Just got it yesterday from Hobby Lobby. Graupner Me-108 Taifun. This is one sweet ARF. Retracts installed and by the way they retract outwards in a scale-like fashion. The covering is detailed with rivet detail and the markings are very striking. Done up in Swiss air force liverey. Tailwheel is in the scale position. It is a good sized plane as well. Ys-91 or Saito-100 would be fine. Fiberglass cowl, decent hardware, great detailed canopy. This thing will look fantastic in the air.

I am looking at buying one but am concerned about the wieght it is listed at 170 oz which is over 10 lbs. Is this correct have you weighed yours yet? I would like to put a Magnum 80 4 stroke in it but am concerned about the power. It is advertised as a 60 2-stroke sized plane what is it really?

Thanks
Dan

bdbd,

I have been flying one of these for some months, mine has a SC 90 4 stroke and flys great.

Can't remember now but I don't think I needed any lead up front, just kept the RX nicad as far forward as poss.

Excellent quality arf, the only weak point I have found is the U/C mounts, you won't want to bounce this one too hard.

Simon.

Did you weight, do you think it would fly well with a magnum 80 4-stroke

I have not weighed mine, but I havn't added any lead so what I have is what was in the box!

I think a 80 would be ok, faster than scale for sure but it won't be a rocket ship.

Simon.

I saw the video on the HL web site and it really did get my interest up for sure. Is it covered in a heat shrink film??? I saw all the detail on it and was sure hoping it was not that hard skin stuff.
Give me as much scoop on as you can ...I might just get me one.

The 108 is covered in a self adhesive film, it does shrink a little but not much as I found trying to tighten up the open areas (rudder and elevator). The film on mine has not lifted or caused any problems, and the surface detail is well printed.

Makes up without problems, the only difficult part was installing and connecting the retract servo, as there is not much access to this once the wings are joined.

The colour scheme is eye catching but in the air I keep thinking 'Zero' as the red patches on the wings and the dark cowl make it look like one at a distance! I wish it had been finished in one of the many authentic military scheme options.

Simon.

Hey guys,
Does the Graupner Me-108 need a servo reverser like HL says? I am only going to use 1 receiver output of ailerons and 1 for flaps, I guess I would need 2 "Y" harnesses. Is this correct? Also, HL said I could mount my OS 1.20 4 stroke with no problem, any suggestions on a prop size?

Thanks in advance!

Doug

Doug,

Yes, use two Y leads for flaps and ailerons, not sure I understand the need for a servo reverser? (except if you can't do this with your tx).

I think that getting a 1.20 into this model is going to be difficult.

My SC.90 fits perfectly and delivers more than enough power.

Simon.

Hey Simon,
Thanks for the reply. I just got the ME-108 and see now what you mean. Wouldn't you think I would need the reverser for the flaps to keep them going in the same direction? I know the ailerons wouldn't because the work in the opposite direction anyway. Also, does the cowl completely cover your motor or does the head stick out of the side?

Thanks again.

Doug

Doug,

For the flap servos, install them both the same way round ( i.e. lay them both on the left or right hand side), not mirror image as you would for the ailerons, that way they move in the same direction.

Yes the head of my motor does stick out (not by much though) I mounted it 45 degrees off the inverted postion so the head is at about 7 o'clock (looking from the front) where the cowl is widest. The silencer exits under the cowl.

Hope you enjoy the model, experiment landing without flaps it seems to reduce the bounce.

Simon.

Hi Simon,
Thanks again for the great info! I will definitely mount the flaps the way you recommend. Glad you enjoy the plane! Hope I have the same positive experiances.

Cheers!

Doug

Hi Simon,

Another question for you. I'm still a beginner, but is it me or are Graupner's instructions full of mistakes? When you attached the horizontal stabilizer it should be epoxied on right? They don't show any "glue here" symbols.

P.S.- the flap/servo suggestion worked great!

Thanks,
Doug