Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
03-04-2005, 08:13 AM
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Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
Well, I was surfing e-bay and saw a Cap 232 profile plane which caught my eye. The seller of this plane pasted at least a dozen photos of the plane in various states of assembly. The price was right, and it did look OK, so I bought it. The seller must import these, as he always has one for sale, along with a medley of other ARFs. I haven't seen one here on RCU, so I figured I'd step up to the plate and chime in.
Shipping was a little slow, but I had it within two weeks.
The covering job was quite wrinkled, and I was not able to completely remove them, but the appearance is acceptable to me. I'll try attacking those pesky wrinkles with my iron again, I suppose.
Shipping was a little slow, but I had it within two weeks.
The covering job was quite wrinkled, and I was not able to completely remove them, but the appearance is acceptable to me. I'll try attacking those pesky wrinkles with my iron again, I suppose.
03-04-2005, 08:23 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
The plane came with no instructions. Since I've built (well, assembled) my share of ARFs and profile planes, I was confident that I was going to get this put together in no time.
Here are things I like about this ARF:
*The covering was pre-cut at the glue joints...eg: where the stab is epoxied to the fuse, and on the wing where it is epoxied to the fuse.
*Servo openings were open, and required no trimming.
*Everything fit together well and was properly aligned.
*Hinge slots were factory cut.
Here are things I like about this ARF:
*The covering was pre-cut at the glue joints...eg: where the stab is epoxied to the fuse, and on the wing where it is epoxied to the fuse.
*Servo openings were open, and required no trimming.
*Everything fit together well and was properly aligned.
*Hinge slots were factory cut.
03-04-2005, 08:33 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
Here are things I DON'T like about this ARF:
*The wrinkles (which aren't THAT bad...but did require a couple of hours of fussing with.)
*The landing gear...the wire mains are super springy/spongy but acceptable
*Tail wheel is the non-steering long-wire type. These may work well on grass, but are not my style for our paved runways.
*No instructions means no CG info. There was no response to my e-mail asking for such info.
*I had to widen the rails to fit a Saito 72, and the pre-drilled holes on the rails just got in the way.
*The wrinkles (which aren't THAT bad...but did require a couple of hours of fussing with.)
*The landing gear...the wire mains are super springy/spongy but acceptable
*Tail wheel is the non-steering long-wire type. These may work well on grass, but are not my style for our paved runways.
*No instructions means no CG info. There was no response to my e-mail asking for such info.
*I had to widen the rails to fit a Saito 72, and the pre-drilled holes on the rails just got in the way.
03-04-2005, 08:41 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
HARDWARE
The hardware was surprisingly good considering the price and pedigree of this ARF. The tail wheel was even pre-mounted on the tail gear wire. I didn't use the stock 2-56 rods. I used 4-40 with ball-ends and heavy duty clevises...all from Dubro. I know that's way overkill, but hey--you build yours your way, I'll build mine MY way
The hardware was surprisingly good considering the price and pedigree of this ARF. The tail wheel was even pre-mounted on the tail gear wire. I didn't use the stock 2-56 rods. I used 4-40 with ball-ends and heavy duty clevises...all from Dubro. I know that's way overkill, but hey--you build yours your way, I'll build mine MY way
03-04-2005, 09:07 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
MAIDEN FLIGHT
Well, fortunately there's not much to report on this topic...
Arrived at my flying site which is a vineyard/winery I consult for. There's a 1/4 mile long paved runway (driveway) behind an iron gate with about 15 acres of grassy pasture to fly over. Certainly a confidence builder since I was breaking in a new Saito 72. Fortunately (and not surprisingly) I had no trouble with the engine. Concerning the break-in procedure, I followed the book: 40 minutes of slobbery-rich break-in, much of it below 4000 RPM, another tank with the low-needle leaned back, then a bit more lean, then...AIRBORNE! Still running it rich. I just love the Saito engines...
In flight...well, this plane made me look pretty good! 1 click of aileron trim. Low rates were what you'd expect...nice big loops, axial rolls, just like a trainer w/o the dihedral. High rates were fun, but I think I'l consider rehinging with robarts to get more throw. The elevator gave me exactly 40 degrees + & - of throw...not bad. The ailerons are a little dissappointing...perhaps I mounted them too close the the TE and have some binding?!? Flying? oh yea, you wanna know about how it flys...anyway, hovering this plane was easy, and the 72 -- even running quite rich -- really hauls the thing around. Nothing like pointing your airplane's nose upward and accellerating vertically!
Rolling Harriers (well, they may not look like rolling harriers to you) are again what you'd expect. Although I certainly need practice with them, I did get an OOOOh and Ahhh from my two bystanders!
My CG location was a topic of concern for me, since no instructions were provided. Works out that the CG is toward the aft end of my comfort zone which is fine, since this is a 3D plane. Only drawback is that the landings are just a touch...uhm...touchy in the pitch axis. Really floats in...again, no surprise. Here's where I had my first problem...no tailwheel steering. So, touchdowns were fine, but woo hoo...things were a tad squirrely after that! I'll retrofit a Sullivan or Dubro STEERABLE tailwheel and she'll be great!
Well, fortunately there's not much to report on this topic...
Arrived at my flying site which is a vineyard/winery I consult for. There's a 1/4 mile long paved runway (driveway) behind an iron gate with about 15 acres of grassy pasture to fly over. Certainly a confidence builder since I was breaking in a new Saito 72. Fortunately (and not surprisingly) I had no trouble with the engine. Concerning the break-in procedure, I followed the book: 40 minutes of slobbery-rich break-in, much of it below 4000 RPM, another tank with the low-needle leaned back, then a bit more lean, then...AIRBORNE! Still running it rich. I just love the Saito engines...
In flight...well, this plane made me look pretty good! 1 click of aileron trim. Low rates were what you'd expect...nice big loops, axial rolls, just like a trainer w/o the dihedral. High rates were fun, but I think I'l consider rehinging with robarts to get more throw. The elevator gave me exactly 40 degrees + & - of throw...not bad. The ailerons are a little dissappointing...perhaps I mounted them too close the the TE and have some binding?!? Flying? oh yea, you wanna know about how it flys...anyway, hovering this plane was easy, and the 72 -- even running quite rich -- really hauls the thing around. Nothing like pointing your airplane's nose upward and accellerating vertically!
Rolling Harriers (well, they may not look like rolling harriers to you) are again what you'd expect. Although I certainly need practice with them, I did get an OOOOh and Ahhh from my two bystanders!
My CG location was a topic of concern for me, since no instructions were provided. Works out that the CG is toward the aft end of my comfort zone which is fine, since this is a 3D plane. Only drawback is that the landings are just a touch...uhm...touchy in the pitch axis. Really floats in...again, no surprise. Here's where I had my first problem...no tailwheel steering. So, touchdowns were fine, but woo hoo...things were a tad squirrely after that! I'll retrofit a Sullivan or Dubro STEERABLE tailwheel and she'll be great!
03-04-2005, 09:09 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
ORIGINAL: novabill
Can you provide a link to where the plane is on e-bay?
Can you provide a link to where the plane is on e-bay?
03-04-2005, 09:24 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
ORIGINAL: kolarshooter
[link=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=19164&item=5961150334&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW]YUP[/link]
ORIGINAL: novabill
Can you provide a link to where the plane is on e-bay?
Can you provide a link to where the plane is on e-bay?
Thanks,
03-04-2005, 09:36 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
My setup:
"Blue Subaru"
Saito 72
1,200mAh Apache LiPo
MPI regulator
Hitec Electron 6 Rx
Rudder Servo: JR DS 811
All other servos: Hitec 425 BB
Dubro: HD Servo Arms and ball links, clevises, horns.
"Blue Subaru"
Saito 72
1,200mAh Apache LiPo
MPI regulator
Hitec Electron 6 Rx
Rudder Servo: JR DS 811
All other servos: Hitec 425 BB
Dubro: HD Servo Arms and ball links, clevises, horns.
03-04-2005, 09:57 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
I used some left-over servo horns from micro servos to make a clean antenna installation:
One horn in the back with a micro servo screw holding it on, and one in the front, inside the wing acting as a strain releif thingy. Then, a rubber band in the front providing tension between the antenna wire and a very small screw.
The fuel tubing in the photo is the crankcase vent from the Saito.
One horn in the back with a micro servo screw holding it on, and one in the front, inside the wing acting as a strain releif thingy. Then, a rubber band in the front providing tension between the antenna wire and a very small screw.
The fuel tubing in the photo is the crankcase vent from the Saito.
03-04-2005, 12:24 PM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
I've seen that plane before last year but I can't remember which site or company it was on. It is an ARF produced in China but I don't think it was ever distributed here in the states. Probably has a broker now here in the states. How close is it to the Morris TopCat size and layout wise? Weight sounds really good around 4 lbs.
03-04-2005, 12:29 PM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
Mike....
I am pretty sure it's a "Hokusei Models" I think the plane looks Bad***** except the stab/ele is placed too far back. I would assume they did this to make it fly better.
I am pretty sure it's a "Hokusei Models" I think the plane looks Bad***** except the stab/ele is placed too far back. I would assume they did this to make it fly better.
03-06-2005, 09:22 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
There's a sticker on the wing which reads: "Northern Model" and there's a piece in the elec. bay which has "Northern Model" laser etched onto it.
Is this a clue to anyone? I "googled" it but found no airplanes...hmmmmm
Is this a clue to anyone? I "googled" it but found no airplanes...hmmmmm
03-07-2005, 01:26 PM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
I looked through Google again but could not find any threads. I still have pictures of the plane from when I found it a year ago. The Morris TopCat looks really good if done in some of the full scale schemes. I've seen the topcat done up in Matt Chapman's scheme and it really looked good. Be cool to see it in the new splat scheme but I think Great Planes has a copyright on that scheme.
03-07-2005, 05:47 PM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
quote]ORIGINAL: AFSalmon
... Be cool to see it in the new splat scheme but I think Great Planes has a copyright on that scheme.
[/quote]
I've seen that scheme on a Chinese no-name arf on e-bay. Copyright laws seldom seem to matter to our Chinese friends (fiends???)
... Be cool to see it in the new splat scheme but I think Great Planes has a copyright on that scheme.
[/quote]
I've seen that scheme on a Chinese no-name arf on e-bay. Copyright laws seldom seem to matter to our Chinese friends (fiends???)
03-07-2005, 07:19 PM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
I just bought a Subaru from ebay too. The covering SUCKS, wrinkles everywhere and I ruined one side on the vertical stab trying to fix it DOH!!! [:@] The fuse is a little cupped too. Where did you place you CG? I'm going put a Saito 82 on it, maybe a little too much but what the hell. Any suggestions, this is going to be my first profile, but not my first 3D.
Jeremy
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03-07-2005, 07:38 PM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
OK...OK...Relax. Big, deep breaths...
OK, now, The covering does suck, but I was able to get most of them out. If the fuse is warped, try flexing it in the right direction and apply your heat gun to shrink the covering to pull it straight. It's worth a try. Remember, this won't be a pattern plane...this is a flip-flop-flyer for close-in crazy 3D stuff. If it's not perfect, you probably won't notice it in this type of flying.
The Saito 82 was my first choice...but I got a great deal on the Saito 72...so I wound up with that instead.
My CG is about where the front hole of the power switch on the upper wing is. I'd imagine that anywhere around the switch would be OK. I just eyeballed it given my previous 3D/profile experiences. Flys great for me. I don't care for really aft CGs...to twitchy on final for me. I just got a .60 size tail wheel from Dubro for it.
You'll like how it flys. Don't get discouraged...you didn't pay much for it, the wrinkles will (mostly) come out with diligence (and lots of patience.)
OK, now, The covering does suck, but I was able to get most of them out. If the fuse is warped, try flexing it in the right direction and apply your heat gun to shrink the covering to pull it straight. It's worth a try. Remember, this won't be a pattern plane...this is a flip-flop-flyer for close-in crazy 3D stuff. If it's not perfect, you probably won't notice it in this type of flying.
The Saito 82 was my first choice...but I got a great deal on the Saito 72...so I wound up with that instead.
My CG is about where the front hole of the power switch on the upper wing is. I'd imagine that anywhere around the switch would be OK. I just eyeballed it given my previous 3D/profile experiences. Flys great for me. I don't care for really aft CGs...to twitchy on final for me. I just got a .60 size tail wheel from Dubro for it.
You'll like how it flys. Don't get discouraged...you didn't pay much for it, the wrinkles will (mostly) come out with diligence (and lots of patience.)
03-07-2005, 07:40 PM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
Don't forget to put a washer between the front motor mount holes and the engine rails...this is your right thrust.
03-20-2005, 04:19 PM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
Well I finished, I recovered the fuselage, I just couldn't take it!! I ended up putting a Saito 100 in it( I got it for a great price, less than an 82) I hope this wasn't a stupid thing to do, I guess we'll find out. I broke the engine in today and I'm ready to fly next weekend , wish me luck!!
Jeremy
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03-23-2005, 11:00 AM
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RE: Cap 232 Profile ARF "Subaru Style"
I flew mine again monday...what a great plane. With a Saito 72, it truly has unlimited vertical. Hovers VERY well...without having the cg so far aft that "pattern" flying becomes difficult.
Any other e-bayers out there who got one?
Any other e-bayers out there who got one?