Here is my version of the Capiche built from the plans using balsa and my own construction methods rather than using the CNC pack. It was cheaper and lighter, and I had loads of balsa looking for a home. The main difference is the way I built the fuse - typical construction of 1/16 sheet sides with ply doublers from front back to the wing seat. Wings, talplane, fin are almost identical construction to plan.

The actually aerodynamics of the model are as per plan, same shape, same incidences, same right thrust etc etc etc. So essentially its just a slightly lighter Capiche.

Cowl, and canopy were from Nexus, and the carbon undercart is from Carbon Copy - looks superb and is very light.

Total weight came out at 3lb 15oz, around a 1/4 to 1/2 lb lighter than the cnc pack built ones according to the Capiche website.

Power is an Irvine 53 with an apc 12.25 X 3.75 prop, which gives it unlimited vertical.

First flight nearly ended as a disaster. The tailplane which was built exactly as per plan - ie 1/4 balsa sheet failed at the bottom of a high G loop where each half joins the fuse. Fortunately the elevator joiner held it together and I landed safely. I cyanoed it back together and braced it with closed loop wire. So far no more problems. Apparently the CNC packs use medium to hard balsa, I used soft stuff.

Flight performance :
Once I had the C-of-g back it became a really good 3D model, which is why I built it in the first place. Knife edge loops are easy, as are waterfalls, harriers, and parachutes. Flat spins are best done with a bit of power on to keep the tail down. Blenders are ok, not quite as good as a CAP232.

Hovering is fairly easy, I dont have the ability to do torque rolls yet, but with practice hopefully I'll get there.

Rolling circles are very good with this model, as you can do them quite slowly and have enough time to think about your control inputs.

This model has had a lot of publicity when it was launched and I was a bit sceptical of all the hype. However, hats off to the designer, its a really good 3D model, and will also do pattern style aeros too.

My colour scheme was copied off one of the models on the Capiche website, so appologies to whoever I stole it off !

Very nice Ultimate.... and we dont mind the colour scheme at all... its a complement to the guy that did it - Mike Rondel - we'll pass on this post to him.

Interesting about the tail plane... you must have had some real soft stuff. Weve driven ours real hard with absolutely no problems and if you had seen what Christophe was doing to mine in France....

Its true we use medium grade balsa for the tail in the kit, which adds a little to the weight... but its a case of security for the general market. Yes the model can be made lighter, as was proven with the Mk I prototypes we had, but at we so often see, the expense of structural integrity does not suit everyone... and if we recommend steps to make it lighter and bits break for whatever reason... then guess who gets the slating !

Anyway.. great news... theres been another person on here 3Style thats been looking for pilot feedback... hopefully he will see this post...

Now how about some flying shots? and some pictures sent to our email to feature on the website? and for the competition of course....

cheers

Cool... that sounds like pretty good feedback...

well done ultimate... but I dont think I could be bothered to cut all the bits out... Ive ordered the kit but they are sold out for the moment.

there was another guy on one of the threads cutting his own bits... havent seen the results yet though.

Thats my point, I didnt cut out all the bits, I redesigned the structure around the material I was using (soft balsa), and my building abilities, to create my own structure. Eg the fuse is built from mainly 1/16 sheet balsa without lightening cut outs - about 3 evenings work.

The original design of the capiche is based around the use of CNC cut liteplay and balsa, dont bother trying to do it by hand its not worth it, and you probably cant get it as accurate. Either buy the cnc pack, or redesign the structure to suit your self.

I'm not going to describe the way I did it here as it would take too long, but if anyone is interested, I'll do my best to explain via email :- [email protected]

Hey Chris steady... you'll be doing me out of business !

LOL - I doubt it, youve sold out of Capiche kits already and very few people can be bothered to do what I did.

Havnt stopped flying it since I built it. I'm a pretty average 3D flyer if I'm being kind, but this model makes me look better than I am.

Ultimate, any objections to me quoting you on some of this stuff.?? for the Capiche website ?

No objections, feel free to use what you wish from this site and the http://www.rcmodelflying.co.uk/forum/ site too.


Hopefully I get some decent pics emailed to the Capiche site later this week.

I'll be spectating at Woodsprings, so hope to see you guys fly.

Chris

Chris, not sure how many of the team will be there...

Perhaps Mike Williams will be... and Paul Carr and Phil Vandries should be flying them for Carbon Copy... and perhaps Paul Skinner too..

So, maybe not so bad then...

We'll have another half a dozen Capiche 'ists over here in Jersey
for the same weekend