Mounted my elevators today. I did it the stock way including the screw to hold it in. This might be a neat feature to remove the stabalizer someday. I'm gonna give it a go this way, at first anyways. I also opted to go with the stock pushrods. I was going to use carbon fiber but the stock ones are so easy to install I went with them. Anyways, I kinda wanted to see what the weight is pretty much stock. I would only save about 1/4oz with the carbon fiber anyways. I did replace the tires. I went with 3" Dubro "Super Lite" wheels. The weigh .75oz for both of them. The stock are only 2.5" and weigh 2.1ozs. So I get a little bit of savings there. I got the landing gear mounted. I used the Mayhem tailwheel assembly. It saves about 1/4oz but the real advantage is the spring linkage and the smaller tire. I think the stock one is just as good but needs to have a smaller wheel to get the nose higher than the tail. I also mounted the YS tonight. And got the firewall drilled for the throttle cable. I've got the aileron and elevator servos mounted and trimmed out. I'm waiting on the rudder servo to see where initial balance is. I'm working the throttle servo is as I go.
So far the things I don't like are as follows:
1. Tailwheel to high
2. Tires (personal preference, but I like bigger tires (I fly on grass) and the stock ones are just a little bit heavy. I'm leaving the pants off. I do this on all my planes, not a complaint
3. The wing tube seems quite loose in the fiberglass mount. (Does anyone else have that problem?)
4. I don't like the way the screws mount for the hinged surface horns. The screw is loose and the manual (and Mike) state all you need is a little glue and it will be fine. I'm trusting them on this one because I mounted them just like it says. I just don't think it's the best set up
5. The canopy. It has to be glue on and the fit isn't very exact. I hate that. Why can't the canopy come pre glued? The Mayhem does. All I do is get fingerprints all over the dang thing and it never matches the trim and is difficult to install. Wake up you manufacturers. Glue the canopy for us.
Things I like and I'm impressed with
1. Unique design. In an era of "Me too" the Showtime at least is unique with the SFGs. I probably won't use them all that much, but it's nice to have them and who knows, maybe I'll really like them. But also they don't force you to choose. They are removeable. Nice touch.
2. Color scheme is nice. No transparent covering!!! Whoever started that, ought to stop it. I like the colors also. I think the color on the bottom ought to be more different but I think it's pretty good. But hey, (shoulda added this to the dislikes) why not like a UCD or a CAP (Chapman) They are the best for different undersides and are by far the easiest to see orientation. Wake up you guys.
3. Quality of hardware and ease of assembly. It's all pretty good. Not the best or lightest stuff but really pretty darn good stuff.
4. Optional rudder servo location. What a great idea!!! And they provide the hardware for both. And either location has the servo mount pre installed.
5. The switch cut out is pre done and only requires us to remove the covering. Nice.
6. Carbon fiber landing gear. And it's predrilled!!! (gotta love it) And I like the axles. They just look more sturdy to me than some
I should have the plane done and flying by Saturday. I'll fly it approx 20 times and write kinda a mini review of what I think the plane is like from a intermediate 3D wanta be pilot's prospective. (Others, please do this also so we can get a real idea what the plane is like. Beginners to expert)
I hoping the weight with more or less a pretty stock build is in the advertised range of 8-9 lbs. I'm using HiTec HS5625, HS5645 & HS645 servos with a mini HS85 on the throttle. So I have premium (heavy) servos with a YS 110 engine. This will probably put me in the upper weight range but the manufacturer should expect this equipment and it should be accounted for in the weight range. I'm gonna try one the new 16.5 x 5W props especially made for the YS engine.
Anyways, that's my update.
Thanks,
Barry