I have read most every thread on RCU concerning this plane and have actually sent their C/S 2 emails and am impressed by their responses and I haven't even purchased the plane yet. Even after they raised the price from 149.99 yesterday to 159.99 today, it's still a great bargain (hope they won't see this and keep upping the price ).

To that end, the order will be placed in the next few days and I was wondering what everyone is using for their servo choices.

I am aware that they require only standard servos but I like to go a little bit overkill in this area.

Planned configuration is this and the plane will not be flown for 3D, just IMAC schedules up to Sportsman:

1) Saito 100 or OS 91FS (still undecided)
2) Hitech or JR servos (undecided, purpose of this post) Radio is JR 6102 PCM reciever
3) Adding tail braces made from slimline aluminum tubing on the upper and lower horizontal fin or even possible using CF rods
4) Bracing the tailwheel mount area with light ply and possibly going to a Sullivan tailwheel.
5) Not sure how I am going to deal with the belly pan issue yet but brass inserts sounds like the way to go.

During the building and the maiden I will be snapping pictures and getting video for a planned review of this plane here on RCU.

Any and all suggestions are welcome

Bill,

Most likely you have seen my recent thread on the Vectorflight planes. I too was curious about putting standard servos in such a large plane, and judging by the performance I have attained thus far, my choice works well. I used standard Futaba 3004 servos for the ailerons and throttle. However, I used Futaba 9001 high torque servos for the elevator and rudder. I felt this change was necessary due to the aerobatic nature of this somewhat large plane. I get very clean authority from all surfaces and nice response times on inputs. The roll rate is not blinding at max aileron throw, but it is quite axial for the first several rolls. The rudder has excellent command, with between 1/2 and 3/4 needed for clean knife edge flight, with little or no coupling. As you might have guessed the Edge is very pitch sensitive. Low rate elevator is sufficient for fairly tight loops. Also, note that I am using a Saito 1.20. I would recommend a little stock behind the firewall even with the 1.00. The other mods you mentioned seem right on target. Get your plane ordered and enjoy it! These birds are beautiful on the ground and in the air.

Prim,

I saw your's and Dave's and a few others and then made a small list of the mods that seem needed but servos were the ones that were not really discussed. I am thinking of the 120 Saito also (decisions decisions)

How did your balance work out? [sm=confused.gif]

Thanks

Its a tad nose heavy with the 120, about 1oz lead brought it right online with a Sullivan tailwheel and 2/56 rod tail braces. The Sullivan TW replaced the one I lost in flight, most likely due to my own fault with installation. I would have thought the 120 would make it much more nose heavy than it did, a pleasant surprise when it came as close as 1oz. AUW, dry, is 8lbs. 14oz.. You can get an idea of performance from reading my other posts. AWESOME!

WHY DON'T YOU USE HITECH 605 OR 635 SERVOS ALL ARE HIGH TORQ AND ARE THE SAME SIZE AS STANDARD SIZE SERVOS. WORK WELL ALSO.




FLASHINGRED

bubbagates,

I too was very impressed with all the positive information I read about VF. So impressed that I ordered the Edge 540. I acquired a Saito 120, NIB, from a friend for only $250.00 and that will the motivation behind my plane. I may try a tri-blade prop out just for the fun of it. I love the scale appearance they give.

I agree with Luke (Primodus) about your list of mods. Just remember that these planes are already a tad on the heavy side, so try not to add too much weight with the mods. The mods to the tail area may have a positive effect when it comes time to balance. I plan on adding tri-stock to the tail/fuselage as well as tail braces using hollow airfoil-shaped aluminum tubing. From my experience with other ARF's, I am definitely upgrading the tail wheel.

Like you, I am undecided on my choice of servos. I fly with a Futaba 8UHP Super and will probably go with Hitec servos, due to there inexpensive price and high performance.

Good luck and happy flying.

For my servo choices I didn't skimp out. I have 2 futaba 9402 coreless high torque servos on the rudder and elevator. For the ailerons i have the futaba 3010 servos. I love the 9402 servos they are just plain beautiful.

I went with the Futaba 3004 Servos also, except for throttle for which I used the 3003. With the Ailerons being independent, and each having there own servo I believe the 3004's should provide adequate service. It surely wouldn't hurt though in my opinion,that if you have a deep pocket that higher torque servos might provide longer service. It should be noted that I have not test flown this Plane yet, and it may prove that someone with a more agressive flying style than mine might indeed need the higher torque servos. This is just my opinions, and a person would probally best be served contacting VectorFlight, and finding out what they would recommend the most.

I was suprised also that your 1.20 only put the Plane heavy in the nose by 1 oz. My edge 540 came out about 3 ounces nose heavy on my c.g meter with the Saito 1.00, but I placed my battery, and reciever in places that were most convient, and worked best for running all the wires in a neat fashion. I could have done a different battery placement, but I liked where I put it, and opted to add 2 3/4 ounces to the tail. Leaving the Plane just a pinch heavy to the nose which I prefer for the first flights. I havn't weighed mine yet, but I am guessing it will come in around 9 pounds. I subsituted the stock wheel pants for some meatier pants, and I also added a ply reciever protector box inside the fuse, along with a voltwatch, and 2 3/4 ounces extra tail weight. I also used alot of foam around the gastank which may also acount for a couple extra ounces in the nose.

I just put a Saito 100 on my "parts to hold for me" shelf at the LHS I work part time at. A bit of advice, don't work at the LHS, way to much temptation.

I am planning on standard Hitech 475BB (1.4oz at 61oz torque) or 645MG (1.9oz at 107oz torque) servos for everything but the throttle.

They had the price up to 159.99 earlier today and here is part of an email I recieved from them regarding the price. As stated here on RCU, best C/S I have ever seen. I asked for a copy of the manual and one was sent to me and I haven't even odered the plane yet. Payday is the 22nd and it can't get here soon enough.


Dear Bill:

Thank you for your message. Believe it or not we received so many messages about the slight price increase from customers who were planning to purchase, that we decided to extend the sale! So the prices are back to $149.95. We are sure that you will agree these airplanes are worth much more!

Best regards,

C/S
VF

I cut a hole in the fuse bottom all the way back at the tail and put the battery back as far as I could make it stay with some foam. The Rx is attached to the dowel that holds the trailing edge. I have wires running all over. Just so it flies.

Thanks for the servo tips everyone. I just ordered Hitech 645mg for everything but the throttle. The engine is going to be a Saito 100 and will probably turn a 16x4 or 16x6 both APC. The plane has been ordered and in the usually good C/S from Vector they thanked me and are cutting the hinges for me.

It is great to see such great C/S from a company that obviously cares about the customer, not to mention their reputation which is a direct result of customer satisfaction.

Once I get started on this plane I will be posting pics following the build process and a video of the maiden and it getting tossed around a bit. I will then send all it to Vector along with all the suggested mods that I compiled from the many great posts on this plane.

Now for a couple of quick questions. I really would like to mount this Saito 100 inverted.

Can anyone that has a Saito mounted inverted let me know how the alignment of the tank centerline versus the needle valve worked out. I saw where all that was needed was to reposition 2 of the mounting blindnuts but I did not see a mention of tank position.

Is there enough room in the fuse to move the tank close to the CG. I do realize that a pump or regulator would be needed for the Saito and probably would not be a bad thing if I was to mount it inverted anyway.

This plane is being built for IMAC flying mainly and the occasional hover or very mild 3D.

The best I have dealt with. They really go out of there way.

Will be looking forward to looking at your photos during the build process, and the maiden video will be a real treat to watch.



In my opinion, the compartment directly behind the firewall is very roomy, but once you get out into the servo area you will find that it may be to limited in space to position the tank back that far. For one you have the wing joiners not to far behind the tank when mounted behind the firewall. And then you pretty much have your servos/linkage/reciever,etc. right in front of the joiner. I am not saying it couldn't be done, but it would take some pretty creative planning I would think.

Thanks, that's good to know. That is something I like to do with all my planes if at all possible since it keeps the plane flying the same way all the way through the tank of fuel

The hitec digial 5645's are the best deal going in my opinion.

Of course run a 6 volt battery and here is what you get for just $50 each:
168oz / .18s

If you want to save a little more money the hitec digital 5475's are great too for about $35 each:
76oz / .18s

In your application the 5645 for the rudder would be perfect then the 5475's everywhere else would be fine. For the throttle any standard servo will work and usually lighter is better.

Just noticed you stated you already ordered the 645's, good choice.