Fast Freddy

[8D] Check out this new electric PBY Catalina by Great Planes!

www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRLP8&P=7

I like the fibergalss fuse! Release date is late May.

Kmot

My Feedback: (24)

Yes, this is on my list. Along with about a hundred others!

KiwiKid

Yup looks like a fun machine. I would like to see a full review and flight (and water handling) vid before investing though.

moodier

My Feedback: (1)

Hi;Just wondering always like the Cat but is that the one GP is going to be selling?Is that fuselage for a different version than you usually see.Maybe just shows my lack of knowledge about them?

Fast Freddy

Moodier,

Check it out here:

www.electrifly.com/largeelectrics/gpma1154.html

Should give you all the info. you need.

moodier

My Feedback: (1)

Thanks for the info!See that is the same thing Tower is advertising.Not to much up on electrics,not my thing but want a Cat.Trying to find a Kyosho one but they are pretty much long gone.Guess should try the electric twins as do get tired of fighting the engine out thing on my glow engines.Would be a realpleasure to fly a twin and not be watching continouslly for the engine to die.Just lost a P-38 with an engine out on climb out,no hope there!!Don't like the cost checked the price for everything,ouch.Guess if you aren't into glow so deep isn't so bad but when have everything sitting there for glow then look at cost of switching to electric!

rnkeng

Has anyone actually gotten one of these & flown it? Just ordered one from Tower and should have arrival next week.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Ask and Ye shall receive.

I have one on its way for an RCU Magazine Review

dhillfolk

My Feedback: (195)

I was contemplating one of these till I just saw mention of a RCG member getting his who sounded really unhappy with it. He was going to do a build thread but doesn't feel it's worth it.
I'm trying to get more info from him as to specifics.

Here are further comments from RCG member----I have reason to believe he is an expirenced builder


Why is the PBY junk? Briefly this:

1. I weighed the plane parts, over 5 lbs just out of the box. With motors, batteries, etc. will total near 7 lbs. A 7 lb plane will not fly with those dinky motors they suggest.
2. The motor nacelles with the mounts are thin and will break if you look at them the wrong way.
3. The fuse may be fiberglass, but it's just the liquid hardened.
4. The plastic parts are paper thin, such as motor cowls.
5. The only way to get at the servos when completed is to cut out the blister windows, they provide an extra set for that.

CrunkedMonkey

dhillfolk:

I have one in my hands and I have to disagree with 1 and 2 on your list. The plane still in the box is 5.20 pounds and most of that is the packing material. The cardboard is over 2 pounds and the instruction book is 0.2 pounds. The fuse is 0.85 lbs. and both wings together are 0.5 lbs. On point number two, the motor mounts look very strong to me. They are vulnerable to crushing while they are loose but once on the wings I can't imagine them breaking. A agree with 3, 4, and 5, but none are deal breakers. After opening the box of a Great Planes Seawind (and promptly taking it back to the hobby shop for multiple reasons), I didn't doubt your post at all. But this is a sweet and sexy plane, and I don't know how they can offer such a complete ARF for $140.

dhillfolk

My Feedback: (195)

Keep in mind what you're refering to as "my" list is not mine, but what I passed on from an RCG forum to offer a perception of one of these first kits.
You see, I also want one of these but after 60 yrs in this hobby, I wouldn't jump out & buy one till I see some user feedback here & in RCG----NOT in magazine reviews.
The more comments like yours & others, the better the understanding for other purchasers.
I look forward to your progress w/ the PBY.

rnkeng

MinnFlyer, when might we expect your test and review to be available. Have my PBY here now, but am going to wait until after I check your review to build it. Am quite interested on how the power/weight ratio is with recommended power setup.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

It's really hard to say. Even if I turned it in today there's noting to say how long it will be before they post it. But unlike just having one to fly, once it's finished, I have to wait for a good day, when i also have a pilot to fly it while I shoot video (It's easier to find a flier than someone who can follow one of these things with a zoom lens!)

THEN the videos have to be editied, etc.

All in all it can be a pretty long process. But I DO want to get this one turned around ASAP

IF I had to give you a ballpark, I'd say don't expect to see it anytime before the end of June at the earliest. Mid to late July is more realistic

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

PS, but I will keep you updated in this thread as I go along

rnkeng

So Minn, not to give anything away, but WHAT was your overall impression?? Is recommended power enough or should I step it up a bit??

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I haven't even taken it out of the box yet.

rnkeng

Minn, Sorry I misunderstood. I thought you had already done your test and review and turned everything in for publishing/posting. Anyway I am considering going up to either the 1250, or 1450 KV motors as opposed to the 950. Any thoughts on this?

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

I really can't say. I am going with the recommended motors - which is what I usually do so that I can give a good report on what is recommended

d_bodary

My Feedback: (85)

Well i received mine thursday. Still in the box. No idea when i'll get around to working on it. It's got a nice look to it. looking forward to hearing the reports on the recomended power system myself.

Dennis

rnkeng

My "gut" tells me to use the 1250 kv, as extra power always comes in handy, and it's real easy to throttle back and cruise. So will let you all know when I finally build it & get it in the air.

d_bodary

My Feedback: (85)

Still being new to the electric game. A couple of questions. Will the extra kv give more rpm? but possibly swing a smaller prop due to less torque?

Would like to know for my own benefit. Especially as i have not ordered the motors.

Thanks
Dennis

khodges

My Feedback: (1)

For those who've actually had hands-on with this plane--would it hold up to a glow conversion? Would a couple of .10's be too much?

rnkeng

D..maybe I have my theory wrong on these motors then. If we have motor experts around your input would be appreciated.

dhillfolk

My Feedback: (195)

In RC Groups there is quite a good build & flying thread w/ videos on this PBY by Carl Rich.
It's listed in "Electric Warbirds" near the top of the list & it convinced me to order one .

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Also check RCU's electric site:

[link=http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/]www.wattflyer.com[/link]