questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Hello,

First off thanks for the great community and support. I have posted a few things about my first entry into R/C electric Flying. Basically been learning on my own with a Parkzone J-3 cub. It has had its ups and downs. But due to wind / weather and my learning I definately feel something a little more forgiving would be in order.

I was wondering which version of the Tiger Moth I should get. Becasue I already got the all in one Parkzone which my wife and I liked becasue it was an all in one deal, cost is an issue. I was looking at the Tiger Moth pico, GWS dream starter system, GWS pico flight pack. I was a bit confused about the various listings for the Tiger Moth. I have seen the 400 which is the larger model, the pico but I have also seen the 350 listed as well as 3D. As well as battery and charger.

After the ups and downs during my takeoffs, I feel a bit more comfortable with takeoff from the ground. My LHS has a GSW/P-TM-CY ARF (BOx says Pico Tiger Moth Slow Flyer) and GWS dream starter with the Pico servos. Prices are plane for $54.99 and Dream Starter 124.99. The guy at the shop doesn't think the battery in the Dream is the right one for the TM.

Thanks for your input...................Jim

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

The gws slow flyer tm is a great plane .the only problem is you can't fly it in anything over a 10 mph wind.If you get one,get yourself some li-poly batteries in the 7oo mah range.these will allow about 30 min. flight times.It is a very easy plane to fly.There are also a bunch of hopups over 0n the e-zone website,search under "a tigermoth story".If you break a wing or damage the fuse ,it is easy to fix with some 5 min epoxy as well.

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Hey Jim,

I agree with Flashover, the Pico TM is a great plane. I have over 15 planes, both balsa and foam, and the Pico is still the one I fly the most.

In a recent fly in, I even put it on floats, and had a blast with it. :) I've done several mods to it though. I've installed flying wires, ply struts from www.allerc.com, a pilot, instrument control panel..yadda yadda yadda.

The pico tm perhaps has the most loyal following, considering the TM 400 has just been released, but I saw the TM 400 fly, and it is truly a fine aircraft. If you haven't flown anything with ailerons though, you would be best to stick with the Pico TM.

http://www.smoothair.ca/images/TM.jpg

Geof.
www.smoothair.ca

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Hello,

I finally broke down after almost 2 weeks of looking at the plane and started building it. I would hate for an expereinced flyer to see the results. I did build the plane in a very long day. All I have left to do is mount the electrics. I do have a few questions. I haven't worked much with the epoxy and found myself sturggling to get a good fit around the struts. How sensitive is the plane on the wings to the epoxy. I got a bit frustrated with trying to get the wings to mesh with the wing struts and must confess that eventuall I just wanted to make sure that sucker was staying in place. While the epoxy did not run all over the general area of the wing. I does look a bit "heavy" where the wing struts attach to the wing.

I am way nervous about trying to fly the thing. I have heard some tips about cross bracing with wire or fishing line I think. How do you sercure it and where. Alos I was wonder a bit more about the battery situation. Especially since I am starting out and will need to learn a bit more about the cog range. I am using the recommend stock set up from GWS, I think it is a Dream starter set with the Pico servos. I have it on lay away because I wanted to find out a bit more about the battery recommendations. I would like to have more than the standard 110mah.

Also becasue I have not yet install the electrics I am a bit concerned that I have my tail / rudder set up right with the whole tape / bent 40 degrees thing. The TM 400 pictures I have seen seem to show a separtion between the elevator and the crease. I bent both my rudder and elevator without breaking the crease. And using the supplier tape. I was hoping this was correct. Could someone post a few pictures of their electronic set up, the supports and the setup for the rudder and elevator. Thanks for your input. I find that seeing something and then reading about it helps.

I hope to get to know some local flyers in my area and see what others look like. I did find a local soaring and electric club where a gentleman flys a TM. i sopke with him on the phone and he gave me an invitation to come put and see them fly as well as look at my Tm. I would just prefer to have it look as close as possible to ready to fly before I have him look it over. Nice models by the way.

Peace.......................Rand256

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

I just built mine last night and pretty much did the same with the wing struts- a lot of epoxy!! I wanted to make sure they'd stay also. I don't know how it will affect it yet thought. I was going to fly it today, but it is kind of windy right now- hopefully it will calm down later and I'll have a report.

As for the rudder/elevator- stupid question- did you put the tape on the right side? It goes on the smooth side, not the side with the crease in it. I could see it doing what you say if it were on the wrong side. If not, as long as it moves freely, don't worry about it.

I ended up just using a GWS receiver and Hobbico CS-5 Nano servos. I wanted smaller, but that was all they had. They are still fairly light. I also got an 8.4 350 mah E-Flight battery for it. I don't know how well the motor will handle it, I'll find out though and keep you posted.

Good luck.
Joe

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Just an update- flew mine today- great flying FUN little plane. VERY slow flying!!! It will make the perfect plane for me to teach my fiancee to fly with. Just be careful- it does not take to breezes to well- not enough power to pull through them. I think you will enjoy yours when you fly it.
Joe

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Greetings Kwiktsi,

I had a long week of meetings and have not had a chance to fly. I have it all ready to go. I was wondering about the cog. With everything loaded and ready, wing in place, battery and so on. The instuctions say cog should be 35-45 from front edge of bottom wing. I am assuming that it should balance out fairly evenly. Right now with my hand / two fingers is tends to be nose heavy. I can't see how moving the esc and reciever back is really going to make it balance. How sensitive is this thing.

How did you measure / balance it out. I am using the stock battery until I make sure I understand the cog. What are u using battery wise ?

I look forward to hearing about your flights. Any one else input would be appreciated as well.

See you up there, hoepfully soon....................Jim

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Mine was nose heavy also- I used a 3mmX30MM allen head screw (all I could find) under the tail to balance it pefectly. However, after speaking with a few people, the TM likes to be a bit nose heavy so I have since removed it and it seems to fly just fine. I will measure to see where my cog is on my plane tomorrow and let you know if you'd like.
Joe

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

That would be great. I am hoping for some good weather tomorrow to take her up for the first flight. I cant wait though I want to make sure its as ready as I am.






Thanks,,,,,,,,,,,,,Jim

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Sorry, I forgot I had the reciever and one servo out of it for another plane I am working on. I will try rto get it together tomorrow for a measurement. If you already flew yours- how'd it go?
Joe

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Not yet. I am hoping for tomorrow its my day off. I am looking forward to it......

Peace............Jim

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

I have GWS pico Tiger Moth. I have been flying it without any mods, and it seems to go fine. Also, I know how you feel, being a bit nervous about flying it for the first time, the whole plane seems so fragile and flimsy to me.

A few points:

You will definately need bigger pack, 5 minute flights will leave you hungry for more, what you said sounds alright, I have 1600mAh Li-pos and I have not worn them out in 1 flight yet.

The double sided tape supplied to hold the gear in is not very strong. It will do for the esc and receiver, but for the servos, I would use a stronger tape or different method. Mine came undone several times, fortunatley not during flight.

I'm not sure what's supposed to be going on with the double sided tape, I half accidentally broke mine in two and the tape is holding it together, but it works fine.

You will definately enjoy flying this plane, it is a lot of fun and is very relaxing to fly. It flies quit slow. I have even flown it with the antenna scraping on the grass! Have fun!

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

I am runniung a 350 MAH 8.4 pack and it runs for at least 10 mins with the stock motor (I never flew it until it died, so I don't know for sure how long it will actually last).

Just a note- I upgraded the motor/gearbox to the twin motor IPS system and it is a great improvement. Not ballistic by a longshot, but much more power for loops and such. I CA'ed a piece of carbon rod to the leading edge of the lower wing to help strengthen it since I was getting a LOT of flex cith the new motor setup. I would reccomend it to anyone who is looking for just a little more "umph" out of their moth. It will still slowfly nicely at around 1/4 throttle but has the power for when you want it.
Joe

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

I have been flying mine for about 3 years now. It has taken every tree, stopsign, mailbox, etc I have thrown it at.:D I even take off and land on picnic tables. I love mine!

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Drum roll please.....................Tada

I flew it today. My computer kept beeping at me. I have it set up for weather forcast warnings and there was a severe weather storm watch for this afternoon and into tomorrow. So I decided to charge the batteries and go for broke. It worked. I flew it rog and it took off perfect. There was little to no wind at ground level and a bit at 15 to 20 feet. It was awesome. I was a bit worried at first the wind did push it around a bit but once I got a feel for it I was able to work with the wind.

The balance seemed ok though it did tend to pull a bit to one side. Not sure if the trim is off or not. It's is a huge difference from my parkzone J-3 cub. I always felt I was in control. And boy was it easy to fly in a small space. I must admit though power wise I wanted a bit more. There was hardly any wind but coming into and going with the wind it felt more like a kit. I can't wait till the wife gets home so I can show her the difference.

I ran two stock batteries gws 7.2v/150mah. Will a bigger battery give me more power or should I look into some eventual motor upgrades. I am not interested in going faster but defintely want to feel like when I want the power to be able pull myself out. The way the plane was flying I could have been there for quite some time. Once the first battery seemed to not have any more juice when going to full throttle I switched to the second. I even managed to land no problem. Other than the landing gear. The rubber came off the rims and flexed a bit on my landings.

Looking at my top wing when sitting still in the house it does appear to be leaning. Would this be what was causing it to want to turn one way 9 (as in right cricles) ? I am looking forward to improving my flying skills and letting the "tiger" out of my plane. I am just not that skilled at building things. Breaking them. I need to keep things as simple as possible. Also on the bottom wing when I recieved the kit there was a slight crack where it was folded to fit in box. The crack appears to be a bit more than I remember. Should a put a little bit of 5 min apoxy to be safe.

Battery wise I am interested in something like the 600-800 mah range. I would like to use the stock esc that came with my radio and reciever (GWS ICS50 2amps 4-8 cells). There are way too many configuations out there. thanks for your suggestions and input.

Hope to hear your flying stories soon...........................Jim

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

I use 7 cell 300 mah NiMh. I get about 12 min. I would stay with the smaller size for weight reasons. If you want more go LiPo. If you go 8 cells the motor won't last too long[:@]. If you are doing loops, take some heavy monofiliment and make some flying wires. This helps keep the wings from flexing too much at the bottom of the loop or steep dive. Be carefull not to take out the dihedral it will handle poorly if you do. This wire mod also keeps things togeather when you have an unplanned impact, tree, mail box, stopsign,etc.[sm=bananahead.gif]

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Told you it is a nice flying plane :). Out of all the planes I have- I love flying that for the same reason you mentioned (feel like you are always in control!!!). I fly mine with a 350 MAH 8.4 v pack and it was ok, but like I said- the twin motor upgrade was perfect. It was $32 and made a huge difference- I would say more in torque than speed. It is faster no doubt, but noticeably more power for climbing and loops when you want it. Mine has a crack in the same location on the lower wing as yours, I didn't do anything with it, but now I also have a carbon rod going accross the leading edge of my lower wing, so it is holding the crack together. Prior, I had no problems though. It won't hurt to put a dab on if it will make you feel safe. As for the flying wires- good idea, it will really tighten the wings up, but too complicated for me- that is why I just used the carbon rod- simple as gluing it on and it is much, MUCH stronger than without it- I can pick it up by the upper wing tips and barely get any flex, whereas before I was worried I would break it if I tried that and you could see the wings flexing and "bouncing" in flight without it. Glad you are happy with it- it is a nice "relax after a long day" flying plane.
Joe

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Kwiktsi,

I have looked at a few of the twin motor ips, there are several versions. I cant find my instuctions and was wondering what all the different models where for and which one yoou have. Alos in terms of your ESC. I am using the GWS ICS50 , 2 amps 4-8 cells. I am definately going out this week end and see if i can track down a 700-800 mah ni-cad.

Can't wait to get up in the air again soon.

See ya......................Jim

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

I honestly don't remember which one mine is. My LHS has another one there, so I will try to get the part number today while I am there. For my ESC, I am using the Pixie 7 Castle controller.
Joe
PS- the only "mod" that had to be done with the dual motor setup is to rotate the motor stick 90 degrees so that the motors fit under the cowl properly. My friend said he didn't have to, but mine would hit. Since mine was glued in so well, instead of pulling it, I shaved it narrower glued a thin strip of wood to the top to make it the same as if I had twisted it. You will see what I mean if/when you get it. Simple install though.

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

oops- double post..
Joe

RE: questions about differnet Models of Toger Moth
 

Lol- I thought you might like this. I was flying the tiger moth the other day and my fiancee said to get closer so she could get a close up. I think I got too close :). Hit the camera...
Joe
PS- Before others chime in about recklessness, endangering people, "no wonder we are banned from places", etc.- this was in my own yard with a pico tiger moth at low speed- I would never come anywhere near others while flying my larger, more powerful planes..