I am new to RC and have just ordered my first profile plane (a Morris TopCap) based on RCU postings, product reviews, etc.

Now, I need servos. My Transmitter is a Futaba 6XAs Super. I gather that I can use a micro-servo for the throttle, but are the standard 3004 servos with 44 oz-in of torque sufficient for the control surfaces?

Are there formulas or charts for calculating such things?

Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Good BB standard servos will work. However you probably would be better off with servo's a bit stronger than standards for hard 3D use and flat spins. The Hitec 475HB or the new 635HB would be a good choice for an inexpensive servo set-up.

Good Luck!
EdMan

If you want good 3D performace with your TC then you'll need to consider a few things when choosing your servos. Speed and torque. I have been using HS525's for the tail of profiles for quite some time and love them. Plenty of strength and very fast especially on 6v. I just use HS325's or HS425's in the ailerons and a HS81 on throttle. The HS525's are very fast on 6v and really not too bad on 4.8v ([email protected] and .12@6v). But please keep in mind that the speed of those servos will come in to play ALOT when learning to keep up with a tail if your going to try to learn to hover and TR.

As far as the battery goes....theres only one choice for the descriminating profile pilot.......that'd be the 720mah NiMh 5 cell 6v pack. Very small, weighs less than a 500mah Nicad 4 cell pack and lasts longer and speeds those servos up! These batteries can be bought from www.radicalrc.com for about $16 or so.

Just remember my Profile Brotha....keep them profiles light, your servos strong and fast and you'll be rocking in no time!

Oh....and since your new to RC and profiles........please please please whatever you do......dont put a black plastic Master Airscrew 11x6 on the front of that plane. You will immediately loose all credibility with the brotha's and any other self respecting non-circle flying pilot if you have any type of MA prop on your plane for that matter. The best choice for the .46 size motors is a 11.5x4 or 12.25x3.75.....I prefer the first but either will work!

Good Luck my new Brotha.....we'll be looking for your hovering pics in 4 weeks

200 flights on mine. 5 X HS-425's with no problems. 1400ma 6V NIMH. OS 70 Surpass / 14X4W APC.

Hi coyote, what's the total weight of your topcap ? Thx

Tailspnr, are you using the metal gear or std version of the HS525 ? Thx

Rajul, Im using the MG's in mine. Im in the process of building a TC ARF right too. I threw everything that I have....and I mean everything, on the scale and it came out at 4lbs 6.6oz's. And this is without a few changes that I'll make to the setup to save a few more oz's like smaller throttle servo and lighter hardware and LG.

Look close and you can see the 4lbs 6.6ozs

EDIT.....actually in the pic the scale shows 4lbs 6.0ozs

Sounds great. What engine are you using ?

Well Ive got a new TT46 Pro and a Tower Muffler that's going on it. I won the TT46 at a Pro-Bro event so Im gonna give it a try. If it doesnt pull the plane to my liking Im gonna go with another Irvine .53 like Ive got on my Sledge. I realy love my Irvine but since I have a free TT46 I gotta give it a try. And I think if the plane turns out as light as Im hoping it will do okay swinging an 11.5x4 APC. We shall see in the spring.

I appreciate for all the advice.

Pardon my ignorance, but your replies bring two more questions to mind:

1) Sounds like HiTecs are the favored profile servo. Can these be used with my Futaba R127DF receiver?
2) What's wrong with Master Airscrews? Besides the name, of course!

Thanks again,
Mike

The Hitec's will work fine with your futaba RX.....

I think the main reason a lot of folks don't like the master airscrew props is because the don't produce a lot of power.... They flatten out on higer RPM's... and loose their pitch... Having said that.... They are very durable....

You were kidding right? Like Paul said it's just not known for performance but more for its durabiity. It's perfect on the nose of your trainer but it really has NO place on the front of a profile.

Well, always one to bring in a different view..........I would actually recomend the Master Airscrew in some cases. Put a serious over powered plane in the hands of a guy new to 3D, and strap on a MA. Lets face it, if you've got power to spare (like my OS .50 on a 4 pounder) the fact that the MA sucks and wastes 25% of the engines power really doesn't matter.

I will tell this tale: I've spent enough on APC props to buy a Top Cap ARF! I'f you're really gonna learn 3D, you're gonna need to be low and you WILL dirt nap it reguarly. Use that MA prop 'til you can keep it off the ground, you'll save tons of money. It's 1/2 the price and lasts 10 times as long.

Having said that, I won't be caught dead with a MA when others are around. But I keep a few in my box for the less impressive days, and to lend to Bizzarro on occassion.

OH yeah, on servos. I don't think you will ever have a failure with standards. The 3004's are very good stout servos, and will serve you well. There are advantages to the faster, stronger servos. But there is also an atvantage to that better engine and that 40% Exrta. But if you are (like me) on a standard servo budget, get the 6v battery and the 3004's (or 425s, or....) and go to town. Hundreds of flights and almost that many crashes and I have yet to lose a standard servo.