ULTRA RC KATANA XTREME - new release
09-29-2006, 10:41 PM
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ULTRA RC KATANA XTREME - new release
I am building a new plane for a friend. It is an ULTRA-RC Katana XL (Extra light). The ARF is very new, so new that I am working without instructions. Ultra-R/C did send me a data sheet and I will get the instructions this weekend. I took some photos of the contents as well.
This ARF is similar to the Giles 202, so apart from the CG measurement it is pretty close as far as a "build" goes.
WING SPAN 75" ENGINES CLASS 140-180 40cc Gas
WING AERA 950 sq. in. RTF. WEIGHT 9.5 - 11 lbs.
FUS. LENGTH TOTAL LENGTH 65"
CENTER OF GRAVITY 5.25 - 6" from Leading Edge
RUDDER AREA 110 sq. in. WING INCIDENCE 0°
STAB.AREA 125 sq. in. STAB. INCIDENCE 0°
ELEVATOR AREA 110 sq. in. RIGHT THRUST 2°
ROOT AIRFOIL DOWN THRUST 0°
This ARF is similar to the Giles 202, so apart from the CG measurement it is pretty close as far as a "build" goes.
WING SPAN 75" ENGINES CLASS 140-180 40cc Gas
WING AERA 950 sq. in. RTF. WEIGHT 9.5 - 11 lbs.
FUS. LENGTH TOTAL LENGTH 65"
CENTER OF GRAVITY 5.25 - 6" from Leading Edge
RUDDER AREA 110 sq. in. WING INCIDENCE 0°
STAB.AREA 125 sq. in. STAB. INCIDENCE 0°
ELEVATOR AREA 110 sq. in. RIGHT THRUST 2°
ROOT AIRFOIL DOWN THRUST 0°
09-29-2006, 11:03 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
Mounted the OS 1.60 using gravity to help line up the engine on the cowl. Used a shortened DuBro Iso-mount. Tapped the mount for 6-32 bolts. This puppy uses a 3.5" spinner.
Regards,
Eric.
Regards,
Eric.
09-29-2006, 11:06 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
Almost done...
A broom-handle through the wing-tube provides support during the marking and positioning.
The OS 1.60 fits inside the cowl. Needed some excavation to get the after-market muffler in as well
Regards,
Eric.
A broom-handle through the wing-tube provides support during the marking and positioning.
The OS 1.60 fits inside the cowl. Needed some excavation to get the after-market muffler in as well
Regards,
Eric.
09-29-2006, 11:38 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
I like it, I like it alot! I've not yet gotten into large scale gas planes, would I be getting in over my head with a plane like this?
09-30-2006, 12:11 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
Hi,
whow, I´m looking for a katana in this size for a long time - now i have the Giles and i think if i can order it to germany i will have the katana too
At the front of the airframe you can see the 2 holes - yes, it looks like the same LG as the giles has it.
But a 40cc gas will not be necessary if the weight is also like the giles, mine has the MVVS 26cc Gas w. fully tuned pipe and 11,5 lbs - and will pull out from torque roll with authority [8D]
Please write every step you are building .
CU Ralf
whow, I´m looking for a katana in this size for a long time - now i have the Giles and i think if i can order it to germany i will have the katana too
At the front of the airframe you can see the 2 holes - yes, it looks like the same LG as the giles has it.
But a 40cc gas will not be necessary if the weight is also like the giles, mine has the MVVS 26cc Gas w. fully tuned pipe and 11,5 lbs - and will pull out from torque roll with authority [8D]
Please write every step you are building .
CU Ralf
09-30-2006, 01:16 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
I guess you can expect an announcement from Ultra-R/C. If you are interested you could call direct or e-mail?
Ultra-R/C has so much new product arriving that the new planes, [there are more to see], are coming out faster than the documentation of the web-site. I know that Brian is building the new planes, writing English documentation as he goes, and sending out orders at the same time.
I don't know if I am helping him with this thread on RCU, but this Katana was so "tight" that I decided to photo-and post-as-I-go.
I am using an OS 1.60 with a BCM pitts muffler. I am sure that the Slimline would fit better. The tank will be behind the firewall and we will use exhaust pressure. Because we used the DuBro iso-mount instead of the one supplied in the ARF, I had to fashion a 3/8" exhaust stand-off to clear the mount. Unfortunately this pushed the muffler down into the body of the cowl, hence the carving.
I didn't get this ARF direct from U;tra-R/C. A friend bought it to me to build for him.
Ultra-R/C has so much new product arriving that the new planes, [there are more to see], are coming out faster than the documentation of the web-site. I know that Brian is building the new planes, writing English documentation as he goes, and sending out orders at the same time.
I don't know if I am helping him with this thread on RCU, but this Katana was so "tight" that I decided to photo-and post-as-I-go.
I am using an OS 1.60 with a BCM pitts muffler. I am sure that the Slimline would fit better. The tank will be behind the firewall and we will use exhaust pressure. Because we used the DuBro iso-mount instead of the one supplied in the ARF, I had to fashion a 3/8" exhaust stand-off to clear the mount. Unfortunately this pushed the muffler down into the body of the cowl, hence the carving.
I didn't get this ARF direct from U;tra-R/C. A friend bought it to me to build for him.
ORIGINAL: dbergsneider
I want one! how did you get it??
I want one! how did you get it??
09-30-2006, 01:23 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
If you look at the photos you can see that the engine and mount were pre-assembled and were just "set" on top of the fire-wall. The airplane is pointing straight up in the air and hence gravity is helping hold the engine in place.
This is much easier than trying to hold the engine in place with the fuselage in a horizontal position where gravity would try to pull the engine out of position and hence would not be "helping"
Regards,
Eric.
This is much easier than trying to hold the engine in place with the fuselage in a horizontal position where gravity would try to pull the engine out of position and hence would not be "helping"
Regards,
Eric.
ORIGINAL: Gulliver
I suppose every body else already knows, but how do you use gravity to help line up the engine ?
I suppose every body else already knows, but how do you use gravity to help line up the engine ?
09-30-2006, 01:26 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
The landing gear is pretty similar. It looked shorter to me and had a sturdier mounting plate(s) inside.
Eric.
Eric.
ORIGINAL: FentonFlyer
Does it use the same landing gear a s the Giles? Also, is the wing area of 950 squares correct?
Does it use the same landing gear a s the Giles? Also, is the wing area of 950 squares correct?
09-30-2006, 11:28 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
Made some progress on the fuselage (Crummy weather again).
Cowl is a nice fit and is snug on the top deck. The top deck is held on by two side bolts. I switched to 4-40's so when I drop one in the grass I have a better chance of borrowing a spare 4-40 than a 3-mm
I noticed two blind-nuts hidden under the covering for the tail-wheel bracket so I re-used them for my personal favorite, the sullivan spring-coil version. The rudder horns are held in place with too long 3-mm bolts that go right through the rudder.
Regards,
Eric.
Cowl is a nice fit and is snug on the top deck. The top deck is held on by two side bolts. I switched to 4-40's so when I drop one in the grass I have a better chance of borrowing a spare 4-40 than a 3-mm
I noticed two blind-nuts hidden under the covering for the tail-wheel bracket so I re-used them for my personal favorite, the sullivan spring-coil version. The rudder horns are held in place with too long 3-mm bolts that go right through the rudder.
Regards,
Eric.
09-30-2006, 11:37 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
I used the Sullivan wheel pant axle brackets again to help hold the wheel pants on. I also added some JB-Weld to hold the axle to the pants. Also here are a couple of pictures of the choice of "insert" rods that have been written about.
Eric.
Eric.
09-30-2006, 11:52 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
The wing was very easy to complete. The Katana's have an additional part that needs to be added to get that "Katana-point" on the center trailing part of the wing.
Ultra-R/C uses a very effective dovetail and two tabs to hold the trailing edge piece in place.
A J-TEC cable holder keeps the aileron leads from falling back inside the wing.
Regards,
Eric.
Ultra-R/C uses a very effective dovetail and two tabs to hold the trailing edge piece in place.
A J-TEC cable holder keeps the aileron leads from falling back inside the wing.
Regards,
Eric.
10-01-2006, 06:28 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
Didn't get a chance to get the Katana ready to fly today, so took her out for some pre-finish pictures.
Should fly tomorrow.
Regards,
Eric.
Should fly tomorrow.
Regards,
Eric.
10-02-2006, 02:31 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
I am using an OS 1.60 with a BCM pitts muffler. I am sure that the Slimline would fit better. The tank will be behind the firewall and we will use exhaust pressure. Because we used the DuBro iso-mount instead of the one supplied in the ARF, I had to fashion a 3/8" exhaust stand-off to clear the mount. Unfortunately this pushed the muffler down into the body of the cowl, hence the carving.
Eric,
Yep, I can tell you that the slimline fits right inside no problem.....I have seen the prototype with a 1.60, stock engine mount, and Slimline muffler.
I need to crash my Giles now, so I can make engine available for this.
Tumbler
Eric,
Yep, I can tell you that the slimline fits right inside no problem.....I have seen the prototype with a 1.60, stock engine mount, and Slimline muffler.
I need to crash my Giles now, so I can make engine available for this.
Tumbler
10-02-2006, 11:18 PM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
Ref. I need to crash my Giles now, so I can make engine available for this.
Tumbler, just let me fly it and I can get your engine for you
I flew "mine" today. The OS 1.60 started easily by hand. One tip is to use an ear-plug in the carb venturi. Crack the throttle about two notches. Turn the engine over about four times and close the throttle. Take out the ear-plug. Light up the glow and it starts with one back-flip.
The down-side of building a plane for someone is that the only time you get to fly it (especially if you fly mode-1), is the test flight! So with that in mind I advanced the throttle and watched the Katana take off with little or no correction from me.
Three beeps of right aileron , two beeps of up and one beep of right rudder on and the plane was MINE for the flight.
Rolls were axial and easy. You could do a rolling circle with constant-speed-rolling or slow it down to a slow roll with no concern. The OS 1.60 was using an 18 x 8, (the 18 x 6 was still in the US-mail somewhere). I was caught out by the vertical performance and almost got too high - read, the plane got too small too quickly! It was spell-binding to watch this plane go up like a rocket.
I used the height to try a series of spins. The Katana reversed direction instantly and readily converted to inverted spins with a 1/2 roll and a blip of gas.
The KE needed the higher of my two rudder rates. This is pretty typical for a Kantana/Funtana design. BTW - It still knife-edged very well and I just think that if I removed the rudder expo I would get a stronger response. I could not feel any mixes but, as I forgot to mention, it was pretty windy. A calm day would better show up any coupling but based upon what I saw, if there is any it will be small.
I did some big and small inside and outside loops with nothing to correct.
The wind was getting worse, and the new owner wanted to see how it landed (a subtle hint I guess?). Of course the wind immediately blew harder and went pure cross. The plane was, by necessity, crabbed in at a 45-degree angle and staightend-out just before the touch-down. The Kantana was stable all the way down to the ground. I bounced it a bit due to my carrying some insurance-speed. I am pleased to be able to report that the modified gear showed no signs of stress.
The new owner put the Katana away in anticipation of much better flying weather on Tuesday. The BCM pitts muffler kept most of the residue away from the fuselage and provides good back pressure for the tank. I was able to set the mixture slightly rich throughout the range.
All in all a good first, and for me last, flight.
My final act was to take my 9CAP module out of my Mode-1 radio and copy my program into his Mode-2 9CAP.
You will have to wait for Tumblers version to find out about the 3-D capabilities
Regards,
Eric.
Tumbler, just let me fly it and I can get your engine for you
I flew "mine" today. The OS 1.60 started easily by hand. One tip is to use an ear-plug in the carb venturi. Crack the throttle about two notches. Turn the engine over about four times and close the throttle. Take out the ear-plug. Light up the glow and it starts with one back-flip.
The down-side of building a plane for someone is that the only time you get to fly it (especially if you fly mode-1), is the test flight! So with that in mind I advanced the throttle and watched the Katana take off with little or no correction from me.
Three beeps of right aileron , two beeps of up and one beep of right rudder on and the plane was MINE for the flight.
Rolls were axial and easy. You could do a rolling circle with constant-speed-rolling or slow it down to a slow roll with no concern. The OS 1.60 was using an 18 x 8, (the 18 x 6 was still in the US-mail somewhere). I was caught out by the vertical performance and almost got too high - read, the plane got too small too quickly! It was spell-binding to watch this plane go up like a rocket.
I used the height to try a series of spins. The Katana reversed direction instantly and readily converted to inverted spins with a 1/2 roll and a blip of gas.
The KE needed the higher of my two rudder rates. This is pretty typical for a Kantana/Funtana design. BTW - It still knife-edged very well and I just think that if I removed the rudder expo I would get a stronger response. I could not feel any mixes but, as I forgot to mention, it was pretty windy. A calm day would better show up any coupling but based upon what I saw, if there is any it will be small.
I did some big and small inside and outside loops with nothing to correct.
The wind was getting worse, and the new owner wanted to see how it landed (a subtle hint I guess?). Of course the wind immediately blew harder and went pure cross. The plane was, by necessity, crabbed in at a 45-degree angle and staightend-out just before the touch-down. The Kantana was stable all the way down to the ground. I bounced it a bit due to my carrying some insurance-speed. I am pleased to be able to report that the modified gear showed no signs of stress.
The new owner put the Katana away in anticipation of much better flying weather on Tuesday. The BCM pitts muffler kept most of the residue away from the fuselage and provides good back pressure for the tank. I was able to set the mixture slightly rich throughout the range.
All in all a good first, and for me last, flight.
My final act was to take my 9CAP module out of my Mode-1 radio and copy my program into his Mode-2 9CAP.
You will have to wait for Tumblers version to find out about the 3-D capabilities
Regards,
Eric.
10-03-2006, 10:35 AM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
ORIGINAL: Eric.Henderson
Ref. I need to crash my Giles now, so I can make engine available for this.
Tumbler, just let me fly it and I can get your engine for you
I flew "mine" today. The OS 1.60 started easily by hand. One tip is to use an ear-plug in the carb venturi. Crack the throttle about two notches. Turn the engine over about four times and close the throttle. Take out the ear-plug. Light up the glow and it starts with one back-flip.
The down-side of building a plane for someone is that the only time you get to fly it (especially if you fly mode-1), is the test flight! So with that in mind I advanced the throttle and watched the Katana take off with little or no correction from me.
Three beeps of right aileron , two beeps of up and one beep of right rudder on and the plane was MINE for the flight.
Rolls were axial and easy. You could do a rolling circle with constant-speed-rolling or slow it down to a slow roll with no concern. The OS 1.60 was using an 18 x 8, (the 18 x 6 was still in the US-mail somewhere). I was caught out by the vertical performance and almost got too high - read, the plane got too small too quickly! It was spell-binding to watch this plane go up like a rocket.
I used the height to try a series of spins. The Katana reversed direction instantly and readily converted to inverted spins with a 1/2 roll and a blip of gas.
The KE needed the higher of my two rudder rates. This is pretty typical for a Kantana/Funtana design. BTW - It still knife-edged very well and I just think that if I removed the rudder expo I would get a stronger response. I could not feel any mixes but, as I forgot to mention, it was pretty windy. A calm day would better show up any coupling but based upon what I saw, if there is any it will be small.
I did some big and small inside and outside loops with nothing to correct.
The wind was getting worse, and the new owner wanted to see how it landed (a subtle hint I guess?). Of course the wind immediately blew harder and went pure cross. The plane was, by necessity, crabbed in at a 45-degree angle and staightend-out just before the touch-down. The Kantana was stable all the way down to the ground. I bounced it a bit due to my carrying some insurance-speed. I am pleased to be able to report that the modified gear showed no signs of stress.
The new owner put the Katana away in anticipation of much better flying weather on Tuesday. The BCM pitts muffler kept most of the residue away from the fuselage and provides good back pressure for the tank. I was able to set the mixture slightly rich throughout the range.
All in all a good first, and for me last, flight.
My final act was to take my 9CAP module out of my Mode-1 radio and copy my program into his Mode-2 9CAP.
You will have to wait for Tumblers version to find out about the 3-D capabilities
Regards,
Eric.
Ref. I need to crash my Giles now, so I can make engine available for this.
Tumbler, just let me fly it and I can get your engine for you
I flew "mine" today. The OS 1.60 started easily by hand. One tip is to use an ear-plug in the carb venturi. Crack the throttle about two notches. Turn the engine over about four times and close the throttle. Take out the ear-plug. Light up the glow and it starts with one back-flip.
The down-side of building a plane for someone is that the only time you get to fly it (especially if you fly mode-1), is the test flight! So with that in mind I advanced the throttle and watched the Katana take off with little or no correction from me.
Three beeps of right aileron , two beeps of up and one beep of right rudder on and the plane was MINE for the flight.
Rolls were axial and easy. You could do a rolling circle with constant-speed-rolling or slow it down to a slow roll with no concern. The OS 1.60 was using an 18 x 8, (the 18 x 6 was still in the US-mail somewhere). I was caught out by the vertical performance and almost got too high - read, the plane got too small too quickly! It was spell-binding to watch this plane go up like a rocket.
I used the height to try a series of spins. The Katana reversed direction instantly and readily converted to inverted spins with a 1/2 roll and a blip of gas.
The KE needed the higher of my two rudder rates. This is pretty typical for a Kantana/Funtana design. BTW - It still knife-edged very well and I just think that if I removed the rudder expo I would get a stronger response. I could not feel any mixes but, as I forgot to mention, it was pretty windy. A calm day would better show up any coupling but based upon what I saw, if there is any it will be small.
I did some big and small inside and outside loops with nothing to correct.
The wind was getting worse, and the new owner wanted to see how it landed (a subtle hint I guess?). Of course the wind immediately blew harder and went pure cross. The plane was, by necessity, crabbed in at a 45-degree angle and staightend-out just before the touch-down. The Kantana was stable all the way down to the ground. I bounced it a bit due to my carrying some insurance-speed. I am pleased to be able to report that the modified gear showed no signs of stress.
The new owner put the Katana away in anticipation of much better flying weather on Tuesday. The BCM pitts muffler kept most of the residue away from the fuselage and provides good back pressure for the tank. I was able to set the mixture slightly rich throughout the range.
All in all a good first, and for me last, flight.
My final act was to take my 9CAP module out of my Mode-1 radio and copy my program into his Mode-2 9CAP.
You will have to wait for Tumblers version to find out about the 3-D capabilities
Regards,
Eric.
Glad to hear all went well. I'll be flying one this week, so I'll let you know how it goes. I can tell you this, its LIGHT, isn't it. Its even lighter than the Giles!! Did you weigh the one you built?
Tumbler
10-03-2006, 11:17 AM
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RE: KATANA XL - new release
I'm sorry, I didn't have time to weigh it. The flying field and my buddy was a'callin'. It felt very light to lift compared with my pattern planes.- Eric