White Creek Katana
 

Got my new 72" Creek Katana yesterday. I'm very impressed with the quality so far. It has the new white color scheme with blue burst stripes. Bottom of wings are blue and yellow. The covering is not transparent like the GSP Katana. It looks like Ultracoat. Fiberglass cowl, wheelpants, and Landing gear look superb. Aluminum wing tube is 28" long, which sounds like a change. Still thinking about what engine to put in it. I know an OS 1.60 would give great 3d capability. I was thinking about a small gas engine, less 3D, but much more economical to run. From reviewing the previous posts, I will most likely mount the servos on the tray using carbon fiber push rods to make sure I don't have to add any nose weight. Anyone have one of the new "White" versions in the air yet?

New Creek Katana?
 

Lets see some pics!

White Creek Katana
 

I've had mine for about six weeks and have flown it about ten 15 minute flights. It's powered with a RCS 180F (front carb) and it goes like a raped ape, yet slows down for very stable, predictable landings! Unlimited vertical with great over all flight characteristics. I mounted the servos in the tail so had to add about 6oz. up front. Flying weight is about 13 lbs. I absolutely love this plane, Creek has a winner in my book!

White Creek Katana
 

I don't know if they've changed the spring set up for holding the wing on, but make sure and use zip ties or some other way to hold the wings on. That was really the only thing I didn't like about my Extra.

Gotta love the Katana!

White Creek Katana
 

They use two springs now, one near the front pins and one near the rear pins. It's a lot stronger setup, but I still use the zip tie...just to be safe. I took your advice from an earlier post. Later on, I may install nylon bolts and use wing nuts to make setting up a little easier.

Katana
 

I have the new white one, I have a brison 2.4 in it with a 20x8 prop and it flies great. i have pics in my gallery of the plane with the 2.4 bolted in it and the mods I made.
My brother has one with a 3w 24cc engine and a 20x6 prop at 7500 and it also flies great.
We drilled the wings and put 1/4 20 nylon wing bolts in them where the springs go and used nylon wing nuts to hold the wings on, works great
We both put the ele servos in the tail, mine balanced good his needed 6oz of lead to balance.
Good luck with yours, if you have any questions you can email me and I will be glad to help
Fred

White Creek Katana
 

Here's a pic of my new Creek Katana S.

Creek Katana
 

Looks very nice.

White Creek Katana
 

Looks good Wingman. I grew up in Dubuque. It will be a while before I get mine into the air. Thinking about putting a ZDZ40 in it. Looks like they made the aluminum wing tube longer and added another spring when compared to the older models. I was thinking with the gas engines there would be enough weight to mount the servos in the tail, but it sounds like even then they come out tail heavy.

White Creek Katana
 

Hey Hot Rod...great to hear from a former "Dubuquer". Have you ever been out to our flying field at FDR park? I've made some changes since my last post. I went ahead and took DERF-54's advice and replaced the spring hooks with 1/4" nylon bolts. What I did was to drill and tap the wing and screwed in a 1 1/2" bolt approximately 3/4". I applied epoxy to the hole and threads prior to that. I used a nylon wing nut with an 1/8" ply "washer" to secure the wing. As DERF-54 says...works great! Setting up using the springs can be somewhat difficult and/or tricky. I like knowing that the wings will not move during any violent maneuvers. One other thing, if you go with gas, be sure you glass the firewall box for added strength. Also, from my experience, the ZDZ might be a little too strong for this plane. My RCS 180 (30cc) really hauls the Katana around at half to three quarter throttle and will go out of sight when I go vertical! :surprised And the engine is getting stronger after every tank full!

White Creek Katana
 

How the wing bolts look attached.

RCS 180
 

Wingman, what prop are you using on your RCS 180? I have one I am putting in my GSP Katana when ever it gets back from repiars at RC showcase.

White Creek Katana
 

Wingman, I like the looks of the wing bolt mod. I think I'll do the same thing. Have you attempted any 3D with your RCS 180? I know the best set up for 3D would be a OS 1.60, but it would be nice to do it with gas. I think it would fly well with a MVVS 1.6 gasser, but not have the power to 3D. I have never been to the Dubuque field, but would like to make it some time.

looks good
 

Hey wingman I am glad to here you made the wing mod to your plane, you will not be sorry. I have been using gorilla glue for the wing bolts and for hinging it also works great, it expands as it cures and takes up all the extra space when you are working with foam.
Good luck with your plane
Fred

Re: RCS 180
 

I'm currently using a Bambula 18-8 for the break-in period. I have run about a gallon and a half (40:1 Penzoil mix ) through it at this time. When I've finished the second gallon I plan to switch to a synthetic oil and try an 18-10. So far the engine has been running very strong, easy to start and has good transition from idle to full throttle.

White Creek Katana
 

I haven't really attemped any real 3D as I'm still getting the feel how the Katana handles and taking it easy until the engine is broken in. I'm primarily doing some general pattern type maneuvers and IMAC sequences, which I might add, it does very well. With the preformance that I've seen so far, I'm sure it will 3D with the best of them. Send me an email if you ever plan on coming up this way, maybe we could burn a few holes in the sky! :D

White Creek Katana
 

Fred....tell me more about the gorilla glue...not familiar with it. Is it something you bought locally?

Gorilla Glue
 

It is a pollyurethane glue sold at most home improvment stores,
A friend of mine did a test for sheeting a wing with it and the results were amazing, it expanded a 1/2 into the foam core, we checked this by doing a cut away after the glue dried.
I use it for hinging with hingpoints and flat klett pin type hinges.
If you are using hingpoints drill your hole fit your hinge and then put a qtip in water and push it in the hole to moisten the wood and foam drip a bit of glue in the hole and put a bit on the tip of the hinge and install it. You will have to try a test piece first to figure out how much to use because if you use to much it will ooze out around the hinge when it expands, let it sit for an hour and try to pull it out (won't happen) the glue takes about 4 hours to cure.
My brother tried a test in his bench and destroyed the hinge trying to rip it out.
The same steps for flat type hinges except you will have to use a zip tie to get the water in the slot.
The glue cleans up with alcohol just like epoxy.
The glue costs about 5.00 for 2oz but we have hinged two katanas, one ultimate bipe and a hanger 9 cap and only used 3/4 of an inch out of the bottle, so I would say you can hinge about 15 planes easy with one bottle.
I hope this helps
Fred

White Creek Katana
 

Thanks Fred for the information...sounds like good stuff! I'll check out our Lowes store for the glue.

White Creek Katana
 

All,
For those of you who are still considering this plane it is avalable at Jett Hobbies http://www.jett-hobbies.com for $235 with free shipping and a free scale pilot. They will have a fresh shiplmet in Aug 1st. I can't wail.

Anyone using an OS 160 with the tank on the CG? If so which would be my best option a Perry Pump or a Cline regulator, what size tank, what size fuel tubing?

RE: White Creek Katana
 

Are these in fact the same planes? Wingspan is the same... but covering is totally different? I know the white one shown at Jet and other places such as Giant Scale Planes, and Cheif Aircraft has translucent covering (you can see through it). Also, heavier gas engines weren't as easy to put in the GSP or Jet one from what I gathered (weight issues?) so I thought maybe this is a totally different plane?? Sounds like a lot of weight is needed up front in this yellow design.

Further... is the wing sheer webbing correct in this Creek Hobbies version? The webbing on the Chief/Jet one has been show to be horizontal instead of vertical and causing problems.


Sorry for so many questions...


One last one... The only Katana I can see at creek shows Yellow covering... is it now coming in this white scheme??... and are these in fact the same plane at $249???


Thanks,

Steve (confused)

RE: White Creek Katana
 

Okay... I figured out the answer to my own question. The Jet/Chief/Giant Scale Planes version is the same, while the Creek version is something different... even though the specs are very very similar. The creek wing is foam, while the GSP/Jet one is built up balsa, being one major difference... just so people realize this. Dntmn's post above me is about a different model than this thread was originally started about...


Now, if I just could find out if the yellow one at Creek are one and the same as this new white version...

RE: White Creek Katana
 

It is my understanding from Creek that the white is a slight upgrade of the yellow, a larger hatch, two wing springs, and the color change, basically. I haven't started assembly yet. I notice lots of people putting gas engines on it, although it really doesn't need anything more than an OS 160fx. I guess if you want to take a first baby step to gas with a smallish engine, this could be a great combo. OTOH, Wild Hare has a new Edge designed for a Zenoah G62, at $399 (plus $100 for their hardware package and shipping); that could be a really great combo.

RE: White Creek Katana
 

Thanks for the info SVFlier... found it funny that they don't have the picture updated on their site yet after all this time. Thought they would sell more that way as IMHO it looks better... not only that, people might get a bit of a surprise to find a white one that were expecting yellow... hm... or maybe they still sell both. The upgrades sound nice, as I would be wanting a larger hatch... and love the white.


In my mind it would make a nice first small gasser to see if gas is something you want to pursue further. Minimum $$, yet still get a feel for it.

-Steve

RE: White Creek Katana
 

The white one and the yellow one are pretty much the same plane. I have a white and my brother has the yellow. We are both running gas engines and we both installed wing bolts instead of the spring system.
I have changed my plane to have a full top hatch that comes off with 2 440 bolts.
The full hatch lets you get inside alot better and you can move your tank over the cg and move your rudder servo for better balance.
Good luck with your plane it flies great.
Also you might want to change the landing gear we have seen some of them cracking after a few landings in grass fields.
Fred