I picked up a Model Tech Magic while they were on sale for $89.00. It's my first ARF since my Lanier Eyeball back in the 60's. Frankly, I was IMPRESSED! I consider myself a better than average builder and I would be hard pressed to do any better (although I did see some areas where I could have saved a little weight).
Here's the set-up:
Aveox 1114-4Y, L160 controller, 12 CP1700's (or CP 2400s), MiniDemon gb @6.1/1, APCe 18/10 prop. FMA rx, 2 ART 94102 sx for ailerons, ART 94131 for elevator, Fut ? for rudder, Ultimate BEC. Pull-pull rods on rudder (sx mounted on op of fuse just in front of rudder for balance), cables on elevator (for reduced friction). With with 1700s 4 1/2 lbs; with 2400s 4.75 lbs.
Take off in 5 ft without flaps. Vertical until I couldn't see it clearly anymore (-: I'm confident it will hover when I get proficient enough. Rolls at low rate WOW. Loops any size you want (very tight with coupled flaperons). Very positive flying a/c. It does just exactly what I tell it (which isn't always what I meant to tell it )-:}. Essentially no elevator needed for inverted flight. Landings are a ball. I did an almost vertical landing with full flaps in a very light breeze on my second flight. It still had enough power to go vertical (but not hover) when the controller started to pulse! Static amp draw at full throttle on a fresh charge was 39.4 measured by my old Astro Whattmeter.
Flights are fairly short with the 1700s, maybe five minutes, but with that kind of wild flying they are long enough (at least until I can get into LiPolys)
The only "electric" modification I made was to open the lower half of the firewall to allow battery packs to be slid in from the front. Also makes for good cooling (though I will have to make an air exit). I did switch to a dowel and nylon bolts for the wing mounting as I hate rubber bands.
Some of the hardware wasn't up to par, actually two clevises. The lg and pushrod wire is of dubious quality.
I'm very pleased with this plane and hope to really improve my airbatic flying skills.
Walt
Illinois
