Hi Chris:

Had about 150 flights on my Compo Bandit before I sold it......now have Compo Super B as well as an Ultra B on the way.....slickest groovin' planes I've ever had......


C.G.-----8 1/2 aft of leading edge of wing measured at the wing to fuse joint is suggested for starters.....mine ended up about 8 3/4 +/- 1/8"

Flaps------never used them for takeoff....don't need them.....comes off our grass field in 200 feet with a P-120.......
....landing flaps all you can get.....about 40 deg.....I used mid flaps about 15-20 deg for strong x-wind days..
....mine was dead neutral regarding elevator mix......never needed it, as long as you got the C.G. right....
....hold lot's of up elevator during takeoff roll to keep the weight off the nose wheel....then tracks like an arrow, but I did use a gyro on the nose wheel for windy days....

Speed Brake.....used it for every landing.......cuts the float to a minimum......it comes down just about 90 degrees.....just high enough so it doesn't get caught in the grass.....needs a good servo and 4/40 linkage to keep it all the way down at higher speeds like 2721, 8411 or 8611.....

Elevator-----be sure to have at least 1 1/8" up and down travel measured at the elevator trailing edge at the root of the stab.....you need that to properly flare for landing and to get a nice lift off with full fuel, as the plane is nose heavy with full fuel......except in the worst crosswinds, it lands like a dream.....just don't let off the up elevator after it touches the mains till it really slows or it can get a hop going......was much worse of a problem with the Mavericks......

I believe the compo had (2) l liter main tanks = 66 oz and then 16oz in the forward hopper for 82 oz plus the UAT......

IMO, the DF Maverick Pro, Compo Bandit, SuperBandit and Ultrabandit are the best of breed Sport planes ever conceived.......even though several Brand X's come close......

Only downside is their price when new and the original Compo was quite a tedious build, but by shopping the used market, you can get some great deals as you no doubt know....

Tom