7aso

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It all started in this thread, http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_8413482/tm.htm

I've come to believe that Royal never produced the J2M3. I've did countless of searching on this forum and many other RC websites and I've found nothing about this kit or any build threads.

I got the plans from Ebay and the wood from Balsa USA. The plans are in Japanese and metric. I've been going over them for weeks before I started and so far it's a pretty easy build.

First the specs:

Engine size: 25 - 40
Wing span: 50"
fuse length: 45"
scale: 1/8.5 (40)

And the color scheme:



It will have retracts including the tailwheel. I haven't decided about flaps. I haven't seen many 40 sizes with flaps, but it would look good for a scale job.

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

The formers:

7aso

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Day 1

The fuse:

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

day 2

Other half of fuse:

The halfs are not glued together since they need to be sheeted first. I stuck a couple T-pins through the joints to see how it came along.

SCALECRAFT

My Feedback: (13)

I have a friend that has a full Composite fuse and wing, cowl, for the Marutaka Raiden. He did a pretty good job on it. His is a bit of a hand full to bring back in one piece.

I should ask to borrow his molds, but composite fabricators are very protective of odd subject molds they really like.



Steve

Warbird Nut

Looks great. I have a Hirobo 40 sized J2M3 thats next on the build list. I will be following this thread. Keep it coming.

John

7aso

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Thanks, I hope to keep this build interesting.

I finished assembling the stab and fin and test fitted it on the fuse along with the firewall box.

I've been looking over the retract plans and it looks like it's going to be a tight fit. I hope the the Robart 122 will work.

Tomorrow the journey of planking begins..

SCALECRAFT

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You should consider airfoil V and H stabs for such a nice unique airframe.

Steve

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

The plans call for 1/4" balsa to make the fin and stab. And the way the fin fits between the fuselage formers and sits on the stab has only enough space for a 1/4".

Tommy_Gun

Hi John,
I am interested in the Hirobo ARF J2M3.
Where did you find yours? I would like to find one in the "50" size class.
I have already purchased the plans for the Marutaka Raiden and have a built plane from the same kit.
I am just thinking this would make a great and unique warbird racer.
Thanks,
T_G

SCALECRAFT

My Feedback: (13)

You have decided to follow the plan as drawn, I see your point.

enjoy.

Steve

OBDOC

My Feedback: (73)

Nice plane. I'm going to start CAD work on a 1/4.5 scale one. The problem is that I have to learn CAD at the same time. It's a darn cool plane. Good luck with your build.
Tim

Warbird Nut

The Hirobo J2M I have is listed as 50 size and they also have a 25 and 120 size. You can place a special order from this site:

http://www.modelrectifier.com/index.asp

Or buy directly from this hobby store in Japan (requires Japanese text plug-in)

http://www.rc-champ.co.jp/Champ_Inte...onal_index.htm

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Thanks for the links. Looks like they have 3 different sizes: 41", 55" & 70" WS. The 70 looks good. Notice the paint scheme?

http://model.hirobo.co.jp/products/0014-901/index.htm





They also have some KI-61's http://model.hirobo.co.jp/products/0014-927/index.htm

7aso

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Got both halves sheeted today. Tomorrow, wood filler will be applied and prepped for final sanding. If all goes well I should have them glued together.

Pippin

7aso,

your Raiden-fuse looks perfectly built. Great job! What would be your engine choice?

There is a Swiss company that still has some Marutaka Raiden in stock. I got a Hayabusa recently and alomst could not resist getting the Raiden as well (as a Chrismas treat). But the construction seems to be different to the Raiden since the Hayabusa requires lots of sanding.

I was looking into the Hirobo Raidens last year but it seems to be that the 50 size is out of stock. Hirobo`s Hien ist the best on the markt too and a nice choice. Forget Kyosho an VQ if you look for a nice Hien. The 120 size Raiden would be another option but pricey. I think she would cost me something around 700 Euromark. W/O shipping and customs/local VAT. There is a German manufacturer who is selling a 1:5 Raiden. Price around 1000Euro$. It´s a bit too much for me for a short kit (epoxy fuse and styro-balsa wings).

Yes, before I forget, here is the video of the 120 Raiden:
http://www.saito-mfg.com/photo-galle...a/raiden21.wmv

Cheers,
Michael

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Thanks, Pippin.

I'm not sure about the engine choice yet. I'm probably going to go with a 40 LA or a 46 AX for that extra boost. You really can't put that big of an engine on a 40, but if it was a little bigger I would put a 91 FS for sure.

Compared to all the other Royal/Marutaka kits I've built, the Raiden so far has been the easiest. I haven't done any carving yet and I just finished the fuse. I too have the Royal Hayabusa. Looks like a great kit to build!

I agree, the Hirobo Hien looks superb compared to all the other ARF's I've seen. I'm not really an ARF guy, but that would definetely be a consideration for me. I really like the qaulity. I also have have the Royal Hien but probably never going to build it since it's a really rare kit. I'm probably going to trace all the parts and scratch build it like a guy on here who did his Royal FW-190. Bigtim is his name.

Thanks for that link! Right-clicked and saved as on my hard drive forever [8D] That Raiden sounds mean.

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

I got the halves glued and sanded today. I'll finish up the firewall when I install the fuel tank otherwise it would be almost impossible installing it from the rear.

Next, while I wait for my cowl and canopy from my good friend u.s.wing, I will tackle the stab, fin & tailwheel.

Baldeagle

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Realey looks nice. Do you have a link to where you got the plans? Thanks Rich

7aso

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Here you go,

http://cgi.ebay.com/Royal-Marutaka-J...QQcmdZViewItem

He's also got the cowl and canopy along with many other Royal/Marutaka stuff

Cowl
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fiberglass-COWL-...QQcmdZViewItem

Canopy
http://cgi.ebay.com/Canopy-for-Royal...QQcmdZViewItem

Pippin

7aso,

It seems to be that the Hien is not avilable anymore:http://www.speedmodels.com/programme/marutaka_DE.pdf

According to Marutaka a 40-60 four stroke is possible as well in the Raiden. It might be easier to hide the muffler.

Like you I am not the biggest fan of ARFs. I have got the Hyperion Hayate and this is enough for the ARF experience. Though, I would give the Hirobo Hien a try.
The Tanganiku/Tettra Hien kit might be an alternative (beside the Shidenkai 50 and Hayate 60).
Or the plan:http://cgi.ebay.com/ROYAL-KAWASAKI-K...QQcmdZViewItem
And yes, I am trying to keep the Marutaka Hayabusa high and dry in the self as well. From time to time I have a look into the box.

Pippin

Btw, here is the bigger Raiden I already mentioned:
http://www.modellfluggruppe-lsv-witt...iden/index.htm
http://www.modellfluggruppe-lsv-witt...en_2/index.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=GB&h...&v=GAqt_VgnFJE

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Pippin,

That's good to know. I just might go with an FS56-A then.

If you get the Hien plans from Ebay, I highly recommend it. They are top notch and you can get the canopy from him too.

And thanks for that speedmodels.pdf link. I added it to my favorites.

Baldeagle

My Feedback: (7)

7aso thanks for the link. That bigger Raiden is awsome. I have 2 Platt Zeros 80 in ws, a 89 in ws Tony, a 76 in ws Kate and a 84 in ws Val. The Raiden would go good with the rest. Thanks Rich

7aso

My Feedback: (27)

Wow! That's an impressive line of warbirds! Japanese fighters are my favorite!

Please post some pics if you can!