I just wanted to know what the covering was in case repairs were needed down the road. I just read the instruction manual and I can't believe it has a tail skid instead of a wheel. No big concern, just kinda odd I thought. I'll be adding a tail wheel and my Saito .82 will be side mounted. This is my first 4 stroke and if they are anything like 2 bangers, to much trouble running it inverted.

Zippi,

I hear ya, running the strokers inverted can be a real pain in the arse, but you will be OK with the Saito inverted.
You just need to watch the fuel tank position in reference to the carb, just try to keep the fuel tank center in line with the spray bar in the carb.
Other alternatives to resolve issues with inverted engines and badly positioned tanks are; Perry pump, YS engine with pump like the 110 FZ, or any other pumped engine.

Thinking about this plane too, with a Saito .82. I have a Saito .91, but I don't think the extra power will outway the extra weight over the .82.
Whatever I decide, I want it to be right from scratch.

Tripp

I might try the Saito .82 inverted Tripp2loo. It will give the plane a more cleaner look. Theres not much info out there from other flyers but I did find this pic and it really shows the nice look of this plane. I'm ordering mine today from Cheif Aircraft for $169.00 and when I get it I'll post pics of the build as I go along.

Finished mine on 06-07-05 and I'm ready for a functional test flight. Powered by a H.B. .61 PDP glow engine using stock muffler. Propellor J&Z 12X6 wood non simtar. Airborne battery pack 1700 mah 6.0V nicad using JR 2721 for evevator, airlerons and rudder. Throttle servo JR 2035. I subsituted all supplied hardware with Dubro linkages and replaced the tires with Dubro
substitutes.
Overall the construction including covering job I would rate a 7.7 on a scale of 1 to ten. I estimate the wing loading to be less than 17 oz.

Give us a flight report flycatch after you maiden it. I just ordered mine from Chief Aircraft In. on the 7th and can't wait for it to come in. I decided to put my Saito .82 on the business end. How about the build, any bad things to report??? Let us know how the H.B. .61 performs.

I'll keep you informed on its maiden flight with a debrief. Previous to this style plane all I have flown are 1/4 scale IMAC airframes.
You asked about the build. I'll start out by saying, looks are deceiving. The color scheme certainly looks appealing but the covering job leads alot to be desired. I had air bubbles and sags all over the entire airframe. After many hours it finally looks presentable. I'm not a professional "Monokote" expert but I no how to apply it properly. There work staff either does not or don't care. Another area of concern is the elevator mounting plates. I had one seperate from the fuselage structure whyile installing the servo. The other one was ready to seperate also. The next area to fault is the installation of the fuel tank and also its removal. If
you install the throttle servo before installing the tank you won't be able to install the fuel tank. Leave the throttle installation alone if you have to work in the fuel compartment.
A word of caution. After I ran the engine in the airframe I ckecked for anything coming loose and I found both wing holdown screws were loose. This is caused by engine induced airframe vibration. Apply some silicone adhesive to the threads and this should cure the problem.

I just ordered mine last week. The problems you had does not sound good. Hopefully that was just a one time deal. I'll watch in these areas and epoxy whatever looks like it might be a problem. I've seen a lot of Modeltech's plane at our local field and have never seen a bad covering job until it gets some age on it then it just starts peeling off. Keep us informed on the maiden flight.

I test flew the Formula today and all went well with the exception of minor engine problems. All flying was done on the prescribed rates for test flying. The conditions were not ideal for test flying due to winds in excess of 12 mph. It took some up elevator and right airleron trim. I performed inside an outside loops, hammerheads left and right, snaps left and right from horizontal and uphill line. Spins from horizontal left and right. Slow alpha fligh both up and downwind. Touch and goes and full stop landings.
I was using a 12X6 J&Z simitar prop and was unable to hold a hover and maintain altitude at the same time. This manuver is extremely difficult. My limited 3D skills became apparent.
In the hands of a more competent pilot this plane will do every thing asked from it. It is definitely a keeper.
As I have previously mentioned there are structual areas and the covering job that need to be corrected by the manufacture. The best ARFs on the market now that have addressed these issues are sold by Carl Goldberg. You pay more for these ARFs but they are well worth it.

Flycatch, good to hear you got her in the air. I received mine today and all the Monokote is tight as a drum. Everything looks really good except the canopy. It is not usable. I'll have to contact Cheif Aircraft Inc. to see about getting a replacement. This thing looks really cool and it has massive barn door type control surfaces. Looks really well built to me and I'm glad to see Model Tech is now using Monokote instead of what they used before. I really like what I see and can't wait to get started on this baby. flycatch, what did you do about a tail wheel??? did you use the skid or did you put a tail wheel on???

Glad to hear your covering came out in good shape. I used the tail skid wire supplied and it works fine. All you have to do is raise the tail using down elevator if your flying from a grass field. I'm flying off a dry lake bed and don't have any problems. Happy flying.

You say that the H.B. .61 that your running on the business end does not have the power to hold a hover let alone put out of a hover??? I hope this Saito .82 I'm putting up front on mine will haul the mail. Dude, does the plane have any bad flying characteristic's? Did you mount the engine inverted or horizontal?

Yesterday I switched props sizes from a 12X6 to a 12X4W J&Z. I managed to hover briefly at full throttle with no reserve power to pull out on a vertical line. It is my opinion that your Saito might have enough thrust with the right prop combination to exceed the performance of my two stroke power plant. I'm only a fledgling 3D pilot and maybe my skills don't equate to the flying ability of this airframe.
From my limited experience with this plane I have found no bad traits as of yet. I have read that many modelers are using .90 size two stroke power plants maybe this is what you need for hover mode. The engine is mounted inverted and has given me no problems in this configuration.

Thanks for all the info guys. I got my Formula 3D in the other day and have it built up to mounting the engine. The wing hold down bolts were not to my liking and the holes in the wing were drilled at the wrong angle so I replaced the machine screws with 1/4 20 nylon bolts that I drilled and tapped. I do have a question for you guys. The engine mount seems to wide apart for any engine. I bolted the mount to the firewall and then sat my Saito .82 on the mount and when you look down through the holes in the engine flange you can see daylight on the inside of the mount. What did you guys do about this problem??? I looked at the dimensions from hole to hole on the Super Tigre G90 and it's 1.97 from side to side and that still isn't wide enough. The mount is kinda flexable and I was wondering if you could squeeze the end of the mount together a little and then mount the engine and drill the holes???

If I were you a solution to your problem could be answered by the individuals who have powered this airframe with a .90 size powerplant. I believe there is another thrend on this airplane were they have used this size powerplant.
The supplied engine mount will accomodate up to a .60 size engine but is not suited for a .90.
You will have to purchase an aftermarket engine mount, redrill the mounting holes and reinforce the firewall. I have found through experimentation that my .60 performs best with a 14X4 wood prop. However, I still don't have enough power to pull out of a hover.

Thanks flycatch, I just came back from the LHS were I purchased the ST G90 and it fits fine. I think the stock mount will be fine but I will add some more epoxy to the firewall.

I haven't had much time to work on my new project but thought I would post some pics of what I have done. I decided to install the new Super Tigre G90 and what a perfect fit. I also added a tail wheel instead of using the tail skid that came with the kit. The cowling is trimmed out to fit the engine and all I need to do is install the easy fueler, the rest of the radio gear, and all the control rods. I'm going to use 4-40 rods on the ailerons and elevator and probably the stock rods on the rudder unless I can fit 4-40 or 2-56 rods through the guide tubes. This is a really slick looking plane. I'll post more pics when It's finished.

Like your tailwheel assemby. Instead of the metal pushrods why don't you install a cable system (Push/pull). I don't like the idea of installin a remote fueler/defuler, They have a tendency to develope air leaks and the valve stem will eventually stick in the open postion.

When I installed the engine it created a nice smile on the plane, Looks like the Jokers smile I used Dubro Adjustable Control Horn instead of the stock ones and all 4-40 rods. The only thing else I didn't change was the rods for the rudder. This looked ok to use for the rudder. I had a hell of a time getting that 2" spinner to go over a 14X5 Pro Zinger prop. I had to chop it up a lot to get it to fit. I don't know of anyone that makes a small spinner to hold big props. Someone needs to come up with some of these as now a days almost all planes are being over powered.

Looks great. The nose looks very aggressive. Tru-Turn has just released spinner assemblies that will accomodate the APC propellors. Let us no how the .90 pulls this plane in the vertical.
Word of caution! Be aware of the increase in torque. I almost forgot to mention that I believe the propellor you selected is of the wrong diameter for the engine. Instead of the 14 go to a 16.

That's the only prop I have on hand now, I have ordered some 15X4 props to see how well they work. A read hear at RC Universe that the 15X4 was good for 3D on the ST G90. Do you know of anyone that is running the ST G90 for 3D and what prop they are using???

I ran into a snag when I got ready to install the radio gear. You guys that are flying this plane now, where did you mount the battery pack??? I put the receiver right behind the fuel tank and now there is no place for the battery. The manual says to put it under the fuel tank, there is no way it's going there so what's left. I sat the battery pack on the belly pan just to check the CG and it's at about 5 1/2. A little tail heavy, where do you guys have the CG set???

Easy solution. Reposition your receiver so that it behind the rudder servo. I used servo/carpet tape to fasten the receiver to plywood floor. Glue oneside of the tape to the floor using 5 minute epoxy. The adhesive on the other side will adhere to the receiver housing.

Can't help on the prop selection but I'm sure others can.

I just ordered the new 2" Tru Turn spinner and some APC 15X4W props. These new spinners are designed to handle larger props. I was able to get the battery pack under the fuel tank and the receiver right up to the back of the tank. The CG is now right at 5" so I think thats good enough for a test flight. All I have left to do is add the decals and a little tweaking here and there and I'll fire it up on Saturday and test fly it on Sunday I'll be posting some pics of the finished product in a couple days.

Zippy,

For the first flight, with the CG at 5 inch, only fly out half the tank, and see how you get on with her.(the half a tank left in her will keep the CG forward for you)

Set up dual rates with 50% expo, mainly on elevator as when you come off the throttle with a rear CG it will
rear up on you, if you fly the Tank dry you will need down elevator to land. (if it is like the first UK version)

what weight did if finish at ?

good luck m8

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