Bob Mears

FYI, I purchased an electric Clown from Brodak last Christmas. Since then I have flown over 50 flights. Its a bit heavy and flys as such, but its really been a ball to fly. I can get home from work, not even have to change clothes, grab three precharged batteries, plane, and lines and run to the close school and put in three flights. It will run long enough, and complete the full AMA pattern. The motor mount area is a bit weak and I would suggest a bit of fiberglass to stiffin it up. The little cowl covers it up so its easy to do and doesnt show. I'm really surprised how much I enjoy the little thing. I normally only fly combat models. But the change I guess make it fun. Anyway, I would suggest this airplane to anyone flying control line.

Bob Mears

BtnFlyGuy

Thanks for the review. I've been thinking about electric since I met a local flyer who flies serious electric power in his .60 size Akromaster. the Brodak setup looks good to me.

xby-1

I've been flying an electric clown for a number of years. I've tried diffferent motors, the best set up i've found is the ST .10 (yes it is an electric motor), 3s 1300mah battery. This setup is reasonably light and flies as well or better as a glow powered Clown.

Don B.H.

But the smell of the nitro, the rumble of the engine, how can you live with out all that ?

Don B.H.

I have been thinking of trying one of these...

da Rock

Pictures would be great !

What motor, ESC, etc did you use, Bob?

Bob Mears

I dont have a clue. Whatever Brodak sent with the kit. I'm sure it was a 40A speed control, and there's no marking on the motor. Its pulling a 10x6 prop

GallopingGhostler

"I love the smell of nitro in the morning; it is the smell of victory." There's something intoxicating about burnt 2 cycle model plane fuel exhaust.

Bob Mears

Yes, i still love the nitro. But there's something about grabbing a plane, lines, and battery, not having to change clothes, and run to the school for a couple of quick flights, and not having to clean anything up. I'm getting used to it.

Gungadin

Edited see next post

Gungadin

Hi Bob

I hear what your saying. The last two Ohio flying seasons were electric control line for me, and after over 200 flights I can say I am used to it. And I like it. I was weaned on Missle Mist, and I love the aroma of glow 2 strokes, but I'll settle for being around "other peoples" glow engined airplanes from now on. After more than 50 yrs of glow 2 strokes I think I've been converted to E-Power for the future. Things change.

aspeed

I have to admit my friends .15 size motor went pretty good in his F2D combat.  It  was about the power of a weaker .15, and a bit heavier with the 2200 mah batteries.  It went pretty good, I was kind of impressed.(til the battery fell out and wrecked the speed controller)  I worry about a crash, and the speed controller or especially the battery igniting.

Bob Mears

I tried this one the other day. trying to get it to run 75mph and surprise my buddies at the next contest. So far its only running about 63

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glb_Ku3q5cA

aspeed

I turned on the speaker for the computer.  That was a waste of time.  That is about how fast my friends went.  It was still pretty good.

GallopingGhostler

Electric flight CL has its place, particularly in congested areas where people may even complain about muffled nitro engines.

I remember one time that a flyer in Orange County, CA had someone complain about his noisy flying in a public park. When police officer arrived, this park flier plane was up very high and on dead stick. Commented that she didn't know what the complaint was about and left.

Bob Mears

And that was an old slow combat model. 5" nose, 54" wingspan

GallopingGhostler

The video impressed me. Electric flight has come a long way to the point it is practical and viable, and particularly for such a large plane. I'm impressed. [8D]

Bob Mears

Here's what I'm running on clown and combat plane and on sale! great deal! I gave about $250.00 for this setup a couple of years ago.
http://brodak.com/electric-power-pac...ude-plane.html

GallopingGhostler

Bob, that Brodak setup seems really nice and a good way to get into electric flying, especially at the offered price.

Bob Mears

I put that setup on a Flite Streak ARF. Really a nice flying airplane.

fix-n-fly

My Feedback: (1)

You got my attention. I have a Goldberg Shoestring stunter that has a OS FP 25. I'd like to convert it over to electric. Would the Brodak setup work and how hard would it be to convert?

Bob Mears

I answered your question a couple of days ago, dont know why it didnt show up??? Anyway, Yes it would be an easy conversion. Make a set of motor mounts out of 90* angle aluminum and bolt to each side of the fuselage. Then just drill it to match the motor mount that comes with the motor kit. I cut a hole in the wing to mount the battery. Once I cut the hole I just dropped the ESC inside the wing. This motor mount didnt hold up when I put a bad ass motor on there and cot me several stitches in my thumb. So now I have the aluminum. Dont have any pics of those though, but here's a pic of the Flite Streak I converted.

Bob Mears

BTW, i also built a nacelle to cover everything out of a water bottle. I mounted the time outside on the fuse so it was easy to get to to make adjustments.

fix-n-fly

My Feedback: (1)

Hi Bob - thanks for the reply and information. Brodak has the setup on sale for $115.00 so I may try it. Did you go all the way through the leading edge to cut a hole for the battery? Your photo says a lot, but I have no idea how thick the battery is.

Bob Mears

I cut 1/2 way through the leading edge, then added plywood backing on it for some support. I also added a floor for the battery to sit in. And as you can see in the pic, a plywood top to the fuse, then hold it all in with a velcro strap. My first attempt I used 3/16 balsa on the top. Bad plan. Shot the battery out on the first outside loop.
The elect clown actually totally removes the leading edge, and bits of the spar get chipped away every time you insert the battery. I keep waiting for the outboard wing to fold. But so far, so good.