ameyam

Want to have an airplane that is a hybrid sports-3D, easy to fly so that it can be used as a sunday flier and as a test bed for a problematic 75AX. The contenders were shortlisted down to a H9 Showtime 50 and a Phoenix Extra 330S 60. Pros and cons below

H9 Showtime 50
Pros:

1) It needs a larger than 50 size engine
2) It is very easy to fly
3) Build quality is quite decent
4) More "3d"

Cons
) Expensive (nearly $ 440 landed)

Phoenix Extra 330S 60

Pros
1) Cheap and locally available (about $ 180)
2) Again decesnt build quality. Comes with pinned hinges
3) It is actually designed for the 75ax

Cons
1) Phoenix build quality is not consistent across different examples of the same model
2) Have read that it has snapping tendencies especially with the elevator throws (I will be using seperate servos for the elevator halves on channels 2&7 respectively, there is usually a tiny lag between their operation, though I have never noticed it on my Reactor and Topstar)
3) Poor engine mount (I have a Dubro anti-vibe mount however which I intend to use as a trial)
4) More "scale".

Hence I request views on this issue. Dont want to go for a profile just yet. I havent yet flown an Extra, so I dont know whether I will like it. Tried on the realflight and am ok with it. I have the Reactor 46 and the Showtime is similar

Ameyam

ThumbSkull

My Feedback: (57)

This is one case that maybe I'd suggest an Aeroworks X260.
It's not a 3D thoroughbred but it will do some and is an excellent sport flier.
I don't think the 75AX would be too large at all. I've seen one with an OS 81a (about the same weight) fly well.

[link=http://www.aero-works.net/store/detail.aspx?ID=428]http://www.aero-works.net/store/detail.aspx?ID=428[/link]

rcflip

I would not touch the Showtime, it is an old design, the 90 was a good plane but the 50 did not scale down very well. I had to add a tonne of weight to the nose to balance mine with a Saito 82, was not happy with the performance either, it knife edged well but that was about the best it did. The Top Dawg MX2 is a much more capable flyer, it is up there with the best flying little airplanes I have flown to date, in fact I would say it is as good as my old showtime 90 and is a much smaller airframe. My MX2 balanced perfectly without adding any weight, I flew it with a Saito 82 and it was very good power, hovered easily at 1/4 - 1/3 throttle and the pull out was descent.

ameyam

Actually, the AW 260MX was on my list. But it has a landed price of $255. So its a matter of concern. I will be getting a Mojo 60 in June (June to Oct is our off-season being the monsoon). The TopDawg isint available either way

The problem people have with the Showtime is that its too tail heavy for 50 size. The Saito 82 weight as much as the 55ax and so you have to add nose weight. But the 75AX is much heavier so I wont need to add nose weight

Hence requesting to suggest between these two models

Ameyam

ThumbSkull

My Feedback: (57)

No experience with the Phoenix Extra here. The Showtime is no 3D star but it will do some and be a great sport flier.
Given the known of the Showtime, I'd probably pick the Extra. Good luck with your choice.
I know already that the MoJo will be your favorite when it's done.

rcflip

What about Goldwing, can you get the goldwing MX2... what other breeds can you purchase where you are from.

ameyam

The Goldwing MX2 0.50 and 30cc though available are right now out of stock and not due to return soon. Other than Phoenix, I can get Great Planes and Thunder Tiger through Tower though the latter dont have too much of a reputation for build quality. I can also import a Aeroworks, say a 60-90 Extra 300 or Extra 260 but that too will be as expensive (if not more, I think I got a $450 estimate for the Extra 300) as the Showtime and they arent 3D. However, only Phoenix is available locally (equals cheap) all the remaining have to be imported which makes them expensive.

Ameyam

playntraffic

I had the Phoenix 330S. Decent quality for the money. It it nicely desiged for a 60-90 2s. The engine mounts with the exhaust running down a tunnel built into the firewall. Mine flew nicely with a TH 75. The landing gear is a little soft, so beef up the mount.

There is a nice thread on here about the 330s, and it was started from someone from India

MetallicaJunkie

i had a showtime, its a well designed 3d capable plane. i had a os 61 then went to a super tigre 90, and settled on a 91 saito with a 15x4 apc prop and it was awesome

ameyam

Ok, I took the Extra 330S. It was cheap in the first place and since it is old stock, I got a further 25% discount. So I got it for $146 (the Tower price would have been $300 landed, base price is $149). I checked it out yesterday and its a decent airplane. Needs a lot of beefing up, all 3D airplanes do, I will do that in the build.

I gave up on the Showtime50. Saying that I already have 2 Reactor 46, 1 CmPro Quest 50, 1 GP Extra 300SP 55" in the same size as the Showtime, I dont need it.

I had PMed Siddharth (the guy who started the Phoenix Extra 330S build thread in the ARF section) a long time back but did not get a reply. I did not get replies recentl from a lot of other people as well, maybe the PM feature is not working properly on the new RCU server

Ameyam