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Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Old 10-20-2008, 03:15 PM
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bigedmustafa
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Default Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

The new Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF looks like a lot of fun:

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXVXN8&P=0

With all of the ARF prices shooting through the roof lately, it's nice to see a value offering from one of the better ARF distributors. It looks like it should be lightweight enough for a .46 LA to fly it well. I wonder if they'll offer an RTF or RR version of this?
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Old 10-20-2008, 03:20 PM
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pkevinb
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

The Escapade caught my eye too. Nice looking plane and the advertised price looks nice as well.
Old 10-20-2008, 03:43 PM
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sthill
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Nice plane! Glad to see a $99.00 ARF from a good company. Does anyone else think it looks like a low wing Avistar? The wing shape really reminds me of my first trainer. That being said, it should be a stable flyer.
Old 10-20-2008, 09:31 PM
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ChuckW
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

This looks great. I've always thought there was something nice about a simple, inexpensive sport plane. After building a GP Rapture kit, I felt that an ARF version would be nice. This isn't exactly a Rapture ARF but it does have a few similar lines and the concept is kind of the same.
Old 10-20-2008, 10:44 PM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

The wing tips are different, but the tail surfaces are shaped very similar. The Rapture has a slightly tapered wing, especially at the tips. This makes it a bit more snappy. I think they are intending the Escapade to fly more like a trainer, since it's aimed towards those who have just signed off one. I'll have to see how this one plays.

NorfolkSouthern
Old 10-21-2008, 01:12 PM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Check out the size. 52.5 inch wingspan. 463 sq. in. wing area. That is 25 size! Put a 55 or a 70 in that thing and it will certainly not be a trainer!

Jim
Old 10-21-2008, 02:06 PM
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ChuckW
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Yah, the wing span is definitely shorter than the typical 60" range you see in .40 size sport or "second" planes. This one should be pretty quick and aerobatic. Hopefully the decreased wing area means it won't float forever on landing like 4*s.
Old 10-22-2008, 09:37 AM
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bigedmustafa
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

I'm putting a Rapture .40 kit together right now, so I don't think I'll be ordering an Escapade ARF anytime too soon. Still, there's always room for one more good sport plane. It's a nice looking airframe at a terrific price, and hopefully a sign of more things to come.
Old 10-22-2008, 02:17 PM
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ChuckW
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

I may get one for a "beater" just to fly when I don't feel like taking out the bigger, nicer stuff.
Old 10-29-2008, 01:59 PM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Wow, this looks like it's going to be a quick build!

http://manuals.hobbico.com/gpm/gpma1200-manual.pdf

It looks like the control surfaces all come pre-hinged. You have the option of just bolting on the tail assembly, as well.
Old 10-29-2008, 02:22 PM
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dignlivn
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF






I agree, it looks great.

Wonder what the price will be in late
January or when available ?

Bob
Old 11-15-2008, 09:04 PM
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Tom Nied
 
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Yeah, it has caught my eye as well. It has good looks as well a price that is really attractive. Currently Tower is showing it at 100 bucks. Nice looking sport plane 40 size for a 100 bucks. Anyone figure out the airfoil shape yet? An Avistar semi-symetrical airfoil would be just fine. I loved my Avistar. In fact I had an Avistar with a TT GP-42 and just loved the combination. I thought it had adequate power and would be tempted to install a GP-42 in this. For me the Avistar was plenty of fun with that engine, even in windy conditions. The Escapade looks like it is well built, and for the price, I'm hard to say that I could build anything better. http://www.greatplanes.com/airplanes...00-main-lg.jpg Going to keep an eye on this one. I need something more attractive with better performance than the SPAD Debonair that I'm flying.
Old 11-17-2008, 02:13 AM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

It's definately a good looking ARF to build...

I will order one by the end of November,
and planning to use an OS 55AX.

Kostas
Old 11-19-2008, 11:09 AM
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Tom Nied
 
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Just a 55AX? In my sole and lonely humble opinion, I think that is too much. But I know some guys have to put the biggest motor on whatever plane we're talking about. I keep looking at the Escapades specs.
Wingspan: 52.5" (1340mm)
Wing Area: 483 sq in (31.2 sq dm)
Weight: 5.0 - 5.5lb (2270 - 2495g)
Wing Loading: 24 - 26 oz/sq ft (73 - 80 g/sq dm)
Length: 46" (1160mm)
Airfoil: low wing configuration
and I just don't think it warrants a 55AX. I think it would fly well on a good 40. But thats just my opinion.
Old 11-20-2008, 12:26 PM
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cjensen
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Tom,
I agree. The airframes are manufactured so light these days, and the engines so powerful. I plan on using my 46ax on it, since I have three of those engines (I do not have a .40 kicking around).
..colin
Old 11-23-2008, 04:53 AM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Much of an engine? nahhhh

I run an OS 65LA on my SuperSportster 40ARF 2 years now without any problem....

An APC 11x6 and it goes like a bullet....

Kostas

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Old 11-23-2008, 12:50 PM
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Daytona955i
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

For me a good motor "with a good sound " for normal & sport fly is SAITO 56 : consumes little and run fast !

20 cc / min in full throttle

465 gr. with muffler

0.9 hp !


who is okay with me?
Old 12-26-2008, 01:28 PM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Tower is showing it available now, but no replacement parts yet. Pretty cool.
Old 12-26-2008, 01:37 PM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

I got a notice from Tower this morning that they have processed my backorder and are in the process of shipping it. When I get the shipping notice with arrival date I will let you all know.

Bruce
Old 12-29-2008, 06:11 PM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

My local Hobbytown USA didn't even know this plane was being released. I stopped in and asked the manager if they had any Great Planes Escapades coming in and his response was, "Huh?"

Anybody seen the Escapade .40 ARF yet? This looks like a nice sport plane and a great value.
Old 12-29-2008, 09:18 PM
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ChuckW
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

I'm tossing around the idea of getting one. I wouldn't mind a simple, inexpensive sport plane with no cowl, no retracts, etc. that I can just toss in the truck, go to the field and fly the crap out of it.

problem is I really don't need it, I have plenty of planes in the garage and several of them aren't even finished yet.
Old 12-29-2008, 09:41 PM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Yeah ChuckW, I have the same thoughts. It's not too expensive, not too big, has good looks. I'm even thinking a nice 40 in it would be plenty to have fun. I'm waiting to see what replacement parts are going to cost. Tower hasn't listed them yet. Looks like a nice airplane. Hopefully we will see a review.
Old 12-30-2008, 08:12 AM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF


ORIGINAL: landeck

I got a notice from Tower this morning that they have processed my backorder and are in the process of shipping it. When I get the shipping notice with arrival date I will let you all know.

Bruce
I got a notice from UPS that my Escapade will arrive Friday, January 2nd.

Bruce
Old 01-01-2009, 10:19 AM
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

Mine arrived from Tower on the 30th. I've barely looked at the contents since I have a new son born on the 26th, although the covering job looks good. Hey Landeck, when you get yours, how about checking the underside of the wing halves. The picture on the box shows two stripes on the underside of each wing half. Mine has one solid white wing bottom half and the other has the two stripes (red and orange I think). Might be by design, and not a deal breaker by any means, but I was just curious. I've got a .46ax waiting to put in this plane and HOPEFULLY have it ready by spring.
Old 01-01-2009, 11:10 AM
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landeck
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Default RE: Great Planes Escapade .40 ARF

seahwk95, mine is scheduled to arrive tomorrow and I will check then. I plan on putting a OS 46ax in mine too.

Bruce

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