Just picked up the first all composite Jupiter ARF in the US. Here are some pics and weights. This plane will be built in house and I will add to the thread as construction progresses. This is a full composite plane. The finish is very, very good and glossy with no visible seams. Control surfaces are center hinged and attached. Plane as pictured weighs 5lb 4.0 oz including the landing gear and wheel pants.

More pics

Wow! It looks great. I look forward to following along with the build.

nice.

Really like the accessability of the motor / mount.

John

The stabs have the servo holes already made. JR 3421 servos drop right in. Only need to cut the skin for the opening for the servo arm. The hole for the elevator control horn is already drilled into the elevator and it's a minute at most to attach the horn to the elevator.

Wings are even easier. The servo mounts fit JR 9411 servos perfectly and they screw right down after attaching a 12" extension to your servo. There is already a paper tube inside the wing to carry the wire.

Both wings and both stabs took one morning to get them completely done.

Rudder next

Detail pics of rudder servo mounting and close up of air scoop for belly cooling air exit. Also the fuselage crutch going back to the tail.

I saw this plane in person over the weekend. VERY impressive. MUCH larger than it looks in the pics. Paint work is excellent. Also seemed very light. Looking forward to Chris finishing it and then bumming a flight from him. Moving to the east coast near Chris has its advantages.

Arch

That rudder servo looks like a bit of a hassle to get to. Is that true or is it just the photo that makes it look like it's tucked way back into the fuse?

I don't think its that hard to get to. It looks from the pictures above to be under the area where the canopy rakes back, making access easier though the holes in the front of the turtle deck.

Arch

Jupiter is ready to fly except for the motor. Still deciding what to put in the plane so I waited until the rest was finished. Still not sure what I want to power it with. The pilot figure is not included and is from Akiba in Japan.

Very nice...

Arch

Hey Chris get a motor on it and we'll fly on Thursday since I'm off work.
Jr

Hi Chris,

What happened to Lotto? Looks like he's been on steroids!

Plane looks nice too. Seems that you have too many power plant choices... lol

Cheers,
Jason.

Hey Chris, I bought my plane from you. Can I get some of those F3A Unlimited Stickers?
I'm not asking for freebies either. I'll pay for them.

Mike,
Stickers are freebies for all customers. I will mail you some Fri. These are a new sticker design and supplier and I won't have a lot more for another week or so in case others want some too.

The rudder servo on the Jupiter is not hard to get to. I used standard socket head servo screws and a ball driver to install them.

Great Chris.... Thanks!
Mike

Detail pics of the hacker Q80 mounting. Powering the plane is the Hacker Q80, YGE 90HV controller, Falcon 21-14 prop, and Power Unlimited 20C- 4900 batteries. Finished weight ready to fly is 10lb 14oz.

Maiden flight and one more today. Perfect fall weather. The Hacker Q80 / YGE / Falcon prop power set up is very, very strong and really quiet. Don't recall going over 3/4 throttle at all during the flights. More detail later, but this is really a super airplane. I get to fly a lot of planes and this one I will keep for sure.

Glamour pics from today - including Lotto in some for his adoring fans. (you can see what happens when he gets tired of taking pictures...I'm outta here!)

Very nice Chris. I'll have to make a trip up to get some time on that thing. Looks great.

Arch

Very nice, Chris.... very nice.... I like that clear canopy and pilot figure too.

Hi Chris,

Looks great! Something really different. Is that fuse as huge as it looks?
Is the motor tail support just a catastrophe preventer? I mounted my Axi's in a similar manner but had a flange bearing on the tail support.

Anthony,

After seeing it in person, yes it is that big. Very large fuse, but beautiful finish on the plane. I can't wait to get up and get a flight on it. I know Chris was very happy with it.

Arch

First flight of the year. Weather was couldy in the mid 50"s windy min. 15 - + mph and cross from behind flight line. Off crouse I wasn't flying my own plane. To windy for me so I flew Chris Moon's JUPITER. This palne is very soild in the air. Found to be easy to fly in the cross wind, just point it and it stay on line. At one time I had to take my finger away from the rudder stick to belive it. With the Q80 the power is super we pull up did 4-5 rolls and it never slow down. It track stright with very little input, also found that it slows down on the down line giving me time to do roll , 1/2 roll, 2 of 2 ect. I never wnet above 3/4 trottle.
The craftman ship on this plane was second to none. the paint work is great. Plenty of room inside to do what ever we need. Cnn't wait to fly it again in better condition.
Thank's Chris for allowoing me to fly your plane.

Jr Varela