ESM Typhoon questions
 

I like the look of the Typhoon and Tempest, but there aren't many ARFs or kits out there. I did a search here in the forums but didn't see much info. Any one got any experience with the ESM Typhoon? How is the build? How does it look? What power plant did you use? Most importantly, how does it fly? A friend of mine had one but he sold it I think because he didn't like the flying characteristics.

Comments?

I saw one fly at our field this past year. The owner added 3 pounds of lead to get it balance to the C of G shown on the plans - it flew tail heavy - landing was hairy as in the video. The guy flying for the owner is the best pilot we have - said it flew poorly.

The owner added another pound of lead, flew a bit better but then you have added 4 pounds to an already heavy arf. The stock esm retracts bent up a bit. The owner of the Typhoon offered the plane to the test pilot for free - the test pilot turned that offer down - consesus at the field is that the esm typhoon is a dog, can't give that plane away. A OS 1.6 glow was used.

1st flight
2nd flight
We may see a third flight in 2018.

cheers!

The version with the built up wing surfaces was a bit lighter than the all composite version but all of them required extreme amounts of nose weight. I think flying weights of around 20 pounds were normal. Some guys reported that it flew OK at that weight as long as you had the power to haul it. I think most guys were replacing the stock (junk) retracts with something much sturdier and more reliable as well. I picked up the all composite version second hand but was not happy with the quality of the airframe and so I passed it along without ever flying it. The guy who built it had glued a tuna can full of lead shot in the cowl for balance! Had to be at least 5 pounds of nose weight if not more.

That's pretty much what I was afraid of. I wanted to get some more opinions before I spent any money. The last couple planes I have bought were just hard to fly. Makes me look bad out there! I've been flying for many years and I realize that scale planes and especially warbirds can be challenging, but I don't need the hassle of repairing it after every flying session.