jfeenin
Posts: 194
Joined: 8/20/2007
From: Conesus, NY, USA
Status: offline
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Hello all.
I am currently looking to build me first giant scale (barely) RC plane. I've flown smaller glow powered 60 and 90 scale Caps, Ultimates, Warbirds and the like before but now I am looking for something a little bigger and gas powered. I am limited to something 78" or shorter because my truck bed is a short one and thats what I have to transport it in.
I've done a lot of looking around and asking a friend who also flies these sized planes and larger (he pointed me here) and I think I have have some idea of the type and size of setup I want but I will throw it out here and see what input those with more experience in this type of aircraft might have to say.
First off I am definitely looking for an ARF. They may not have the worls best build quality compared to a world class builder but I am not a world class builder. Not to mention I have a lot of experience with ARF's and I know what to watch out for with them (glue joints, crap hardware etc.) so I am comfortable going that route.
This is my first gas engine venture too and I will be adding a spread spectrum radio to the mix as well and all tolled it's going to be expensive so I have to get this right the first time.
So given all of that here's the type of basic setup I am looking at to begin with...
Radio - Spektrum DX7
Plane - GP Patty Wagstaff Extra 1/4 scale or Dave Patrick Edge 540 (or similar, exact plane I haven't narrowed down yet but am leaning towards the GP Extra right now)
Engine - Fuji Imvac BT50EI or DA50
Prop - Carbon Fiber Mejzlik of appropriate pitch and size depending on motor chosen. I am also considering CF main gear and tail wheel assemblies.
To this I will add the standard metal gear high torque servos and replace most of the hardware etc.
So my questions are:
- Are those engines appropriate size for decent performance out of this sized plane? I want decent power but I also am wary of too large of a motor and increasing the wing loading to the point the plane is unfriendly. I'd like the thrust:weight ratio of at least 1.5:1 and preferably close to 2:1 but I know I won't quite get there with either of these engines. Should I go with a larger motor, say the BT50EI or something?
- The DA50 lists it's weight at 3.13LBS with standoffs and the Fuji at 4.7 pounds with "Engine, Muffler & Bolt, EIS,Prop Flange & Bolt". Now that's not exactly apples to apples since the DA isn't including the muffler etc. and the Fuji lists it's weight as 3.5 pounds engine alone which makes me think the weight difference may not be all that great in real life installations. So how much heavier is the Fuji BT50EI really in a complete setup vs the DA50-R in a complete setup? Has anyone used both? What about reliability of both? Since where I will be flying is noise sensitive and I will have to be using a canister type muffler anyway the engine only weight means more to me. Would the Fuji be appropriate for this plane? Would the DA be better? Specifically is it the $130 price difference better?
- What about these planes? Are they decent quality ARF's for this size? More importantly are they decent fliers? I don't want to end up with a $1500 plane that I can't land without it wanting to snap roll on me.
I would love to hear comments from people who have these planes and similar engine sizes and hear how they perform.
< Message edited by jfeenin -- 9/6/2007 1:13:38 AM >
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Joe
http://starbase4.com/
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Giant Scale Newbie looking for experienced advice. - 
