OK, I have scoured the boards ahead of time so I'm pretty sure I have a good idea what I'm in for. I came across a Composite-ARF Impact for $843 (new, in box with e-motor kit included) and offered $650, the guy accepted my offer and it arrived today! I had done some skimming of the boards leading up to the week I seriously decided to make an offer and found pretty much all the negatives regarding the tail crack/break issue and the subsequent C-ARF fix, this kit came WITH the tail bulkhead included (not installed) as well as the stiffener foam board for the length of the fuse so I believe I'm covered (yes, I've read the issues from folks with the fix that still broke as well).

To get started, I created a new thread because the old one was dead, it hadn't been posted to for quite some time and I was worried no one would look for new posts. I want feedback because I want to do this right; this plane is absolutely slick but certainly requires a fair amount of work that would normally be done for you. My skills are up to the challenge but I noticed right off the bat that advice on gluing the stiffener (for example) would be welcome since the thing extends some 28" into the fuse, making getting the glue to it a challenge. Also, I'd like to use BVM Aeropoxy for the entire thing (all glue joints) is that good, bad?

My intent is to make it electric but not using one of the 2 options they show. I am Hackered out to death (they sound like blenders, might as well be glow) and the Plettenberg is one ugly-***** motor. No offense to anyone that has one but I expect form AND function, the form portion of the pletty seems to be missing (are those burn marks I see in the picture?). Again, not to offend, from what I read it is a good motor but I've decided to go with the Axi 5330/F3A, the Jeti Spin 99 and 2 x FlightPower EVO 5000 6S2P (series) for a 12S pack. I know, I know, 12S is a little high but I already own a large amount of TP 8000 4S packs and EVO 5000 6S packs, I can't mix and match and 8S isn't going to cut it so to try and use what I have, 12S is where I plan to start.

I'd like some tips from the guys who have built one of these bad boys already, my experience is limited with large and composite/glass aircraft so if you can help me out and avoid an issue later, I'd be obliged. I read the manual 3 times, I feel I have a grasp over sequence, the areas I'd like advice are stab servos (mount via hatch as they do or in the end with a hole cut into the fuse to accept), rudder assembly (seems to me it would be easier to glue the rudder end piece in before mounting the rudder to ensure proper glue coverage and bond) and finally, motor mounting (I've got a Budd Engineering Electric Soft Motor Mount coming). Oh, I also plan on using a DX7 radio, I have had one for 2 months now, been flying it in my Fliton Inspire 60 and LOVE it, this would be my first composite/glass installation though.

To kick off the thread, I want to talk about quality, this kit has it! I was worried about the thinness of the fuse, particularly in the rear but I have to say this thing is solid, I can't squeeze it and warp it near as easily as the JP Models Lexx (electric plane) I have, that thing will break if you pick it up wrong but I get the impression the Impact is indeed able to take some abuse (though that is not my intent). The fit and finish is very nice (why couldn't they paint the canopy though, please!) and the included parts seem solid (though again, they don't fit together dry, seems like a lot of fine tuning is required). So please chime in, follow the sequence in the book, use Aeropoxy, etc. I welcome comments!

JFetter