CustomPC

I tried an OS .65AX in mine and it was perfectly adequate. It could do all the normal aerobatics and was really only lacking in long vertical climbs.

I think the sweet spot would be the OS .75AX


I've long since converted mine to Electric with an OS 490kv Brushless and 6S 5300mAh Lipo. I get 12 mins of flight time and performance is great.

Super08

My Feedback: (2)

Well I did the maiden flight on my third Escapade 60 today. Guess what? I also had the third failure of the horizontal stab. Pretty much exactly the same spot as the other two. This time I wasn't going fast nor had I gone fast with it at all. I just took off dropped the throttle to around half and was just cruising around and fine tuning the trim. All of a sudden with no warning, bam, one side of the stab rips off. At least this time it pulled right off of the push rod and didn't beat the plane up as I circled around and landed. I would be generous if I said I was even 2 minutes into the fight. Zero stress put on it at all. This time I am not paying for it and I contacted Hobby Services to see if they will replace it. I was going to open it up and re-enforce it like I did on my last Escapade as my other one never broke again. Once I do get a new one I will beef it up and/or put some flying wires on it so it doesn't happen again. It is such a good little flying plane I keep buying them. Too bad this problem with stabs hasn't been addressed yet.

jeffie8696

Wow, bummer. Mine has been excellent. The OS65LA Is swinging a Master Airscrew 12X6 Scimitar to 12,400. Pulls the Bigpade around just great, and the blue engine looks good on the front too. But, I think its time for an engine swap. I am leaning towards my Kraft 61, it is begging for some air time.

Super08

My Feedback: (2)

The first two times was because I was going full speed with a 95AX so it was my own fault, but did point to a weak spot in the plane. This time everyone was just standing there going what the **. I wasn't even done three circuits of the field and a nice easy speed. At least I am getting real good at landing these things missing one stab. I looked at it and the spruce doubler next to the TE broke. That struck me as real strange. No way to tell if it had been broke when they built it and then it got over over or what. It will remain a mystery. Even if Hobby Services won't cover it I can buy one for 26 bucks. The killer is the shipping to Canada on top of that.

CustomPC

Have you used the same elevator servo on all 3 planes? Perhaps your servo is weak and you get flutter which causes this.

My Escapade has been going strong for 3 years. No sign of any weakness.

Super08

My Feedback: (2)

No it is not caused by a servo, just a weak design. Well that and very soft C grain balsa used for structural. Not much we can do about that part as other industries like wind turbines are using up much of the good stuff these days. The first two were from high speed which was my fault. This one must have been cracked or something else wrong with it for it to let go like it did.

Super08

My Feedback: (2)

Hobby services is going to send me a new stab in the mail.

I got to thinking about what could have caused it and I remembered something. When I unpacked the plane one of the horns was broke off of one of the elevators and was not in the packaging, I used one from a previous kit when I put it together. I went out and looked and guess what? The side that broke off was the same side that had the broken horn. I bet it was crushed at some point before it was packaged. This could have fractured the wood inside the covering and explain the horn being broke off and missing.

Either way I still plan to add some flying wires to the new stab when I put it on just to be safe.

Heli-NuBee

I completed my Escapade 61 assembly today. My Escapade is powered by the new OS GGT15 Gas/Glow engine. I ran my new OS GGT15 engine for the first time today. The engine started easily and ran very well. I used an APC 14 X 8 prop that turned 9000 rpm static at full thottle and 2000 rpm steady idle. I am using a Switch-Glow on board glow system that works quite well. The engine shows great promise at this time. I ran the engine for more than 45 minutes and it should now be ready for its maiden flights.


Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (aka Roger the radial rabbit)

Chophop

Well thanks, I don't feel so bad about returning mine with the bent and cracked wing root tab. Not sure if the force also cracked something inside. They are in progress to exchange it.

or170b

My Feedback: (3)

I have just done the maiden of this engine on a 4*64 the engine runs awesome but the 4* only made it three flights with a lot of flutter and almost destroyed the horizontal stb! This engine has a lot more power than the saito 91 it replaced I was using a 14x6x10 prop.

or170b

My Feedback: (3)

I have just done the maiden of this engine on a 4*64 the engine runs awesome but the 4* only made it three flights with a lot of flutter and almost destroyed the horizontal stb! This engine has a lot more power than the saito 91 it replaced I was using a 14x6x10 prop.

Heli-NuBee

Hey or170b - thanks for the input - I plan to maiden my OS GGT15 gas/glow engine powered GP Escapade 61 next Wednesday and will let everyone know how those maiden flights go.

Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

Heli-NuBee

If all goes well, my OS GGT15 gas/glow engine powered GP Escapade 61 is ready for its maiden flights tomorrow.



Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

Super08

My Feedback: (2)

Good luck with the maiden. Please report back on how the OS gas/glow engine runs as well.

jstanton

My Feedback: (14)

I have this plane with an NGH GT17 gas engine and it is a great combo. This little engine swings an evolution 14x8 prop at 9000rpm. I have not had the issue some here report on the stabilizer. I have at least 60 flight on it and I put this plane threw the ringer when I fly it. Here is a pic of the plane.

Heli-NuBee

I had my maiden flights on the OS GGT15 gas/glow engine powered GP Escapade 61 today. Both the plane and engine performed very well. The engine ran with out any issues and had good vertical. I think OS has a winner with this new glow/gas engine configuration. The power seems about the same as an OS .75 nitro engine. The only issues remaining are dependability and longivity. Only time and use can answer those questions. I am quite impressed with both the plane and engine.

Best wishes and good safe flying.

Heli-NuBee (AKA Roger the radial rabbit)

Heli-NuBee

Sorry, I forgot to post the weight of the completed plane. The plane weighs 9 lbs & 4 oz complete with fuel and on board glow.

Super08

My Feedback: (2)

Sounds like a sweet combo, congrats.

jeffie8696

Can anyone please send me photos of how they routed their throttle linkage for an upright Saito 1.00. With the throttle arm square in the middle I am having a hard time getting it to look right.

easystar123

The Great Planes Escapade 61.

Pilot379

I have the .61 Escapade and have a 65AX in it. Plenty of power to pull it around the field. 55AX would probably be OK although may have to run at a higher throttle to do maneuvers without feeling sluggish. Still a great plane! No pun intended

easystar123

I love flying the Great Planes Escapade 61. I've had it a number of years now and it has held up well. I power it with an OS 95v fourstroke and a 14x6 propeller. I had to add slightly larger wheels for ground clearance . All in all its a fabulous plane and will give hours of enjoyment to anyone thinking of getting one.

PedroM

Hi All

I just maiden my Escapade last weekend. Its a great flying plane.

I power it with a OS 95AX. Its a lot, but within the recommended for this kit in the manual.

I saw that some people had problem with the stabilizer breaking mid flight, as well the wing breaking off in the point it attached to the fuselage. I did find the system where the stabilizer and ridder are only fixed by those bolts and the wings just joined together from the wing tube, weak.

I glued with epoxy the stabilizer and rudder in place, as well as glued both wings together.

I want to ask if someone did the same and still had those problems?

Thanks a lot!

easystar123

Hi there, glad to hear you are enjoying your Escapade 61. I have mine a number of years now and still flying well. When i was assembling it I did indeed epoxy the wings together and used a small plastic strap with two small screws that came with the kit. I also epoxied the stabiliser and rudder and I've never had any trouble whatsoever. Good luck with your plane. You shouldn't have any trouble with your plane now that all is epoxied. Its a good flying aircraft and one of my favourites.

twostroke

My Feedback: (6)

I started this post almost 14 years ago and this is still my favorite flying plane, I have rebuilt the landing gear several time and even replaced the wings due to a failed elevator servo. I still love to fly it and the Saito 120 I put on it still purrs like a kitten.
What a great plane!!!!