I got my Hurricane today and I am very pleased with the workmanship. Simply put, it is a very good looking plane. The anodized control horns and the heavy pushrods are the nicest "in the box" hardware I have had on any ARF I have built. Can't wait to get started. I do have a couple of questions for anyone that may have an opinion to share.

- The instruction give the option of epoxying the stabilizer in place or screwing it in place for possible removal later. Is this an advantage and is there an issue of stability compared to being epoxied in place?

- I have seen many threads on the hinge question. The kit has CA hinges in place calling for ONE drop of CA per side. They look to be standard CA hinges (no slot). I use them on my .60 size aircraft and have never had a problem. On this size plane do I use them or put in my Robart points?

Thanks for your input.

Steven

STEVEN,
I used the the CA hinges that came with the HURRICANE kit. So far no problems I have not seen any bad threads on the stock hinges! However I always check the plane after every flight. As far as the stabilizer is concerned I think most people elect to glue. However I went the removable route. reason being I can take the plane with me on vacation. Gotta make room for the girlfriend and luggage thing! On that subject I installed blind nuts under the stab tongue support. I didn't feel comfortable with using wood screws as per plans, Also where the flying wires attach to the bottom of the aircraft I epoxied two nylon inserts (yellow ni-rod from throttle) for my wood screws to thread into. This makes for a very strong attachment, no slop or movement what so ever! I have removed the stab at least a dozen times for transport, and saw NO ill effects, Or have had any flight trim changes because of disassembly or assembly. Works for me!
I would only make one suggestion reinforce the firewall!! Mine came loose on the 7th flight, 3.2 Gasser. Other than that I have to tell you, THIS IS BY FAR MY FAVORITE AIRPLANE. If I were to crash it, I would buy another one immediately. Just a wonderful airplane. Your gonna love It!! Good Luck.
AJT

You have peaked my interest! What exactly is a Texas Hurricane?

Could someone post a pic or link?

Thanks,
TX-Deck

Nevermind, my apologies, sorry to intrude.

With a minimum of legwork, I was able to find out by searching.

Thanks anyhow!

TX-Deck,
I have a Hurricane for sale if you are interested. My price is $ 350.00 plus shipping. I am The Airplane Shop, C/O Travis Andrews, 1187 Gibert Road, Boyle Miss. 38730.. Also dealer for other Kangke Airplanes, Tiger Shark engines, and Hitec radios..Travis Partner in Aviation...

I also used the stock CA hinges with no problems.
As far as the tail, it seems I do more damage to my planes moving them around then flying, so I wanted the tail removable. To keep it from shifting {I'm not sure it would have but didn't take the chance} I assembled it with a small amount of RTV silicone.

Thanks AJT and Outcast for your comments. AJT how did you reinforce the firewall. Did you pin it or did you add additional fiberglass to what was already there? Also with your 3.2 gasser how did the balance come out. Did you rear mount the rudder servo? I am going to test balance with the Fuji engine and on board starter and see if I need to move some weight back to the rear. Thanks again for your input.

Steven

STEVEN:
I reinforced the firewall by taking two pieces of 1/4 in light aircraft ply laminating them together, Then copying the original firewall shape. Upon installing the new firewall I moved it back 1/2 in because of my TAURUS 3.2 motor mount I now can use my TRUE TURN spinner without the plane looking like BOZO the clown. Anyway I then pinned the firewall with !/8 in dowels. four on each side. Added triangle stock HARD WOOD of course, one piece each side. No fiberglass Not needed IMO. Very strong firewall no way I'll pull that loose. I've made at least 6 flights on the new set up and not a hint of looseness. All servos are mounted per instructions. Rudder mid plane, elevator's rear. No problem with balance, Right on the wing tube. No added weight anywhere. Which kinda confuses me. You would think by moving the firewall back 1/2 in I would have played with the C.G. But nothing seemed to have changed???. Actually I think the plane flies better since the repair. The only thing I can think of, Is maybe the firewall had been FLEXING with torque! I now use much less rudder on vertical up!! Who knows (not me). Anyway doing the firewall is no big deal I was surprised how quick it went. Just take your time It's a very easy but necessary repair. As for the on board started try to mount it under the wing tube along side the gas tank. I 'am sure you'll have plenty of room.
AJT ;^)

Where can I get the Texas hurricane??what URL

WWW.kangkeusa.com

www.kangkeusa.com

http://www.chiefaircraft.com also has the Hurricane - no shipping charge!

TX-Deck,
Hurricane is still for sale. Price is $ 350.00, Shipping is 10.00, the rest I'll foot. No lower price. Chief Aircraft price is $ 368.00 for the kit, shipped...Travis Partner in Aviation...

Proteus,
Did you ever purchase that 80" WORLD EXTRA for your sato 180? If so and you do buy and fly the HURRICANE I would very much like to know how they compair. I very interested in that WM 300 as a second GAS plane. It was a real toss up between that and the HURRICANE. But I couldn't find any threads on the wm at that point in time It was too new. But not so with the HURRICANE Lotta good stuff. And everything I read about it was true.
AJT.

travis, sent you a pm but you must not have gotten it. Is yours NIB, old or new style, etc. Took a while to find Boyle on the map.
Ed M.

AJT ....I have not flown the WM because everyone says it will not fly with the 180 which I guess I am going to have to find out. I did not intend for this to be a prop hanger...I have those ...all I wanted was a plane that flew good clean aerobatics like most planes are designed to do.

Porteus.
Then go for it! I bet you'll really enjoy that airplane. Someday you can always put a gasser on it. The most you'll have to do is order a new cowling, if that! SATO 180's are strong they should fly a 12 to 15lb airplane. No 3-d but who cares. Keep up updated.

AJT

travis,

I'm not interested at the moment, but thank you. I was mainly interested in the TH for future plans.

CptSBW and AJT, again, sorry for the intrusion on this thread!

AJT

Left a post under your WM Extra post. The 180 should work fine for general flying. You can always upgrade later. I did.

BigBird Flyer.
Read your post. Thank you for your response that answerer all questions! I visited your clubs web site. GREAT flying field (eat my heart out) looks like you have a very active membership, thats a good thing!! Are there any HURRICANES flying at your Field? If so how do they compare to your WM EXTRA.
AJT

Just a note to let those interested know how this plane is progressing.

First, to say that the manual is "lacking" may be the understatement of the century. I have spent more time trying to figure out which "screw" or "knurled nut" to use than I have building. The fuzzy pictures in the manual allow little if any detail to be seen. The only thing worse than the fuzzy photos is the lack of detail in the text. Basically you just have to guess about bolt and screw sizes and hope that later you did not need that part somewhere else. The manual simply says to screw a part in place. No mention of screw type, size or any other description. I found that three of the cowling blind nuts are one size and the fourth is another. I guess there could be a reason for this, but you would never know because the instruction sheet simply shows a picture of the cowling installed with the word "bolt" and arrows pointing to the four bolt heads! The control rods that are used for the guide wires on the tail section are missing about half of the threads (usually the center half) so that you cannot get the proper length adjustments. One of the two wheel pants is cracked down the joint line and will have to be replaced.

Other than that everything is going real well! Now I will admit that this is my first plane of this size, so maybe my skills are the problem and they assume that someone building this plane would know all of this stuff and not need good instructions, labeled parts etc. but it sure has not been simple. Hopefully once I get it done it will fly so great that I will forget about all of the hassles. Lets hope so!!

Steven

Steven, I'm surprised you had this trouble, I thought mine was easy. With my plane all the hardware came in separate bags for each step. All the screws for the landing gear/pants/axles were in one bag, tail group in another, tail wheel assembly in another, etc. In two evenings I was ready for flight, and that was 50 flights ago on mine and even more on the one my son flies. Your gonna love the way it flies, it's one of my favorite planes.

Are there any HURRICANES flying at your Field? If so how do they compare to your WM EXTRA.
AJT


I haven,t seen a Hurricane fly yet. I know the NW distributer for Kangke WingTote and have seen several of the planes fly. They ALL seem to be built well and fly good. I assembled one of their Caps and look like a really good construction.

My Hurricane is one of the older ones.
Although I like the cool anodized aluminum bits I did not like the quality of clevises , two of which broke during installation.
Also did anybody have difficulty with the pre-made tail brace wires?
Mine were a bear to make fit and were of dubious quality. In fact, one set on the bottom was short by One and1/2 inches. The clevises were soldered closed on the top set and had to be heated up to get them open. It is easier,quicker and better to make your own tail braces than to deal with what's provided.
The model itself seems to be made very well and is covered nice too. I'm sure it will fly well.
Some of the supplied CA hinges were cut almost through somehow..I replaced 'em.
Now to decide..Moki 1.8 or S.T.3250?