Posts: 11
Joined: 5/5/2008 From: Champaign, IL, USA Status: offline
We're showing a new airplane at a couple of events just to get customers' reactions, and I thought I'd post some photos here to see what some of the RCU crowd thinks.
Horizon is looking at doing a Twin Otter. The prototype wingspan is about 84" to 86," it weighs 10 1/4 to 10 1/2 pounds, and it's powered by two E-flite Power 25s driven by two 3S, 3200 mAh Li-Pos. We flew it at SEFF last weekend, and we'll be showing it at Joe Nall next weekend.
We're still deciding if we want to go the purely electric route (E-flite brand) or offer a glow power option and make it a Hangar 9. Your input would be appreciated.
The cost does appear to be fairly high. Will customers pay between $400 and $550 for one of these? We're still not sure...
Personally, I hope you guys like it because it looks great in the air!
Thanks,
David Eichstedt Director of Aircraft Development Horizon Hobby
DISCLAIMER - All the photos I've posted have been pulled from other posts in other forums. I don't know who took the photos, but thanks for making them available!
< Message edited by David Eichstedt -- 5/10/2008 9:41:47 PM >
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David Eichstedt, Horizon Hobby Director of Aircraft Development - Hangar 9, E-flite, ParkZone, HobbyZone, etc.
That looks really well done. To me electric would make a lot more sense (even though I burn dinosaurs) because of it being a twin, and the relatively small nacelles, however, You would probably cover a wider market if buyers had a choice which way to go....
Now the important question: Floats???
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Posts: 7451
Joined: 6/11/2003 From: Northridge,
CA, USA Status: offline
As unbelievable as it may seem to some, the whole world IS NOT switching to electrics!
As suggested, a glow/electric capable would be a good choice. I like this twin because it does not require the extra cost and complexity of retracts and the gear hanging down is still 'scale'.
Posts: 92
Joined: 10/18/2004 From: Corvallis,
OR, USA Status: offline
I guess the answer glow vs elec/glow depends on whether the airframe gains weight when you make it capable of glow. I like glow, but I think this could be the case where an electric option is ideal. Narrow cowls mean the electric will work well.
If electric I would like to see:
Good access for battery and big enough for a variety of battery options. Reasonable fidelity to scale Quality in the landing gear. Tempered aluminum with fairings that don't crack when the gear flexes. Strut nose gear option (Robart). Optional floats that are reasonably scale AND so are the attachments. Optional 3 bladed props that are well matched for the motors (are you thinking Power32?) Offer a relatively generic base color scheme for the model but include a high quality set of Ultracote plus graphics. You could then sell alternate schemes such as you have in your prototype.
My battery thoughts are to offer an A123 type battery option and charger. This would allow folks to purchase one battery and do a fast charge. This might reduce the final cost and overcome buyers concerns for the cost of multiple large battery packs.
I would consider offering a electric install kit that would be carefully selected to install with little fuss. Two speed controllers, two Power32 motors, props (3 bladed), separate BEC for receiver and servos.
For glow: Same, but I would think this would require widening the nacelles to handle fuel tanks and throttle servo. I'm not sure I would like this, but it would broaden the appeal.
Posts: 168
Joined: 4/26/2006 From: PA,
PA, USA Status: offline
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE in HANGAR 9 GLOW..........the rc world cries out for civilain twins............how about a nice large PIPER AZTEC C, A Beech 18......a KING AIR.............. a early Cessna 310............the Twin OTTER would be great..........offer it in a all white version so it can be painted in a commuter livery!!
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"My wife says if I buy one more airplane she's gonna leave me, Gee I'm gonna miss her"
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Twin Otter by Hangar 9 or E-flite - 
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