Dustin Buescher

Hey guys, the day I have been patiently waiting for has finally come!

The Bandit ARF flew for the first time today!!!

Since the Bandit ARF represents a very close copy of the proven Balsa Super Bandit, we didn't expect any surprises, and got none. This first prototype is powered with a Jet Cat P-60 yielding a very lightly loaded and fuel efficient aerobatic machine, with very slow approaches and landings.

B.V.'s comment during the drive home was, "It just maybe our best selling jet yet." The pre-orders are strong and the first deliveries will commence in August '06.

We are off to the Jets Over the Heartland now and will demo it there. Stay tuned to BVMJets.com after our return for more info.

Below are a few photos of a very exciting day for myself, and I believe Bob is pleased with his new favorite plane.

jetpilot

My Feedback: (48)

Nice job guys!!! Cant wait. How much did she end up weighing? Tell us more about how it flew.
Damnit, I just got done paying for the Ultra!!!
Scott

LGM Graphix

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it might just be the paint, but did they change the nose? It looks pointier and shorter than the Super Bandit and original bandit, more bobcatish. As I say, it could just be the paint, but something looks odd about it.
Either way, good to hear it flies well! Wish it had been around when I bought my Super Bandit, I might have it ready to fly by now LOL!!!

jason

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Dustin,

thanks for the news on the Bandit Arf. What does it weigh with the P60 in it? And what sort of speeds would you estimate? I have one on order with the idea of fitting a P120 but if its light enough I could go with a Super Sport maybe. Also, how are the wings atatched? is it the conventional bandit way with the 8 screws or have they used the wing tube method?

Take it easy
Jason

wojtek

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I was specifically told by BV NOT to put a big engine in this bird .. P60 or 70 max .. Bob told be if i would want one for a p120 or more, then i should go with the composite Super Bandit kit. On a P120 im sure this would be at least a 250mph + plane ...


Voy

Bob.R

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It will be interesting to follow BVM published power recommendations. The website still says a P80 and 120 are suitable. Larger engines will yield a "maximum vertical machine and speeds up to our AMA limit of 200 mph". Interesting that the first prototype is powered by a P60. No criticism intended - just curious as I am on the list.

Bob_B

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I will watch this model fly with great interest at Winamac beginning tomorrow.
My Bobcat flys great but I really love the lines of the Bandit. The suedo Diamond back scheme looks great too!

Miguel Santana

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Any idea of the Go Fly price?
Miguel

Alexdu

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Please post flight details(speed, vertical, takeoff, landing) with the P-60.

Thanks

Alex

Alexdu

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Any info yet?

jason

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BVM's Bandit Arf weighs in at 19lb dry which is a pound lighter than my comp bobcat weighs with an engine of similar weight. I will defiantly put a super sport in mine when it comes.

I have been told that the price is likely to slightly higher than the bobcat composite, which sounds very promising.. Hope it is true.

Jason

Dustin Buescher

Sorry for the delay, I have not had much time to check RCU lately.

After putting on 35 flights at the Jets over the Heartland event, I feel the Bandit ARF performed as expected with the P-60. I had the Jet Cat speed limiter set at 180 and could hear the engine spooling up when I would come out of a split "s". Due to the ultra light wing loading of this true jet aircraft; to me, the most spectacular attribute was the low speed handling. In the dirty configuration, flaps down, the plane was able to fly in formation with a small aerobatic wood park flyer. During this event I had many fellow jet pilots take turns "testing driving" the aircraft, after each flight I took note of each pilot's comments and made minor adjustments to the radio program to suit everyone's taste.

The aircraft weighs 19 lbs with the UAT full and some fuel in the hopper. The flight times ranged between 9-10 min, allowing enough fuel for 1 go around. The aircraft needed no additional ballast to balance.

The comment I heard the most was, ā€œI canā€™t believe thatā€™s a P-60 in there!ā€ I even had to take off the engine cover to prove it to some individuals.

Knife edge was rock solid with no coupling. Loops could be performed using full elevator, either positive or negative, and the plane would not snap out.

My suggestion is to only use the smaller engines in this airframe. This is an excellent plane for the P-60, P70, AMT 180, Ram 500, Wren Super Sport, etc. I feel the extra weight of the ā€œLargeā€ engines and the extra fuel will detract from the ā€œSport Plane Feelā€ of this model. If you want a speed plane, I would recommend you buy the Composite Bandit.



Dustin Buescher

Bob_B

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I had the opportunity to fly the ARF Bandit at Winamac last weekend and I was impressed.
The model feels really light on the sticks and has plenty of top too. They had it cruising around with full flaps at about 25-30 mph very impressive slow speed handling. Some of Dustins approach to land were a ripping pass, pulling up and then doing a slit esse
dropping the gear and then flap, diving straight down and thena straight in approach to landing.....sweet!
This will be a popular model no doubt.
Bob

Flying Arrow

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Count me on Dustin.

Alexdu

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Dustin, any flight tests with a P-70?

Thanks

Alex

JetsRC

Very nice jet Dustin... Congrats... Allthough the color scheme is a bit F-18 wanabe... JEJEJE...

heraldoboldrin

Hey Guys....

I love speed, here in Brazil i have a friend that has an composite super bandit with a jet cat titan...as this will be to expensive for me, i am thinking to put a P-120 in the super bandit ARF...anybody knows someone that are flying with a p-120....??
I am worry about the airplane structure...?? do you think that the plane can support it? (i know that BVM recomends in the kit specification...put will be the power of 2 p-60....and as i said i love speed....

Thanks

Heraldo

Ehab

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My next Bandit ARF will have a 120N sized turbine with a speed limiter to 199 mph! you will still have good verticals and the top speed will be set at your wish....

heraldoboldrin

Here in Brazil nobody use a speed limit... will you use a gps to speed the limit??

Heraldo

Ehab

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The speed limiter is used to PREVENT the Bandit ARF from going too fast which may cause damage to the frame!!! You can turn down the rpm on your P120 to do the same. BVM recommends VNE around but no more than 200 mph. IF you want to go balastic, then get the composite super bandit!!l

Not sure what you mean about the gps to limit speed!

erbroens

Ola Heraldo, the Jetcat P-120 has a optional pitot integrated with its ECU, so you can dial in it a speed limit to your jet.

Bandits where flown for years with 120 N thrust engines without speed limiters...I am sure that you will have good results with this combo too.


SaudaƧoes, Enrique

Ehab

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Hi Enrique

The older bandits are a lot stronger than the new bandit arf. In a dive, the bandit can do over 250 mph with a 120N engine and that may be too much for the arf. If he is careful with the throttle, then he will be ok but you us jet pilots: we have the need for speed!!!

erbroens

Yes, I agree that the kitted ones are stronger, however many of them where built with less than the ideal care and they survived anyway!

IMO about the throttle management with a P-120 bandit it is almost automatic.. a typical flight with it would be full power only at takeoff , verticals and some max speed passes. keeping it at full throttle the whole flight is hard for the eyes and not as much enjoyable.

heraldoboldrin

My friend from Curitiba, you are friend from Manuel Dias (I am from Araras/SP)?

Guys, my ideia is to use the Full POwer of the P120 just to take off, vertical flight, and some full speedy pass.....

Offcourse in dive flight the airframe wont support the speedy....

Heraldo

erbroens

Yes, we fly at the Clube Fenix, in Curitiba.. Manoel is a super guy and a heck of a pilot too.


Enrique