storklappe

Has anyone flown the new Aeroworks 36% Katana? If so, what did you think? Also, what did it weigh? I called to order one and found out that they are out of the Yellow color scheme until late June.

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

I have about 20 flights on mine. DA 100. Mine weighs 26lbs 4oz. Using a carbon gear, and carbon spinner, 3x 2200 lithiums. 5945s on everything except 2 jr 8611s in an swb tray. Flys awesome, by far the best 3D plane I have had (carden edge 35%, comp arf 2.6, aeroworks 33% 330L). Had a couple minor issues with the plane, but once got them worked out, its a definite keeper.

storklappe

What were the issues? Were they quality problems?

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

Here are the issues I had with mine, minor, but typical big arf stuff.
-The stab tube loosened up after flight number 2 (typical aeroworks) so glued it in, and its not going anywhere now.
-The hatch was pretty badly warped, so had to strip off the covering and sand it on the bottom so it would fit on the fuse properly, then recovered it.
-Canopy was cut way too large, so had to re-cut it, no biggy.
-And my biggest gripe was the white covering on the right wing was not tucked under the leading edge enough so the white came off on flight number 2, so recovered it, again no biggy.
As you can see its typical arf stuff, nothing minor. However, with the little fixes I mentioned above its by far the best flying plane I have had to date, especially for 3D. I used the carbon main gear because the aluminum one that came with my kit was 20oz, and thought that was ridiculous. I did keep it however should the need ever arise to anchor a boat.

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

Couple more pics. Also, I used the B&B giant scale CA hinges, they are not coming out and I actually like the nice clean line I get from them after the hinges are sealed. I was going to use robarts, but with the foam wing, the majority of the hinge would just be glued into foam, and the surfaces were already slotted for CA hinges.

krayzc-RCU

My Feedback: (31)

she looks sweet great 2 hear she is a keeper

Shortman

My Feedback: (21)

Looks awesome. Are the wing fillets attached to the plane or they part of the wing itself?

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

wing

storklappe

Thanks for your help. Just a couple more questions: Did you get the composite gear from Aeroworks? Where did you get the B&B CA hinges (I assume you use a "foam safe" CA)? Finally, where did you cut the exit holes in the fuselage for the pull-pull cables?

Thanks again!!!

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

I got the composite gear from Aeroworks, the CA hinges from Don's Hobby Shop. The exit holes are 4.5" from the hingeline, and 3" from the bottom. The carbon gear I got from AW said extra 31%, works ok but a tad weak. I called graphtech who makes them for AW and he has a new one for the Katana due out anytime, so going to send mine back to him for the right one.

storklappe

Thanks again. Can you pass along the phone number for Graphtech? I'll order my gear direct from them.

knpjdad

My Feedback: (2)

Any Flight reports on these yet?

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

I have about 70 flights on mine. Best 3d plane I have flown bar none. Too bad I had a bunch of quality issues that I had to take up with aeroworks and they blew me off. Would never buy one of their planes again, they do not stand behind their product. Anyhow, after all the fixes and mods made, its an awesome performing machine.

knpjdad

My Feedback: (2)

Great to hear and sorry to hear.... I was just talking with my LHS today and they told me that the lady that used to do all the shipping
and customer service for them has quit.. I guess she was there since day one.. So I can only hope they find someone else that will handle things better!

What were your quality issues? Standard ARF stuff? Or more serious?

Thanks for the reply!

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

Here is the link I started about their customer service. It is by far the worst I have ever seen from any company. I think anyone who buys something from them should expect all problems with their plane will not be taken care of by the company.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/AW_C...1848892/tm.htm

knpjdad

My Feedback: (2)

Thanks I'll read up on it!

compound air

Flyinrazerback... Thanks for the info regarding your Katana. I fly an AW 300 Extra 35% and have experienced many of the same quality problems you did. Also much like your experience one the issues were resolved the plane is an excellent performer. (I guess your buying design not quality) I was wondering how the Katana handles both upright and inverted Harriers with regards to wing rocking. I appreciate your response as I am considering a couple of planes for outright 3D. Ed

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

Its awesome at harriers, havent tried too many inverted, but about the same, excellent. I would advise heavily against the AW Katana unless you get the arc and do it the right way. I think you are better off paying the extra money for the 35% stans fiber tech katana.

compound air

I really appreciate the info...I will look into Stans Fibertech... I did see them fly last year at the Tuscon Shootout they looked great. Thanks Again ED

compound air

Flyinrazrback... I live about thirty miles from Chief aircraft so I picked up one of the Katanas with the ability to view it. I am impressed with the quality of the aircraft as it appeares to be significantly better than the AW Extra I just finished. It is possible that their quality control is not uniform or maybe the shipment received at chief was a mid week assembly vs Monday or Friday (I assume the have the same work week in China). I will continue to post as I build and hopefully the news will be good. I am interested where your CG is for extreme 3D. Thanks for your help I know a good kit dosn't solve the customer service problems you and others have experienced. Ed

rcflyer48

My Feedback: (1)

You mentioned the B&B giant CA hinges.... Where did you get them?
I was hoping to use the CA hinges on my 29% AW Katana.

Thanks

Neil

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

Just make sure you check the covering, iron and re-iron down the leading edges. Both of my wing coverings came off after doing walls. I have my CG about 1/4" behind where they recommend in the manual. The recommended cg is pretty good for 3d and still precise too, but move it back just 1/4" and its a 3D animal. What motor you going with? If you decided to go with the carbon gear, it will save you 10oz. I still havent received my replacement from Graphtech yet, they said it was supposed to go out 2 weeks ago, and a phone call yesterday saying it wont ship until late of next week, go figure.

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

I got them from Don's Hobby shop in Kansas. Seal the hinges afterwards, and it makes a nice clean install, plus the hinges wont come out.

compound air

Flyinrazrback... I currently have a DA 100 that I will pull from a H9 cap to put on the Katana. My extra has the same and I have experienced great reliability with the DA's. Thanks for the info regarding the CG. I am going to put Robarts on for hinges and I may get the CF gear as well. I appreciate your help and I will keep you informed as to my experience with the plane. Thanks Ed

flyinrazrback

My Feedback: (69)

I wanted to use robarts, but the trailing edge of the wing was thin and so about 80% of the hinge would be glued into foam, which I didnt like. Using the large ca hinges spread out the load. I fly my katana very, very hard and the hinges are not coming out. I would recommend using them, Chip Hyde uses them in all his planes, and he is doing something right. After using them, dont think I would use anything else.