Well guys, I have finally started "assembling" my ESM (KMP) Bonanza. So far so good. The model looks great out of the box, but there are some little niggles to be found along the way. And there are some parts missing too, such as the gear doors, which I ordered separately. I will try to report any problems along the way.

You do need to do quite a bit of work to get the hinges right. Firstly they need to be located much deeper into the control surfaces that what has been predrilled and cutout. Secondly, I persoanally did not like the stock hinges, and opted for the 3/16 Robarts instead. Just a personal preference, as the stock ones weren't actually too bad. But they had aluminium pins, whereas the Robarts are steel. I also threw out the crappy plastic horns and such, as not only do they look hideous, but I would not trust them. I opted to make my own flap and aileron horns from G10, with brass bushing in the pivot holes. I will be using Sulivan Gold Ends, instead of the plastic rubbish provided.

Here is what I have done so far:

I have modified the stock retracts so that they will fit into the wheel well cavity in the wing. The stock gear would not fit as it was too long. I machined down the oleo legs by about 2-3mm. This will also help with the negative angle of attack probelm, prevalent in this model. A friend of mine, who has built this model, increased the length og th nose wheel leg, to increase the angle of attack on the ground. Without this the model would not take off. I figure that the 2-3mm I have taken off the mains will mean that I will need to add less to the nosewheel.

Here is my chowen power plant - the Laser 150. My mate used an O.S. FS200 in his, but he reckons that the Laser 150 should have enough power. We will see. If not, I will probably opt for a Saito 180 or O.S. 200.

Friend of mine had a Laser 1.50 in was more than enough, excellent turn of speed, however dont haul it off to early, fatal.

Thanks for the tip kinverflyer.  Yes, I have been warned about not flying it too slowly, as it has a tendancy to tip stall.

James.