nice too..with OS 55 ax good performance from hover ... Wing profile is better then Katana ... and flying weight 4 lbs to 4.25 max.
You ll be happy likeme after fun fly competitons with that plane
Oscar
You ll be happy likeme after fun fly competitons with that plane
Oscar
#17
My Feedback: (9)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Sinking Spring,
PA
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RE: Should I be conerned about my 3D profile's weight?
I wouldn't worry too much about weight. My Swany Primo profile weighs 4.65 pounds with an OX55ax and it is still VERY floaty and punches out of hovers well. I like it's weight better than my 4 pound mojo 40 since it flies better in windier conditions. It also has a thinner airfoil.
Mike
Mike