Not knoking the Tensor, but this month is the last review of the plane I could stand. They arent lying, just not letting you in on the truth about this foam wonder. I have built 3 of them and now am looking for a replacment for the gear from it. I would like to read something like "Don't breath too hard while building it, or make any suddent movements or you will destroy it before you finish the build". Or how about "Yah, it will flex like a noodle so just expect it". Maybe "keep the glue on hand for when you take it out of your car and it brushes the seat belt and you loose the wing tips". Seriously, Im not beating on the plane. If your skilled at all, you will amaze people with what it can do. I love the way it flys and I still have one for when there is NO wind, but I have never read in any magazine review that this thing is VERY fragile. Plus I just have a chip on my shoulder because you would think that the town that Chip Hyde came from, would have a hobby shop that sold something besides a stock TMaxx for under 600 bucks. So EVERYTIME I ORDER A FOAM PLANE, its busted by the shipper.

step 1: trace tensor kit
step 2: buy thicker foam
step 3: build super tensor

I agree, it's really fragile.. I don't have one, but two of my friends do, and 90% of the damage is not from flying/landing...

Quit complaining, you bought 3 of them, you should have learned after the 1st one.

Lol!!!!


I'm just tired of magizine reviews...period... I don't think I have ever read a bad one... makes it seem like every airplane ever reviewed is a must have!

Chill out buddy...

hey man.... i buy the tensor, and i am very happy with my decision!
tensor is high quality airplane, you should have some experience before you build and fly it!
yes, electric airplanes are weak that why you need experience for that airplane so yes, you should expect the electric airplanes to be week.
if you need some help PM me...

pfff I agree - too many positive threads. The airplane flies pretty good, but it aint *that* great. IMO, the Tensor should come with a coupon for a free gallon of foam safe CA.

hey akahoverit...you missed my hole point. Find me one review that states how fragile it is even in a footnote. (I was talking about this months Model Airplane News)I have the same companies Yak 54 and that thing is a brick house in comparison. I had followed the plane for along time, being that it was going to be my first foamy, and the first foamy I know of in my home town. I had no idea that my 2.6 Comp Arf Yak would sit in the house, and these things would be so damn fun. I would just like to see reviews in the magazines point out flaws in the planes, instead of just showing how greatfull they are for getting a free plane to fly around. Seriously, I have been reading the magazines for years, even before I bought my first plane, and I can not remeber anything but the odd trim coming off, that a plane was other than perfect. I guess thats why everyone loves forums, uh. And I am going to buy another one! Its just funny that everyone I know that has one loves how it flys and hopes they have a soft landing. Saying that, the wind has now died down and its 2 am with a fool moon. Im going to get my Tensor, CA, and accelerator and walk to the park and fly. Only thing good about insomnia.

Your not the only one Chopped. My buddy just lunched his 3rd one as well but he keeps buying them because their so much fun. The do flex pretty bad under accelleration but they are very entertaining to watch.

Point of information: What is the Tensor made of? From the comments here, I assume it's not 6mm Depron like most of the others.

I ask because I'm taking notes for a scratch-built. Whatever they're using on the Tensor, it sounds like I wouldn't want to go any lighter than that.

Thanks!

Duane Gall
RCPRO

Id have to agree. The tensor is VERY fragile. It will disintegrate on anything but perfect landings, and because of its odd flying charectoristics, makes it an EXPERT only airplane.

This being said, there are things you can do to make it more stable, and less damage prone. But some will make it heavier.

1st, ignore the manufacturer recommend CG points. Move the CG back to 2.75" - 3" and it wont nose over on slow speed landings busting the nose and gear all through the wing anymore.

2nd, run a carbon strip down the leading and trailing edges of the lower wing (ala shockflyer style)

3rd, eliminate all the carbon fiber wing bracing. Replace with fishing line.

4th, use two small strips of foam to box in the bottom of the fuselage. This will eliminate tail flex.

The Tensor4D is a fun flying plane, capable of some pretty amazing stuff, but it is a handful to fly and maintain. I've pretty much given up on the tensor, as there are much better planes out there. It was something new that grabbed alot of attention...including mine. But there are alot better planes out there.

I'll have to disagree with one of your statements bdavison,

I would say that I'm more of a 3D novice, just learning to hover and what not... I made a junker 4D out of Bluecor to fix the durability issues and flew it with a little wind. It was the most enjoyable 3D flight I've had. I was able to hover it for a few seconds and because I don't have a comp. radio for my other, more, conventional foamy models, I thought it flew very predictably and didn't crash once over 2 1320s of flight time.

Mine was blown up to a 30" ws

For those just entering 3D flight w/o a comp. radio, I would strongly suggest a 4D based design, but not necessarily the original. It's ultimately just personal preferece.
I'm looking for different plans to try out, do you have any suggestions bdavison?

Any of the current shockflyers will be FAR easier to hover than the tensor.
The Slick from M-A-E is a good design.
3Dfoamy has quite a few designs that are real good flyers.
The 3DX is a great one.
If you want to stick with biplanes. Wait for the Reflection to come out from Great Planes. A friend of mine couldn't wait any longer for GP to get off their butts and release the kit, so he scratchbuilt one based on the pictures. Dang thing is AWESOME.

Yea , your right I couldn't wait for the reflection to come out so I scratch built one based on the pictures. I flew it first time yesterday and it flew well no big problems but today I moved the cg back a little and the thing does a rolling circle with no input other than aileron. It does exactly what I've heard people talking about it. Anyway its the best I could do with the shape from the pictures. Its smaller with a 25 inch wingspan. powered by a little screamer with TP 430. weight is 5.2 oz . Anyway I might build another one if the kits don't get released soon and let bdavison do an airbrush job on it. And I will send pictures. Bill

Not a problem. Ill airbrush it for you.

I got somemore depron, cant decide on what to build out of it yet though. I think its time for me to design my own bipe....mwuhahahaha.

Ive still got some of that chameleon paint left over from my motorcycle. Im seeing a biplane that changes colors in mid-air! Sweeeeet.
Maybe add a little metal flake to it for extra umph.

Show me any magazine review, except RC Report, about any plane that doesn't state it's one of the best planes ever.[:@] They don't want to lose ad $$$[sm=greedy.gif]