ORIGINAL: PeterP
So the plane comes nose heavy... this concerns me a bit...I use the ARIA type mount as it is easy to install and is the only one I have right now. I have read various negative comments about this mount, IMO does not work very well but I would not rather to encounter another extra cost. I will be using two 9650s at the tail which are heavier than the 3421SAs and also I think of using a Mejslik prop (18x10) which is 1+ounce lighter than the APC (17x12) plus a plastic spinner (no Tru Turn).
Nickolas, why not remove the steel fork arrangement from the mount. Then you have a mount and seperate nose ring which can be mounted as if you had an ARA mount (not sure if this will work as I have never owned an ARIA mount) You have spent all this money purchasing a competitive light weight model and it will be a shame to make it any heavier than it needs to be. Excess weight is always excess weight no matter whatever you do so installing lighter components later will not make things right. The CG issue mentioned could be a problem and you may need to place extra weight in the tail to compensate therefore adding additional weight. I know what I would do if I was in your position. Much easier to deal with it now than later.
Guys many thanks for the interest and instant responses.
Peter it does not work like that IMO. You can not remove the steel fork , ARIA type mounts have much thinner rubber from the A type so if they are not used with the fork the will not provide as much as dumping as the A type and also may be damaged. This is what I have understood from the research I did when I purchased this mount and speaking with sales people from CH. This hobby is endless ok you will always something else better to buy, with this logic I would have also to get a 170 and put the 160 on the shelf...
Thanks for the advice anyway and appreciate your input, I have not taken my final decision yet regarding the mount.
Regarding servos I cancelled the order of the 8401s, I went finally for 2x9411SAs for ailerons (briliant servo, light, and very fast) and 1x8411SA for rudder (it is a good servo but has a slight slop as the head is metal. It is not exactly the same as 8401 whose all gears are plastic).
We can get some ideas about F3A servos requirements in general in the American JR Web Site and BPLR Blog Spot, where he outlines his setups for Oxalys and Osmose.
I am waiting for the hardware to arrive probably next week and will start building the plane, till then happy landings to everyone.
Best regards,
Nikos