BJ Craft Fantasista 70
 

Don't know why I got 70's throwback fever or something this season, but couldn't resist ordering one of these pretty little things from F3AU.

http://www.f3aunlimited.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=124_8_70&pr oducts_id=972

http://rcone.kr/board/index.html?id=bjair1&no=120

Soooo, anybody have any idea what to do with it when it arrives (other than the standard "hide from wife" maneuvers) LOL? Going with the Hacker package and whatever Futaba servos on-hand that will fit the airframe. Other than that, basically 5S starting with the 16x10 Xoar or 16x12 APC props on-hand, the Ice 100 in the package, and a brand new Tech-Aero 5S Throttle-Tech.

Probably won't fit in the Odyssey with the wings on like the Ax 70 does, but who knows, right? Anyway, if someone has experience with one of these, build tips are welcome. Thanks in advance.

It's a sweet looking little airplane. I've got an orphan Plettenberg Orbit 25-10 that would work great on the belt drive system they've linked to on the page. I've got on of my Japanese friends investigating...

I think this airplane will be a little big for the same power setup as the Axiome. Until I torched my controller flying Monday, the Axiome was flying amazingly. ( Controller issue was totally my fault and I'd rather not say why the failure was caused so as to give anyone any bad ideas, but rest assured it wasn't because of a fault in the controller or a normal setup by someone that isn't a jackass. I was able to land the airplane without so much as a scratch, which is a real testament to the quality of the controller. It still worked when it quite literally was on fire! Other than a scorch mark on the fiberglass on the inside of the cowling, there is no damage at all to the airplane) I was actually able to get the CG pretty dang close by running the pack against the wing tube. I think maybe 1/4oz of lead in the tail will have the airplane at a perfect CG. I'll have a replacement controller by the weekend so it will be all systems go.

Anyway, I wouldn't want any less power than I have with the Axiome. It's perfect. The downlines are a little fast, so I'll probably experiment with a 16" propeller. I wish Falcon made a 16x7e. I fear that there will not be enough power with the Axiome setup on the Fantasista.

I hope the pattern fairy can find their way to my house with one of these as a belated birthday present.

Hi Ryan, I guess I'm in good company then as I burned out my old V2 A50-14XS having too much fun with my over-propped Ax 70 on Tuesday! Was putting in a burner in brisk winds when that groaning sound like a prop spinning loose howled downwind. Was 2 mistakes high and able to get her upwind for a slow & soft landing, but short of the grass. No obvious damage, but will have to inspect the gear block to be sure. The motor feels like it threw a magnet or worse (prop was fine & secure). Anyway, the Ax 70 is grounded until that mess gets sorted out (cooling may be an issue as well as prop choice LOL).

The Hacker F3AU is packaging with the Fantasista 70 is one of the motors recommended by BJCraft, the A50-12S, not the smaller A50-14XS sold with the Ax 70. The 12S is the 5S version of the motor I have in my old/sold 6S Osiris for years now, so I am optimistic that the 12S is enough power for the Fantasista.

I have this plane's larger sibling, the 120 version from F3A
http://www.f3aunlimited.com/webstore...roducts_id=797
Beautiful plane in person, better than the pictures.

Natcho'sista
 

Not much time for my "Natcho'sista" build (and this is not a build thread), but I thought some folks might want to see how I mitigated the pink, in favor of the blue on the prototype.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2006651 http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2006652http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2006653

The blue stripe is some old monokote trim sheet in the shop that happens to be a close match to the paint, sorry don't know the color name, it came from an LHS. Graphics by B&E.
Aesthetics aside, I did start to hinge the rudder as a removable one with piano wire and Dubro hinges. Just need to glue that assembly in place, but not before getting after the instructions:

http://www.hobbynet-jp.com/pdf/Fantasista70EP.pdf

BTW will likely start at the end by cutting the air intakes. Cheers!

I have been thinking about replacing the SebArt Angel that I have with something similar and the Fantasita caught my attention a little while back. Ideally, I would like to re-use the power. Any idea of how much the Fantasita will weigh when finished?

Thanks,

Teo

Hi Teo, not yet. I am short on build time and have barely touched the kit since it arrived two weeks ago. I will say this: it is a beautifully done ARF kit, everything looks first class and well thought out. Fit & finish of what I have inspected is excellent. That said, I have not really spent too much time with it other than what I posted above and looking over the instructions on the link. Will take my time and enjoy this one as time permits. We have a few local contests and Nats coming up fast, not to mention the chores around the house LOL! I do believe that this is going to be a very light airframe compared to any built-up model.

That small belt drive shown in the manual looks really interesting.

Yes, but I did not see the laser cut parts to mount it depicted in my kit. Perhaps it is an option somewhere in the world? The laser cut firewall for the recommended Hacker is excellent, however! I'm really pleased.

Dana,

Thanks for your response. I found some information about the plane here:

http://rcone.kr/board/index.html?id=bjair1&no=120

And you are right, at about 6.2 lbs it is pretty light.

Thanks,

Teo

Any thoughts on using a hacker a50-16s? I was using this motor in my miss wind and thought it might work.

The he fantasista has an interesting wing. Any idea the thoughts behind that step in it?

Also, I looking at the hobby net site and they have both the biside70 as well as the nuance 70. Both have good lines to them in my opinion.

Natchos anyone?
 

Natcho's starting to look like something (that may fly this weekend ;))...

The weird light in my garage turns the perfect RED on the Fantasista 70, into interesting - but not f'real - orange! Oops, LOL

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2008577http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2008578

That is a sharp looking plane!

The f3a website calls out a 6s4000 pack. Based on what you see, do you think that will fit ok? I asked because your going to use a 5s I guess.

Also, I'd be interested in your thoughts on the step in the wing. Seems like something new that we don't see much in other planes.

Also, sweet job with the blue. Looks better IMO.

Thanks

I haven't installed the supplied battery tray yet, but there is plenty of room, and from what I can recall the Turnigy 6S 4000 25C was like in my old Osiris, I see no reason why it would not fit here.

Have not read anything about the wing design. Was looking at pix of the larger Fantasista and see that the stepped wing LE is unique to the 70. Perhaps it resulted from flight testing the smaller airframe?

When I went to install the aileron servos today, one that I had on hand is not usable and so probably will not get to fly the Natcho' till next week. Worked on the Ax 70 instead. It's all good in the 70s! LOL

Do you have the Axiom 70 also? I've been looking at that one and the Fantasia on F3aU. You are going to have to send flight reports and comparisons.

I'm finally getting a bit of stick time on my Monolog 70 and already thinking about the next ship, whether I want a higher quality 70 or to step up in size. I'll give it until this winter to decide.

-Ken aka l2t

Ken,
I am finishing the Fantasista's big sister (the 120 size) in my basement. Hoping to find enough time in the next week or two.
Let me know if you would like to take a look at it before making your purchase.
It's a beautiful plane, really like the all moving stab, runs on 8s pack.

Ken,

I started flying a 2M Vanquish this year. Before that, I had been flying a Sebart Angel 50. I thought that the Angel flew well, but the Vanquish feels much better. Bigger is better. I have been thinking about replacing the Angel with maybe the Fantasita 70, but in the back of my mind I keep thinking that a bigger plane might be a better investment if the money is available.

The reason for wanting another small plane is to minimize the risk to the larger one when learning new maneuvers and hence the interest in the Fantasita. Of the little ones out there, I think that it is the best looking one.

Good luck,

Teo

Almost airworthy
 

Natcho'sista should be ready to fly by the time the rain clears out here. Weather permitting, for maiden this weekend.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2011028http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2011029

Battery tray, final CG ranging, radio install, dual rates, Loctite stuff, then check it all again. And it fits with the wings on!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=2011033

I like the white Xoar PJN prop...nice touch
good luck with the maiden

Ready to fly:

Dry weight is 2.27kg (5 lbs)
AUW 4500 is 2.9 kg (6.4 lbs)

Explains why the battery is all the way forward to the firewall to make BJ's 120mm CG!

Dana,

Thanks for the info. I looked through the thread to see what battery you might be using. I am guessing 5S 5000 mah? The majority of my packs are 5S 4400 mah, so I think that if I were to build the plane I would be a little lighter.

Thanks,

Teo

Hi Ken, say, if you are going to make it down to Lehigh Valley for the contest next weekend, let me know and I will bring one of the 70's for you to check out.

I flew the Ax70 at our classic contest last weekend just for fun and was delighted when Dean Pappas asked for a pull on the Ax. He liked it and helped me tweak the CG.

Hope you can make it down to fly with us, we only have one Sportsman at the LV, and the other from Upstate NY cannot come back again next weekend. Happy 4th!

Maiden report
 

​​First 3 flights today. Very nice so far, I like it. Rolls beautifully. Needs a 16x12 for airspeed against the wind; will try with an APC tomorrow.

Needed no aileron or rudder trim. Did need nose up trim on the stabilator (a few mm down from the mark made by BJ's template)...

...and moved the 5S back about a 1/4" from where it balanced at 120mm CG. Will revisit this ​and pitch trim in the coming flights to nail down CG.

Guys the response to this plane has been off the hook. I'll be out soon but more due later this year. If you're interested I suggest acting fast.
In 2 weeks we will have the Nuance 70's in.
http://www.f3aunlimited.com/airplane...uance-70-plane
I like the Nuance a lot because we can have a YS 70 or and E. option for the first time. Still I like the looks of the Gantasista the best.
Akiba designs beautiful airplanes.
Tomorrow we will run a sale to celebrate getting the myriad of issues on our new site cleared up.
You don't want to know what that took!
Take care, Mike
Take care. Mike