OK,

It's funny. This plane flies like a dream, but the wood is really weak. I can't believe a hard landing would totally rip the whole landing gear and the surrounding balsa out. Another thing I learnt from this plane is, never use flaps with wind . The plane was "hovering" horizontally, then it stalled and went straight for the ground. I will have to fix the landing gear. I guess it's epoxy to the rescue!

The covering too, is extreme frustrating. It doesn't stick. Now I have to replace the covering for some parts. Does anyone have any idea how I can do this? I really have no desire to buy REAL covering. I thought of using some tape or something just to protect the wood from the exhaust oil.

The plane flies very nicely though, it's bloody sensitive, it's a 3D plane and should be. Nice. I can't tell you how much FUN this plane is to fly!!!

Also,

I was wondering how you guys manage the switches. It seems when I want to 3D; when I need full throw, I will have to flick 3 dual rate switches. My Tx is a Eclipse 7, does anyone have any idea how I can just flick one switch instead of 3?

Also: Does anyone have any idea how much the recommended throw is? My plane is madly sensitive.

YES! My father is on his second one of these, and I agree it files AWESEOME! To date, it is the best flying plane I've ever flown. But, you're right, you can tell it's cheap (sells for only $120). The covering has starting coming off both of his. I always used colored packing tape to repair covering. Just search for packing and shipping supply companies. You can usually order a box of various colors of tape. Yeah, the wood is a little weak, but for 3D planes, that helps reduce the weight. You could try putting nylong bolts in the landing gear so that they shear off next time instead of ripping the wood. I have an Eclipse 7 also, be never use dual rates. Just try dialing in more expo. That way you have no switches to flip.

This is a great plane though. Glad to hear someone else agrees.

Yep, I'm using coloured packing tape too. It works.

What a good idea! Expo!

How much expo do you have? I have about -40%.

I think your suggestion of the nylon bolts are a good idea. Do you mean that they will just bend and get destroyed instead of having the wood ripped out?

Like I said, the Magic belongs to my father, but I run about 25% expo on my 3D planes. Yeah, the nylon bolts will break instead of the wood. You can get 4 of them for maybe $1.50. A lot cheaper/easier to fix than ripped wood.