Hey guys, I'm wanting to slip a Flatout into my next tower purchase. I've been a pretty strict 40 size, nitro, and NICD flyer until now. It'll be my first electric plane. And first foamy for that matter. So I'm clueless as to what i'm going to need. I'm wanting to do it as CHEAPLY as possible right now, I'll upgrade another time. So i'm going to use the stock motor for now. And HOPEFULLY use a few items I already own. Could you guys look my plan over?

Here is what I have in the shopping cart.
Flatout Extra 300S
2 oz Great Planes Foam Safe Glue
Great Planes Pro CA Foam Save Activator 2 oz.
Great Planes LiPo 11.1V 640mah 3S 15C dishcharge battery
Great Planes Electrifly C-12 Micro Brushed ESC w/BEC

Now here is what I own that I'm HOPING i can use.
4 HS-55 Servos ( i'm pretty sure these are appropriate)
Hitec Electron 6 reciever ( is this appropriate?)
Hobbico Quick Field Charger MkII for charging the LIPO.(it'll be my first LIPO, all my other batteries are NICD)
Futaba 7CAP transmitter

Can you guys think of anything else I'll need? Will everything I have work together? Do I need any special micro plugs or anything? Any other adhesives or misc. items? Thank you guys!

Dan

Hey there

What you have sounds ok, Just be sure you are not going to pull to much power from your BEC (most small esc's will only run 3 mini servos safely) you should get some deans connectors for you lipo. I am also assuming your kit comes with all the hardware you will need to connect control surfaces ect. All the foamy jets i have built fly very well with off the shelf micro radio gear. As with any RC plane keep the weight down and it will go hard. You should also make yourself aware of the risks involved with lipo's. Please dont become another fire statistic. Check out this site www.dynamoelectrics.com/Lipo%20Essay.aspxDont know if this will work as a link but type it into your browser and it will take you to where you need to be regarding lipo batteries.

Cheers guru

I'm pretty sure the kit does come with the hardware for the control surfaces. If not, i'm hoping someone will let me know. What are "deens connectors "? Remember... I'm an electric rookie here. I've been reading about the dangers of LiPo's. I've got an old ammo box I'm planning on charging in. Ammo box sitting on a concrete floor. I think the wife might really, REALLY begin to hate my toys if I burn the house down!!!
Dan

I gave you the wrong link for the lipo's

www.dynamoelectrics.com/Lipo%20Essay.aspx should get you the info you need.
Google Deans plugs to find out what they are. If you shop on eBay you can find them fairly easily.

Ok then, i've added 2 W.S. Deans 2-Pin Ultra Plugs to my shopping cart. Great idea. Theres a lot of information on that battery page. I need to study up on my batteries. I need to learn a little about proper charging and discharging. I've never once discharged any of my NiCd packs.
What else? I know I'm missing some stuff. I always find that out what, after my orders placed. [>:]

Dan

If I were you I'd buy the mini Dean plugs (saves weight). I just finished building the Extra 300s floatout from Tower and what little hair I had is now gone! Great Planes had trouble with the "plastic" hadrware in this kit. Checkout RCuniverse.com for info. I personally contacted GP and they replied to "...heat the parts with a hairdryer firts". Sounds good but can mealt the foam where the parts are connected. My biggest problem was the zbends. I enlarded the connecting holes (instructions say not to do this) and still the zbends would just break. I must have gottem one of the bad plastic kits. Thank goodness Tower understands these issues. When I complained they sent me a new kit. I haven't tried one yet but some of the newer flatouts (e.g., Hellcat) look like they may go together easier.

Larry

a) there are MANY better foamies than Flatouts...

b) it isn't a glider

Try an Eflite Extra 260, goes together in 3 hr or less and hardware is good. Runs on a Eflite 300 motor.
Jeff

I'm gonna chime in as well .Those things are flatout junk . Try the charger rc cr-1 pretty much the same price and 1000 times better as is the eflite 260.

Looks like everything will work ok. I have had 2 turmoils, stock setup like the one you described. Flew fine outside, hovered about 2/3rds throttle. They don't fly so well in a small basketball court though.. don't ask The foam's a bit brittle, so it'll break apart relatively easily. The C clips for control surfaces are fine though in my experiences (built two turmoils, and an RCU bipe). I boil the plastic trees in water for 4 or 5 min.. then turn the heat off of the water and let it cool with the water.. nice and slow. Also trim a little bit off of each C-clip's opening to help reduce the stress on them while installing.

I was just showed this setup. Full brushless outrunner, speed controller, bigger battery,
and a balancer for less than my original setup. Now I'm thinking of ditching the Flatout idea and going with something else. This is why I love RCUniverse!!

Try This motor
https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...idProduct=4110
This speed controller
https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...?idProduct=656
and this battery
https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...idProduct=2103
I highly suggest a balancer.
https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...idProduct=2057
And you are gong to need some deans connectors
https://www.unitedhobbies.com/UNITED...idProduct=2116

Now who has some suggestions on some foamies?
Dan

Almost any e-flite foamy would work with that setup.

What do you guys have to say about United Hobbies? Any opinions about them? I was looking at them, and they have good prices but how are they really?

Medic

Medic,
I have orderd the polymax 1550mah 3cell lipo and hextronic 3cell balancer. The battery performs as rated. As far as the balancer.... well.. my batteries are not out of balance.. but it's hard to tell if it is because of the balancer or if the batteries are just naturally balanced..

I have directed a couple of other folks to purchace from united, they have gotten lipo batteries as well as a couple of differnet motors and speed controllers. They both said they were very pleased with what they received.

Shipping time seems to be anywhere from 7-14 days.. and the shipping price is a little more than what you might expect from local, but that is to be expected ordering directly from Hong Kong.... I think the price of the products more than makes up for it.
I WILL order from United Hobbies again.

Take a look at Fancyfoam.com. They have some great flying and very durable foamies for both outdoor and indoor, and sell complete packages too.

I'm gonna say that if no. one else has told you, you may want to invest in a cell balancer for your LiPo. Best to be safe with these batteries than become a flaming statistic. Good luck to your endeavors.