corvettez06

My Feedback: (8)

I am looking to get into a more aerobatic plane. I have been flying my Escapade 61 for some time now and am wanting to get someting a little more powerful, larger, scale, and a little more capable. I am looking at the Great Planes 27% Edge 540 1.60-43cc ARF.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXTYJ0&P=ML

The reasons I like it are that it is a great price, looks good, and a decent size. I am also looking to power it with an OS 1.60FX or DLE 30-55cc. I like the fact that the glow won't require any chopping up of the cowl, however, it is messy.

Are either the OS 160 or DLE 35 going to be underpowered? The OS is a recommended engine in the manual.

Also, is this a decent airframe or one that should be avoided?

Advice?

Thanks.

Smasher12

Aeroworks is the only way to go!

Dick T.

My Feedback: (243)

Absolutely nothing wrong with this combination especially it being your first larger aerobat. This ARF quality is excellent and the OS 1.60 will power it beyond your expectations. It will also be on the lighter end of the weight range with the OS.

While Aeroworks makes good stuff it is not the only way to go. For a comparable ARF their price plus shipping will buy you both the GP ARF and the OS combined. And the GP ARF is a little more durable.

Go for it.

Dick T.
1996 C4 w/55k miles.

corvettez06

My Feedback: (8)

Dick, thanks for the response. Very informative and very helpful. Thanks.

Smasher12

Ok I give it to him aeroworks are pricey and not real durable because they build them so light. But VERY high quality and easy to set up and be flying in short amount of time. I don't know much about GP but I'm sure it's good stuff too

corvettez06

My Feedback: (8)

I did look into Aeroworks and they are nice but pricey. Maybe down the road I can look into getting one.

bbbair

Go GAS!

Get the DLE (or keep your money at home and get a DA 50), once you get into the larger Nitro engines they suck up fuel like you would not believe. [:'(]

Given that Nitro fuel is 3-4 times the cost of Gas and the mess of the caster on your BIG NEW PLANE!... Gas is the way to go.

YES! there will be a learning curve - what else is new? Once you get into Gas you will wonder 'What took you so long?'

They tune easily, HOLD the tune, MUCH less to operate and the initial price is comparable to a similarly sized Glow engine.

Happy Landings!

nitro wing

My Feedback: (1)

Gasoline is the way, many good affordable engines
get yourself a 30-35 or 50-60cc engine and a 30cc or 50cc airframe

Do not put the 55cc in the GP Edge, bad, overloaded combo.

If you want the GP edge go 30-light 40cc gas or the 1.60 OS, which is a powerhouse and will keep things light and agile, and its not bad on fuel if tuned right, and is happy with low 5% nitro

Dick T.

My Feedback: (243)

A 30cc gasser is a good fit too if you want to go that way. However if you aren't ready to make that kind of a change then stick with glow if more comfortable.

The OS 1.60 and Super Tigre 2300 make similar power with about $100.00 difference in price. Neither are fuel hogs when properly tuned unless you are a full throttle all the time flyer.

Fuel vs. gas cost can be a consideration although that argument gets overblown. Of course glow fuel cost more and can leave more residue but gasoline isn't the answer to every airframe and personal like.

In my personal hangar anything above a 1.60 gets a gasser, 1.60 and below get glow. Better fit in the appropriate airframes and operating cost are a non-issue with me.

Do what is comfortable for you.

corvettez06

My Feedback: (8)

Thanks for all the responses. Dick T, I see you have a 1996 vette. My dad has a 1996 collector convertible and I have a 99 convertible. Great cars.

Anyway, I think I will get the GP Egde 540 and I am leaning toward the os 160. Operating costs really aren't an issue for me and if I do go with the 160fx, I can always swap it out later for the dle.

Jason

Dick T.

My Feedback: (243)

Good move to stay with what you know when moving to a different style of airframe. Swapping engines later is always an option. I suggest you order an extra cowl to have on hand if you do change engines later. Parts do run out once an ARF is discontinued so it can be frustrating. I have spare cowls for most of my ARF's but missed out on a few.

Have been a Vette owner since 1969, stopped buying them with the '96. Getting too creaky to easily get out of the darned things!

nitro wing

My Feedback: (1)

good choice on the plane and motor
The 1.60 is quite a brute.
You will likely find that the stock muffler is a huge unsightly thing, and end up with a Pitts style- Bisson or slimline muffler instead.
Some of the OS 160 run less powerfull on these exhausts, lacking pressure to deliver fuel correctly in some cases.

In the past, people have crimped the pipe or even plugged one of the 2 outlets, thats a "hack" way to do it
Instead, install a Perry VP30 pump ( cheap) and enjoy super reliable running during any aerobatic and 3D moves.
Good available prop is the APC 18x6W
It starts easily on a wet primed carb by a leather gloved hand.
Tie it down or have another person assist with starting, this size motor can do serious injury.
Best to use metal gear servos too, no Karbonite gears.
Use a single A123 2300mh to run all the servos.
Enjoy.

Giant_Scale_Gasser

My Feedback: (84)

I have a Great Planes 25% (81" Span) Yak54 with a G45 on it and it is an amazing airplane. Very similar in all aspects to your 540.

Zenoah G45 with a 20x8 prop. A single 2500mah Life on the radio system, inexpensive Hitec 645s will be do the job in the servo department for all but the super high alpha stuff. A single 2000Mah Ni-Mh on the ignition nets a minimum of 8 flights a day.

She is a big baby to land (even in a direct crosswind blowing 10-12 gusting to 18), takes off in 20 feet and can tumble & rotate with the best of them. GP makes a good piece. You'll be happy with the 540.

flycatch

My Feedback: (26)

My setiments exactly!

zacharyR

My Feedback: (5)

Honslty AVOIDED .. its a heavy sport plane at best and there is just better airframes out there probly for less money , it's aslo a horriable size it's is a odd ball to ..

id pick pilot 30cc edge over this thing any day and i think this thing is like border line discountined so then you'll have a good time geting parts

its really just outdated sport plane you can buy it but just expect it to be what it is

nitro wing

My Feedback: (1)

Zach
If he keeps it light, its probably not a bad next step for him, he is flying a 60 escapade now, so the improvements are considerable.
If he was chasing a good 3D bird, I would likely have steered him away from it too.

True about being borderline discontinued, but you never know.
I still have one of the H9 260, been around 4 ever.
Many also say its only a sport aerobat, mostly true. I built mine super light and it is able to perform some decent 3D stuff with confidence and is fun to fly with unlimited aerobatics.
Sure, I have more able planes that make 3D alot easier.

But for strong aerobatics these large glow planes can perform very well if set up proper.
The pilot edge would be a strong consideration.

bafflerback

My Feedback: (6)

I'm currently flying that airplane. I've had it about 4 years. It was originally powered with an OS BGX. I flew it so may times that I wore the engine out. It's now powered with a DLE 30. I can't tell any difference in the way it flys but I had to take the servos out of the tail and move them forward. The BGX was an lead weight compaired to the DLE. It really doesn't need the 50. But there is an old saying. If a little horsepower is good, than alot is better and too much is perfect. I'd build another and go gas.

eddieC

My Feedback: (2)

The GP is a more durable airframe for everyday sport flying. I agree about the 30cc gasser being an ideal match - not a 3D airplane, but great sport plane. 
Back in the day, we flew Midwest 1/4-scale Extras on Moki 1.80's, then 2.10's when they came out. One could go through 3/4 of a gallon of glow fuel in a day no problem.
Go gas. Less mess.  [8D]

zacharyR

My Feedback: (5)

the landing gear's so so also


it's two pice inst it ?

fly24-7

That airplane is solid. I'd put in a DLE 35 or an O.S. 33 GT.

zacharyR

My Feedback: (5)

think of his taste in movies ... would you hold his taste of airframes .. vary high ?

Lightspeed1551

My Feedback: (4)

They came out with a rear exhaust DLE 55. It would make for a clean cowl install and lots of 3D power.

http://dle-engines.com/dleg0455.html

wyo69cowboy

My Feedback: (2)

Though I've never been around this GP Edge in person, I'd bet with a new DLE35 and a single battery setup like the TechAero IBEC or RCEXL kill switch/BEC, it'd fly nicely. I think the big knock on this airplane is that it's a single piece, 78" wing. Might present tranport issues for some...

zacharyR

My Feedback: (5)

just another reason the pilot 30cc edge is suprior to this thing ..


and the guy talking about the dle55ra for this plane it's not big enough for that motor

wyo69cowboy

My Feedback: (2)

I'd agree the Pilot's (or 3dhs or EF ) are better, but this plane IS on sale right now for $300...kinda tempting even for me for a 30cc "basher"...