SLEDGE....

hi people
how many already have this kit flying.
how it is compared to the other morris like top cap,sudokoi and knife in performance.
what include the kit and if the plane have counter balanced ruder and elevator.

thankS.

I am the designer of the sledge 540. It does have a counterbalanced rudder but not the elevator. I did not feel it needed it, although one of my preproduction guys built it with counterbalanced elevator and I flew it and really could not tell a difference. Comparing the sledge to the sudo, top cap and knife is easy, the sledge beats them for all around performance. It delivers the most bang for the buck because it does the most the best of those models. Lets break that down some more, the knife will hover easier, the sledge is a bit more of a challenge and will therefore further your hovering skills when you are ready for that. The sudo and top cap are great airplanes, I own both and still fly them on occasion, however whatever they can do the sledge does and more. For example, 3D stuff is where the sledge really comes in to its own, high alpha maneuvers are better performed on it than the sudo or top cap. Now, it is easy to say I am bias to the plane since I did it, but if you need more I have about 10 of them flying now and all those owners love it. I can supply names and emails if you want to talk to them. Bottom line is, if it did not do it I would not have gone thru all the trouble of getting it into kit form. I will start on a video soon showing all the maneuvers, hope to have it to Morris by fall. Also, go to www.hsrcm.com and click on the movies page and you can download movies of the sledge. Kevin has graciously lent me some web space. You can also go to www.morrishobbies.com and go to the kits and read reviews written about the sledge from current owners. If you have any other questions shoot me an email at [email protected]
Thanks for your interest, Jeff Williams

I have flown with Jeff Williams. He and I had numerous conversations regarding the Sledge 540 and its design aspects. Jeff was gracious enough to allow me to fly his Sledge 540. I too have owned & flown Morris' profiles. I personally would take the Sledge 540 over the rest of Morris' profiles. I agree with Jeff's comments. As Jeff mentioned in his posting, I have put some movies on my website of him flying his Sledge 540 when I visited him. I have done this because I consider Jeff to be a friend and like to support and promote the hobby.
I hope that this offers some additional encouragement.
Take Care and Happy Flying!
Kevin

How does the Sledge compare to the Aeron ?

That's a difficult question for me to answer. The both have their assets. Everyone has their personal preference. I got an idea! -Try them both.
Kevin

My Sledge is getting the first drop of glue on it this evening.
I've flown a ton of Morris Planes and love them all. I am really looking forward to the Sledge though.
I will post pics on here as I go along.

thank for reply

so what is inside the box?
the kit is laser cut
what hardware

Laser cut parts.
All hardware included, wheels, tank, pull pull etc.
Looks nice so far.

It's LAZER CUT! Man I wish my topcap was

You still have to cut sticks to size on it Steven.

Are any of the tail or aileron parts laser cut?

I am slowly progressing wayne. And yes i still have a FEW sticks to cut, not many now though

how is the slow flying performance

slow flight is very good. My pre production sledge weighs 4.5 lbs with an Irvine 53. I have flown it backwards in a stiff wind

I have a question do counter-balance help the servo in that 3d maneuver ( load ).

and what engine 2 or 4 stroke Irvine 53 VS. Saito 72, for hevering, slow flying, 3D

thankS.

Counter balances do help the servo when deflecting a control surface.

My vote is for the Irvine .53

There is very little difference between the way an Irvine 53 and the saito 72 will fly it IMO. I recently put the 72 on my hard bet (replacing an Irvine 53) and it fly's virtually the same, with possibly even less pullout of hover (color me dissapointed) I am going to try some different prop combinations but then the HB is about 3/4 lb heavier. 3Dreaming has a saito 72 on his sledge and Jeff Williams (designer) said that that was the best flying sledge he had flown so there ya go, flip a coin. I fly the irvine 53 with a tower hobbies muffler and the preformance is outstanding, hovers at 1/3 to half throttle and pullout is great. Jeff likes the MVVS 49 with the minipipe. Pays your money and takes your chances. There all great picks. If you need a 72 email me, chances are Ill be selling it soon and going back to the irvine with a pipe

Man... I'd have to respectfully disagree..... I found that 4 strokes and 2 strokes fly totally differently... Power curve is different, throttle transition is different... Everything seems different to me.... However... I guess I could say the power is simular between the Irvine .53 and the Saito .72... I've flown both on a Pizazz and they have simular power. I just liked the Irvine better.

Just my 2 cents

what engine you think is going to give me more flying time in the 6oz tank.

where the tank is better: in the wing or in the fuselage

with a saito 72 you will be getting 10-12 min flights no problem. Because remember your only flying at 1/3 throttle beause the plane is overpowered so your not using much fuel

Your post says you have a Pizazz, how does it hover compared to some of the profiles ? I have just recently started flying my Pizazz again(been flying heli's) I moved the CG back a little it and seems to have helped with trying to hover.

I think it hovers great with the cg back about 1" behind the checkerboard.

I will check my CG to see where it is.

A 6 OZ tank wont last very long with an irvine 53. probably 6-8 minutes. If that is the limit the saito 72 would probably use a little less fuel

I got longer flights from my .53 that I did from the Saito... on an 8 oz tank, I'll get 12 - 15 minutes from the .53 and only about 8 - 10 minutes from the Saito .72....