Horizon

I am sure that alot of you spadders do not understand why someone would want a pre-built spad, but there is a place for them as far as I am concerned. I work 65 to 75 hours a week and have little time to build, and even less time to fly, after the honey due's and spending time with family is up to par. I recently purchased three ARF's from FX-Hobbies, I think these planes are so great I would like to share them with you. The first one I will post some pics up of is their version of a Debut.

The most impressive thing about this plane is the wing, I really do not think that anyone could duplicate what they have done here in their garage. It is a 48in semi-symetrical wing with enclosed wingtips, and believe me there is not a bad crease or wrinkle in it anywhere. They say a press is used to build these and after seeing it, I have to beleive them. The fuse and all the coro is cnc machine so all smooth cuts everywhere. There is even a adjustable servo tray inside the fuse, and no rubber bands here, the wing gets bolted on. Well here are a few pics I will be adding some more as I go along.

By the way this plane ran me 42 bucks and was worth every cent. Considering I do not have the time or skills to build something of this caliber.

They have a one page info web page at www.fxhobbies.com

Vic66

Certainly looks like a very neat job, especially for only $42

Horizon

Well almost finished with the Debut, I have a little over a hour involved so far and just have to finish up the radio gear. I ran out of pushrod material, if I can get some tody I will maiden it this afternoon.

RC-Captain

Horizon , I'm glad you posted these pics and you are right the plane looks great. hey just for the graphics alone it's worth $42.00. I will definitely look into purchasing one of these planes in the near future.

Are the wing tips closed ? I really can't tell in your pics.

acam37

My Feedback: (16)

Are you going to use an exhaust deflector? Otherwise the throttle servo is going to get drenched.
Great looking spad. Thats a real good deal,especially for those who have trouble finding materials such as down spout and the ever elusive 2-mil coro.

Horizon

Yes they are closed, the pics do not give it much justice but here are a few more. Forgot to add the wing is 2mil, and the control surfaces are 4mil. All I can say is they really hit the mark on their models, I am very pleased.

I also purchased a model called the easy-goer, and a tyrant. As I go thru putting them together I will post up some more pics.

I have thought about deflecting the exhaust, probably a good idea, but I do not think the oil will hurt the servo just make a mess.

Deadeye

Nice plane. I made enclosed wingtips on Lucky, my gasser. I would be happy to post pics and instruction for this if anyone is interested.

Pilot Chad

My Feedback: (4)

The throttle servo will get slight flutter in it when it gets oil, i had the same problem on my big ugly hell on rails, what i chose to do was just get flex tube, and move it to the opposite side. This helped alot. Then, you can blow the exhaust under the wing and not worry about the other servos if they are exposed.

CCRC1

My Feedback: (13)

I am also a very satisfied customer of FX-Hobbies. I have bought 5 SPAD airplanes and some assorted parts from him in the last 6 weeks. The prices are very reasonable and Frank will sell you the airplanes in the configuration you want and adjust the price accordingly. I wanted to purchase mine without the landing gear and without graphics, so I could add my own. I got to pick the colors for the Coroplast and he lowered the price to adjust for the unwanted material. The workmanship is excellent and he is a great guy to work with.
As an old school, hardcore balsa builder, I can't believe how much fun I am having with my flying rain gutters!!!!
I have discovered that I fly my Spad aircaft the same way I fly my simulator, wide open and with no fear whatsoever!!!![sm=thumbup.gif]

alexp

Deadeye: Yeah, it would be nice if you could post some pictures and instructions on closed wingtips. I for one am interested.

Horizon

Well all finished, very happy with it. I was able to do some taxi tests, the plane handles great on the ground, and to my surprise lifted off in about 20 ft at 3/4 throttle. Definatley heading to the field this weekend to do some flying with it will keep you posted on that. Here are some finish build photo's of it!

StallN

Me too!! I would like the plans for your "Lucky". I am converting a ryobi 31cc now. I really like the lines of your plane. I saw in another post that you could really lighten the plane. If possible, throw those suggestions in there too.

Thanks,

S

Omaha_RC_Flyer

Checkout the plans for the [link=http://www.spadtothebone.com/SPAD/Spadet/]Spadet[/link] and look at pages 21-33. Kraut did a nice job of enclosing the wing tips on the spadet LC-40. Some of the info may not be needed on all the pages if you are not building a spadet wing, but it gives you a good idea on how to do it. See attached photos of my Spadet wing #1 (yellow) and wing #2 (white/blue strips) with enclosed wing tips.

Later,
Omaha

Horizon

Flight report on the Debut or Sirius as they call it. I finally realize the notion of good wing/bad wing, as explained at spadtothebone. Taking off from a tall grass soccer field, full throtte, at around 20 feet the plane literally leaped into the air with the elevator set at neutral. Needed about 5 clicks down, and 2 clicks left and she was flying straight and level. Did a few touch n goes before I felt it was getting a little to dark and brought it in. The plane glides very well, and slows down real nice to land, will test some more this afternoon at the flying field, little more comfortable there than out the back of my house. The fuse on spads I have no problem with building, the wings is where I have so much trouble, if anyone else has this problem these people build a great wing for not much money at all, let alone a high quality ARF.

SearchMan

Horizon,
Now that you've had some flying time on the Sirius, would you say it will fly like a trainer? I am putting together a list of possibilities for a friend who has a son who is interested in R/C. I want to have him consider SPADS as a cheap durable way to get into the hobby. Your ARF SPAD looks to me like a good possibility.

Thanks,
Jim

Pilot Chad

My Feedback: (4)

Searchman,
Perhaps think about a BUHOR trainer. The Buhor is a piece of cake to fly. I love mine.

Horizon

Not a trainer as in new pilot, but it is a combat trainer as they say, these are not newbie friendly. I do have Frank building me two dihedral wings as we speak, one for the Debut, and one for the easy-goer. They have a trainer pylon racing class at a local field here, so im gonna give it a shot. The wings he is building are a 50 inch with 5 inch's of dihedral for the Debut. And a 60 inch with 6 inch's of dihedral for the easy-goer, these planes will race in a .25 and a .40, rudder and elevator only class, no aielerons. So you can call him and he will build any type of wing you want for any plane. I would say the easy-goer with a dihedral wing would make a great trainer. He may even be able to get you one set up like that as a RTF, we spoke about that not long ago.

SearchMan

PC,
Thanks for the suggestion of the BUHOR trainer for my friend - I see why they call it the Big Ugly!

Searchman

SearchMan

Horizon,

Now that I take a closer look, it looks very similar to my Dogfighter (dimentions) - I guess the landing gear and the rudder threw me off.

Do you have an email address for your contact at FXHobbies - the address on the website to Mark keeps getting rejected.

Thanks,
Searchman

RC-Captain

Did you get the plastic angle brace for the vertical stab with the kit ?

Very nice job .

Horizon

Here is the one I use to chat with him [email protected]

If that does not work he is always happy to talk person to person 501-984-5826

Tell you what that Cirrus is a kick in the pants to fly, had it out this evening even with the .25 LA, its alot of fun. I weighed the plane dry with all the equipment on it and its just a little bit over 3.5 lbs!

Horizon

Yes everything you see came with the kit. I added engine, tank, radio equip, wheels and pushrods. They CNC machine everything, even the coroplast, all the cuts are smooth and straight.

Horizon

So has anyone else ordered one up

I have had so much fun with it, new buid coming up here in a few days with a different one of their models.

Mr Akimoto

Hello Horizon:

You really caught my attention with your snazzy little plane. I sent Frank an email this morning to get more information.

I have a question for you: What are you using for pushrods?

Thanks,

Mr Akimoto

CCRC1

My Feedback: (13)

This is one of FX-Hobbies "Debut" Spad ARF's. With the application of a few decals and a canopy I created a different looking airplane.