Ragwing

My Feedback: (2)

While Cox seems to be scaling back production of their engines, they have introduced a nice line of micro warbirds for electric power. At $20 I couldn't resist, so I ordered the Spitfire. The foam model comes pre-painted, with motor, two propellers/spinners, hardware kit and decals. The instructions are very clear, well illustrated and obviously written by a modeler. The kit also comes with switch/charge board that is supposed to be installed in the model. I opted to leave the board out, saving a bit of weight. Total weight is 4.4 oz's with a 450 mah LiPo, Pixie 7, 2 4.3g servos and a GWS receiver. I did not make a battery hatch, so the battery will be in the model for it's life. I was really surprised at how quickly the model went together; I spent right around 3 hours on it. My only compliant is that it is nearly impossible to install the recommended leading edge tape on an elliptical wing without unsightly wrinkles. Also the yellow leading edge stripes on the Spitfire should really be painted on.

First flight was this morning, rudder was a bit sluggish in right turns-but that's an easy fix. The model cruises nicely at 1/2-3/4 throttle. The wing pops off in the event of a rough landing. This isn't a very aerobatic model, at least not with me at the controls. But it will be a great small field model to take out for lunch break flying session.

All in all I'm very impressed with Cox's latest products, and you really can't beat the price.

BMatthews

That sounds like some serious challenge to the GWS products. Nice to see. I assume that there'll be a radio included version soon enough.

DICKEYBIRD

Wow, that IS a good looking little bird. Great review also....Mr. Estes/Cox oughta send you a few more as freebies!

Hmmm, I wonder how an .010 would haul it around.[X(]

scudrunner77

That looks real similar to the Hobbico Spitfire that I have. I think I have heard though that the Cox version is designed from the beginning for RC while the Hobbico comes as a free flight and has to be gutted out. Glad your having fun with it...

Did the fuse come in two pieces??
What motor did it come with??

BMatthews

Or a Sure Start.... Come on... you KNOW you want to.......

Ragwing

My Feedback: (2)

Yeah, the cox birds do look a lot like the hobbico ones. The fuselage comes in two pieces, split down the middle. The motor is 180 sized, or so Cox claims-it is just a bit smaller than a Johnson 250. The injection molding for the foam was really done well, the motor fits into its compartment perfectly, so you don't have to w1orry about getting the down/right-thrust correct-it's done for you. I've heard that the spinner/prop combo has a tendency to vibrate badly, but I guess I got lucky as mine was ok. I've heard that the hobbico models have really flexible wings, the cox models come with a wing stiffener installed and feel pretty rigid.

Derek

scudrunner77

Thanks for the info... By the time I gutted mine the whole thing looks more like Swiss cheese, so I might bag it and pick up a Cox one someday. The Hobbico spit would make a nice hanging model. I see Cox has a P-47... I like it!

scudrunner77

I guess it could be done..... [8D]

scudrunner77

I would not be surprised if these came out of the same mold, but yours looks like it has a real fine paint job and nice details like painted canopy and exhaust.

BTW while bench testing my motor one of my prop/spinners vibrated real bad... The spinner is two piece screwed on from the back and I think I found it was not holding up well....

EASYTIGER

My Feedback: (119)

049 is WAY much for something like this! 010, 020....

Hey...where are the ailerons? R/E warbirds are flaky.

I did the old flying styro me109, which is a bit bigger, at least three times.

SST

My Feedback: (2)

So where did you find it? LHS or someplace like Wally World?

Ragwing

My Feedback: (2)

I ordered it directly from http://www.coxmodels.com/ Oh and from what I gather Estes didn't have much of a role in the creation of these models-maybe that's why they have a chance at succeeding.

ptulmer

My Feedback: (5)

I asked about putting glow engines on them and Dave (remember him?) said the paint was not compatible. Maybe with a coat of water-based poly-u? Heck, I bet even a peewee .020 could pull it nicely!

cyclops2

2 coats of fuel proof clears and it would be just right for a .049?[sm=thumbup.gif]

EASYTIGER

My Feedback: (119)

An 049 is way much for a bird like this...it will not last long, especially on landing. A tee dee 02 would make a missile!

Think I'll a-go and order one!
I'll add AILERONS, though...

scudrunner77

You did not think I was serious did you?

Which one are you going to order... I like the P-47 myself.

EASYTIGER

My Feedback: (119)

Sure, thought you were perfectly serious. I did the flying styro 109 with an 049, it's only a little bigger. But it was not a really happy combo. The weight difference between an 020 and 049 is huge.
I ordered the Spitfire. I will flatten the wings and add ailerons, and try it with the stock motor and 3 lipoly cells. If I am not happy, on goes a tee dee 02.
I did the Guillows 16" 190 with a similar setup...performance was astounding.

EASYTIGER

My Feedback: (119)

The jug and mustang are pretty ugly to me! But the spit was nice...and the corsair looks the most accurate of them all.

scudrunner77

It was just for fun cause someone mentioned it.

Good luck with yours....!

Bipe Flyer

I have the Hobbico P-40 and a Johnson 250 is pretty wild on it. A TeeDee .020 would be really hot. An .049 would fold the wings.

R/E control isn't very nice on it. I'm going to make a new wing with ailerons - one of these days.

DICKEYBIRD

Before you give up on the old wing, cut it apart and add a few more degrees dihedral. That will increase the roll rate.

cyclops2

I was wondering why most people say it, .049 is too much. Then I realized that I run my planes and engines at a maximum engine speed of 4,000 to 6,000 rpm.
That sounds realistic and keeps the conversation normal.

EASYTIGER

My Feedback: (119)

The POWER can be managed one way or the other, the issue is really the WEIGHT. This is a five ounce airplane. What does a Babe Bee weigh?

Bipe Flyer

Still, it's not the same. I don't like the wing much anyways. It started out too flimsy, so I added CF spars. Still to flexy, so I added a sheet of 1/16" balsa underneath, now it's just too darn heavy. I can make one stronger, and lighter than the original. Unfortunately it will be nearly impossible to make the camouflage match.

Ragwing

My Feedback: (2)

Agreed, I realy wish they made a razorback version of the P-47. But it might not look too bad if repainted to a silver/black scheme.

From what I've read in other forums, it seems that the Corsair is the worst flier of all of them-the rudder is just too small (endemic to all the models). I am going to try adding a bit of clear plastic off the back of the rudder on the spit to up the area some. Unfortunatley I can't experiment with it till this darn wind calms down, it's really blowin here.

My apologies, for those of you who have visted the Cox site probably realize my error. Cox says that the motors are 130 sized, not 180 as I mentioned above.

Derek