Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

The Katana and Funtana is by far my most favorite model, I currently have a Funtana 40 that's still in near perfect condition with a Saito 82 on the nose, I also have a 40 size Katana profile with a YS 63, and lastly I have a Brand new still in the box waiting to be built Funtana 100x and a Saito 125 with maybe half a gallon through it.
now I know it's stupid but I'm half afraid of building and flying the 100 because I know if something happens and I destroy it, I won't be able to replace it.
so why doesn't anybody make the Katana anymore?
There is still a dozen different Yaks in various sizes, tons of Extra 300's and 330's and even 260's, and there seems to be Sbachs everywhere.
I find it annoying that nobody builds and sells a decent sized Katana, I have found a couple but there mostly electrics, Texas models sells a 40 sized Katana s that looks decent, Sebart has a 120sized electric that is outrageously over priced.
anybody else miss the Katana S ?

extra300crazy

I still have a Hanger 9 Katana 50 still in the box for that very same reason, no replacement.
Karl

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

I really wanted the Hanger 9 Katana but it was short lived and came and went before I even knew it existed, me and my wife had are second baby so I took a forced break from the hobby because I was just to busy, this is also a big part of why I have a 100x still in the box, I was very sad when I heard about there Katana 50, I definitely missed out big time on that bird.

extra300crazy

I'll probably get around to building it at the end of winter, and plan on putting an O.S. 81a four stroke in it. The projected weight should be around 6-61/2 lbs., so it should fly great. Guys who have them really seem to like them.
Karl

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

This is the Katana S from Texasrcplanes.com
i love that it is covered in what I've always considered the more traditional covering scheme for the Katana, this is a 40 size
53 inch wingspan
54 inches long
WING AREA 553.5 SQ.IN.
doesn't list the weight but um sure it's reasonable, the price is fair so I'm hoping to order it this Friday

extra300crazy

What size engine does it take? Would it be suitable for a four-stoke?
Karl

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

Sure I would probably put a Saito 82 on it if I went 4 stroke, I'll most likely go 2 stroke though to keep the price down, I have a new OS 55Ax in the box waiting for a New plane. I bet the YS 63 would be really nice on this bird, it's throttle response is better then the Saito and will pull a few hundred more revs as well.

extra300crazy

My thought was for an O.S. 81a four stroke, since I have an extra one waiting for a plane. As my title shows, I'm crazy for Extras since all of mine fly absolutely great. My interest in the Katana came after reading the glowing reports about them and seeing the Hanger 9 Katana 50 in the local hobby shop. First up this winter will be my latest AeroWorks Extra 300 60-90 size, to be powered with an O.S. 110a four stroke. After that I'm planning on adding the Katana 50 to the "Extra" hanger. After all,a man can't live on Extra's alone can he?
Karl

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

I have a love for Extras as well and have a couple in my Hanger, I also really like Edge 540s.
another plane I must get is the newer Great planes Extra 300 .40 the yellow and blue one.
i have the old school Great planes 40 size extra 300, red with white striping, I found the 46ax to be lacking on that bird and ended up mounting a OS91fx on it, one of my favorite planes to fly.

extra300crazy

I've had the GP Extra that you're talking about for a couple of years and love it! Mine is powered with an O.S. 72a four stroke with a Xoar 13/7 and it flys great. I came out at 6lbs.even, balances perfectly without putting the rudder servo in the tail. Great vertical and smooth as silk. Everything fit very good with the included GP SAE quality hardware. I think that your's would be perfect with an O.S. 55ax. I like mine so much that I purchased a spare "just in case".
Karl

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

I was thinking that plane would be good for a 10cc gas motor, what do you think? Maybe the OS glow motor that runs on pump gas

extra300crazy

The ones I have seen were powered with 55ax's and flew well. If you have to go gas, perhaps one of the O.S. gas-glow motors would be good. The 10cc one equals a .60 glow motor, while the 15cc is supposed to equal a .90 size. The guys at my field who have them seem to like them, and I think it would be good to use one to keep the weight down avoiding the weight of the ignition and battery. Since I prefer 4-stokes, the 72a seemed like the perfect choice, although they show an 81a for maximum performance. Needled properly my 72a hauls the freight.
Karl

LSP972

My Feedback: (13)

I've been in the hobby since 1987, and when semi-decent ARFs started becoming available in '89, I have assembled/flown dozens of them along with kits I built. Without a doubt, the H9 Katana 50 has been the most outstanding ARF I have ever done, both in flying capability and kit quality.

The reason it didn't last is because it was too expensive to suit the "What's the best price???" crowd. Those guys are why many, many, good quality ARF kits (and their producers) are no longer among us; they must produce what sells, and if the majority of buyers insist on bargain-basement prices, they will produce a model they can sell for that price and still make a profit. I suppose this began 20+ years ago- at least it did around here- but as the new level of newbie yuppies came into the hobby, they had neither the time nor inclination to build or assemble anything... instant gratification was the new deal, and it only got worse in general. Okay, so much for that rant.

Crazy, somewhere- pretty far back- there is a thread about this model in one of RCU's forums, where I detailed my kit assembly and how it flew, etc. There are some good photos there that will be of help to you. If you cannot find it, I still remember most of it. Unfortunately, all those photos were lost when my hard drive ate itself earlier this year... but the model still lives, and in fact I'm going to fly it today in this beautiful weather. I have another one NIB in the shop, along with a spare cowl and set of wheel pants. I luckily found out when Horizon was blowing the model out, and got a complete kit and some spares for next-to-nothing money. No, the NIB kit is not for sale at this time... but it might be, depending upon how long I can stay in the hobby. I recently had for-real brain surgery to get a huge tumor out of my head, and they found Stage 4 cancer in my left temporal lobe. So far I'm still okay, but that could change at any time. When the cancer starts getting to me, I'll begin dumping 30+ years of stuff, most of which still is excellent modeling stuff. So stay tuned if anybody wants one of these... because unless I crash my current one, the NIB kit stays in the shop.

Anyway, here is a current photo of her on the wall rack. I'll try to remember to gat a photo of her put together at the field. Mine has an old OS 91 Surpass, that loves 30% Cool Power fuel! I had a half-dozen cases of that when I decided to quit helos ten years ago; its perfect for hot summer days, but the engine likes it any time...

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LSP972

My Feedback: (13)

Here's a better view. Hard to believe that 9Z is 20 years old; Radio South has re-vamped it twice, and it looks almost like a new radio. The youngsters with their super-light, all-plastic Spektrum transmitters don't know what to think of it...

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LSP972

My Feedback: (13)

And another, overall view of the fuselage. You can make this a glow or electric ship; the kit comes with an e-power motor box that fits perfectly onto the firewall. Get the CG just right, reduce your throws and use exponential and it is a most graceful and majestic aerobatic model. But flip the switch, and it will snap and tumble as retarded as you can handle.

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extra300crazy

LSP,
What was the all up weight of yours and how did it balance. Being in the hobby since the early eighties, I agree with your assessment on some ARF's. I choose to purchase quality ARF's such as those sold by Aeroworks, Great Planes, and Hanger 9. You get what you pay for usually as they say.
i Plan on getting to the Katana late this winter after finishing up yet another Extra.
Karl

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

Much jealousy is being felt right now, the Hanger 9 Katana 50 is without a doubt one of the most beautiful Katana's I've seen, and here are 2 guys that have 2 Katana S brand new in the box! I'll just throw out a random figure $300? Any takers?

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

I've been in the hobby since late 2003, right before my first child was born.
i have accumulated over 20+ ARF's that still live today, a good lot of them are Hanger 9 and a couple Eflite electrics, as well as a couple great planes models, a Sig Ultimate biplane Kit, and a couple Seagull ARF's
actully if you look at my RC universe Hanger everything I have is there short of 2 models.
the 2 models that aren't in my Hanger are the only 2 cheap Chinese no brand models I've got and I have got to say, what a pain in the ***** to build!
I love putting ARF's together, taking my time making sure it's perfect, with these cheepo models I took no joy in building them, no directions no idea where CG is for either model.
You may save money going cheap but the end result just isn't worth the hassle or the damage that cheap Chinese models have done to are hobby.

Okay so I realized that the Katana S 40 I found on texasrcplanes.com is a cheap no brand ARF
I would normally keep my distance from another Chinese ARF but since no known company like GP or Hanger 9 is making a Katana right now or in the foreseeable future I will break my own rule and buy this plane because it's just so pretty.

extra300crazy

I believe that Sebart makes a Katana in various sizes and a few guys at my field have planes of that brand and are quite happy with them. Pricey for sure but great quality and available in different color schemes. If I decide not to build my Katana, I'll let you know for sure.
Karl

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

Yes they do but there all electrics

extra300crazy

Chief Aircraft describes them as 50e/.61 glow.
Karl

Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

Hmm I'll be checking that out.
I tell you what brother, there are some sweet Extra 300's and 330's out there in all sizes.

extra300crazy

Exactly! That's why I go by "Extra 300 Crazy". I now have a hanger of 3, I just can't get enough.
Karl

LSP972

My Feedback: (13)

PM inbound.

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Dealspeed

My Feedback: (17)

So I was looking on eBay for the smallest chance of finding the side force generators for the Katana 50 when I came across a brand new still in the box H9 Funtana 40, I can't believe somebody has one still in the box unbuilt, one downside tho $375 with shipping