Pros and cons for this one using a BME 50cc ???
RTF weights?
Bad/good handling characteristics?
Covering quality? Visibility?

I have one of these ( never flown yet ) I too have asked several questions on RCU and had a heck of a time getting answers. Since I have never flown it I can help a bit. RTF weight is disappointing, I have mine assembled except for engine and it weighs 12 lbs. Add the engine ( Taurus TS 52 on the way ) ignition battery, muffler, prop, spinner, fuel tank, etc. and we are around 17 lbs, too heavy in my mind.

The covering is Ultracote and done OK but needs a lot of TLC, I have the yellow one and visability should be no problem.

As I said I'm waiting on a Taurus TS52, which was no choice after lot's of investigation, but a BME or any of the new generation 50's would be fine, IMHO.

If I had to do it over again I would buy the GP planes 64" Ultimate and put my Brison 2.4 in it - If their advertised weight is right - but then again WM advertised 13.5 - 15 lbs. and there ain't no way in H _ _ _ it will come out at that.

If the flight reports I have been able to get are any indication, it should however fly quite well, good luck,

I have the WM 27% Ultimate with a BME 50 on it. I'd post a photo but they all look the same.

I used aftermarket servo arms since the neat ones in the kit didn't provide any adjustment. Other than that, I used everything.

Well, not everything. I replaced that plastic spinner with a Dave Brown Ultimate style anbd chucked that pilot figure.

Total weight is 15.5 pounds exactly and it flys like a 12 pound plane. Plenty of power, but go easy on the control surface throws, especially the ailerons.

Nice plane, in my opinion.

Thanks, both of you! Sounds like it will be okay with my BME 50.

Dick - by "watch control throws", I understand over-sensitive.... what are yours? Where did your CG end up, and does it seem okay?

Don M - Covering "tlc" - does that mean re-ironing, and sealing all the edges?

What kinds of control arms did you both use on the control surfaces?

My aileron throw is +/- 1/2" on low rate, +/- 3/4" high rate, both with 40% expo.

Elevator is +/- 1.5" low, +/- 2.5" high, same expo.

Rudder is +/- 2" on low, all I can get on high

I used DuBro HD servo arms. Rather than cut back on servo travel, it's better to have adjustments in the linkage geometry and allow the servo to turn as much as possible. Better output resolution.

The covering did need some shrinking and sealing, but nothing out of the ordinary these days with ARF's.

With a BME 21-8 prop, I can pull the nose vertical. hover at 1/2 stick and accelerate straight up, and maybe add in a roll or 2 on the way up.

It still lands at a walk.

I still have the CG set on the upper wing rod. It may fly a little on the nose heavy side, but I don't plan to change it.

Now that my Review flights are complete, the plane just may "become available"

Read the full review in an upcoming issue of R/C REPORT Magazine

Dick answered your questions better than I can since he has actually flown his, I too used Dubro servo arms, but I don't understand the LARGE weight difference between his & mine, maybe it's our scales .

I have a question for Dick. A while back I corresonded briefly with you about the stab incidence ( 2.5 degrees ) did you leave yours at the preset and did it fly OK like that ?

Yes, I left the stab incedence at the factory dimension, and needed to fly with some elevator trim for straight and level. Not a lot, maybe 1/16".

Much thanks to both of you! Now I just have to find out if they shipped the thing. They take the orders pretty well, but are reall W-E-A-K on followup communications, even when requested.

Dick - your throw measurements on elevator - taken nearest the fuse? Or at the tips? Counterbalance? That's always a parameter of setup that doesn't seem to make it into the instructions very often and makes a HUGE difference on short-coupled designs!

Canopy - is it detached, so I can do my spray tinting before installation?
Tailwheel - thinking to chuck the stock one (unless it's unusually good) and going with the GP scale setup (like comes with their Pitts and Wagstaff Extra)... thoughts?
Control rods - planning on 4-40's into ball-links on alum arms, Dubro 4-40 locking Kwik links into Dubro HD control arms on surfaces? Overkill ?

Measurement taken at the tip of the counterbalance to the stab.

Canopy is detached, but it may not take dye. Try the spray stuff they use to tint windows on R/C car bodies

I used a Dave Patrick Haigh style tailwheel, because I had one hangfing on the wall.

I used 4-40 rods, DuBro arms and I used the control horns in the kit. They're pretty good.

Thanks - I've only been using the Pactra and Testors plastic spray tints for years. Testors has a "smoke" tint that REALLY looks great. You can easily make it as light or dark as you want, and it's easily obtainable from Tower. Sure beats the hassle of buckets, dyes, mess....

Appreciate it!

Hey Pettit,

Thanks for the post it really helps. I am going to run in my D/A50 tommorrow and after reading your post I'll tone down the throws and put her up for a madien flight. Hope to right back with good comments that is if its all in one piece. My cg is just a tad shy of the wing tube. I think a 6oz. spinner will do the trick. Thanks again

Ran the motor today. I had it set real rich as this was the first tank. I toned down the throws as recommended above and I have to say Pettit you were on the money. I ran the motor about 6 to 8min on the ground and performed all the range checks. It was pretty gusty today and I was leary about putting it up but after a few taxies back and forth it just ended up in the air. What a great flying bird I put 1 click of up in it and it was hands off perfect at halve throttle. I didnt get crazy with it as this was the first tank of fuel. I dont have a spinner on it yet and the cg is a tad back from the wing tube but it was a babe in the air. The roll rate was quick but manageable at 1/2" of throw. I tell you after 2 flights today this is a keeper and it fits under my bed cover in my truck ready to fly. Can't wait to ring it out but don't want to harm the motor. It has some coupling in knife edge, tries to roll out and pulls to the wheels, but I can take that out that later.
Setup is D/A 50, 6 Hitec 5625s 1 hitec 5645 rudder, fromeco li/ion 4800ma on servos, 2400ma on motor, 2 regulators, bisson custom inverted pitts muffler, Bolly 23x8 prop, and most of the hardware from the kit. Like it, Like it alot