What a nice flying plane. I have had several 3D planes and this one is the best so far. I had a Somethin Extra (which needed something extra to fly 3D), a TT profile Extra (which was extra heavy), and a Pizzaz which I was able to hover and TR with some effort, and did wild tumbles including cartwheels. This UCD is what I wanted from the beginning though. After having had four different 2-strokes and three different 4-strokes, I have settled on the Saito .91 with Master Airscrew 14x6. This made the Pizzaz like a helicopter in the hover, and with that same engine/prop on the UCD 46, the UCD has heli-like altitude response on the throttle. With three servos in the tail the CG came out at 6inches back with no cowling. The battery is on the CG. I was able to torque roll it on the first flight. It flies so light and easy, I had to use elev/flaperon mixing on the Pizzaz to get that feeling at all. The kit went together smoothly. I used Dubro pinned hinges with epoxy and microballoons though, I'll save the CA hinges for smaller planes. The surfaces move so easily they fall down under their own weight with no servo attached. I used two Hitec 605BB's on the ailerons for a little more torque, and a hitec 5945MG for extra torque on the rudder.
I actually set a personal record for buy-to-fly time via mail order. I ordered it late Wednesday night, actually in the AM on Thursday. It was at my door at 6pm on Friday! I have the Tower membership and didn't even pay shipping, I'm amazed at 2-day delivery for free! By Monday afternoon I was able to fire up the engine and Tuesday afternoon I put it's first flight on it so I did it in 6 days. The engine mount used was from a Global Freestyle, used upside down, with 6-32 rubber well-nuts sunk into the firewall. This gave perfect clearance with the carb. These wellnuts gave a little vibration isolation. I think this will become my favorite plane, it is so relaxing to fly yet so capable for 3D maneuvers. I love flying it slow, it's at home at 15mph.
-Tom
Greensboro NC