Phoenix Cap 232
 

Hi Guys,
Does anyone have one of these models. It's a 40 size plane. IF you do......then what am I to expect....does it fly good. What size engine to put in? I'm flying a aerobatic trainer presently and bought the Cap 232 as a step up.
Any help and/or input will be appreciated.
Thanks.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

I am flying the SU-31, and the Giles 202. They both fly great. Wing loading on both of these planes is a bit heavy, but they fly really good, and slow down ok for landing. If the Cap is like mine then you will be happy.

I must comment on the quality of the Phoenix ARFs. They are excellent, and complete. Hardware like so many others needs to be replaced IMHO. The covering was excellent, and the build is very solid and clean. For the money I think you will be happy with Phoenix models including the Cap.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

Thanks Aeronaut for your input......I have a CG Sukhoi 1/4 Scale. It's a beautiful flier.
I also have a Phoenix Dolphin....Workmanship was excellent so was the covering. This plane flies so sweet. You are right...the wing load was too heavy.
I was hoping someone had a Phoenix Cap 232 so that I can get somemore information as to it's characteristics.....also what size engine and prop.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

from what I remember the guys flying thse have 46fx's on them with like 10 or 11" props. Hope this helps.



matt

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

hi Kaz

Im all the way in Brisbane Australia, and Im also looking to purchase the Phoenix Cap232.
Im 29 and havent flown a RC plane for something like 10 years (what with work and motorcycles!) but i am contemplating returning to the hobby.

The other day (new years day) i went to visit the local flying field to see what was happening and i saw two fellas with the Extra300 models. I believe these are very similar to the Cap232 in size, contruction and performance... i could be wrong though. They had only been flying for just over 12months each... and these were their second planes. The commented on the brilliant construction and how well they flew. I watched them perform all sorts of tricks , knife edge, inverted (only metres from the ground!) They seemed to think that if they could do it, then anyone could.

I found a local importer who is selling his stock and he has the whole Phoenix range in ARF's. Normal price is somewhere near $300 AUD but i can have it for $171AUD!! I used to scratch build everything but for that money, that would be a waste!!

As to engine, i have a hankering for a 4 stroke... i dont really know why, but i like the idea of something quieter. I think a .46 2-stroke is ideal so i am thinking that i need to go the next size up for the 4 stroke... DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR ME??

If there is anyone else out there in Australia, esp Brisbane, please get in touch.

Cheers

Michael
[email protected]

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

Hi Michael......check out this site in Canada...they do most of their business to overseas customers. The prices are great.... http://www.goldscallop.com/
For the Phoenix Cap 232 I'm thinking strongly of installing an ASP .52 2stroke.

Thanks for the input......the workmanship is fantastic on the Cap. Phoenix is doing a great job of building their planes now. The covering is flawless too. :D

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

kaz

i dont know if this is true, but I heard that a LOT of these ARFs are built in places like China, by women (small delicate fingers and all that) and they get paid SFA... you have to check the plane as thoroughly as you can. Sometimes they miss glueing certain areas etc. Also you have to check the quality of the wood used too. I believe that the quality is miles ahead of where it used to be, which is a good thing. Just be careful i guess.

Anyhow, I am going to buy a CAP232, and a GILES but while i am putting those together, I am going to also buy what they call a SCANNER. Its a sport trainer to help me practice so theres less chance of pranging the CAP or the Giles.

Incidentally, i think the 2stroke engine of choice is now the new OS 46AX. I could be wrong. But I am going to put a 4 stroke in. The Magnum 61RFS. I can get one for $260 AUD instead of $360 and I think it may sound a little more realistic.

Anyhow, catcha later.
Do you have any photos you can email me or post?

mike

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

Hi Mike,
Glad you are getting back into the hobby. The Phoenix Models has come a long way in a short time. The workmanship, wood, covering and hardware is excellent. The wood is top notch. Like everything else, ARF's need to be checked over for weak joints etc. I found none with this plane. I will replace the wire though and go with metal clevises, not that there is anything wrong with their hardware.......I just like metal clevises. The plane is put together almost.....just have to go pick up the engine next week, install and then it's posing time :D
I would really like to post a pic for everyone to see...but I don't know how. I tried posting a pic for my TT Extra in the past, but couldn't. I got fustrated and left it.
Can someone help me to post pic's? Thanks.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

hey, i finally got the giles202 and the magnum 4stroke motor. However, when you sit the motor on the mount, the rear carby doesnt allow it to sit far enough back. The motor is too far off the edge of the mount. Does anyone have a solution?
I am thinking that either I
1) get a nylon mount to suit the magnum 61RFS and redrill the firewall to suit
2) buy a noisy 2 stroke!!

i really want to keep the idea of the 4 stroke happening though.
Anyone got a similar motor in their plane?

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

Now your talking. Go with it. I put an OS 70 II in my SU-31 and it balanced right on. Well I did move the elevator, and rudder servos to the rear. It is a sweetie!

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

aeronaut,

did you have any problems with the mount? or did you just put a new mount on it?
do you have any photos?

thats a bit weird that it balanced right on... i mean, if the 4stroke is so much heavier than a 2stroke, im surprised that all you had to do was move the servos!
where did you store the Rx battery?

mike

by the way, i just picked up a OS46FX for another plane, and am trying to resist the urge to bolt it into the Giles......

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

46 is ok for the plane but a 61 - 70 four stroke or a 50 - 52 2 stroke is the ticket. Me, I like the YS 63 but an os or saito 70 would work fine as well. the planes are heavy but thankfully they are built strong.

Went to fly the Sukhoi other day and it was windy. Windy enough to make it difficult to put on the wing. I shouldnt have tried but....
The plane got about 1 1/2 feet up and a crossswind gust came and violently slammed the plane down. Id Never seen this before. Loose cowl, bent LG, scratched the spinner and a broken prop.
I started reaming a prop to try again and I thought better of it. I have nothing to proove.

Some planes would have split at the seams.

Good luck,

I liked what I saw well enough that I purchased 2 more planes after seeing the first.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

Ok guys...here she is. Worked hard and long on this one. This is one really nice built plane...the Phoenix Cap 232. I didn't use their stickers. Used all their hardware except the clevises....I just like metal. I didn't get to use the ASP .52 because the Silencer was too long. I used an OS .46 FX instead...fits nice in the cowl. I put the ASP .52 on my TT FUN TIGER EXTRA. We'll see how both flies this Spring.....about 4 feet of snow on the ground [:'(]

Well...here she is...

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

here is another of the bottom

:D:D

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

If you feel like a little work, you can save around 4 oz by removing the pilot. Believe me when I tell you they are heavy. That's one reason I could go with the OS 70II in my Sukhoi. Removing the pilot offset the added weight of the bigger engine. The pilots are solid and of the hard plastic variety.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

Hi Aeronaut,
Thanks for the info about the pilot.....the cowl is sealed. I'll just fly it come spring, and if it needs more power, I'll consider the bigger engine. I'll try the ASP .52 with an OS 46 muffler and a bisson pitts style muffler. If either gives lots of power....I'll switch.

Oh....another thing....this plane came it with a weight of 5.5 lbs. That's pretty light for an OS .46 FX. My Dolphin weighs 6.2lbs and is really fast with the OS .46FX....and that's an aerobatic low-wing trainer.

Thanks again for all input.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

And here is a pic of the TT Fun Tiger Extra...

:D:D Now....just waiting for Spring.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

Kaz, nice to hear that the weight came out at 5.5lbs.....considering the Sukhoi and Giles seem to be slightly heavier, and still fly great!
I wonder what's up with the different color red on the control surfaces though? Even still, the covering looks good...does it seem to be Ultracote like the Sukhoi and Giles?

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

I finally got around to flying my SU-32 w/ a saito .72 in it instead of the .47 that I had... OMG! What a great flying plane this is now. Flew very well before, but there is no comparison. I love this combo.


The .47 gave very good vertical but the saito .72 makes it perform like it always wanted to before, but couldn't


If anyone is thingking of going to the saito on one of these pheonix planes... do it.


-Steve

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

:D I don't know their reasoning for having red ailerons....that's kewl though......it's covered in monocote all over. It tightened really good with a heat gun. It's stiff without sagging anywhere. I'll see how it holds up outside in the Spring.
Phoenix has really improved a lot.....I can't believe the quality of this plane.
Hope you guys liked it......It wasn't hard work at all.....not even the cowl.

RE: Phoenix Giles G-202 .46
 

I just recently bought a Giles G202. The kit was missing the fuel tank can anyone help me to find a web site that I can get a blow up of this plane w/ parts#. I understand that the original tank is a 5 oz. if so has anyone done anthing like making dual 5 oz. tanks? Thanks

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

T.Rock, 5 oz seems kind of small. You should be able to squeeze an 8oz. Sullivan Flex Tank in there with no problems.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

Mike ... I just got back to the hobby after 20 years break. I was shocked that it is all about ARF now and its cheap and its from Vietnam! Phoenix is very cheap here in Malaysia, cheaper than what you get it for in Down Under. I saw a 12 year old kid fly the Phoenix Giles, he installed a .61 engine in there and the plane can really perform, not just speeds. What amazed me was he flew it inverted in a very tight circle, very slowly at about 15' - 20' only. He throttled the plane like a RC car ... vroom vroom vroom ... that is how good the plane is in the hands of a capable pilot. I am thinking of getting one.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

tIANci,
Good to know that it flies well! I'm thinking that this might be my next purchase also.......I'm VERY happy with the build/flight qualities of my Phoenix Sukhoi.

RE: Phoenix Cap 232
 

I finally got my Giles 202 in the air the other day. I installed a Magnum61 4 stroke motor (new) and built it seemingly straight.
The only thing i deviated from on the plan was the CG. It specified 85-95mm (from memory) back from the leading edge. I think mine was about 15mm further back than that and I didnt think it would make much of a difference.

With the engine fired up, it took ages to get off the ground. Also when maintaining straight and level flight, it seemed to be "bobbing" and wobbling around the sky. Turning resulted in losing a lot of height and the plane seemed to struggle to regain altitude. I got as much speed up as possible and tried a loop - it snapped to the left! I had never had a plane do that before. What causes the snap? is it tip stall? warped flying surface? lack of airspeed?

Anyhow, landing was just ok but took more concentration than what I would have thought acceptable.

So now i have removed the Magnum. I am installing a OS46FX which i HOPE will be a little more responsive. Also, i weighed both motors and the OS is a little heavier than the Magnum - this should help with the CG. I am also relocating the battery to under the tank (I had to cut the film off the front just behind the firewall and will make a ply plate to screw in place. I am also moving the servos right to behind the tank. Incidentally, i bought a sullivan 8oz flexitank and it fits in PERFECTLY; not cutting or dremelling required.

I hope this will help the plane fly a little better - at least it couldnt be any worse!!

mike

all replies and suggestions gratefully received!