Anyone fly this thing yet? Any video?

I had bought one of these planes about 3 weeks ago and have completed the build along with a few flights. I thought you would be interested to get some feedback on the kit, build, set-up and flight characteristics for an electric conversion.

Kit:

· The fit and finish of the kit are outstanding

· Covering is tight and arrived absolutely wrinkle free

Build:

· Parts bag is very poor –

o all ball links and clevises need to be replaced

o control rods need to be replaced to use e-z adjusters (4-40)

o Wheels need to be replaced with 4” (dremmel wheel pants to accept the larger wheels)

o Have a supply of wood and machine screws available as many of the sizes are not usable or correct

· Locate elevator servos in the horizontal stabilizer – there is plenty of room and it cleans up the plane’s profile. It does move some weight farther back but worth the sacrifice. This also allows the removal of the stab / elevator without removing or needing to readjust the linkages.

· Reinforce and build out areas of the cowling support to create locations to “Blind Screw” it to the fuselage to eliminate external screws. Much cleaner.

· Install magnets to the bottom of the canopy / deck and fuselage. It will still require the use of the back 2 screws but not the front. Again, it cleans up the profile.

· Cover the large access hole under the motor mount box. There is enough air circulation if the speed control and BEC are mounted top and bottom of the motor mount box. If you do not cover the hole, too much air pressure will cause catastrophic fuselage destruction.

· Mount the landing gear to the wing. Ensure wheels roll without binding. Run a bead of silicone under the landing gear struts and mount to the wings using larger screws than supplied as they will pull out. Once the gear has been mounted, you will not be taking it off so secure the screws with CA or epoxy as the sheeting id very thin.

· Remove the wheels and fill the struts with expandable insulating foam. Allow to dry thoroughly and trim as necessary for wheel clearance. This will strengthen the struts and keep the wire landing gear from flexing all over the place.

Electronics:

· The spec for the recommended electric motor is way off. This plane will weigh 14.5 to 16 lbs. There is no way around it. An 18oo watt / 500+ Kv motor will roll it down the runway but it will not fly. It requires more power and cells. I had bought a Scorpion 4025 – 12 which meets and exceeds the specks but it is way too small. This is a Gee Bee racing replica, although a fantasy plane so it needs some power not to mention the safety factor of having some back-up emergency power if needed. Granted, it is not a 3D ship but it still needs power.

· Suggested power set-up:

o E-flight power 160 (good solid reliable performer at a reasonable price)

o 20/12 APC or Xoar prop

o Castle Ice 100

o Castle Pro BEC

o 2 each 4S/5000 bats (series for an 8S system)

o 2S/1300 flight pack (switched)

o 4 each Hyperion Atlas DS20x SMD – digital/coreless (ailerons and elevators)

o 1 each Hyperion Atlas DS20xTMD – digital / coreless (rudder)

· This set-up comes in at 14lbs. 12oz. As this is a gas conversion, it still requires 1lb. of lead in the nose to get the CG correct for a total flying weight of 15lbs 12oz. Batteries need to be as far forward as possible. Place them side-by-side in the bay directly behind the bulkhead. This set up will give acceptable flight performance for scale flight with some margin of power for emergency or mild aerobatics. Fly at ¾ to full throttle for approx. 5 minutes.

· Power set-up for real fun:

o E-flight power 160 (good solid reliable performer at a reasonable price)

o 20/12 Xoar prop

o Castle 85 HV

o Castle Pro BEC

o 2 each 5S/5000 bats (series for an 10S system)

o 2S/1300 flight pack (switched)

o 4 each Hyperion Atlas DS20x SMD – digital/coreless (ailerons and elevators)

o 1 each Hyperion Atlas DS20xTMD – digital / coreless (rudder)

NOW we have a plane! This set-up weighs approx. 8 oz. more so the ballast in front can be reduced if you wish but would be dependent upon the location of the batteries. The extra weight is not even noticed by the plane and penetration is like a dart with absolutely no buffeting even in a 12 mph breeze. Power is unlimited as is the vertical. Fly at ½ throttle for approx. 6 minutes. The grin factor is off the chart!

Flight:

· CG – ¾ inch in front of the center of the aluminum wing tube. This plane has a tendency to be very tail heavy. Added weight is necessary in the nose as gas engines are heavier than electric and although the fuel tank weighs less than the batteries, the weight of the motor is farther forward and therefore has a greater impact on the balance and CG. MAKE SURE THIS IS CORRECT BEFORE FLIGHT!

· Take-off is predictable with some left torque but once the rear wheel is off the ground it is very strait. It will rotate very quickly due to the large wing area but long take-offs look great for scale. Very good ground handling manners.

· Almost no trim was required at all. 2 clicks of up elevator at it flew like it was on rails. Roll rate can be as fast or as slow as you wish depending upon flying style. The huge rudder does its job quite well and must be used to avoid the tail sliding out in slower turns. Put some coal to it and it pulls the tail around quite nicely but rudder is still advised for very clean flight. The rudder is so effective and the plane is so stable that rudder corrections for yaw control and directional corrections require almost no aileron input at all. It is like there is a pivot point in the center of the plane that it rotates around.

· Landings are very easy. Although it weighs in at 16+ lbs (with the hot set-up) it still floats. Approach should be a bit longer as it wants to stay in the air. At 2 ft. above the ground the ground affects allow the plane to land beautifully. Roll-outs are a bit long so be prepared. Due to the long landing gear, try to avoid any turns at speed as the gear will flex. Just let it roll.

· This is one cool plane! In the air, it is a sight to see with the mass of the fuselage and the gear hanging as low as it does. The profile is great. In the air and on the ground this plane attracts a lot of attention. This not a war bird, not a pattern plane, not a 3D machine and definitely NOT A FOAMY! It is something totally different.

Thanks for your input!! We are getting ALL NEW Hardware bags that fit!! I am sorry about this!! THANKS for the information on the electric conversion! May I use it???