Well the thing was a real b!tch to assemble but boy does it fly nice. This is what I put on it.
OS 40FP engine
APC 11-4 prop
Futaba 148 servos and Hitech HS-55 for throttle
CG = 4.75" from leading edge
One washer of right thrust on engine mount.
Control throws: A=45deg, E=50deg, R=55deg
All up weight dry: 3 lbs, 13 ounces.
The 40FP really pulls it around nice. The thing is very light with this motor. I used the stock 6 oz gas tank and that keeps it light too. I was a little concerned about the CG (too far back) but it flies just fine. Get this: no trims necessary. That was a big surprise. I just used the trims on the ground to line up all the control surfaces with the wing, stab, and fin and it flew straight as an arrow. The thing I noticed it does the best is hover (around 3/4 throttle). Also it does blenders so nice. Very tight. This might be due to how much control throw I get out of the rudder. But it really does some beautiful flat spins. Knife edges were not too pretty on this plane. Also I tried doing some rolling harriers and it just doesn't fly nice on its side. Maybe I need more practice or maybe my rudder throw is too much? All I can say is that a few days ago I was doing all of this perfectly on my Magic Extra 300L. too early to tell. Inverted flight is almost level.
One mistake that almost cost me the plane: When setting up for a blender I didn't go upwind far enough and by the time the plane got to the pull-out altitude, it was pretty far away. I ended up over the woods trying to figure out which side of my plane was the top. I really should have crashed but I somehow pulled out of it. I'm not proud of this but just thought I'd share my mistake. Also I'm using an older AM radio because I didn't want to buy a new flight pack for the plane. Well flying on high rates (3D rates) all the time is not what I call enjoyable. Landing is tough with the elevator so touchy. Also if you just bump the stick by accident while your flying close to the deck, it can instantly be on the ground. So I really need dual rates on this plane.
One thing I heard from others is that you can lose orientation of the plane. This is true. Even right over the field it was kind of tough. So I recommend keeping it close as possible.
I only flew 4 flights and my hands were freezing so that's all I got. All in all it's a pretty nice flying plane for $99. I really didn't like all the time I had to spend fixing things that didn't go together well. Very frustrating. I never expected to spend all that extra time.
Here are some pic's and a formal RCU review.
Please excuse my gross looking bench top. It needs a resurfacing.
http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=193
Thanks,
Joe