Hangar-9
Distributed through Horizon Hobby
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign, IL 61822
Phone: (217) 352-1913 www.hangar-9.com/
I
remember the first time I saw the Hangar 9 Taylorcraft
like it was yesterday. It was almost 4 years ago at
the Joe Nall Fly-In. I was wandering around the event
and stopped in at the Horizon tent and saw this gorgeous,
red and white beauty. I quickly zoomed in for a closer
look.
Wow!
I was blown away with the details. The hardware and
linkages were more like those of a Top Gun competitor
than a typical out-of-the-box ARF. It was plain to
see that Hangar 9 went the extra mile to make this
model one-of-a-kind.
Now
we fast-forward to this year's Toledo Show. There,
hanging majestically in a place of honor over their
booth is the Taylorcraft. "Interesting" I thought,
"Why are they showcasing a plane that has been on
the market for so long?" A closer look revealed the
answer. This beautifully scaled airplane is now available
in a Bind-N-Fly* version!
This
new BNF comes complete with a Zenoah G-26 engine,
six Spektrum S6000 digital servos, an AR8000 Spektrum
receiver and a 2700mAh, 5-cell Ni-MH battery (all
pre-installed). It also sports a full-body pilot and
all of those other impressive scale details and hardware
which the original ARF offered.
*
Bind-N-Fly:While in most cases, "BNF"
means that you literally only need to bind the Rx
to your transmitter, the Taylorcraft is a large plane,
so shipping it as a whole would be impossible without
there being some assembly required. So you should
be aware of the fact that this plane requires a little
more assembly than the typical BNF model.
Outstanding Hardware
All Radio Gear Pre-Installed
Authentic UltraCote® Covering
Painted Fiberglass Cowl with Louvered Vents and
Air Scoop
Wingspan: 80.5 in (205 cm) Wing Area: 1150 sq in (74.5 sq dm) Weight: 14.0 - 14.5 lb (6.35 - 6.50 kg) Length: 63.5 in (161 cm) Center of Gravity (CG): 3-5/8 - 4 inch (86 - 101mm)
back from the leading edge at wing root Radio Used:Spektrum DX7 Servos Used: (5) Spektrum S6000 Servos (Pre-Installed) Battery Used:2700mAh 5-cell Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
(Pre-Installed) Channels Used: 6 total - Elevator (2), Aileron (2),
Throttle, Rudder
Control
Throws
Aileron:
High
Rate:
Up:
11/2-inches 38mm
Down:
15/16-inches 24mm
Low
Rate:
Up:
1-inches 25mm
Down:
9/16-inches 14mm
Elevator:
High
Rate: 1 1/2-inches 38mm Low Rate:
1 1/8-inches 29mm
Rudder:
High
Rate: 3 1/4-inches 83mm Low Rate:
1 7/8-inches 48mm
The
packaging gets an A-Plus! Everything was bagged and
taped in place, and the engine box was even glued to
the sides of the outer box to make sure it couldn't
move around. A cardboard divider separated the upper
and lower compartments and foam blocks were strategically
placed to prevent movement.
All
radio components were pre-installed (I can't tell you
how glad I was to see that I didn't have to mess with
that step) and the Zenoah G-26 was ready for installation
right out of the box.
Now,
take a look at the hardware I was telling you about.
I won't say another word, the pictures say it all!
Manual
The
manual is up to Hangar-9's usual standard of excellence. The
pictures are clear and the text is easily understood. If there
were any typos or mistakes, I sure didn't see them.
You
can download the manual in PDF form by clicking Here
We
start out by attaching the main gear with six, button-head
screws. As with all metal-to-metal screw contact, be sure
to use a thread locking compound!
The
gear fairings are glued to the struts with silicon glue
and held in place with tape until the glue has fully cured.
Now
the two sides of the stab are separated, their joining pins
are slid through the fin and they are reunited. This tail
assembly is now attached to the fuse with four screws.
Next,
the tail wheel bracket is added and the springs are installed.
The six tail struts (four on bottom and two on top) lined
up very well and in short order, the tail section was complete.
ENGINE INSTALLATION
Mounting
the included Zenoah G-26 is a piece of cake. The engine
has a backplate already bolted to it which aligns perfectly
with the blind nuts in the firewall. You only need to bolt
the engine in place using the provided cap screws and standoffs
(and of course, thread-lock).
The
two wires to the ignition switch are now connected and once
you remove the tie-wrap which holds the vent line for shipping,
the wires can be stowed behind the firewall.
Now
the fuel line, choke lever and pushrod can be attached to
the carb and the installation is complete.
Ever
since its introduction, Zenoah's G23 was consistently
the 2-stroke gasoline engine for 1/4 scale
models by which all others are judged. With
the new G26, Zenoah ups the performance ante
by a good 800 rpm. Best of all, this extra
"oomph" comes with a minimal weight penalty
(a mere 2 ounces to be exact) and next to
no change in mounting dimensions. Most anywhere
a G23 fits, the big bore G26 fits too.
If
you're looking to spice up the performance
of your 1.20-size bird and prefer the convenience
and clean operation of gasoline engines, you
owe it to yourself to check out the new G26.
See it everywhere Zenoah power and precision
is sold.
Key
Features:
Large cylinder volume provides
superior performance and power
Easy to start and adjust
Spins up to a staggering
8900 rpm on an APC 16 X 8 prop
Outperforms the G23 by
800 rpm and at only an extra 2 ounces
Magneto-driven CDI ignition
system
Specs:
Type: 2-Stroke
Bore: 1.34 in (34.0mm)
Stroke: 1.10 in (28.0mm)
Displacement: 1.55 cu in
(25.40cc)
Practical RPM Range: 1,800â12,000
rpm
Crankshaft Thread Size:
M8 x 1.25
Total Weight: 59.6 oz
Engine Only Weight: 53.6
oz
Muffler Weight: 6 oz
Practical RPM Range: 2,000
- 17,000 rpm
Benchmark Prop: 16x8 APC
@ 8900
Fuel: Gas/Oil Mix
Mounting Dimensions: 180
x 193 x 181mm
Cylinder Type: Ring
Carb Type: Walbro WT-645
Crank Type: Ball bearing
Warranty:
Exclusive Warranty- Horizon
Hobby, Inc., (Horizon) warranties that the
Products purchased (the "Product") will be
free from defects in materials and workmanship
for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase
by the Purchaser.
Hangar
9 really thought of everything. The cowl has both a filling
adapter and a vent built right into it. You just hook up
the tubing and you're ready to go!
When
it came time to put the cowl in place, I started to question
whether or not it would go on, but with a little persistence
combined with a little wiggling, it eventually seated itself
perfectly - AND - You don't need to cut anything! The cutouts
for the muffler and sparkplug are perfectly positioned for
a good fit and a clean look.
ADDITIONAL
COWL NOTE: Naturally, before flying the Taylorcraft,
I wanted to break in the engine a bit. So one Saturday morning
at a reasonable hour lest I wake the neighbors (or even
worse, my wife!), I secured the plane to a stand in my driveway
and cranked her up. The engine idled well and the top end
was good, but the transition was terrible. I let it warm
up and run for quite a while but the transition was still
bad. Finally, I resigned myself to the fact that I would
have to remove the spinner, prop and cowl and adjust the
needles. Then I thought, "Let me see where the adjustments
are - Maybe I can drill a few holes in the cowl so I don't
have to remove anything." As I looked inside the front of
the cowl, lo and behold, Hangar 9 had already placed two
holes directly beneath the needles! They really thought
of everything!
FINISHING
The
cabin floor provides both a cover for the radio equipment
and a magnetic attachment for the pilot seat. Once it is
screwed in place, the seat and pilot can be put in place.
The
wings are now slid onto the fuselage with an aluminum wing
tube and those awesome struts are installed. I had to clean
a little paint out two of the holes with a small file to
get a good fit for the rivets, but it was no big deal and
with that, the Taylorcraft is ready for the sunlight!
We
don't get many good flying days during the Minnesota autumn,
and to make matters worse, daylight after work hours is
at a minimum. But one day, the weather was gorgeous. My
regular helper Geoff was stuck at work, but my plate was
empty, and my brother, Jim was able to take a long lunch.
So I ran home, loaded up the Taylorcraft and we met out
at the field.
Thanks
to the ease of the strut linkages, I got the plane assembled
and flew the maiden flight before Jim arrived. To say I
was pleased would be an understatement. I didn't even have
to touch the trims and in no time I was putting it through
a barrage of my favorite maneuvers! I could immediately
tell that this is one plane that would find a permanent
home in my hangar.
Before
long, Jim arrived. Jim is a very accomplished RC flier who
also has a full-scale rating. He was short on time, so I
brought her in for a landing. On final, she tracked as nicely
as you could ask for and just settled in with that nice,
firm sound of a big bird.
I
handed Jim the DX7, grabbed my cameras, and shot some nice
pictures and video. It was easy to see that my brother was
enjoying the Taylorcraft as much as I was!
After
the flight, Jim had to get back to work, but it was just
too nice of a day and this was too nice of an airplane -
So I played hooky for a little longer in order to get another
flight in!
Afterward,
all I had to do was to pull the four pins on the strut rivets
and remove the two wing screws and within minutes the Taylorcraft
was disassembled and ready to transport home.
Hangar
9 Taylorcraft 26cc BNF
Or, Download the Video (24meg) CLICK
HERE
While
the new BNF version of the Hangar 9 Taylorcraft requires
a bit more assembly that a typical BNF model, it will spoil
you when compared to a typical ARF in that there is so much
that you DON'T need to do. No need to glue servo blocks
in place, no radio installation, no bending or adjusting
pushrods, and no cutting the fiberglass cowl!
Once
completed, the Taylorcraft is one of the finest looking
models you'll ever see. The attention to detail is astounding
and the hardware is second to none! In the air, it's an
extremely maneuverable aerobat that is nothing short of
fantastic. It delivers clean, crisp stick response and the
G-26 is the perfect power plant for it.
I
give it two BIG thumbs up!
Hangar 9 Models Distributed
through Horizon Hobby
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign, IL 61822
Phone: (217) 352-1913 www.hangar-9.com
Spektrum Radios
Distributed through Horizon Hobby
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign, IL 61822
Phone: (217) 352-1913 www.spektrumrc.com
Zenoah Engines
Distributed through Horizon Hobbies
4105 Fieldstone Rd.
Champaign, IL 61822
Phone: (217) 352-1913
Website: www.zenoah.com
Du-Bro
Everything For The R/C Hobbyist
Phone: 1-800-848-9411
Website: www.dubro.com
ZAP and Pacer Adhesives Distributed by Frank Tiano Ent.
3607 Ventura Drive E.
Lakeland, Florida 33811
Phone 863-607-6611 www.franktiano.com
Comments on RCU Review: Hangar 9 Taylorcraft 26cc BNF
I purchased the ARF 2 years ago and Hangar 9 recommended and supplied stand offs in the arf for the Zenoah G20. I ended up selling the plane as it was under powered and i was rather disappointed. I hope the G26 makes her fly better!
The comments, observations and conclusions made in this review are solely with respect to the particular item the editor reviewed and may not apply generally to similar products by the manufacturer. We cannot be responsible for any manufacturer defects in workmanship or other deficiencies in products like the one featured in the review.
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