RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

I maidened my FunStar last night......I love it! It seems to weigh a tad more than my Magic Extra, which it replaced, but you could never tell by the way it flew...I think it actually held a hover with less throttle than the Magic Extra if that's possible....the increased elevator and rudder area (in comparison with the Magic Extra) really makes a difference. It was pretty windy, so I only flew it 3 times, but I was able to get it into a really nice inverted flat spin, somthing I could never get the Magic Extra to do very well.

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

All my hardware is stock, i will see if i can weigh my plane for you later today....

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Chears guys
1st flight suxd when engine decided it would go 2 idle 5 feet in the air afta TO. cartwheeld in and broke the fuz above the wing.

2nd flight ruled, afta having 2 replumb the tank. Was amazed at how clean it was, found that speed was difficult 2 lose. (Prop coz of the high idling engine). But dead smooth and positive, more then impressed!

Tristan

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Squirt, if you'er using the stock pushrods that came with this plane you better be careful as the rods are not very rigid and could bend.


Squirt, do you have a list of what you put in this bird? Electronics?

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

yeah i know, the stock rods etc., were kinda bendable, but I'm keeping an eye on them......but my radio gear: 4 standard hobbico bb servo's on the wing, ele, and rud. and 1 standard but not bb on the throttle. futaba PCM receiver, and a 4.8 volt receiver batt, all controlled with a futaba 9CAP

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Squirt, Ah! ok now we are getting somewhere. I would suggest you change out all standard servos with preferably HS-5245 digital or if not the HS-225 mini servos, which are the ones I'm using. By jumping down to the mini servos, you will save quite a bit of weight. Make sure your battery is a 720 NiMh and your throttle servo change to an HS-81 micro servo. Change out your 7 or 8 channel receiver with the Electron 6 Mini FM Rx.


Once you do the above you should have no problems pulling our of a hover.

Mine weighed in at 4.6 pounds with the above configuration, But I did change out the stock push rods with 4-40 on the tail. The plane not being a speed demon, your not going to fly it over 1/4 throttle so the mini servos should be fine.

hupilentaja, as far as the fuse cracking, no I've not experienced any fuse weakness. Being I have the plane light I'm hoping I won't have to worry.

Blackie

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Thats alot of work blackie.......theres got to be a better way.....:eek:

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

What do you think about putting a Saito .72 on it.....it might be to much power........also i probably wouldn't have long flight time........but about the power thing, it is 3D after all......

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

While assembling the Fun Star, I had reinforced the area by gluing thin ply on the inside of fuselage on both sides. Previously, we had two planes snapping below the canopy on slightly hard landings.

This plane is a blast to fly.

Cheers!!

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

I have the Saito 72 in mine. Its not too much power at all. Quite nice. I can't run my preferred 14x4W prop with the stock gear however. Running a 13x6.

On a slightly hard deadstick landing, I cracked my fuse too. Not the strongest, built to fly, not crash. I just CA'ed it, and epoxied a smal ply block inside the fuse over the crack. Attaching pics.

K

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Can the saito .72 fit on the stock mount?

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Not with the "vise" method per the instructions. I ended up using two of the four pre-drilled holes, and drilled 2 more of my own on the mount and attached the engine with four 6-32 bolts and nylon insert lock nuts. If I remember I'll try to get a pic tonight when I get home.

K

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Mine bit the dust a while back, but I'm thinking about getting another Funstar. Mine did crack and brack at the amazingly weak cabin. Just don't crash this one. Anyone have an Idea how to fix it? I'd love some pictures, drawings, etc..

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Just make your own ply doublers that should help, without adding to much weight.

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Got a few more flights on my funstar tonight........I keep hitting the prop on the runway!! I'm flying from a field with an asphalt strip, and if I touch down just even a tad hard, the whimpy main gear spreads out, and I bust up another APC prop.....I need to go to the hobby shop and get a 6 pack of APC 12.25x3.75 props. :D

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Glowplug, have you read this thread through its entirety? I placed in a couple post how I solved that problem and in another I showed the pictures. You'll have to do a search though as I don't remember what post number they are.

Blackie

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Blackie, I have....but it's been one new post at a time......I'll go back through the thread and find your posts......THANKS! [8D]

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

Blackie, I just found your post on the landing gear fix....sounds simple enough! One thing though....I also fly from a grass field on occasion, and the grass can sometimes get high........would the soldered rod get in the way of high grass? I'm thinking maybe I can use 2 rods and solder them at an angle, creating an "X". Do you thing that would work?

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

High grass, I would not chance, but if its a well kept field then you'd be ok.

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

I know it was mentioned earlier in this thread, but what is the overall concensus on this plane regarding radios? Do you absolutely need a computer radio or is it just going to make it easier to deal with at first?

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

An anolog will do just fine how ever as with all planes the computer will allow ease in mixing.

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

either radio type will work.....but if your a patient person....go far the analog

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

I don't have any mixed programmed except for flaperons.....but I don't think I'd want to fly mine on 3D rates without expo. [X(]

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

I'll second the expo, gotta have it! Spoilerons would be nice also, but I don't have that capability.

RE: Phoenix Models Fun Star 40-3D
 

I just flew my Fun Star for the first time and anyone that said to check the aileron pins is RIGHT...
The second flight, the plane started handling funny and I landed it only to find one of the ailerons
coming off.