Dauphin

Hi Tommy S,

Its a very good flying plane for all levels expect for the very top level, its good with PO-7 not great, but with FO-7 its body is just not big enough to handle the rolling circle and rolling S with the presicion as of the wide bodies. Its aerodamics in the body shape need improving for it to be great at the top level. This needs to be done at Extreme Composite.

The 3D version will do anything you want it to do.

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

Dauphin,

I have a long way to go before I get to that level, still struggling along in intermediate.
Thanks for the information.

tommy s

MikeEast

My Feedback: (3)

Tommy you're building a new plane? Cool, I figured you would fly the Excelleron all the way to the FAI level! Heck last time I saw it it looked as new as the first time I saw it! Good for you, enjoy your new plane![8D] What engine are you going to put in it?

Edit: Good Lord you have had this thing since before the Nederland contest. I had no idea! None the less good luck and look forward to seeing it! Do you have any pictures?

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

Hey Mike,

Yeah, I've had the OTOP for a few months but working 12 hrs a day, 6 days a week has put the flying on the
back burner until after the first of the year. It's nearly finished though, just a few minor things to complete.
Got a new 9303 JR radio for it and a YS 1.40 DZ. It looks good, I'll try to post some pictures soon.
Glad to hear everybody your way is OK after the storm, Pennie and I were worried about all of you.

See you soon I hope,

tommy s

PS: The Excelleron is for sale if you know anyone looking.

jon r bell

My Feedback: (11)

I also received the otop. I did not get the instruction manual. I e-mailed Planes Plus with no response. If you have the instruction manual or know how I can get one please let me know. I thought the fuse was a little flimsy. Thanks!

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

There is no manual . Mine came with a DVD which shows various stages of completed construction.
It's not much help actually but there's really not a lot to complete so no problem.

tommy s

NJRCFLYER2

My Feedback: (42)

It goes together quick and if you've ever done a CA aircraft, this is really the same deal. A couple of things I noticed are that the paint won't hold up to use of denatured alchohol too well. It bleeds off a little bit of color if you wipe it down after epoxying the control horns, so it's better to try to mask off the surface around the horn, slot through the tape and then just lift the tape after gluing. The only thing I really had to change after assembly was those little plastic chin cowl holders. Mine both snapped off and I just replaced them with metal screws. I had to add a couple of ounces of lead in the nose and it went in the chin cowl, which is probably why the plastic holder didn't hold up.

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

OTOP with YS 1.40 DZ nearing completion , finally some time off from job to complete airplane.
A real challenge to install the DEPS , not much room to work in the tail section.

tommy s

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

Flew the OTOP for the first time today. It was kind of hard to do any real trimming because
the wind was blowing in gusts up to 30 mph but it flew straight and level with no elevator or
aileron trim, a pleasant surprise. The only adjustment I made was to tame down the aileron
throws because the ailerons are VERY effective and needed way less than what I started with.
I have the CG right behind the wing tube and will probably move it forward just a bit but I'll
wait to get a few more flights before I decide about that, it just seems a little elevator sensitive
with the small amount of elevator travel it has. The YS 1.40 pulls it easily at no more than 1/4
throttle and even on long vertical pulls it doesn't need full throttle even running very rich. I only
got in two flights but I think it's going to be a good one.

tommy s

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

Finally got around to weighing the OTOP today. I made no attempt to lighten the
airframe although there are many places to do so. I added servo mounts to the wings
with triangle braces inside so the servos could be mounted outside instead of inside
the wings, fuel tank position braces inside the fuselage, added a 2 oz header tank, and
various pieces added to strengthen the fuselage in different places. The fuselage itself
can be trimmed considerably at each opening if needed as the flange that overhangs each
opening is about 3/4". Even with all this it comes out to 10lbs-13ozs. Each wing half weighs
an identical 17.91 ozs with servos, linkage, extension, paint and vinyl graphics-ready to fly.
I can see enough places to lighten the airplane that if needed I believe it can be made to
come out at 10 lbs or slightly under. This should be a good candidate for E-Power.
We'll find out soon, there will be an electric OTOP flying here in Houston in a couple of weeks.

tommy s

KatManDEW

My Feedback: (6)

Looks great Tommy. Thanks for the report. Do you have the pattern wings or 3D wings?

I've been thinking of doing this one electric myself.

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

I have the pattern wings and stab as does the other one which will be electric.

tommy s

PS: I just weighed the factory wing tube by itself - WOW - 3.6ozs !!! That's got to go !!!
That's approx 102 grms and the PBG tubes weigh around 65 grms. The factory landing
gear is overweight also, I think I see some Bolly gear coming my way !!

twort

My Feedback: (1)

Can some post pics of the control horns they used both in the tail and the wings. Thanks, Tim

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

The control horns are flat phenolic pieces that are the same as in the Impact. They are
epoxied into slots that are pre cut in the control surfaces. They slant forward to pivot
over the hinge line. On mine I replaced the stock rudder horns with MK aluminum
horns because I moved the attachment point from the bottom of the rudder to near the
middle and the MK horns made that move a lot easier, just drilled one hole. Now the
pull-pull cables are a straight shot from the rudder servo to the rudder. If you use the
stock set up the rudder servo is near the middle of the fuselage and the rudder horn is
near the bottom so the cables are at an angle. I prefer the straight mounting.

tommy s

twort

My Feedback: (1)

I thought that is what I was supposed to use. I got Carla's demo and I think I am missing some pieces. Did yours come with axles for the landing gear and bolts/blind-nuts for the canopy, chin cowl and landing gear. Also can someone email me the pics that come with the kit. Thanks, Tim

[email protected]

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

No axles, I just used some bolts the needed length and size. The screws for the canopy and chin cowl
were included and do not use blind nuts, they just screw into the plywood pieces. The landing gear screws
were included and the blind nuts were already installed in the gear plate.

tommy s

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

Here's a picture where you can see the elevator horn and the new rudder horn
and position. (Sorry, my flash didn't work).

tommy s

C140 Brothers

i sound really silly saying this..... but im having alot of trouble installing my aileron servos on my otops, i have 8511's do they fit? any chance of some photos to show me how they installed them, or even better a manual as i didnt get any with my otop kits :S,

thanks,
Adam

tommy s

My Feedback: (55)

The OTOP and the IMPACT both have internally mounted aileron servos which in my
opinion are a pain in the butt to install or remove for maintenance. Most of the guys
around her, myself included, cut holes to externally mount the servos just like we've
always done on other airplanes. After I cut out for the servos I added small lite ply
strips across the ends of the cutout underneath the wing sheeting so the servo is flush
with the surface of the wing then added small triangle braces from the new mounting strips
to the original mounts inside the wing. The servo can be removed in less than a minute
if needed and the standaed length linkage makes full use of the servos resolution unlike
the original long horns. Makes life a whole lot easier all the way around and the modification
only takes around 30 minutes. If you look at the picture of my OTOP a couple of posts back
you can see the servos under the wings.


tommy s

PS: I also removed the phenolic control horns and replaced them with MK aluminum horns
like the ones OXAI uses. They are much more solid than the original ones which flex way
too much for my liking.

Rombaut

Hi all,
I have one Otop Xtreme and works very fine in F3A and 3D. I use a DZ160 with 4.6 kg.

[link]http://www.rcuvideos.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ac98be8fb2ecb8bd0f16[/link]

Luck with your otop.

Joan

sedge

My OTOP has come out fantastic, not an popular plane down here, maybe people are frightened of a "no name" brand as most pilots go for a Genesis, Osmose etc, but I am looking forward to showing this OTOP off around the flying clubs in the Cape.

A very good value for money plane

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MLC

My Feedback: (5)

Has anyone actualy used the Saito 150 in this plane? I am looking at ordering an OTOP soon but, want to use a motor I have on hand. I want use it to do some local pattern events in the sportsman class.

Nigel201

I have just bought an Otop in the UK. It is the 3D version. I want to set it up for F3A type of flying. Can anybody give me any advice on control throws and a good C/G position. Yes I know a dedicated F3A version is available but lets just say "the price was right". Thanks Nigel.

Neil Guildford

I'm also after a CG, can anyone help for the 3D version.
Thanks
Neil

Nigel201

Hi Neil The balance point shown on the drawings I uploaded from the net show it between 7.5 and 9 cm from the leading edge of the wing. Hope this helps. Nigel.