NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

Has anyone seen thse new ARF's from FLYBOYhobbies ?[8D]
The Me163 is a .60 sized plane and the B&V 141 is a 26CC plane.
From my perspective, these are perfect size airplanes!!!...I know they also make a 1.20 sized chipmunk too.
I just wish they'd make a 1.20 zise d F4F Wilcat fighter, yak 9 or Me109G and start to give the nitromodels guys a run for their money, as i'm assuming these planes are of the same class & quality.
I know nothing of the quality of these planes, so I can't comment on the price, but it seems a lil' high.
I watched the videos on their website and the guys who were flying them have problems landing planes, they should really get better pilots if they want to sell these planes.
I'm pleased to see some more unusual planes (ARF's) of this size out on the market.
I'd love to hear feedback from anyone who has one.

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

dude , they do make the planes in question and less quality and cheaper then CMP/Nitro .There all over ebay and on Ak models site thru ALex .Flyboys is the biggest copy company of CMP, go to there home base site in China . They show all there planes , I picked up the Hellcat for $69 plus shipping on Ebay , total sale was $109 .Also look at the nitro site , they usually list CMp and two or three copies , who do you think made the copies ??? now I dont knwo if Nitro will continue to sell Flyboy plane now that they are exclusive with CMP
Lou

Evil_Merlin

My Feedback: (13)

You know that Me-163 isn't so bad... it could easily be cleaned up if someone can make a slightly better cowling.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

I think it's cool that this company does such unusual subjects.

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

me too...i was going to do a kitbuild of both the Me163 and the B&V 141, but now they make an ARF, I can spend my time, simply bashing the thing into the type of plane I want it to me..
I really hope they continue comming out with more odd WWII birds.

I knew Willhobby planes were cheaper knock-off of the CMP planes~It kindof worries me thatt there are copies of copies of copies out there.
The nice thing is that i've seen no-one make these particular planes yet.
I'd really like to see how the muffler is set up on that Me163.v[8D]

LDM

My Feedback: (15)

Long story but CMP was imported exclusively by Giant Scale planes in Pa . For years he was selling CMP planes under his brand for about $100 more then they go for now . Then as CMP sales slipped thru GSP , his shipping started to go up and up . As a result he received a bad rap and sales dipped to the point that CMP started selling thru Nitro , AK and a few others . GSP then went to China and tried an exclusive deal for all composite planes thru willshobby .
The deal fell thru because wills was selling direct on ebay under NewYork grace --there total crap reputation led to there ebay demise and now there plane are closeing out at really low prices on Nitro and other sites .Example-- the seafury , nice plane , very cheap price on Nitros web .

As far as flyboys , its the way of the world in China , copy copy copy , there site shows the same P40 , B25 and other planes that Nitro carrys under the CMP label and other labels .The really nice AT6 is copied from CMP and can be seen on the Nitro site . I dont know for sure if the Nitro copies are from Flyboy or not but there posted on the home site of Flyboys web page in China .
Listed as Flymodels.com

Lastly , some of the planes started as sportman avation , once sold by Hobby Shack now hobby people , there P40 with the P51 style retracts from Nitro was the original Hobby Shack -sportman P40 , so they all come back sooner or later .
Theres one guy selling on RCU that is about $100 more then Nitro on the same planes ---ie P40 , I dont get that business model or why he is selling them that high , he is out of Texas .
Good luck with your purchase

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

I've moved into all gasoline planes, but I ordered a Me163 (I have an older OS60FP laying around) instead of the B&V 141...I'll do a down and dirty build and post all.
I'm sure the plane is pretty basic, but I want to fly her 1st before I start adding speed breaks and flaps.
I will however make the wheels come off on TO, so I 'll build a spring loaded skid to land on.
[8D]

Sean

ticketec

My Feedback: (2)

Hey NoFlaps,

Do you have a link to were you ordered them from? I have one of the Joe sattia 80" Me-163 to build but i am looking for a .60 sized warbird and i love the Me-163.... a new cowl and paintjob should be all it needs.

Thanks

dave

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

ticketec,
This is the link for model Airplane news:

http://209.196.57.92/ME2/dirmod.asp?...&ntier2=Planes

And the Me163 plans:

http://209.196.57.92/ME2/dirmod.asp?...archField=&p=4

on a sinilar subject, here's a link to RCM's plan page:

http://www.rcmmagazine.com/store/sto...gVkoCQSyg5z5o4
But they don't have a good Me163


Here's a link for a US company that will laser cut plans for you (They also have some already cut and in various kit forms):

http://www.kitcutters.com/

Good lick !

jmohn

Pretty cool looking planes, but come on get some better pilots : ) At least don't post the video of such poor flying and expect to sell planes.


Jeff

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

Jmohn,
Exactly ! I can't help laughing when I watch those videos...especially the Me163 that porpoises in then hits too hard and bounces into the shrubs/ grass.

ticketec

My Feedback: (2)

Hey Noflaps,

Thanks for those links. I was looking for the website for flymodels to get some more info on these ARF's

Trying to find it i somehow got sent to a porn site[:@][:@] I was at work too so i'm now expecting a slap on the wrist from my boss after the IT guys send through "breach of company policy" email... well, thinking of how i'm gonna explain my way out of this one


The good news it i found it in the end after i when home and used my computer there... slight less explaining to do to the wifey if it happens at home, and i don't get warnings on my file So for anyone else how is looking...

www.flyboymodels.com

Thanks

dave

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

Sorry, I thought you meant the plans

ticketec

My Feedback: (2)

No prob's mate,

My current plan of attack is " oh, i thought this flyboymodels were making A330 parts for airbus!"

don't know how well it will hold up.

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

Okay, So I contacted those guys at Flyboyshobbies, and I asked a few questions to which the reply was, "I haven't looked at the instructions yet to know the answer".
I also asked about the availability of spare parts...I was told that parts should be available, but if they were not in stock, it shout only take about 4 weeks to get the necessary bits.
For what it's worth, there you have it..[8D]

ivancant

So, has anyone had the opportunity to buy one of these yet? I am interested in the 163. I thought about the possibility of a ducted fan, but soon realized that there is no intake. Humm. I have never been a big fan of the prop-on-a-jet theme. I agree that it would be interesting little project with a very small fuel tank to simulate the real thing. I see that they have posted the assembly instructions on their website. Kinda leaves a little to be desired. There are some really good pics on the web for some detailing work. The covering screams for a coat of dull. if anyone has played with these arfs yet, please post your experiencies.

Brent

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

Mine arrived yesterday (Me163).
Overall, it doesn't look too bad (hardware is always marginal on these things) but the glasswork looks good, and I know that I couldn't do as good of a build/ covering job.
I thought the bottom was grey, but it's actually silver (like the real ones late in the war).
It seems to be of descent quality and pretty well built for what it is.
Here are some pics:

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

And more pics:

It's rather interesting...The cockpit/ radio access is on a spring loaded pin (see tope of fuse) right behind the top rear of canopy.
the Rudder has what looks to be nice Robart style point hinges.
The markings leve a bit to be desired.
Overall, it seems rather nice and VERY lightweight.
I've tried to include pics to illustrate structure, quality and enugh info for modelers to make educated guessses for themselves about it.

I too have never been much of a fan regarding propjets (althouh this makes my 3rd )...
For effect, I've thought of adding a recepticale for typical replaceable model rocket engines in the rear exhauset "butt" of this model. The AMA doesn't have any issues with this as long as nothing leaves the plane. My concern in adding an assist rocket for TO effect is for several reasons:
1. Ignition logistics when finally ready to go
2. a surge of speed, could cause a lag in power for the engine (I've experienced this when hand launching planes b4)
3. Lastly, and perhaps my biggest concern, when those model engines reach the end of their burn, there is a "rever" explosion/ blast, intended to blow a parachute (protected from the moltens discarcge by tissue/ wadding), and that means that whatever was constructed to hold the engine would have to be made of metal or some other flame resistand material.
Perhaps a smopke bomb inserted in the back would be better. [8D]

ivancant

No Flaps,

Hey thanks for the pics. If you get the time, let us know how the build goes (with pics?)

Thanks,
Brent

ivancant

No Flaps,

BTW, are you going to use the supplied landing gear or are you planning an doing the dolly? I think I was planning on doing the dolly thing with a skid.

Brent

Evil_Merlin

My Feedback: (13)

No flaps, there are plenty of rocket engines that do not have the ejection charge. They are capped.

There are also smaller engines you can use that will give a minimal impulse but still look great.

I'm going to order one of these now I think.

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

In my anxious time spent waiting for the plane to arrive, I've spent some time thinking about the wheels/ skid.
The supplied wheels are rather wide-tracked (clearly for stability) and the "skid" on this ARf is permanently in it's retracted position.
as a short attention spanned Design Architect, I've done several drawings and diagrams on both of these parts as well as the lower wing panel spoiler-flas, and I've concluded this.
I'll test the supplied wheels in my driveway, but I believe I will couple them much closer together but I will use the supplied components to make what I need.
The wheel unit on mine will detach and fall off shortly after take off, and return to land on it's skid, like the real one.
Although I've designed a retractable skid that operates on a single spring-air typecylinder, I think I'm making things too complicated and I'll simply use the planes (soon to be reinforced) existing belly as a skid.
I say this for one simple reason....I want to get this bird in the air.
Lower flaps will have to wait too. See attached pics of these real parts.
Depending on it's performance, and how much I like the plane, I may later add flaps, sheet and fiberglass the wings, and create the retractable skid.


FYI- Here's a great link for all things related to Me163's:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~robdebie/me163/drawings.htm

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

Evil Merlin,
Thanks for the tip!
I'll have to look into those capped engines. [8D]

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

I had been talking with another modeler who has this ARf (me 163) and he is toying with putting a BME .90 gasser in it.
I checked it out and that Supertiger on gas would be a great engine, (maybe even too much for it) but the price of 4370.00 for an engine of that size is painful....I'm hardly an advocate of nitro anymore, but one could buy a OS90 and still have plenty of change left over, and power-wise, would absolutely smoke the BME.
If those guys lowered their prices, by about $80.00 I'd consider it.

I guess that battery on an engine like that could go in the tail with the other battery to help balance her out.
The only other problem is the area allotted for the engine isn't that big...The OS 60FP I have laying around might not even fit because of the extended pump out the rear.
I wish someone would make smaller .60 size gasoline engines.

NoFlaps

My Feedback: (131)

For those who have an interest in this plane:
I went through the instructions for the Me163 last night and it states the distance from the firewall to the base of the prop hub is 95mm. As it turns out my OS.60fp won't fit as it's 15mm bigger than that (not including the motor mount), I'd like to keep the nose on this baby from getting too long, so I'l have to look into what will work w/out modifying the firewall.