ORIGINAL: wbrosen
I have had the Neptune I for over a year. I had heard reports of hard landings and the bottom falling out. It seemed a little light, so I stripped off the fuse covering and glued on a layer of balsa. I then fiberglassed the bottom. Now it is solid as a rock. I added a front hatch for the battery. Even with only an AXI 2826/12 and an 11/7 prop it flies great. Using either a 4500 or 4000 14v battery . I get at least 10 to 12 minutenflights. The wing loading is great. The plane just floats in. No need for flaperons even thought I have it set up for them. With all the added epoxy, even if it gets a little water inside, it has survived well for two seasons.
That's funny, the Neptune has a plywood fuse and you could stand on it and it won't break. ( I wouldn't do it, I weigh 185lbs.)
Are you sure you have the Neptune from League Models, or a copy? The Seamaster looks like the Neptune, but not as well built because the Fuse is made with balsa, not plywood. I think you might be thinking of the Seamaster, not the Neptune. The first batch of the Neptune had a problem with the wing being too weak and Mr. Lee from League Models upgraded the wing by using a solid 1/4" ply spar instead of using using a 3 piece thin wood spar that they originally had used. Sure It adds a little more weight to the plane, but it's more solid now which is good.
It looks as if when Value Hobby runs out of the Neptune, the only way we can buy it is from a foreign distributor, unless League Models finds a way to find American distibutors.
I had a bad hard landing with my other Neptune last Spring, and the wing broke in the middle right were the original spar was. My Fuse is solid as ever and I hadn't needed to add epoxy. I did put 3 coats of Balsa-rite Conditioner on the inside to keep it fuel and water proof just incase, but I hadn't neede to do anything extra other than that.
Did you guys have to balance your Neptune plane inverted? My directions dosn't say, and if you guys tell me how you balanced your plane- I won't have to write a letter to Mr.Lee or Maxford asking them.
I'm starting to question if I ballanced my plane right, so I need to go back and re-do it... but I'd rather ask you guys about it rather than learning the hard way.
Pete