w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=58010

I found this yesterday in the New Products section of the HK site, the price is good and for with just $20 shipping I couldn't resist and pulled the trigger.

This looks good for a an unusual 30cc weekend warbird.

It seems to be available only in EU warehouse, probably the marketing people at HK thought that it will appeal to the Italian market only?

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

There's not much information apart from the HK pictures, it looks like you get a fairly accurate composite fuse with a bevelled firewall that will allow wraparound mufflers:

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

The wing is a mystery: the pictures show fixed gear, no way to tell if retract mounts and wheel well exist or need to be built.

Anyway, I will most likely strip the covering, mod / reinforce for retracts and recover with Fliteskin for better scale looks and rigidity

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Oh, and repaint of course!

Veltro

My Feedback: (1)

Good find! Thanks for the post.

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

I was curious about the origins of this model, after a bit of Google image search I found it:

http://www.piccoleali.it/en/exclusiv...io-arf-60.html

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

The kit arrived last Friday, here's the first impressions:

2-piece wings, not fully sheeted, covered with a thin glossy grey covering with a few olive patches as a kind of camo:

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Split flaps made from block balsa, slanted leading edge leaving a huge gap on the bottom as the hinge line is not on the bottom as it should be but about 5mm above

Ailerons are fully sheeted with a very thick TE, angled LE, hinge line in the middle, again big gaps

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

The plane is retract-ready as per the Picolle Ali origins.
Some pics with dimensions for reference

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

More:

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

The ARF wheel wells are 100mm, will need to be enlarged for scale wheels

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

The composite fuselage looks quite accurate, possibly the fin is enlarged for easier handling?

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Internally there's very few formers, it will need some reinforcing



On close inspection I found the former on the rear saddle is cracked:

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Similarly the servo tray needs some glue

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Front fuse: I guess its "electric-ready", meaning there's nothing there for a tank tray, etc.

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Radiator scoop is laser cut ply, scale in appearance and sturdy construction

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

The cowl was molded a bit rough in some places, but will be alright with some paint and weathering.

The size is good for a 30-35cc gasser with a wraparound muffler

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

It will need a 125mm P-51 style spinner, shouldn't be hard to source

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

The cowl was obviously painted separately to the fuse, the mottle patterns don't match.
Before painting the fuse will need some sanding, the olive-colored mottles were sprayed thick



There is an obvious omission where the wings join the fuse, the balsa will need a bit of trimming:

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

The stabs are well-built with laser cut ply ribs and reinforcement around the tube joiner



Overall alignment is good


Oval rudder typicalC-205

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Accessories and miscellaneous hardware:
- 80mm wheels (too small !)
- a 350cc tank (too small for 35cc!)
- soft plastic control horns (not to be trusted)
- 2 sets of pull-pull stuff for rudder and tailwheel



Wait, there's something missing ... wot! NO INSTRUCTIONS!

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

So, overall first impressions:

Negative:
- Paint scheme and covering is awful, it would be better if they sold it unpainted like Picolle Ali do
- No decals, no pilot, wheels and tank too small
- Wings not fully sheeted
- Fuse looking good but needs reinforcement internally
- Erm ... no instructions, i.e. only for experienced builders

Positive:
+ Good price: you get a rare scale 35cc plane for $300
+ Good alignment, laser cut parts well designed
+ Retract ready
+ Very light: bare plane weighs 3.2 kg only

RBean

w1nd6urfa, Thanks for posting. I saw this on Hobby King site. Listed in US warehouse, so I ordered one. I learned if you want an ARF you best get it because may not be available long. Has not yet arrived. A club member has a new RCGF 32cc he does not need, I think it will go in this plane just fine. I've studied, and it seems that externally the 205 is the same as the 202, except the 202 does not have the external coolers and has a more pointed spinner. So one could complete this as a 202 which I might do as l like the North Africa camp scheme, light tan and dark olive sploches.

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Hey RBean, how's the 109?

The more I dig in this Macchi the more I like it. After stripping the covering the wings reveal a very good and light construction, all ribs are laser cut ply and looks like most of the balsa sheeting is laser cut too with interlocking joints. Spars are 8mm top and bottom, strurdy and stiff.

w1nd6urfa

My Feedback: (4)

Even the retract beams I had doubts about are well built, with a triple-ply rib and beveled hardwood beam. No need to re-engineer here, some standard reinforcement with glass and probably a little carbon.