Hi All,
I was looking at the Balsa Nova 120 ARF from morris and I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with this model? I have the 45 version and it is an awesome plane to fly, but I have never owned a plane that is over 40 size and this 120 looks pretty good to me. Thanks for any insight that you may have!

It's a nice plane. was more popular about four years ago.

Enjoy,

Jim

Here you go. This is mine, MVVS 26cc gasser c/w tuned pipe. Very nice flyer but go for a lighter engine combo. An OS 160 or YS 140 would be nice.


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Thanks for the the response guys, and Don a YS 140 is the motor I was looking at for this plane just today in fact. I guess that answers the engine question. I would also like to know if there is a pull pull set up for both the rudder and elevator. The 40 comes with a pull pull for the rudder only, and they make it somewhat hard to set the geometry up in such a narrow fuselage. I hope the 120 is a little easier. Again thanks for the feedback and the pictures.

It has 2 - elv. servos in the rear and a pull / pull rudder ( as seen in pic. ) I had no problems setting it up at all, very easy. I have 9001's on the elv. ( plenty ) a 5945 dig. MG on the rudder ( plenty ) but I started out with 9202's on the ail. and stripped one in short order. I then put in 5625's which made an awesome difference in control. This was the first time I pulled analog servos and replaced them with digitals, I'll never buy analog servos again.

IMHO the YS 140 would be perfect. You have to mount the engine upright [:'(] or inverted and the YS works well inverted. I have a 140 in a pattern plane and I might just try it next summer in the BN120. You can only squeeze in a 16 oz. tank but that should be OK with some throttle management.

The plane should come out at 11 - 11.5 with a YS or OS. Mine is 13.25 with the gasser and it is just too much although the airframe carries it well and even at that weight this plane can be flown at about 5 mph without stalling. KE is incredible using about 25% rudder and no elv. or ail. correction needed. If there is any problem with this plane it would be that it floats forever and requires great precision in landing if you have a small strip ( ours is only 350' paved ) but it might as well be a postage stamp with this plane. It could be from the extra weight I carry but I have an 18" prop and an engine that will idle all day at 1500 rpm's. I'm used to it since I also fly pattern planes but I prefer "draggy" sport planes, like bipes . It's not a big problem, just something to keep in mind.

And oh yeah, THIS IS NOT A 3D MONSTER and don't buy it for that ................................. Good Luck [sm=wink.gif][sm=thumbup.gif]

Don, thanks a bunch for all the info and the pictures of your plane. My BN 40 is also a floater, so what you said does not surprise me about the landing habits of this bird. I agree with you on the YS 140 for the power. I have a YS 63 and I think that they make fantastic power and easy to tune. I know that the BN is a fairly dated plane, but they are new to me, and besides no one around here is flying them at my field. I never expected the plane to fly 3D, and I only wish I had the skills to fly 3D...maybe someday.

Marty

I am building the BN 40 ARF and was planning on using 3004's for servos. I think they will be sufficient for the ailerons and maybe the elevators, but not sure about rudder. Any thoughts?

They should be fine. I've used them in much bigger planes.

The most critical is the elevator and not the rudder.

Enjoy,

Jim

2 questions regarding the 40 ARF:
does the firewall have 2 degree right thrust and is it preferable to balance this plane inverted or right-side-up?

On a model of this type, some do not use offset thrust. You can easily put it in or take it out.

Balance the plane upside down.

Enjoy,

Jim

I also have a Bn 120. I rebuilt the rudder and elevator adding about 2!QUOT! behind the hinge line. WOW what a difference in control and response. It will now pitch up in a wall, flat spin upright and inverted. Let Me tell you it will High Angle Knife edge like no other plane I have flown. I am using a Saito 1.50 on mine and a Zinger Pro 16-6 prop. It will hover at 11 pounds all up weight and full of fuel. I will say that it does not have a great deal of pull out power, so I do not hover much. But given all of the other maneuver's that it does very well I dont miss hovering all that much. I think that, though the design is a bit dated, it is an excellent first big plane and one that inspires no fear at all. Floating on landing is something that does need to be dealt with, but slow idle and using flaperons to slow down on approach does help. I use flaperons and about 5 clicks above a slow idle as I approach. Just keeping a little throttle on with the flaperons. As I am just about at the end of the runway, I retract the flaperons, and cut the throttle to a slow idle. Then she settles right in for landing. Just be sure to retract the flaperons before reaching the end of the runway, or you will overshoot by a long shot. this plane likes to land at a walking pace. If I had it to do over, I would go 1.80 if I was to do more 3D with it, but there are plenty of other planes that are set up for 3D. The BN 120 is a great plane to introduce yourself to larger planes from a 40.

I would be somewhat careful when dealing with Morris these days. Though I have had mine for 2 years now, I hear increasingly bad things about Morris and their customer service these days. I think that they may be struggling a bit down there.

I am also interested in building a BN 120 and using a G 23. has anyone used this combo?

I can't see where it would be much different than mine with the MVVS 26cc in it. IMHO gas engines are not the ultimate choice for this plane and with the G23 you will have to cut the cowl all to pieces or leave it off altogether. You will also have a plane that weighs over 13 lbs.

I think the ideal choice would be a YS 140 or if that is too rich for your blood put in the new OS 120 2 - stroke. Just remember the firewall is so narrow that you will need to mount the engine inverted or upright.

That being said I sold the MVVS 26cc I had in mine and I'm planning on a Saito 270T I've had laying around for awhile and just itching to put it in something. It will fly like a dog but it should be interesting

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