Hi All,

I want to get a plane that can do 3D plus good point rolling manuevers. I've been reading all the threads on the U-Can-Do and the Flip 3D. Also, although smaller, I was considering the Model Tech Magic 3D. I figure that each of these planes can fit fully assembled in the back of my truck (selling point for quick flights). What I DONT want is a plane that won't fly good point and slow rolls, and takes 15% mix with rudder or has other bad bizzare coupling tendancies (like TT. Profile Extra) . So far, I'm thinking my choice would be the UCD, Flip, Magic Extra. I'd really appreciate your'alls input, as I have been flying pattern planes for the last 4 years, mainly. However, I did fly a UCD of another at the club field, and liked it (thinking ST2300 for it). Please, add comments. Thanks!!!
Jim Woodward

ST2300??? IMO , Way to much angine for the UCD 3D. The power would be incredible but the weight would adversly effect the great flying characteristics of this plane. Also flight time would be effected as there is only room for a small (I think 14 oz) tank.

Most guys are using the Saito 100, YS91, or OS91FX. Although there are many combos that work great , these seem to be the popular choices so far.

As far as coupling goes, you are correct, there is a lot of rudder coupling but nothing that can't be mixed out with a computer radio. Also, moving the CG back helps a bit as well.

Again, just my opinion. Perhaps others have tried this combo with success.

...............Mark

Excellence, Smagrad, etc...

I just finished the Widebody 60 and because of rain I was able to fly it only 5 minutes...

But flies and rolls like an arrow and control surfaces are HUGE!!!

I have no doubt that 3D maneuvers are well in her range, (only 5 Minutes flying...)

The idea of this planes is give you a combo plane, capable of doing pattern +3D however they are not designed for beginners

I do not care for the way the UCD rolls. Allot of corrections needed all the time.

I have a Flip that should fly this weekend, so I will be able to comment on how it rolls.

I also have a Madness. With the wingtips off, it rolls great.

If you want a kit, the new Ultra Sport looks like it should 3D well, but it doesn't have very large ailerons, so slow speed rolling will be difficult.

With a 91FX, Jett muffler and APC 14-6, the UCD can do it all. 2300 would ruin the plane.

I agree, a 2300 is way too much, but a 91 FX would be perfect. I have been extremely tempted to buy a UCD, but don't have any money to spend

Global Free Style?? I believe there was a favorable review of it in one of the magazines as a good pattern-type ARF - so that covers the precision type-stuff. Does anyone have experience with trying to 3D with it? Thanks again for the thread responses, and private emails.

Jim

Go with the plane in the Avatar. It's a balsa nova.

I have some time on my friends Magic. It will do just about everything, and it is very small and easy to transport. Great for those quick flights you are talking about. If you are looking to do pattern type flying this is probably not the plane for you. It is very tough to knife edge. It can be done, but there's almost no side area to the fuse. If you want to have a plane to toss around in a relatively small area the Magic will excell.

Frank

Thanks for all the input. I ordered the Global Free Style. I decided that I would rather have a plane was leaning towards the pattern side, with options for 3D, versus a pure 3D plane with otherwise marginal flying qualities. So, I took a chance on this, also considering the favorable review of it in one of the magazines not too long ago.

Thanks,
Jim

I received my Global Freestyle last night and commenced working on it. The fuse, wing, rudder, stab and 1/2s, and ailerons, seemed light. The wing is a foam core balsa covered design, with open bays. First step was to re-iron down EVERY piece of covering, as there were wrinkles. The actual covering material is 1/2 the quality of econo-cote. The "dark" colors on the bottom of the wing were ironed on-top-of the white, thus, there are air bubbles under it. However, 75% did shrink down nicely to the eye. Upon shrinking down the wrinkles on the fuse sides, I noticed that aft of the wing saddle, there was inter-bulkhead warping of the thin fuselage sheeting.

All the instructions say, "cut open space for pushrod exits, rudder, and stab." However, this ARF has those openings already cut out. Additionally, the Gear already has holes drilled in for the axles and pants, and they don't look right. My feeling, is that somehow, this is not a fresh kit, but rather, a compilation or something that other people sent back, with some work done.

Onto the wing: I joined the wing up with epoxy. One alignment tab of at the LE of one panel was broken off, which I repaired. I hinged the ailerons without incident, and am generally pleased with the fit.

Wing saddle: Wing fits nice. HOwever, you have to glue on a rick-edy fiberglass section over the bottom of the wing. I made this a little more rigid by gluing 1/4" balsa stringers along the edges, and to provide more gluing area. The fit of this is close - but no cigar. I resorted to clear silicone to glue this chincy fiberglass onto the section of wood of the wing I exposed for glue adherance.

fuse: ALLglue joint visible are of the "glue-gun" type, with "fillet" style glueing. I used thin CA on all joints I could reach. ALL wood visible on the interior of the fuse seems to be very dry and "splinterable" or open grained. I soaked much of this open grain type of wood in the "wing-bolt-hold-down-plate" with thin CA.

Wing, stab, vertical fin alignment::::::::: With wing installed (actually bolted in), I inserted the horizontal stab and vertical fin for trial fit and visual. Most troublesome. The vertical stab was off by a no-kidding, 5 degrees. Totally unacceptable. Plus, the stab was off to the wing and vertical fin. I decided to use the wing as the "reference", and took to adjusting the vertical fin position. I needed to carve out the place the vertical fin was supposed to fit in, and then use shims of very thin light-ply, to get the "fin" vertical to the wing and the Fuse portion of the rudder hinge line. Then, I did the same procedure to "shim" up the horizontal stab to the wing and fin. Took measurement, and glued in with thin CA.

Rudder and elevator: Hinged all with no problem and quit for the night:

HITS: I love the "lines" of the plane, specifically, the fuselage. This is without a doubt "proportionally", the "tallest" fuselage plane I've owned (comparing to modern pattern planes). I can't wait to see how it flys. The RUDDER, fin, Horizontal stab, and 1/2s, all look PERFECTLY proportioned, with the moving parts on the "big" side. The Ailerons also look perfectly proportioned to the wing, and are big. Actually, I'm VERY excited to get this airframe flying and I believe after looking at it, that it is going to WILD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111

Misses: I really don't like getting a "5-footer" out of the box, BUT, I do realize that for $185 (kit + tax+ shipping), I can't expect much else. You can't buy monocote and do the ironing yourself for less than that, if you were paid $8/hr. So - OK. I briefly considered sending it back, but thought that for what I want to use it for, it would be fine. However, this is not going to win any "queen of the hangar" award. The wood just doesn't look good. I have "squeezed" and "tugged" enough though, to believe that it will be structually sound. This hot-glue-gun type of contruction has got to go!!! For instance, "ply doublers" on the inside of the fuse, which are obviously supposed to be glued tight to one another, have small gaps. I tried to reach all glue joints with CA. AL gear is a little bit stronger than paper-masche, and won't make it to final assembly.

I'll know more by tonight.

Tailwheel: First class! Looks to be a copy of the MK and excellent quality.

Overriding thought: I like the lines so much that I thought it would make a nice kit.

Why not save up a bit longer and go for something bigger.The big ones (120 size upwards) give much better performance in 3D flying.Look at a funtana or search RCUNIVERSE for the high society or soprano.

Actually, I currently have two 2m pattern planes, and a Duraplane 40. So, I am looking forward to having a "small' plane I can keep put together and such, and use for practice and trying all the stuff I'd never risk my pattern planes doing. For instance, I'm pretty good on the sim, but have only recently, taken to doing various rolling circles with actual pattern plane. So, I think have something with less investment, will "free" (no-pun-intended) me up to try this other stuff, like 3 D, with a real plane.