I am intertested in buying the Twist V2 (.40 size). I want to power it with a 2-stroke engine that will hover it adequately i.e. enough to power it easily out of a hover. I am considering either a Thunder Tiger .46 Pro, an O.S. .55, a Super Tiger .45 ? Also, does the Twist, when assembled come out nose or tail heavy, as this might influence which engine I decide on? I think I read somewhere about someone putting an Evolution .60 NX in one, but I don't know a lot about these engines, i.e. throttle response etc. I would appreciate any ideas/thoughts!

JT

Since you have not yet bought the airframe, I'd suggest a Valuehobby Sabre ARF or Swanyshouse MoJo or Primo kit.
They are MUCH better at 3D and the engine I would choose for them is a 55AX with a 13x4 APC sport or Xoar or a YS70 with a 13x6.
Either of those will rock a 40 size 3D bird.

++

The Sabres or Yak55 from Value are very good, and quite durable for the inevitable dorks. Even better is a foamy for learning the basics; that will transition well to the nitro profile birds with a little practice. I started out liking pretty full fuse planes (started with a .46-sized Reactor), but quickly learned they don't suffer abuse well. Some of the lite 40-48" planes from 3DHS/Extreme Flight/Precision Aerobatics would be good learning tools as well, as they are quite light (2-3lbs) and don't have as much kinetic energy to smash themselves if you mess up...

I have one of these and have used 2 different engines..The 60nx is a no go IMO..plenty of power with a 13x4, but just too damn fussy..I have a Saito 82 with a 14x4 and it rocks the house.. A lot of guys like this plane and after 2 months I do not and its going to the attic.. On the plus side its cheap and and a easy build, but I don`t think it flys that well.. I like to fly a mix of pattern and 3D and the thing just tracks crappy..The snaps are poor and I can`t get it to do flat spins worth a flip..I have moved the CG and checked the throws with no luck..It does hover easily though. weak fuselage as well..I know you didn`t ask that, but I can`t recommend that plane as there are better (more expensive) airframes.. Not even in the same conversation as a 3D hobby shop plane as they are the best ...

FWIW, a club member here has the Twist40 on a Magnum .70, and it hovers it adequately at our elevation (4500'). Not a bullet, but adequate.

I fly a Twist 40 with a modified AX55 on it, and it has way more than enough power at 5000' where I fly. A stock 55 would bemore than enough power at any reasonable elevation. While I agree it does not track like a pattern plane (nor would I want it to) it does great flat spins. I can get a decent climbing inverted flat spin, and I am NOT the greatest 3D pilot.
The Twist is a very good all around fun Saturday plane to toss around the sky, but it is not the best 3D airframe. I love mine, and if I crash it I will build another.
Mine came out tail heavy, and required 3oz in the nose. If I change anything or build another, Iwill move the engine forward to balance instead of adding weight.

A Twist is what it is. It is not a pattern bird for sure, and it probably isn't the greatest 3-D flyer. But I think it may be a good everyday knockaround fun flyer, and I think it will hover ok (from what folks are saying). That's all I want! I think the .55 ax sounds like a good match pylonracr. By the way, how do you get the Twist or any other bird to do an inverted climbing flat spin!!!

JT

Easy, actually it is easier than inan upright spin. From a vertical line, slow with power on and perform an inverted snap roll(Down elevator)and hold. The plane will fall into an inverted spin, go to opposite aileron to flatten the spin. My Twist likes to fall out of any spin if I use too much rudder or elevator. I have my low rates set for spins so I can use full stick. Play around with your control throws and you will find thisplane loves to spin. If you have enough power and the right prop, you can gain altitude in a flat spin. Enter the spin at about half throttle or so, and whenyou are in a stable flat spin addthe rest of the power. The Ax55 is enough, play with a few props and have fun.

Gaining altitude doing an inverted flat spin. That would be incredible!! What is happening aerodynamically? The only thing I can think of, is that the wing and ailerons are acting like a huge prop by themselves? Can this maneuver be sustained or is it a momentary gain? Lastly, can the same thing happen right side up? This 3-D stuff is pretty new to me. I have been flying pretty quick Jett powered models for a few years, but I'm hoping to be ready in the spring for some 3-D flying. I have the phoenix flight sim unit set up, so am already getting a bit of fake stick time. Thx for the info. Any other advice would be welcome.

JT

As I stated before, I am not the best 3D pilot around. That being said, it seems that when I am in a flat spin and add the power the plane apears to take on more of a nose high attitude when it starts climbing.
Like I said in an earlier post, play with this thing and see what you can make it do. It spins great, so do different things and see what happens. That is how I did my first climbing flat spin. To answer your queation, when it starts climbing, it will continue until I let off. I usuallydo mine at fairly high altitudes because I am not very good, so I do not know how long it will climb. Once it gets small I usually let it come back near earth as I want to bring this thing back home in one piece.....

Toss it around, it can take it.
Have fun

Scott

JT, for what you are trying to do, the Twist will work out well. The parts are cheap and no cowl to mess with..After reading some of the post and saying I had trouble getting it into a spin someone said it would drop out of the spin with too much rudder..that maybe my problem with the thing.I have the recommended throws for 3D but might dial that back. This plane has a lot of guys who love it...good luck and tell us what you think...don`t like the color much, I have heard of a beige couch, but a beige plane??

twists suck for 3d imo

My Twist 40 V2 was extremely tail heavy. With a 55ax I had to add weight and not a small amount. It has an exceptionally strong OS55AX on it and is sick over powered at the elevation I live. The thing will shoot straight up like a rocket. As some have stated this is a great fun plane and totally fantastic on windy days.

It is usually loaded in the van most days going to the field and quite often it gets flown at some point during the day. It will land on a dime, slow down about walking speed, take off in a few feet, spin on high rates like a drill motor and does some unreal loops almost on axis. No doubt, it is a really a plane that can bring a lot of enjoyment.

Well, from what's been said, it sounds as though the .55 AX is way more than enough power. Maybe the Thunder Tiger pro .46 is adaquate. I had one of these a couple of years ago (sold it), and loved it. It is less expensive, as well. On the other hand, when practicing on the sim, it seems that the more power the better when trying to get out of a tight spot close to the ground, i.e. when in knife edge 10 feet or less from the ground, top rudder and full power can save you! I'm not sure if the Thnder Tiger could do that. I am not buying anything for a month or so, I will mull that over. One more thing, I'm an 'expo' junkie on the transmitter, and often use up to 70% when flying the fast ones. What do you guys use when flying 3-D......expo, dual rates, or none? Thanks.

JT

JT, go with that .55 and a 13x4 prop...you`ll be able to pull out of a hover no sweat and actually have some speed for cuban 8s etc.. I use like 50-60% expo on high rate with 100% travel.. The settings are there to get you comfortable so use them....good luck..

The 40 twist  will fly great with OS 61 FX , 13X4W ,as Much throws as you can get,  CG at about 6" back , will probably need to make hatch behind wing saddle and place battery there. The fuselage needs to be reinforced in that area .

I am flying my twist w/ a 46 evolution ans a 12.25 x 3.75 acp prop. It has plenty of power and speed and the evolution 46 seems to be a great engine for this plane. very short takeoffs and walk in landings

I have a twist 40 with an OS 61 and while yes it is not the best 3D machine around in the wind it blows most 3D machines out of the water.
I have a couple of great 3D planes but when the wind goes above 15 and into the 25 mph mode my twist just loves it.
Yes it's a great daily knock around, warm up plane.
I like to fly it before I put up my 30 cc Goldwing MX.

Now I know of alot of guys that are having great luck with the OS 55 on their 40 size twist.
Just beef up the area right behind the canopy just a wee bit as that is where they like to break at.
Have fun you won't regret getting a twist.

I've NEVER seen anyone 3D like this with a twist. It's just not that great at 3D.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euTDSG42IW4[/youtube]

Why would someone want to 3D a Twist like that? It is a different airframe.

mazjag has a point, the colors on the new Twist suck. I do not mind that it is ugly, all my planes are ugly. I don't like the colors because I can't see it. Not being a great 3D pilot, I usually fly between 6 and 8 mistakes high so I don't need a broom to pick my plane up after I "land" it. Being able to see it in flat lighting conditions is important. Neon monocote shows up really well in all lighting conditions.
One thing I started doing many years ago was cutting 2" wide strips of neon orange and putting it on the leading edge of all my planes, this makes a huge difference for me when landing. I keep a roll of all the neon monokotes in my box, and add afew colors to every plane. I put different colors on the top and bottom so I can tell them apart easier. The plane is still ugly, but I can see it to fly it. When I clean my glasses before I fly Ido better also.

Thx for showing us that video - very enjoyable! That airplane is simply in a different catagory - not exactly what I want at this time though.

JT

I use neon colors on my fast ones. Neon yellow on flat black is awesome! I'll post a pic of my 'Greased Lightning' when I have a minute. Gotta go; Santa's coming - I hope!

JT

I've had my adventures with a couple Twists. Overall I consider it a fine knockabout general purpose plane and really enjoyed them, especially on windy days, they love flying in the wind. However, sooner or later you will dork a landing in the wind, and like I did, break the fuse just aft of the canopy. While making repairs, the problem appears that with the wing and canopy removed there just isn't much to hold the front of the fuse to the rear. The canopy obviously does not contribute any strength, and since the wing is held in with just a dowel pin in the front, it doesn't add much strength either. I solved the problem by fabricating a plate out of 1/32 ply extending about a 1/2 inch forward and aft of the wing saddle area fastened with socket head screws. (Think of it as a belly pan.) Adds a little weight, maybe an ounce or two, and you have to remove it to take the wing off, but many rough landings later, never had another fuse failure!

Good point. I was going to bring this up but you beat me to it. I usually reinforce the fuselage with a piece of 1/4 square hardwood (or what I have handy at the time) lengthwise inside above the wing. Your idea sounds better. The twist can take a couple of ounces, I build light anyway. I always use micro servos for throttle and 850ma LiPo receiver batteries which saves a couple ounces anyway. The plane is small enough to fit in most cars with the wing on, so no problem there.

Just to clarify, EVERY plane is a compromise, NO plane does everything great. I usually show up at the field with a Twist and a Stick. My two favorite planes. I have specialised planes: pylon racers, pattern, speed, etc... But none of them are fun enough to fly all day. Fun is why I fly,andfun is why I choose the planes I fly. Sometimes I am in the mood to go really fast, so I bring my speed plane...You get the idea. I consider the Twist a good all around fun plane that does a lot of things pretty well, but none of them great. I look back and see that I have gone flying with only a Twist, flown all day, and done it again; that is all I need to recommend this plane to anyone.