RCU Forums - Top Flite Elder 40

ddubya,

I had an Elder 40.

It was one of those stooge it around the sky planes.

First ran it with a Saito 45, the an OS MAX-H 40. It worked a bit better with the Saito since I could swing a larger prop.

The palne was not very agile as I recall. Terrible trying to do loops, rolls and that sort of thing. But it looked okay.

Two points about it though are important. You really do need all those little gussets on the open section of the fuselage. Ultimately the rear of mine broke off just behind the sheet ed section. So I added a bit more sheeting reward in the fix - only one bay - and there were no more separation problems.

The second snag was the landing gear. It was supposed to be a sort of spring action, simulation of WWI types. It was always bending or failing somehow. So I changed that to larger diameter music wire with a rigid axle. Problem solved.

I thought that the way the inside was set up, it was a little tight to fit in all the radio gear and fuel tank.

All in all, it was an interesting experience. Would I build another? Probably not. There are so many other planes to try that I would not likely dilute my efforts with a repeat for something which in my view was not outstanding enough to warrant another go.