I'm not sure really why I crashed my first Fusion. Probably just inattention. I was powering out of a flat spin and got up to a pretty good speed and did an upright "pancake" right in front of me. Broke both wings right at the tube and the fuse at the back of the wing. Tore the engine out and ruined the engine mount as well. It was about a 3/4 throttle pancake job. Hit pretty hard. I'm sure my UCD would have been total toothpicks. I was just really starting to enjoy the Fusion. I think that was about my 20th flight on it. Happened last November (2006). I immediately ordered another one because I really liked it.

One tip when you build yours. Just cut a groove in the side of the fuse for the servo leads. I tried till I was sick to fish all 3 servo leads through the small crooked tunnel and just couldn't get it done. I ended up just "ripping" a groove with my finger to get the thing open enough to get the wires through. On my 2nd one I just opened up the side with my Xacto knife and then just covered with Ultra Coat. Didn't even bother putting the balsa sheeting on it. That was so much easier. And much less frustrating. Also I had a bit of trouble locating and mounting the throttle servo. I used a mini HS85. When it's all said and done I think it's quite a bit harder build than the UCD but not that bad. It's a great flying plane. I've only flown my 2nd one about 20 flights because I've been moving into the gas planes. But the other day I flew glow for a day and had a great time. I just enjoy flying.

Funny how some planes do some stunts very well and not so good on others. The UCD for me is the rising flat spin. The Fusion is the rolling Harriers. The Velox it KE. My Mayhem was great spins and easy landings. The UCD and the Fusion hover about the same (easy). My Wild Hare Edge is the KE Spin and waterfalls. Etc...etc. The other planes will do the same things in many cases but they all seem somewhat specialized. Maybe I've just grown to expect that out of them.

This winter I've commited myself to do a tail touch. I'm beefing up the UCD elevators and rudder (pinning) for the occasion. Some of the guys I fly with fly with skis in the winter off of soft snow. They say it's a no brainer. Anyways, I'm gonna saddle up the UCD and I'm gonna bury the tail in the nice soft fluffy stuff and learn how to do it. I can back down from 20' to ten or so and then nothing works. No matter what I do I can't get any lower. I sware even if I had a flame out it wouldn't go lower. I'm gonna work on that this winter. Normally I don't fly in the cold but my buddies are making me. Anyways...we're gonna give it a heck of try.

thanks
Barry