Hi,

I've purchased a Phoenix Scanner ARF and I'm about to start the building this week.

Before I build, I thought I should ask for any cooments or if the plane needs reenforcing in any areas.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks for your help.

Wayne Miller

Wayne,

I am into my second Scanner now, its a really nice plane to fly as an entry into low wing. The plane has no nasty habits at all and will come in well dead stick. Landings are with ease as the plane tracks well, it does not bleed speed off that fast so it will be easy to judge landings ... inverted flight is simple with just a little down elevator. However, the plane will not roll that fast (its fast enough) and spirals are not something you wanna do too many of ... just a few rounds (3-4 max) is all you can do before you are too near the ground, recovery is easy however.

Building wise there is nothing to reinforce or modify. Just remember to add a wood block (its supplied) to guide the front nose wheel steering wire. Drill a hole through the balsa block supplied and then glue the block about 1/2 to 2/3 way back between F2 (2nd firewall) and the servo arm. Also, fixing the Ele and Rud lingkage/pushrod is a pain in the arse ... just go slow and get the angles correctly ... patience will make the linkage function nicely ... Oh yes ... you will need to cut away a little bit of F3 as the Ele pushrod will touch it, just a little 'V' shaped trim only.

The plane will balance spot on with a TT46, I guess any 46 will be fine. You will enjoy that plane a lot ... I fly mine with a real cheapo controller, something for me to trash about. Run it with a 11 x 6 for a start, you will enjoy the torque and a 10 x 6 will give you decent speed. Its not a very fast plane on a 46 with a 10 x 6, just fast enough.

Have fun!!!

Hi tIANci

Thanks for the information. I was told it was a very stable aircraft, and the price was right for an ARF. I normally build kits and so I was a little concerned about how light it was.

I plan to put a K&B .45 on it so it sounds as if everything should work fine.

Thanks for your help.

Wayne Miller

Hey Wayne, How long did it take to get it. I assume you got it from bisson muffler ?

Hi Splatt,

I got it from a local hobby shop that had it in stock so I didn't have to wait. I was looking for something fun to fly and they recommended it.

I'm not sure how long Bisson takes to ship.

Fly4Fun,

Wayne

The plane is not light at all. Its heavy enough but with the airfoil it comes in so nice on a dead stick. I had it 2 on Saturday and Sunday, both times it just glided in on a very manageable speed and rate of decent. The plane is fugly but handles very nicely.

Hi Wayne,

I am very happy with my Scanner. Regarding the build techniques I have used 30-minute epoxy and metholated spirits in the engine bay, inside the fuel tank area and on the inside of the fuselage where the wings mount. I cut out a lower hatch under the fuel tank to more easily allow this area to be sealed and insert my battery. I had to put in about 4oz of lead in the nose.

I am flying with an OS 40 with tuned pipe and after some flutter on the elevator I placed some solarfilm over the hinge gap on this control surface. On vertical climbing the plane (with 10% nitro) will go skyward pretty fast (with a 10x6 prop) but certainly won't hang on the prop. This plane was a comeback for me after not flying for 20 years but I dont think there is more than 2-months left before I'll be moving on to another aircraft. I would like a plane without dihedral for improved interted flying, aerobatics, etc and have purchased an ARF Katana.

Overall, however, the Scanner is great value for money and a stable flyer!!

Cheers

Langfire

Hi Langfire,

Thanks for the info. I'm also returning to the hobby after 30 years, building a career, raising a family and now retiring.

I started with an old reed set then went to porportional. When I returned to the hobby (just before winter set in) I started with electrics. The planes are the GWS P51-D (a little sensitive), the GWS Formosa (great pattern flyer with brushless motor), foamyfactory.com home built 3DX (easy build 2-3 hours without radio install) and spadtothebone.com SPA3DX home build (easy build 2-3 hours without radio install).

I really like the convenience and "fly anywhere" of the electrics, especially with the grandkids. But I've missed the glow engines a little and now have built a Goldberg Eagle 2 and the Scanner is next.

Thanks for the input, it sounds like a good plane to start back into glow with.

Fly4Fun,

Wayne

I just fixed a tuned pipe to my Scanner that has a TT46, running it with a 11x6 prop tomorrow morning ... hope it runs well ... the tue pipe does make the plane tail heavy.

Hi Wayne,

Fantastic that you returned to the hobby after 30 years. There must have been an incredible amount of change over that time. I notice for instance that forums like this were never possible when I first started flying. The Scanner is an excellent glo plane to come back to.

Hi tIANci,

I have also noticed tIANci that my CG changed quite a bit when I first put the pipe on. Also the plane was wighted towards the side of the plane with the pipe wich required some wing tip weights. I wouldn't be without the pipe though, the performance gains make it well worth the extra fuel it consumes and the weight.

Cheers

Langfire

Langfire ... looks like we are all in the same boat. I returned after 20 years, I started it as a teenager and as usual you get side tracked. The changes in the hobby blew me away. I saw pictures of a man with his han reached out to a plane that was hanging nose up ... I was wondering what that was about? Is he launching it or retrieving it. Then there is this new phenomena called ARF and from Vietnam even (that is like my neighbour). A lot of changes for sure!

I had to add in about 4 oz-6 oz to balance the plane and will later on add weights to balance the wing, the plane is very lop sided now. Unfortunately, with a late night I was not able to get up early today to fly, will test her out tomorrow morning and hope the pipe really gives me more oooomph ...

I took the Scanner up yesterday evening and this morning with the tuned pipe ... oh my ... there is a very noticeable increase in power! I put on an 11x6 prop and it does give me more speed than the standard engine with a 10x6. I love the extra power and I can climb and do verticals (not unlimited) with more ease. I wonder if I will change to a 10x6. Noticed the flight time hs dropped quite a bit though ... from something like 12 mins to 8 mins only. Still I love the power and as an icing on the cake, the plane is CLEANER!

Hi All,

I am glad that somepeople like the scanner. I basically love it. It is very economical, stable, predictable and can be fixed 20 times if you keep flying it crazy, like i did. I own many many airplanes including jets and giant scale that costs lots of $$, but I always enjoy my scanner and I am planning to add a new one to my fleet.

The scanner is made of cheap quality materials, but it is priced resonably.

Highly recommended.

Regards

can put in a 4stroke into the scanner?

Yes you can of course ... a 56 will be ok, not sure about a SA72, the issue is prop clearance, SA72 takes a 13" prop.

I had one ages ago and shoe horned a Super Tigre G.51 into it for some sensational fun.

It is so just close to the World Models Super Sports 40 in characterisitcs. I had one of those as well at the same time and actually accidentally flew the Scanner on the WM SS.40 settings. I did not realise my mistake until after the model had landed.

the stock engine mount had 2 holes very far away, and does not line up .
should i drill the mount or but a new engine mount? i intend to fly the 46ax or 0s50sx.
i tried my heli 50shx and its aittle big

I know they got a new version of the Scanner what is colourful but the old one had engine strap mounts, there was no hole to drill.

ah so they are engine straps!!!! no wonder the holes dont line up and there are extra 2 piece of metal.

thanks!!!!


i have a NIB os 50 and a saito 72.

which would be good?

Lee - hahahahahahahaaa ... you are good! Did they not give you a manual? Do you want speed or unlimited vertical? I would go with the SA72 as the airframe is not all that fast so the 50SX might be a waste on her. Go with an APC 13x6. Please check for clearance. Oh yes .. have fun with the throttle linkage if you go 4C! Now maybe the 50SX makes more sense!

going with the 50 the throttle linkage is a night mare!!!

the manual is totally junk , showing photos which is totally different. they say drill the holes for the engine mount!!! rubbish mannz.
glad you have highlighted the strap thing.

the only nitro stuff i do are heli / buggy/ 1/8 onroad and 1/10 on road all of them the engine holder lineup nicely!! never heard of strap or drilling mounting holes.


cheers

nice colours

The straps hold very well, you need not worry at all. Have fun ... the plane is easy to fly. I was trying to prop hang my WM Super Sport today ... it was interesting, not enough ailerons but if you get the entry right she will prop hang a bit! Hahahahaaa ... everyone at the field were laughing their arses off!