Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review. Unlimited 3D Performance!!!!
 

After having spent the majority of last years flying season banging the sticks around on one of my favorite 3D planes, the Sportsman Aviation Paramount 60/90 3D ARF, I wondered how this plane would perform with an e-conversion. Soon after these thoughts were floating around in my head they released the slightly smaller Paramount 52/70 version. Immediately I thought that this would make an awesome conversion using something like the Kontronik 600 brushless motor and some lipo's. So I proceeded to put together all the pieces of the puzzle to get the conversion done and share it with everyone.

Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 ARF


[link=http://hobbypeople.net/gallery/127559.asp]http://graphics.hobbypeople.net/gallery/127559.jpg[/link]

Here is an excerpt from the manufacturers page:

Sportsman Aviation introduces the Paramount 52/70 ARF, an advanced-design aerobatic model that allows intermediate and advanced pilots to perform the latest "3D" Tournament style maneuvers, and raise their skills to competition levels. The Paramount 52/70 is a smaller version of the Paramount 61, and features all the cutting edge design points of championship models that are featured in it's larger brother.

The thick symmetrical wing is built from ultra-light balsa and hardwood, and features gigantic 3 dimensional ailerons that match the airfoil for razor-sharp roll control. Over sized split elevators with aerodynamic balance and a huge full-flying rudder provide the control authority to perform the wildest maneuvers usually seen on mega-buck Tournament models. The high-profile fuselage allows the Paramount to fly knife-edge at slow speeds.

The model features a pre-finished fiberglass cowl, ultra-light landing gear and wheels, and pull-pull rudder cable operation. Fully built up and finished in a dazzling four color transparent-opaque trim scheme, all eyes will be on the Paramount on the ground or in the air.

Specifications:
Span 50.75 in.
Total wing area 685 sq. in.
Length 53 in.
Flying Weight 5 - 5.75 lb.
Requires 4 channel radio with 5 standard size servos.
Power: .52 2 stroke or .70 4 stroke.


For this conversion thread/review I won't get into general build details as this plane builds exactly like its bigger brother which was reviewed in the RCU Magazine. You can read that article [link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/article_display.cfm?article_id=257]here [/link] for build details, pics, video. This thread will focus on how the build differs from the glow version and how to convert this baby to a hot dogging overpowered electric 3D maniac with no limits.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/magazine/a...article_id=257

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

For power I decided on the [link=http:///www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXGCX1&P=RT]Kontronik 600 Brushless [/link] setup, Two ThunderPower 3S3P 11.1V 6000mah Li-Po packs and a Castle Creations Phoenix 80 ESC. Also I used a KoolFlight Systems 6V UBEC to eliminate an extra battery for the rx.

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

I did purchase the full Kontronik 600 set which comes with the Jaxx 55 ESC. Problem is the Jazz is likley to cutoff around 50amps or so which is too early for this setup. The Kontronik 600 motor can handle about 70-80 amps. To give more breathing room I used the Castle Creations Phoenix 80.

You could get by with a Phoenix 60 but for a couple extra bucks you can have some margin of safety here as my calculations (more on amp draw later) showed that I would be around 60 amps or so with the target propeller choices of 15" to 16". With the thunderpower 6000mah pack the most I really want to push is around 60 amps to be "nice" to the pack" and keep it within its maximum rated amp output range.

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

To mount the Kontronik 600 to the firewall I used a mount system which [link=http://www.espritmodel.com]Esprit Model[/link] ( http://www.espritmodel.com ) sells specifically for the K600 motor. The mount consists of a front plate, back plate, 3 standoffs, screws and optionally spacers. You can purchase the mount with standoffs in various lengths to suit your application.

I used 4" standoffs with no spacers. I have included pics below of the mount as it comes and assembled off the plane for illustrative purposes.

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

In the photos below you can see the motor mount secured to the firewall using 4 socket head screws, washers and blind nuts. The motor is secured to the mount using 4 socket head screws (not supplied with the mount).

I drilled a large hole in the firewall as you can see in the photos right behind the hole in the mount. This was to save weight but more importantly to allow for airflow to the batteries/esc in the fuselage. I also drilled extra air holes in the firewall (see pics).

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

In the pics below you can see another angle of the Kontronik 600 install. Also an inside look at the firewall with the mount secured in place with the blind nuts.

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

For a spinner I ordered a [link=http://www.tru-turn.com]Tru-Turn[/link] (http://www.tru-turn.com) 2 1/4" spinner with the cone cut to accomodate an APC 15x8E or 14x10E

The adapter used for this setup was the MP Jet 8mm prop adapter.

In the images below you can see the Tru-Turn spinner before installation and after and also the MP Jet prop adapter.

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

In order to accomodate the larger 15" prop I planned on using I put a call into TNT Landing gear in order to get a custom gear set made for this plane. Working with the guys at TNT was a pleasure. The process was very simple. Just go to their website and fill out the custom gear PDF form for what you need.

http://www.tntlandinggear.com/store/...ustom_gear.htm

I took measurements of the stock gear and basically made the custom gear the same but 3 inches taller to give loads of prop clearance. I also did away with the small wheel pants that came with the kit and put on larger Dubro wheels as I fly off grass.

When ordering custom gear you can get various thickness of metal. I got 2 different ones sent as I was not sure which one would be best. The thinner metal weighed in around 2 ounces and the thicker one was a little over 4 ounces. I felt the thinner one was a touch to weak for the weight of this plane so I went with the thicker one and had my buddy who is a machinist drill a few holes in it to reduce the weight a bit..

The gear bolts on using 3 socket head bolts which is the same way the stock gear would attach. This setup provides for plenty of prop clearance and all the strength you need.

For a little flare my buddy took a sander to the gear and put that "brushed metal" look in it. Nice!

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

More to come...

amp calculations
wattmeter
rpm readings
Thunderpower lipo battery install
radio install
flight pics
flight report
videos

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RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

Sweet. Looking forward to the rest of the conversion Marc.

Well done,
Mike

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

In the photos below you can see how the Thunderpower pack was installed, how the rx was installed and how the wires were routed.

The Thunderpower 3S3P packs were placed back to back in what would form a 6S3P configuration. 6000mah capacity and 22.2 volts. I put some Popsicle sticks between the packs for airflow then uses a few pieces of electrical tape just to keep them bound together. I glued in some velcro to the bottom of the inside of the fuse and then used some velcro wrap to secure the packs together. Proper CG was obtained by pushing the pack forward until it touched the firewall.

Using a Series connector and Deans connector from FMA Direct (http://www.fmadirect.com) I created the 6S3P configuration. I soldered a connector onto each pack and then connect it to the special series connector. This allows me to charge the packs separately for better balancing during charging. Off the series connector I used 2 heavy gauge wires which solder onto another deans connector. It is this deans connector that will ultimately connect to the ESC.

I routed the wires out the bottom of the fuselage to where the rear of the cowl is. I cleared away the cowl material so the wires would pass easily and I could just hook or unhook the deans connectors between flights. the photos below illustrate this.

I also used a 6 volt hydrimax battery after the first flight and added a switch to the setup. I removed the Ubec as there was a problem with the first 60 amp esc I used which got toasted and burned part of the ubec so I did not want to take a chance.

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

Here is the series connector used to turn the two 3S3P packs into the 6S3P. These things are very handy to create series packs when you have multiple packs you need to connect. Imagine soldering three, four or five packs to one deans connector? Ouch! These solve the problem and also allow you to charge packs separately at any time.

https://www.fmadirect.com/site/fma.h...roducts&cat=28

they also make parallel connectors. they are same except they put the packs into parallel configuration.

The connectors can be cut to use as many or as few as you need. In this application I needed only 2 so I cut the other 3 off. Once cut I soldered the wires on through the holes and then covered in some electrical tape to insulate any exposed contacts on the connector.

RE: Sportsman Aviation Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review
 

I just bought this plane for 99 bucks and $8 shipping. Hobby people has both this size and the 60 size marked down to $99. They show quantities limited. Looks like they may becoming discontinued.[:o]

RE: Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review. Unlimited 3D Performance!!!!
 

ther are so many 3D like planes... they all look alike (or similar).

RE: Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review. Unlimited 3D Performance!!!!
 

this one has some superior fligth characteristics for 3D over many of the other 3D planes this size.

RE: Paramount 52/70 3D ARF Conversion and Review. Unlimited 3D Performance!!!!
 

I am building the same plane, but went a different route for the conversion.

AXI 2826/10 Outrunner Motor - Draws 38 Amps on the bench.
14/8 E prop
Jeti Advance 40 Opto Controller - no BEC
3S-2P Duralite 2500 packs for a total of 5000 MAH
FMA 5 Receiver - FMA VR1 Voltage regulator and 2S-1P 640 MAH Receiver pack
Hitec HS-645 Servos throughout
Hitec Optic 6 Transmitter

Almost completed and weight is in the range of 3 to 3.5 lbs ready to fly. Somewhat under the rated weight in the Specifications.