Hi guys,

Servo-wise, I'd say the 8411 is WAY overkill but it'll work fine. You can easily modify the wing to take a 'standard' size servo body. As stated in earlier threads, I'm using the following servos in mine:

Elevons: HS-5625MG, 1 per elevon
Rudders: HS 5245MG, 1 per fin
Speed brake: HS-645MG
Retracts: HS-225
Brakes: HS-225
Nose wheel: HS-225MG

Having 9 flights on mine now (wish I had more...), I don't see any need for a speed brake other than the stock one in the upper fuse. The easiest way to slow this plane down is with the elevator, throttle management, and building it as light as possible... I've been bitten by it once, on the 2nd flight from a 600ft grass strip. You'll learn to manage the approach pretty quickly, but save yourself some stress and learn on a long strip at first. The speed brake is functional in level flight or nose-down attitude, and less effective in nose-up. I deploy it 50% on the down wind leg, then 100% once I turn on final. I've got it set up on a 3-position switch.

Splitting the elevons... personally I thing the design works fine as-is. You could argue that there's some redundancy with 4 servos in the wings, but I can't imagine it would be all that easy to bring back if one failed, so the likelihood of failure probably doubles... A lot of the guys I spoke to thought I was totally nuts using all Hitec's, but I've burnt them all in, load tested, etc. and haven't seen anything to be concerned about (so far...) I'll keep using them till I see a problem.

I haven't tested any further than the 3/16" offset rudders because the season ended. I'll try a gyro by April 05' hopefully. I was hoping someone else would have some results to share by now also... Anyone???

I have a J600R on the it and I made the motor mounts myself out of Aluminum T-extrusion. I'll try to post a picture later. The MW-44 should make it a lot lighter and decrease the form drag, but I'm curious about how the hardware is installed? I almost needed the addition weight of the engine in order to balance without any extra ballast? As mine wound up, the heaviest of the internals had to by located right in front of the main fuel tanks. A lighter motor may add a few challenges to get the balance right.

The motor I have pushes with ~14.5lb on the test bench, and now that I'm a little more use to it, I love the combo. A Wren 54 MKIII or other engine in that thrust range will work nicely, but It was a little fun to get use to at first though. The only thing that still bugs me is the dutch roll, but hopefully we can all sort that one out soon.

I have a few short videos and a whole whack of pictures, PM me your email and I'll forward them on to you.

Thanks, and good luck guys!
Kelly