Yer mighty good Jemo...

My WH Edge is just over 17 lbs... (lighter wingtube & gear and no pants and ZDZ50 that is a couple oz lighter than your BME 50...

My buddy built his along side mine... his too is over 17 lbs with no pants... he used almost the exact same setup as you only a lighter battery.

My Patty was 16.5 and it was built light...

As you can see by this post you replied to here:

[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1897843/anchors_1898541/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#1898541]Wild Hare Weight?[/link]

Many guys are reporting 17-18 lbs for the WH Edge with a DA-50, BME-50, etc... they also report how great it flies....

If I did the same things to the BME Edge (Carbon wingtube and tailwheel then the same could be done to the BME Edge and get it even lighter... say 15 lbs... and who knows... maybe less?

Judging by the way the BME Edge flies in the video and feeling confident it'll come in around 15.5 lbs... I'll be tickled to have one here. And at even 1 lb (or 1.5 or 2 lbs) I will see a difference, and that's all I need to know.

You obviously like your Edge and that's great... I'm sure you're flying the daylights out of it.

I put mine up for sale unflown. Live and let fly...

My WH Edge weight is dead accurate. I am a fanatic about accurate weights be they heavy or light as long as they are correct.


It has a DA-50 and it is an extremely good flier.
I hope the BME is also, the more choices the better for all of us.

You will notice my WH does not have an over abundance of equipment in it.

I don't know why some people get so defensive about model planes. We don't manufacture them, We are all just customers.
I may buy a BME also it looks good..

By the way I didn't know a ZDZ 50 was lighter than the BME-50.

Yep, had both in my hand and weighed them...

No defense here... you simply stated your plane was 16 .5 lbs but failed to mention you save 6 oz. with carbon fiber wingtube & tailwheel.

Based on your information, and using carbon items, the BME Edge will weigh 1.5 lbs less than your WH...

I guess I was just confused.... you were willing to spend additional cash on the carbon stuff to save 6 oz... but seemingly dismissed the benefits of 1.5 lb lighter BME Egde.

As I already own a WH Edge, I don't think my comments were biased or defensive... they are simply based on the real benefits.

What I don't understand is why some people get defensive about planes they own when a newer and perhaps much better/lighter airframe comes along.

The bottom line is this... you were willing to spend more than $50 to save 6 oz.

I want to make sure people who are in the market for a 50cc Edge are aware that they can spend $50 more and get a 1.5 POUND lighter plane...

Okay Ladies, just got the following message from Max-BME:

------------------
The Edges are on the way to our warehouse. We expect to ship out the orders for our customers around end of June.

Thanks for your patience.

BME Aircraft
-----------------

My DA-50R will be here by weeks end I'll be tired of sleeping with it by the time the plane arrives so everything works out GREAT!!

David,
There seems to be a misunderstanding here. I was not defending the Wild Hare against the BME, I really don't care who flys what. We were talking about wing area and weight. I did not fail to mention anything, you pointed out the post where everything was listed. Didn't you read it.

I personally hope the BME comes out better than the Wild Hare. That will give me another great plane to fly.

I don't know what you read into the above from a previous post. It was meant to be nothing but positive......

Weeee.. squeel...

Sorry Jamo... I must have misunderstood...

No hard feelings...

No problem maubid

Where did you get that prop it looks like a Biela? Are they the same price? As for the wing area the Wild hare does have a over size root that gives it extra wing area. I don't no what the BME area is, most likely very close to being the same. I wish BME would list better specs for there plane. After looking at the video it seems to fly great but a little info would sure help. If someone talks to Max tell him to get of his duff.

Ronk1,

It's a "regular old" MSC. I painted it with white spray laquer paint from Lowe's. and auto laquer for the red & gold tips... I cut the lettering out of vinyl. I am going to clearcoat with Deft Glossy Clearcoat and then balance by spraying it heavier on the back side of the light blade.

It's real purdy compared to the "stamped" MSC logo. I did this one up for the Double Vision.

Will probably do the same for the BME Edge...

Max is a customer of mine... I am a web developer and do a lot of various sites and print ads and BME Aircraft is one of them... his current site is a "down and dirty" site to get the info up.

I have a new site ready to roll out any day... and will ask Max to get the measurements of these things (or if I'm lucky do it myself soon) to add to the specs. I also want to get things like spinner sizes, other items needed, etc...)

But the big thing was getting the base info out and the video up... I have Challenger footage too that I want to get finished up for the bipe guys.

Though I'm working with BME in this capacity, I call things like I see them. I designed all the new schemes for Wild Hare... 50 cc Edge & Extra, 35% Extra and a new Giles scheme. Tom is a great guys and is very helpful and has brought some great, lower cost planes to market. I know we'll see more great things from WH...

But that doesn't stop me from making fair comparisons from one manufacturer to another. They all understand that I do reviews and that honest, objective reporting is all I can offer. If someone has a problem with me being honest and straight forward, then I really have no interest in doing business with them.

And to date... noone (including WH) has ever asked me to "clam up" or "sugar it up". I think that's a fine testiment to these guys.

-J. David

I got an answer from Max at BME:

Hi Daniel

The wing area of Edge 540 is a little more than 1300 sq.in.
The total weight with a BME 50cc is 15 1/2 lb.
Thanks,

Max
BME Aircraft
(604)638-3119

15.5 lbs mean 27.5 oz/sqft wing loading which is Very good for giant plane that size. Anyway, the wing loading seems very near the WH Edge at 17lbs 28.1 oz/sqft.
I feel, both planes would be very similar in flying performance. Life is difficult for me. I must decide between WH Edge, BME Edge or AW 29% Edge kit now[]

Daniel

Daniel

Decisions...Decisions...What to do...I'm gonna stick to my guns and wait on this plane...I ain't done anything stupid lately, maybe this won't qualify and I can keep up my streak!

Update on shipping!! I was talking with Max at BME Aircraft, shipments start the end of next week 06-24 apx. Here they come!

I just got goose pimples! Motor this week, Airplane next week...all is right with the world!

Let's get ready to rumble!!!!

Mine's the Teal Scheme... ZDZ 50NG... 5945's all around with a 5475HB on the throttle...

I put a 5945 on the rudder... and perhaps switch to the new HiTec 5995's when available...

4000 Mah Lipo and Smart-Fly Regulator w/ failsafe switch on the receiver

2000 Mah Lipo and MPI Miracle Switch with 6 volt regulator on the ignition.

Optical kill switch

CF spinner and maybe a CF tailwheel too...

16 oz tank


Mmmmmmm Beefy!

Maudib
Do you have a link where i can read the spec on these smart-fly regulator?
Weight and how many amp can it drive?
DAniel

Smart-fly regulators

http://www.smart-fly.com/page5.html

How long can you fly with a ZDZ 50 and a 16 oz tank? Just curious...

http://www.smart-fly.com

Great stuff there....

Failry light, well thoguht out...

5 amp continous...

They have dual power leads to distribute the amp load across 2 ports (only have to use one) and come with a deans piar for low voltage drop on your battery...

No load goes thru the switch and if it or the wires fail it fails on.

I just got my first two in and they rock!

About 17-20 minutes... (leaving plenty in the tank for a margin) It looks small, but these 50's sip the fuel...

Man you guys had to start another thread on a 540 did nt you

He didn't happen to say anything about the 55 did he?

BME Aircraft and BME Engine are owned by two seperate entities... they are "connected" via the name.

Sort of how Hangar 9 recommends Saito and vice versa...

I dont' think the 55's are do in anytime soon.

But the Edges are!!!

They are going to start shipping next week and there are ONLY a few Edges left in the batch...

Then there are more coming in 2-4 weeks after that...

It does look like the wing loading will be similar (maybe a tad better on the BME) but I think the real performance difference will be the lighter 1.5lb weight... The waterfalls, harriers, flatspins, etc... should all be crisper.

Can't wait...

Hummmmmm

Smart -fly regulator=5amp, 0.5oz, lipo pack, very interesting set up. Maudid, you did your homework! [8D]

You are on the road for a 3D monster, if you can build this BME Edge under 16lbs!
Daniel

I live to get this thing under 15.5... maybe even 15...

Seriously tho...

I spoke to Smart-Fly about the electronics... because I have melted connectors from the battery to the switch or regulator on planes I've used several or digital servos.... Not to the point of failure but I didn't like it one bit...

He stated (as did a couple other sources) that the standard connectors are only good for 3 amps... A GS plane may have that sitting on the ground, but then lighten up in the air. But if you have ANY fighting of servos or constant pressure on one (like a rudder that buzzes) it can draw more.

This causes the pins to get hot and "melt/shrink" the connectors.

The wire themselves can handle significantly more amperage and that's why 22 gauge leads are a must in GS... so that it is is never a concern.

The dual power leads from the Smart-Fly distribute the amp load across two receiver terminals, but more importantly, across two standard connectors giving you 6 amps of margin... plenty good for up to 35% GS... There may be peaks at 9-10 but momentary and easily handled without heat buildup or damage.

These regs are lightweight, but look and feel like tanks... very comfortable with them up front.

The version with the failsafe switch is a little heavier of course (but you have to put a switch on them anyway). What I like is that the switch plugs in into a lead, so you can use a standard extension to position the switch whereever convenient, tho the default length should be sufficient for most any install.

One minor drawback (but not really) is that the failsafe version even when off will draw about 5 Mah per day... if you allow the plane to sit for a month or more without charging it COULD potentially drop the voltage level of lions below recoverability. i.e. the pack is either useless or severely lost it's capacity.

I have one of the Sommer Miniron Mobil chargers and love it... it will auto recharge every two weeks...

I researched all the regs out there, and for up to 35% planes the Smart-Fly is the best thing since sliced bread... if building a "big dog" 40%'er you need to use two regs on redundant batteries as the amp ratings can really soar when you have 3 digital servos in each wing, 4 on the elevator and 3-4 on the rudder...

This is going to be one interesting week coming up... having built the WH I can directly compare the two planes in quality, manufacture, assembly accuracy and weight.

While I like the Wild Hare I did have to fill most of the piloted hardpoints and redrill as they were all drilled crooked. One aileron hardpoint was actually off by 1/2 inch and I had to add my own.. no big deal, but you wouldn't expect to have to do that with an ARF.

Tom would have taken care of it in a heartbeat as he is darn dedicated to taking care of the customer... and his planes fly great!

Still yet, when I saw the BME Edge... I knew I had to try one...

"to be continued"