UPS came as promised and dropped off my new plane, the Creek Hobbies Edge 540T. This is my first ARF since I started this hobby 25 years ago. I have to say at first glance I'm impressed. UPS tried hard to destroy the box but it was double boxed and everything was in great shape. You can see plenty of glue on the joints, the covering job looks real good, the cowl paint is a close match to the covering, the landing gear is composite and looks like it should hold up just fine, and the fit and alignment of all the main parts is very good. I'm going to start putting it together tonight and it shouldn't take too long. I plan on doing a couple things just for my own peace of mind. The area where the landing gear attaches looks strong but I was going to add a 1/16 aircraft ply plate for the blind nuts so I don't have to worry about them pulling through. I also plan to epoxy and glass the back of the firewall joints since I'm going with a 1.8 2 stroke. The cowl is big enough that I may not have to cut out the side for the engine head but I will have to trim out the bottom so I have good air flow over the engine, maybe block off the left side too. I'll take a few pics as I put it together and then post again after the first flight.

Started putting it together last night and found a couple nice suprises. The control surfaces were already slotted for the hinges and the slots were centered, the balsa on the hinge areas is good hard stock, and there were pull throughs already installed in the wing for pulling the servo wires through the channels. So far everything has fit together well with no sanding or cutting required. More to follow.

Is the wing sheeted foam like the Staudacher, if so make sure not to use CA on those hinges.

This isnt directory related to the edge but i just got the staudacher last week and i purchased the rcs 1.4 for it after flying my Super Kraft Texas Hurricane today with a fpe 2.4 up i really think the fpe 2.4 would be a good choice for the staudacher . Some discussion has been mentioned about motor choice and that the 2.4 gas would be to much motor The Hurricane weight is around 12 to 13 lbs and i think it would fly it well The motor is super smooth and no virbration at all.

DanS
Keep up the good reporting as I am also interested in this A/C,but I hear they might make a two piece wing later.

Mine's been in the crate for a couple weeks as I won't have time to put it together for awhile yet.

I've got a Fuji 32 for it. After I took a look at the engine and the hole I'm going to have to make in the firewall to clear the muffler, I thought I might be better off with something else. I may go with an RCS and save the Fuji for one of the Balsa USA quarter-scale bipes I'd like to build this winter. Don't know yet.

Got the engine mounting holes drilled, wing and hatch mounted. Had to do a little trimming on the hatch so it would sit flush with the fuse up front. I'm using a ST3000 with the radial mount. This causes the engine to sit 3/8inch farther forward than the plans. I'm going to borrow from what some guys have done with the Lanier 540 and move the cowl out to the right spot. This actually works out well since I can now mount the servos in the tail and use the battery pack to adjust the CG. Without the battery pack it was just a little tail heavy. Should be ready to fly by mid week. We have our club meeting Tuesday evening so maybe I'll be able to give her the maiden flight then.

The wing is sheeted foam. I've seen CA melt foam so I know about that one. I believe they are working on a 2 piece wing. I haul around a giant scale P-47 (1 piece 90inch wing) and an old Super Sportster 120 so a 1 piece wing was no big deal (got to love those full size trucks).

Been thinking about building the NWHT Gee Bee R2 for my next project. A ZDZ 80 up front would sure make that thing go! Wonder how I can get that by the little lady?!

Finally got it done last night. The "Honey Do List" had some priorities that needed to be done first. First flight is set for Sunday. I had no problems with any part of the assembly. I did modify or change a few minor things. I put large fender washers under the wing hold down screws to distribute the load better, I put a couple fiberglass strips around the edges of the firewall when I fuel proofed it with epoxy, used some 4-40 hardware for hook ups, installed a 24oz tank, and used some scrap balsa to extend the cowl so it would be the proper distance with the engine used. Now we'll see how she flys!