brownlab

I FIGURED OUT WHY MY PREDATOR WOULDNT FLY. The plane is nose heavy. i figured out that if i move the battery back about 1 inch that the cg would be balanced and the front landing gear would still touch the ground. by the way, my plane didnt crash i dropped it.

I ALMOST HAVE ENOUGH $ TO GET ONE OF THESE PLANES
[link=http://www.bananahobby.com/rc1-1020.html]FLYMAN[/link]
[link=http://www.bananahobby.com/1260.html]E2C[/link]
[link=http://www.raidentech.com/maexrcrecowa.html]MARS[/link]
[link=http://www.raidentech.com/bo757aielrar.html]757[/link]
[link=http://www.raidentech.com/prsmmirareco.html]PRESERVER[/link]
[link=http://www.raidentech.com/rarecorcphfl.html]PHANTOM FLYER[/link]
[link=http://www.raidentech.com/sumiflsmrcpl.html]MICROFLYER[/link]
[link=http://www.raidentech.com/miparetoflyr.html]Micro Panther [/link]

brownlab

WHICH ONE DO YOU THINK I SHOULD GET OUT OF THOSE 8 PLANES IN THE POST ABOVE

brownlab

WHICH ONE

Glacier Girl

My Feedback: (4)

Honestly? I wouldn't buy any of them. Unless you are good at modding them to fly, you will be wasting your money. Kinda like the Aero Hogs, until you mod them they are not worth a darn.
You would be better off looking for something with proven flight characteristics. Something that will take some rough abuse and fly well. Like maybe a Cub or something in that catagory.

The ones in your list are all pretty much the same, 2 channel birds, which isn't going to give you a lot of correct flying experience. Also they are not birds to be flown in any kind of wind.

Long time ago I learned to save my money to buy the best I could afford in equipment. Good equipment will let you grow and expand without having to replace everything each time you make a change.

Glacier Girl

My Feedback: (4)

Well I'm the first one to admit when I'm wrong. All along I thought the Predator model had the tails on wrong. Evey pic I had seen of them had the fins downward, none like the model is set up.


Well Look what I found. The Predator B. DUH!!!!!!

brownlab

i am good at moding things. i moded my aero ace to go faster and fly level. i would still have it but a gust of wind took it away. i also stripped off the paint and panted it myself.

are these planes better. they have a video of them flying with the stock setup.
[link=http://www.bananahobby.com/1215.html]busy bee[/link]
[link=http://www.bananahobby.com/1216.html]tb 20[/link]
[link=http://www.bananahobby.com/1151.html]wilga 2000[/link]
[link=http://www.bananahobby.com/1035.html]accipter baudius[/link]
[link=http://www.bananahobby.com/1035.html]me-109[/link]
[link=http://http://www.raidentech.com/3rarecoaiwis1.html]????????[/link]

Glacier Girl

My Feedback: (4)

Better, not real sure about the float plane though. The Badius is actually the Badius 2, the real Badius is a powered glider. It makes a great plane with very few mods needed.


Anyhow, back to the subject. Can you say "U2 Predator version!!!"

Holy crap is this thing big! 74 1/2" from tip to tip.

Got a lot done so far. As you can see the landing gear is in and steering is all set up.
Added some lite ply reinforcements for the gear.
Made the center tail permanent, set up like the V-tail, with pins and epoxy, again added blocks for the pins to engage rather then just the sheeting. And added a metal skid to the tail to protect the prop.

Me like the new design wing setup. Instead of the glass tube in the original, this one has a rectangular aluminum bar, approx 5/16" x 3/16" . And it is strong, I tried to bend it and it is going to take a lot to make it move. Has steel pins in the rear and a neat rubber band attachment in the front to hold the wings to the fuselage. Heck it even comes with a hook tool to hook up the bands.

Nose cover has been redesigned too. Has a pin in the back to go into an installed hole in the fuselage, and in the front is a small hole to install a screw to lock it down. Oh and the cover has a lite ply frame now.

I'll get some more shots and post them later.

Tomorrow I hope to get the motor/servos and such in. Oh and build the camera mount. If it works out I'll be able to pan the camera 180 degrees in flight.

I'm liking this one better then the original, even if I have to add ailerons.

brownlab

holy crap that is big. my predator had a 56 inch wingspan and it stood (wing to wing) up to my neck, so that plane might crush me. by the way did that come from raidentech.

Glacier Girl

My Feedback: (4)

Yeah it's from Raidentech, NitroPlanes has it also.

Well it's ready to maiden tomorrow. Mine isn't as heavily armed as Papa's, but should be able to annoy the bad guys. Two 500 pounders and a gattling gun should keep them on their toes.

Umm, couple of other shots too. Tail, nice already installed hatch, made setting the esc in place a breeze. Umm lower tail fin with skid to keep the prop from hitting.

Wing attachment, aluminum bar spar and pins, plus rubber bands.

Lastly here she is ready to go. I went with a whip antenna just to be different, and hey it's kinda high tech. 500 pounders are leftovers from my P47. The chain gun is home built, actually it's just a cover for the bungee hook. Camera is a CVS hack, 20 min of video and sound.
Got the mount built and can pan nearly 180 degrees, works off the flap control on the tx.
It mounts with two R/E magnets so it's easily removable.

Oh the red canopy? Only place I couldn't get the gray blotch camo off of, that and it had some nasty spots on it.

Only problem I did run into. Neither of the control rods would go through the tubes. Paint in the one end and they were pinched at the other. What a joy it was getting them out and replacing em.

Well wish me luck tomorrow.

brownlab

what is the best rtf under 100$ youve ever flown or seen. im 12 so im sort of broke right now.

jerryboy111

it's back in stock [link=http://www.nitroplanes.com/4eluavrqprra.html]here[/link]. just getting into all this flying thing and man, this papajeff dude is awesome!

chrishornby

The current status of my predator is as in the attachment. Pilot error.
I have just received the missiles (recommended by Papajeff) in the post and cant make up my mind whether to repair this one or get another. I will probably do both and then I will have 2!
Just seen your pictures on the Nitromodels site, they were awesome and prompted me to order another pred. You should get your commission Papa!

Chris

papajeff

Chris,

It seems that we all learn from experience, right? And sometimes the not so good experiences teach us the most. Sorry to see your nice Predator in such bad shape. I like your idea, though, and two Predators will give you some extra parts, should the need arise, which I hope does not become necessary again!

Thank you for the kind words and I was surprised to see the photos, also. I'm pleased that Nitro thought enough to include them and hope that it will assist them with some positive results, now that the Predator is back in stock. I'm glad that you received your bombs & missles already. Boy,
you sure did not waste any time getting them and I look forward to seeing them on your repaired and/or new Predator. Take care.

brownlab

thats what mine looked like after the damage

hardyct

Papa,

I've been watching this post evolve over the past few months. I'm greatful for your assistance with this build. I've ordered my predator and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. Can you please post your recommendations as far as powerplant, esc, battery and anything else I may have forgotten?? I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Chris

brownlab

im not papa but i see some brushless motor, esc, prop combos at unitedhobbies.com for 14 dollas. YEEEAAAHHHH

papajeff

Thanks for your interest and I appreciate your comment. For powering your Predator, the set-up from post 4 & 5 of this thread has worked just fine for me. In the next few days or so, I will be testing some different Flight Power packs which are their EVO 25 series (25C) and I really feel that this will make an improvement in the flight characteristics. I will let you know what the results are.

Hunter850

My Feedback: (1)

Just placed an order for a Predator after reading through the thread as well as an email from Nitromodels.

Looks like a great flyer for airborne video.

With the weight problems aft and having to add some lead, I am hoping my wireless videio system will compensate nicely.


Nice writeup papajeff with some really good upgrades on the build.

Kevin

papajeff

Thanks Kevin, I'm pleased that you enjoyed this build and I know that you will also enjoy your new Predator. I am confident that it will be a great platform for your airborne video. I really never had a problem with the weight distribution on such a long narrow fuselage. With the set-up of the electronics that was used (motor and ESC at the tail & battery, Rx, servos and switch in the nose), this Predator just needed 1/2 oz. of weight in the nose. The correct CG balance for you should depend upon the size and weight of your video system. Have you chosen it yet and if so, which one will you be using? By the way, all of the armament (borrowed!!!!! from my Grandsons) and the special heat-seeking, infrared dome had no effect on the weight at all.

brownlab

i might quit rc planes. my luck sucks with those things. except the aero ace. im switchin to buggys, after i get another aero ace

papajeff

Hey, we have all gone thru what you are experiencing. The issue is not one of luck, it's just like riding a bike. You try and try and try again, but you keep falling over, so you try those training wheels. Now you get the feeling of riding your bike on two wheels and whey you are ready, off come the training wheels...............and you have learned to ride a two wheeler. See, you never give up.....so how about "Back to basics?"
What I mean is this; it's suggested that you consider getting a decent starter plane like this one http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HBZ2600 from Horizon or another one just like it. Now, if you do get one, just go and fly it, first reading the instructions, and then fly it again and again and again! Get it????? Practice ---practice --- practice and after a week or two you will begin to enjoy flying a lot! That's back to basics and you have the talent to accomplish this. Then, when you feel comfortable, get an
intermediate type of plane and do the same thing with that plane. You can do this and still fly your Aero Ace, right? Remember, you are young and have plenty of time to learn anything that might interest you, just do it and never give up!

brownlab

[link=http://www.raidentech.com/rcrercnigasc.html]nitro buggy[/link]firebird scout? 50 bucks, free shipping, advantagehobby.com.my aero ace was taken by the wind, thats the term under my posts "the wind is a planes worst enemy". im getting one of these ( right now ive saved about 80 dollars, maybe i should get a tank) :[link=http://advantagehobby.com/product.php?productid=25090&cat=24&page=1]firebird scout[/link][link=http://advantagehobby.com/product.php?productid=34260&cat=24&page=1]air raider[/link]
[link=http://www.bananahobby.com/1205.html]alligator tank[/link]]:
[link=http://www.raidentech.com/marcaicrarec.html]mars[/link]
[link=http://www.raidentech.com/ex1scoffroym.html]elec truggy[/link]

papajeff

Brownlab,

Now you're talking.......the Firebird Scout would be my choice. Also, the one that has a little bigger wing span, but the same shape, might be
slightly better as it tends to glide somewhat smoother and that is good for landings. Let me know what you decide. Just keep at it and I know that you will succeed!

Hunter850

My Feedback: (1)

Papajeff, I have a video system from Future hobbies. I initally had a 2.4ghz but have switched over to spectrum radio. Because of that I returned my 2.4 mhz and swapped it out for a 900 mhz system.

specs : PRODUCT DETAILS:
12VDC System Operation
Operation channels: 0.910-0.980-1.010 & 1.040
KX-131 with 3.6mm lens
900MHz 12v-500mw transmitter
900MHz 4 channel receiver w/ Li-Poly battery
System harness with gold pin connectors
600mAh Li-Poly battery
Audio: upgradeable with system harness
Dongle style antennas for RX & TX
RCA Cable
Battery charging cable
Receiver AC charger
Onboard weight: 7 ounces

I also have a set of video goggles and plan on flying via FPV ( First Person Video) eventually. I have been following the threads over at RC Groups for quite a while now but have yet to attempt it fully. Flying with an easystar for now.


brownlab,

read your posts and I am sorry to hear about your mishaps. You must realize that in anything you do it takes time to get good at it. In rc flying you eventually have to crash, it is all part of the learning curve.

The best pilots in the world crash. I have crashed my planes and my helis and my boats. I do not have any buggys but friends of mine do and they crash them all the time.

Being 12 years old and getting into rc flying is great. Certainly not to young to start. There is a five year old that flys helis as good as the best pilots out there and he has a brother at 3 who can fly a plane just as good.

Remember patience is the key and as papajeff said never give up but if you have to step back a bit and start again that is what it is all about.

If we were all great at everything we did right off the bat then things in life would be very boring.

Firebird or something similar is an excellent platform to get back into flying. Do a bit of research before buying as there are many good planes to start flying with. I think we get caught up in what really looks neat and not what is practical especially when starting off into a new hobby.


Kevin

brownlab

i went through 12 planes. oh yeah most of those planes i got because they looked good. im thinking about getting into micros since they usually fly stock and arent heavy enough to do damage. but im still going to get a tank just to fool around with(shoot squirrels).