Hi all

it is that time of year when we good fathers and husband get to pick a new toy from santa. I have been looking at the CMP 72" wing span Katana and Extra 300S ARF. Both are supposted to be well built and at $190 makes them sound even better. I have a satio 150 and Hitec 475 BB for my present . My question is I like the looks of the 300S, but the spec suggest that the Katana is going to be the better flyer. Help, what do you think? Has anyone flown either one.

Thanks
Freebird

Anyone?

there is a very larger thread on the Katana, i mean like 30 pages or so. Aswell there is also one on the extra. Do a search and you should be able to find them.

I have had a katana before and loved it. I also have had a I think it was a Seagull extra. The extra was a flying rock. It was fine with power, but if for some reason you had no power she was a nightmare. My question was has anyone flown the CMP version of the Katana or Extra. I did a search and could not find anything. Can someone point me to the thread.

Thanks
Freebird

here's the katana thread http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_10...tm.htm#1050950

there are plenty more on this plane look up GSP Katana t's the same just distributed by a different mob in the states

here's the extra one http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_28...tm.htm#2877012

the same goes for the extra plenty of info out there just look for it. I typed in katana and came up immediately with at least 4 threads on it, same for the extra

I bought one of the 72" Extras about a year ago - just getting around to putting it together now. It seems that GSP doesn't have anymore of them - not sure if Chief does or not. I liked the looks of the Extra better, but the Katana seems to be more popular.
Do what you can to keep these planes light - they will definitely fly better. The wing loading numbers look high, but they really aren't. The CMP planes seem to calculate wing area differently sometimes - they sometimes (but not always) figure only the wing panels. Most other planes go by the total wingspan and average cord - which makes the wing loading numbers much lower.
The landing gear on both of these planes is an anchor. You can save 5 oz right off by replacing with a CF gear from Fiber-Lite.

You can't beat the price of these things. Even if they aren't the best flying planes in the world (although reportedly they ARE pretty good), you will be more inclined to fly 'em hard and try stuff you wouldn't with a plane that costs 3X as much. That's the main reason I bought mine - I figure if I stuff it, for another $200 and a few hours I can be flying again with a new one. I wouldn't spend many hours trying to patch up a damaged plane that is this cheap

I few the Katana for sometime and really injoyed it. The only two issues I had with the plane is the covering did not want to stay down in some area's and you had to be careful with the iron when resealing. The other was the small hole in the bottom of the fuse used to get the to the wing attachment. I read alot about the hatch mod and really wished I had done that. The hardware is standard $200 airplane hardware and nothing to really right home about.

With a Saito 150 you will need to go with a pull-pull set up or you will be adding alot of wieght to balance. I flew mine with a 30cc glow motor and had to use the pull-pull to get it to balance with the battery just at the back of the hatch.

There is a 300 at the field I fly at with a Saito 150 and it seems to fly pretty good.

Thanks

I think I will go with the Katana. I agree with you Kamikazi. I have all the stuff to put her in the air, and at $200. MLC was she nose or tail heavy. I have a drimal and I will use it. The Saito Displacement: 1.50 cu in (25.00 cc), and the weight is 30oz(engine only). I would think a perfect match.

Just read this from Horizon.

The 150 is the largest single Saito offers, the 1.50S is actually a bored-out 1.20S for an incredible power-to-weight ratio. With over 20% greater displacement.

It will be tail heavy with the rudder servo mounted per the instructions.

IMO, if you are looking for 3D performance, the H9 Funtana would be a better choice. If you want IMAC, sport flying then I would choose one of the 2 you listed. I have the CMP Katana and the Funtana, the Katana is about 2lbs heavier than the Funtana (about the same size).

I see what you are talking about wildnloose. I say you are right, but I have 2 questions. One, will my Saito 150 install in the funtana. Two, I have 475 hitec servos. will they have the power and gear to take the large controls. I think they are only 60 oz but have the Karbon gears. Reason I asked I saw the funtana of a friends on its first flight crash because of a striped servo. They where standard; he should have know better. I think the 475 will be ok for the kantana, but not to sure about the funtana.

Sorry, how is the covering and Exe of the Katana. If I go with it, is there any anythng building it I should prepare for.

Thanks

freebird1,

I think the 475 is iffy on either plane, both have pretty big control surfaces, but it should be o.k. if you are not into radical 3D. I know a guy who really wrings his out using 635's and they have held up to some pretty serious abuse.

Check out the big thread on the Katana in the ARF forum. The first 20 pages have most of the info you are looking for. Most guys prefer using the o.s. 160 w/pitts muff, hitec 645mg servos, etc.. Verify which wing set you get, the older ones need upgrading. Then go have some fun...