Well, I have 10 flights on the plane now, so I thought I'd post on how its been going.

I started out with an Evolution .46nt and a 11x7 APC. That combo really had ample power, and I probably would have stuck with it, except I decided I wanted that engine for another plane. I put in the OS .60 SR (ringed) that I had laying around, and was going to use if the evo wasn't enough. I had to shave a bit of the mount to get it in there, but it fit rather nicely in the end. I also enlarged the prop slot in the body a bit, to accomodate a 12" prop. With the gear I'm using, theres plenty of clearance already.

The new (actually old, but came to me NIB) engine runs really well, considering it has the needle valve assembly from an Evolution .46 on it... (the stock one having snapped off in the demise of my rambler...) Amazingly, considering the 20 year difference in production, and the different manufacturers, it screwed right in and worked fine. I also modified the muffler, so that the output tube is at the "back" now, blowing right through the prop, and the stock hole is closed up. I would post pics, but my camera is toast, and I have yet to get a new one. The increase in power isn't huge, but very noticable. Takeoff run is cut in half at least, and theres lots more climbing power. Almost unlimited vertical on 12x6 prop, not the best speed; the 11x8 was better for speed, and a bit less on vertical, but still very respectable.

Im finally getting the hang of landing it. I thought I needed to bring the H9 raptor in fast... I need to be moving pretty good in this plane or I can't keep the nose up. It feels nose heavy there, but seems fairly well balanced in flight, so I not sure what to do yet. I can't practically get any more of the gear moved back for balance, so I will have to add weight to move it back any more. (already have a heavy hub on the engine) But as long as I keep a few clicks of throttle on, it seems to be ok. I wish I could put the Oleo struts from my stang on there though but theyre too long by almost an inch. I tend to hit pretty hard sometimes, and the wire gear are bending. I have to check them every flight to make sure they wont bind when I retract them.

If I had it to do over again, I would have completely recovered the plane in yellow, with some good markings. All the black and silver makes it sillouete really easily, and as its fast, it gets out there pretty far. Unfortunatly with all the funny joints around the prop and elevator, it would be a lot harder to cover now that its all stuck together, so Im going to go with it for now.

All in all its a fun plane Certainly gets my blood racing....


By the way, if any mods read this, and think it would belong better in another thread, please feel free to move it. I put it here originally looking for tips on the mod to the body, but it's maybe not the best place for the thread...