Greg Covey

Hi,

I am working on a review of the T3D for eDogFight.com and thought I would share some of my findings with you before it is published.

I built the plane stock except for adding a carbon spar to the wing instead of the supplied carbon tow. I'll post a photo later on as I am away from my normal PC.

All up, my T3D was about 5.2oz with the 2-cell, 730mAh ThunderPower pack and all the decals.

Here is a shot of me getting comfortable in my confined backyard.

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Greg Covey

It wasn't long before was able to test hover it over my soft grass. Trust me, I am not that good. For a few seconds at least, I felt like Gary Wright hovering his E3D!

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Greg Covey

Overall, I would say that the T3D lives up to its name; Trainer 3D. The power was good for the first 5 minutes and then a bit weak for the second 5 minutes so it leaves room for a minor power tweak. I remember walking away thinking..."boy, is this plane fun!".

Oh, and that stressed look on my face? That was me telling my wife, "Quick, take the picture!"

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Greg Covey

Here is a close up of my T3D flying. You can see the flat carbon spar modification under the wing. It made the wing very solid in flight.

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Greg Covey

I later practiced off the side of our club field where the grass was taller. Even in a small area, it felt like we had plenty of room.

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Mike Taylor

My Feedback: (1)

Greg,

Where did the extra 2 ounces come from? I thought you were going to keep it stock to begin with...

AtomHeartMother

I'm very interested in this plane..looks like a hoot.
I'm guessing the 5oz. weight was without batteries.
I watched the videos at their website. If you run the numbers on the weight/thrust it's hard to believe the plane has so much pep. Does it have power to hover ?
I figured with 1020 Lipo's 35 minute flight times could be the norm. Looks like a dirt cheap alternative to the brushless "$600" 3D machines. I get pretty good mileage out of the little IPS drives.

Mike Taylor

My Feedback: (1)

The plane is advertised as being 5 oz AUW with moderate sized LiPolys. From the edogfight.com web site (www.edogfight.com):
"T3D CAP - Indoor or out door 3D Trainer. Content of kit: ARF Kit, IPS-A motor, 1047 prop.

5 OZ. AUW, Wingspan 27.5", Length 27.2"
Wing loading 3.7OZ/ sq. ft.

Items need to complete the kit:
Pico R4/PH receiver, 3 Pico servos, 1 30mm servo extension, ICS-50 2 amp ESC,
Battery 7.4V Lithium Polymer 700-800mAh 2 Cell pack, Lithium Polymer charger, Transmitter."

People have reported significant weight reduction using small & lighter LiPolys, using lighter wire and direct wiring the controls to eliminate connetors, etc. The 560 HO cells and even smaller HO cell packs (down to 3x250s - check out the video!) can reduce the weight even further - like to below 4 1/2 ounces.

The other approach has been to go to heavier more powerfull motors and batteries than the recommended set up. My guess is that Greg took the latter approach...

Greg Covey

Opps! Good catch, Mike. My T3D was really 5.2oz RTF with the added carbon spar and decals. I corrected my post above.

So much for posting on the road from memory!

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Greg Covey

I built my T3D very stock and very solid. It has been my experience that by strengthening the wing and tail from warping in flight, you get a much truer flying plane.

Here is a shot of my lost hover heading for the trees. I smacked my T3D many times on branches and grass without issue. I am definitely not ready for hovering over pavement yet.

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Greg Covey

Here is another close-up shot of the T3D flying. I've found that exponential settings on my Futaba Super-8 transmitter really help out for 3D flying. It has been a slow learned process of gradual improvement.

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Greg Covey

I plan to try out this new Kokam 340mAh SHC cell on my next T3D testing. It weighs only 0.8oz and can deliver 20C. The added current delivery and 0.3oz drop in weight may prove interesting.

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Greg Covey

The T3D makes a small field feel BIG!

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houfek

Greg....
You said you built it stock, but mention using CF. Where did you use the CF....just the wing ? Just one spar ?? What size ??
I see some others are reinforcing the fuse as well ??

So the stock motor/prop will hover it at 5.2 oz ??

Thanks !!

Jim

3dbatixkid

I added the carbon toe to mine as well. I ran a small strip top and bottom of the wing. the wing will NOT flex in waterfalls or blenders. Greg, try a LONG rolling dive into a blender, its funny the way it stops!

Have fun.

BTW, mine is 5.3 oz RTF. I need to mod the speed control wires to get that .3 oz out

Greg Covey

Jim,

Yes, it will hover. It doesn't have great power to pull out when stock so this is likely what some folks are concerned with.

Overall, it is a blast to fly with like 3dbatixkid suggests.

After I try out my new Kokam 340 packs that weigh 0.3oz less, i'll decide if I want to change it or just wait until I burn out the motor.

houfek

Thanks, Greg......keep us posted on the 340's !

wgeffon

My Feedback: (4)

I bought one RTF from a guy here on RCU.
It showed up in perfect condition.
He had only flown it once and I found no reason not to believe that.

First flight lasted 4 seconds.
The wing folded just outside of the fuse while in a left turn.
He had the Tow on it. Looked like it was glued correctly.
Its put back together but I am sure I added weight while doing so.
So far, I am not impressed.

JRW

HI All,

I just saw some of the videos for the T3D plane. The vids look awesome! One web page also had some close up pics. The foam looks like the open cell stuff.
1. Is it resilliant to landings without the landing gear installed?
2. Whats the best micro servos and reciever to use?

Thanks; this is my first real intrest in the electric stuff!
Jim W.

Greg Covey

Hi Jim,

The wing and fuselage are regular EPS foam. The tail and control surfaces are Depron foam.

The fuselage is strengthened by a balsa spar and the wing is normally strengthened by a braided carbon string (or tow) wrapped around the entire wing surface and glued.

Since the plane only weighs 5oz, it is very difficult to hurt over grass. It lands like a feather without any power. When you stall it in the air, it recovers almost instantly.

For initial training, you can reduce the throw settings and fly it around the field as an aerobatic 4-channel plane until you get comfortable with it.

I used GWS Pico servos and a GWS R4-P micro receiver. If you fly in a group of other flyers, you may wish to consider the M5 from FMA Direct. The M5 is a "full strength" dual conversion receiver that weighs only 0.3oz. It can be used in 1/4 scale planes as well.

houfek

Just finished mine this weekend.....no flights yet as the weather isn't cooperating. One question....I removed the "covering" from the aileron hinge tape....it is double sided sticky.....doesn't that exposed side collect dirt, etc ??
Also, how strong is that tape....a little of one end of mine started to peel up when I took off the "covering" ??

Thanks....

Jim

Greg Covey

Jim,

The hinge is plenty strong but the sticky top side can be a pain.

Simply use a little foam-safe CA under the hinge areas that come up.

I hope to test mine out tomorrow at lunchtime with my new Kokam 340mAh SHD cells.

Regards.

JRW

HI All,

I'm just about to make an order and have a couple of questions.

1. Battery: Will a 7.4 volt Li-poly, 1200 mah work with the supplied engine?
2. Will a 2 amp ESC handle this, or should I buy a 5 amp ESC?
3. Will Triton handle a battery this size OK? One gentleman mentioned to me that their "dedicated" 2 cell li-po charger will charge in 1 hour, where as the Triton will take a lot longer.

Thanks a bunch!
Jim W.

houfek

Greg....
Ok....I will go with it as is for now......
Do let us know how the 340's work.....especially how long a flight you get out of them......
What is your AUW with them ?

Jim

Greg Covey

I flew my T3D at lunchtime today in some pretty good wind. It was still fun but I can't wait to try it in calm conditions again.

I tired the 2-cell Kokam 340SHC pack and didn't really notice a significant difference. I suspect that maybe since both packs can easily deliver the 2amps needed for the IPS motor, that I will only see maybe a slight difference indoors due to the 0.3oz drop in weight. My all-up weight is 5.1oz with this pack. The 720mAh ThunderPower pack had a bit longer flight time.

I need to try a 3-cell 340mAh pack on the smaller 8x4.3 prop soon. David from eDogFight claims an increase in performance. They are also using an ICS-100 or Pixie 7 speed controller.

Jim,

1) The 1200 pack will work with the motor but it will be too heavy for the plane.

2) The 2-amp ESC is very robust but consider the 5amp ESC since they are using that with the 3-cell setup now.

3) I'm not sure what the Triton will handle. I'll be surprised if it doesn't because these are small capacity packs.

It only takes about 30-40 minutes to charge these packs at a 1C rate because you never fully discharge them.