BloomAce

My Feedback: (2)

I am putting a Super Tiger 90 2 stroke in mine.

builder jim

Ive been reading the threads here and the other post and can see that the saito100 and os91 seem to be the eng of choice, but am presently sitting here with a new os70 fourstrke and a os 120 fs, tower offers the combo with the 70 and Iam thinking the 120 is a bit much, but with the 120, could run the three blade to lesson the power and really use throttle control, Iknow, when in trouble the throttle control goes away 1st and becomes a powered crash! maybe you guy's thoughts on these engine choices? would run the 120 inverted, save a cowl! thanks........... JIM

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Given a choice between a 70 and a 120, I would go with the 120

You could always add a smoker to give it more weight!!!

SkyDemon

As requested by TheVirginian, here are pictures of the cowl with measurements.

I'm going to have to call Tower Hobbies, the cowl has a couple small cracks and dents in it from the hardware bag that was just banging around itside it during shipping. I'm surprised, GP usually does a much better job packing. I'm going to go over the rest of it tonight to check for damages. I've always had excellent customer support from Tower Hobbies though, and hope it continues.

ghost-RCU

My Feedback: (10)

I didn't notice any cracks in my cowl but, it has a very thin coat of paint on it & feels very fragile. The packing is not up to Great Planes standards in my opinion also. The covering on my plane has many wrinkles in it and its not applied very well. There are many where one color covering is over another color and I,m not sure I will be able to remove them without shrinking one so much that it pulls away from the other. Great Planes may be getting this one back. Their quality from my experience has been much better than this. Maybe this is what I get for ordering one from the first production run.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I just got one and it looks great.

Ghost, go easy on the heat if you use a gun. Once it smooths out, put the iron to it

SkyDemon

You are right about how thin the material on the cowling is. I just went up and checked the cowling for the Phoenix SeaBee I'm building, and that is very solid.

For the most part I'm pretty happy with the covering job, just a few wrinkles, though I'll probably use some clear nail polish on some of the covering over covering, and lots of fine bubbles under the layer over layers. They could have done a better job with the sanding before covering....but it's an ARF. I didn't find any more damage that a little work with the iron won't take care of I hope.

I wonder how long it will take for a replacement cowling, though I'm not in a big rush to get this built....still need to get servo's.

Do you guys think standard servo's are strong enough for this?

Mike

MormonMike

My Feedback: (2)

Ditto here also guys. My cowls got cracks plus a blister ready to chip. Let's see how their customer service helps. MM

Danh4

My Feedback: (5)

Tower's customer service came through for me, I found that the wood of both wingtips on my lower wing panels was cracked under the covering and they are sending me a new set. They must have been damaged when the covering was applied because there is no damage to the box and they were packed right next to the upper panels which had no damage. Better check yours!

SkyDemon

Tower said they don't stock just the cowls, so I have to call GP, or ship back the entire plane [>:]. I checked the plane over pretty good...just the cowl needs to be replaced.

BloomAce

My Feedback: (2)

I checked my pieces tonight everything looked fine. I agree the cowl looks fragile.
I will probably start assembly it tomorrow night. I usually put in a hour or two at a time.

If anybody else has pictures while they are building their please post or any problems that you encounter.

Thanks.

cstevenpeterson

My Feedback: (21)

Just received mine - the covering is perfect! It has to be the nicest ARF I have bought with respect to covering and workmanship. Even the fuelproofing on the firewall looks like a fine furniture finish - never had an ARF like that! It' s interesting how some come through like this and others have problems. I do however, also have a few cracks in the cowl from the hardware bag. They are not bad and in light of the post above, I guess I won't bother trying to get a replacement. I can always reinforce and repaint if necessary. Unfortunately for me, I won't be able to assemble this bird right now and give you folks any feedback on that aspect of it, as I need to replace the roof on my house - it's one of those nights and weekend jobs.[]

cstevenpeterson

My Feedback: (21)

After submitting my previous post, I thought, "what the heck - I'll contact GP anyway". Well, I received a response that a new one (cowl) will be sent to me from the factory within a few weeks. Can't beat that!

Steve

builder jim

MINNFLYER, thank you for your responce, am just hoping that the 120 will do ok as am not in the habbit of over powering aircraft. but Ihappen to have this eng and it would save some money to use it, will keep reading the postings. thanks again......JIM

Shocker1000

My Feedback: (2)

Could someone post some pictures of their plane I'm dying to see it!

thevirginian

SkyDemon,
Thank you very much for your help measuring the cowl for me.[sm=thumbup.gif]

ekir

My Feedback: (1)

I went by a local hobby shop today and took a look at the Great Planes Skybolt. The ARf looked very good. That being said, I have not purchased an ARF in over five years. The covering looked very good. I do not think I can cover that well and I have been building and covering model airplanes for many years.

Has anyone started assembling this aircraft? If so, any problem areas in the Skybolt.

Thanks

Ed

Barry_DVRC

Mine arrived today. Obviously I have no idea how well it will all fit together yet. But I am amazed at the quality, all the way down to the included aluminum spinner. Covering is good with no bad spots. I like the way they edged where the squares meet the solid red with a white seperator. The cowl (no damage) is a one piece fiberglass type and if mounted in several places should hold up quite well.
Weight seems to have been in question so...(too much time on my hands)....I weighed it.
Well all of it except the Fuz, my scale wont go that high. Would somone please weigh the empty Fuz for me please.

Fuselage = Unknown
Canopy = 1.61oz
Wing top = 13.78oz
Wing Bott = 12.81oz
Tail plane + Elevators = 3.39oz
Fin + Rudder = 1.61oz
Wheel Pants = 2.03oz
Cowl = 2.36oz
Struts = 1.86oz
Wire = 3.89oz
Tank = 3.06oz
Spinner = 1.77oz
UC Main = 5.00oz
Cabines + H/W = 4.13oz
Wheels (3) = 1.29oz
H/W bag = 9.68oz

For a total without the Fuz of........ 4lb 4oz

Add to that an Engine
OS FS-91 II w/pump = 24.6oz
OS FS-120 III w/pump = 35.3oz
Saito FA-125A = 24.7oz

Or my choice
YS FZ-110 = 25.7oz

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Ok, I don't usually say too much about a plane that I am reviewing until after the review goes live, but I'll give you a sneak-preview of some of the pics.

My overall impression of this plane is great. The cowl may be a bit thin, but it's no better or worse than 90% of the ARF's out there. However, the Wheel Pants are OUTSTANDING!!!!

Assembly is going great, the only hassle has been putting the cabane struts in the fuse - Don't add the cross-members till AFTER the uprights are bolted in place or you'll never get them in.

MormonMike

My Feedback: (2)

Hey you guys, Here's real good customer service ! I too had a bad cowl, called for a replacement and without question, they sent another one next day air. Unfortunetly, they sent one for the "kit" version you have to build. Called them again and an ARF one is on the way. I tried to send back the kit cowl but they insisted I keep it for a build it spare. Nice people MM

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

That's one of the nice things about dealing with Horizon and Tower. Some people have complained in the past, but I've had nothing but great customer service from both of them

BloomAce

My Feedback: (2)

I have hinged my wings and installed the servos into the wings so far.

thekosz

I just bought mine Friday and will be test flying it later today, construction was a breeze everything went together nicely except for the cabane struts, definitely do not add the cross bars till after the mains are in, I will be using my RCV 91-cd motor for this plane, with motor the plane ways ( this is on a bathroom scale) 7 3/4 lbs, will post more after the test flight, wish me luck.

Barry_DVRC

Now that's news I can use......7 3/4 lb
Mines gonna go ballistic on a YS 110

Do I need to duct tape around the two wings to hold the top one on?

Barry

Barry_DVRC

thekosz,
Can you pleas make a measurement for me if you get time?

With the plane sitting on it's wheels and the tail held up so that the wings/body are roughly parallel to the floor. What is the distance between the point of the spinner and the ground?

Thanks

Barry