I am having a ball flying this cheap little plane since I went from an OS 40 engine to a GMS .47!
I have flown Kyosho P-40's, Cap 232's,Trainers,3D Planes,Staudachers,ect...but this plane is just plain fun!!!
The beauty of it too is you're not all nervous about crashing a 300.00 airplane so you can take some aerobatic chances...
Just wanted to chime in............

thats great news, I hope to maiden mine tomorrow. I installed an evolution 46 on mine.

After installing your Evolution engine, did you have to add any weight to the tail? I have the same plane and engine and had to add 6oz to the tail in order to get it to balance. Receiver and Battery are located forward of the receiver tray in the supplied foam block.

Just wondering how it flies and how close my build was to yours.

Thanks

Thats weird ... mine had a TT46 and I added no weight at all. I am sure the Evo cannot be that heavy to a point where you need to add 6 oz.

Yes I know but on a GP CG Machine, she ballances slightly nose down with the weight. And Yes I balanced it upside down as shown in the book. Oh well, I think I will just have to go and try to fly her and see.

J

I like this plane too. I made a slighly larger rudder and this thing will snap so fast its a blur with a mag 46!

I got one and it's a blast!

I have an Evolution .40 on the nose and am finding it good enough. It's fast, it already flies a very god range of maneuvers and my throws are set to fairly tame levels.

I had to add four squares of lead to the tail, at 1/4 oz. apiece that's one ounce. I wonder if 2 mistakeskigh added six suares of lead, making for 1 1/2 ounces. Six ounces sounds like way too much!

BobbyG

My instructions don't list a balance point ( distance from wing leading edge)
Where are you guys balancing your Mach II's
Thanks
Neil

I think the Sky Raider is an awesome airplane for what it is. I instructed a student from his very first day of RC to his Solo using his Sky Raider. Several Members at our club have them. From an OS LA 40 to an Irvine 53. It's a very articulate plane. Does almost anything you can think of, and when it crashes you're only out 70 Bucks.

I think its on like the last page.


If you have the yellow old version, its about where the red/blud end on the leading edge.

It should be on the back page - Item # 20.

"The ideal CG position is 85 mm (3.35 in.) behind the leading edge measured where the wing meets the fuselage."

BobbyG

Thanks for the info BobbyG, I must have missed that.

Has anyone tried moving that CG point back a bit?
If so, how's the performance?

I'm still too new at this and am chicken about moving the CG aft .... you go first and tell us how it goes.


[&:]

BobbyG

I got this plane too. Lots of fun. Just crashed it a little over a week ago, but she's ready to fly again. Looks like tomorrow will be it. It has been raining here in Austin for almost a week now. Very unusual.
Mine balances with an evolution 46 and a tower muffler right at the recomended CG without any lead.

-tycho

I decided I wanted a slightly different look, so I figured I would try and re-cover mine. I know a few guys that have these, and I didn't want to fly together with 3 identical airplanes.
Well after some thought, this is where I'm at now. Just trying to figure out a canopy, but I think I've got it .

That turtledeck looks really nice!

I like the rake you have in it at the rear of the canopy. Should come out looking real good when you're done!

BobbyG

Backwing: That sure is starting to look nice[sm=thumbup.gif] Make sure you keep us posted on the progress and final result.

I have been flying my Skyraider Mach II this whole season. It is a wonderful plane and has improved my flying abilities immensely. This was my third plane, but should have been my second (I tried to move to an Extra 300 after the trainer, bad move). The only thing that I am not so impressed with this plane is that I cannot get it to do smooth long rolls across the horizon. The nose seems to fall as I move into the second roll. Any suggestions?

Use down elevator to keep it level.

I picked up one today, too. Good quality, as all of my WM planes have been. One thing I thought maybe someone could do is cut the canopy to make it into a windshield and put a small pilot right behind it. Just a thought.

The plane does kinda look like a flying shoebox, but it flies good!

In my opinion the beauty of this plane is that its cheap, abd I have little time invested, and it flies great!

If I went and spend a lot of time making it look purdy it may take away from the "don't care too much if I crash it" attitude. ---which is the best aspect of the plane in my opinion.

Mach III

Still trying to decide on a design for the plane.
And trying to decide if I want to put wheel pants on it, paint the gear pearl red, or some other color. And maybe do some kind of cowl, or close in part of the engine compartment.
I re-covered it in Ultracote pearl red, and kept the white on the bottom of the wing and horizontal stab.
New vert. stab. should be here this week along with a canopy that I'll put a little tint on it.

I figure with such a cheap plane($58 at LHS) I can afford to use it to experiment with building and covering since all the other planes I've built stayed stock.
It's a real learning experience.
Maybe I'll get another and really mod it. Watch out for Mach IV

Wow, looks really nice!

That landing gear looks a lot sturdier too, just be sure to check cg, it may make it nose heavy.

I recommend adding some contrasting colors on the bottom to help with orientation.