yaron_k

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I've recently purchased the Phoenix Models TopStar .60 ARF, and am just about to start assembling it. Doe's any one has any experience with that model, and can tip me about building and test flying it?
Any suggestions or pictures will be appreciated

Yaron

cmsrp

Yaron

I was just about to post a link asking about this plane (I still might)... I have the Phoenix Models Fun Star 40 which is absolutely fantastic, so if the Topstar fly's even half as good as the Funstar, you will be very happy with it...
Post some pic's when you get the chance...

yaron_k

My Feedback: (45)

Hi, and thanks for the encouragement. Unfortunately - didn't get to complete it yet, but I will send over my impressions once I fly it.

Yaron

otisflies

Check the tail section for strength. A buddy of mine flew his and the tail blew apart on the first flight.

cmsrp

OUCH!!!! Doesnt the Seagull "Razzle" suffer from this also????? I would have thought these sort of problems would be sorted out, being a "3D" aircraft????

GasRookie

where did you get it what is the wingspan and weight

yaron_k

My Feedback: (45)

Hi;
I got it from my local hoobie dealer. A great performer.

The data regarding the kit is:

Span: 1.54m
Engine: .60
Radio: 4-6 Channel w 5 servos
Weight: 2.65kg

funflyerke

Hello Yaron,

I'm also finishing a phoenix models topstar 60 and I was a bit affraid about the strength off the airplane. I crashed an EXTRA 300 two weeks ago when a wing servo mount got loose from the wing, therefore the fear of ARF'S...
When I opened the box, the front of the fuselage had a crack. (small repair)
When mounting the servo's on the tail, I noticed it was really weak, the wingtips seem to be a bit on the light side either.
I wanted to power it with an MVVS .61 or an YS .91, but I'm scared the plane won't hold it, even when flying at low speeds, it seems a bit fragile...

Anyone experienced more about this plane before I smack it down?


Greetings and good flights..

yaron_k

My Feedback: (45)

Dear Funflyerk;
Mine flies very nicely with a Webra .61 Speed and a Promix carb. The Webra fits it very well, and I think the MVVS will be as good (the MVVS and Webra share a lot of common features. I would think a 91 will make a too heavy nose, and the excess power in not really needed.
The kit fragility aspect takes affect mostly when transporting the plane to and from the field.

Take the following tips - they worked for me:
1. Soak the fuel tank compartment with thin CA (no accelerator), to guard against fuel and harden the area.
2. Do the same wherever you mount or screw something – such as servo openings and tray.
3. Brush 30 minutes Epoxy on firewall - to protect against fuel.
4. Do not use original horns and plastic clevises - use a top grade items since the originals are not good enough.
5. Use High torque metal gear servo for the rudder. My experience shows that a midrange servo (Futaba S5105 didn't survive, and was replaced with an S9201).
6. Replace original wire main landing gear with a plastic one (Aviomodely's works fine), the wire one tends to spread open on every non-perfect landing (my experience is on grass fields)

Other than the above - a great performer - have a lot of fun with is.

funflyerke

Dear Yaron,

thanks for the information and the fast replies.
I've just got to fix and strengthen the tail section, put a suitable landing gear on it and mount the engine.
Hopefully next weekend the weather will be good so I can get her in the air.
Fingers crossed that everything goes well.
I'll let you know after her maiden flight !!!

Thanks very much and enjoy your topstar !
good flying to all off you...

yaron_k

My Feedback: (45)

I'm waiting anxiously for your maiden flight impressions

Good luck and enjoy!!!

Yaron

funflyerke

dear Yaron,

finally a day without rain or too much wind, so I went to try her out...
She flew great!!!!

She was after a few meters airborne and after some minor trims, she flew like a baby.
I was impressed how slow it flies and still responds to all stick movements.
After some turns I decided to try and hover, even after a few tries she was hanging there...
Not for long and at a safe altitude, but I noticed I was hovering at about 70 percent off throttle.
After some other manoeuvres I landed, or tried to but she kept gliding on. Another round off the field and there she came in, gently smooth and predictable...
I had 3 flights today, and all were very impressive, even a friend off me was surprised how it flies.
Now it's back inside, cause flying when temperature is around 3 and 4 degrees celsius isn't my kind of enjoyment.

To all of you out there, it is a great flying machine, wich I'm going to discover in future flights...

Yaron, thanks for the tips and helpfull hints, You're right it's a plane to enjoy...

[:-]See you again!!!!!!!![:-]

GasRookie

all talk and no pictures TopStar 60

funflyerke

okay, here's one.
The others will follow!!

SERAFIM

Hi guys, I searched for info for this model and found this thread. I'm thinking of buying tho Topstar 60 and I wanted to know what engine yo use on it. funflyerke, what engine did you put on it that hovered it at 70% throttle? Any other info, now that you should have more experience on it would be really appreciated.

Thank you in advance

funflyerke

Hello,

unfortunately I've sold mine...
I had it powered with an .60 MVVS, and it did all the tricks.(mine didn't hover at 70%, but I made some reinforcements)

But if I would have one now I would even try and put a .85 (12.5cc) two stroke on it.

Still a good plane and a great price...



keep them flying!!!

P.S. Just came home from flying, it's freezing outside.
Time to warm up and clean my plane

SERAFIM

Thanks for the info. That was really quick! When you warm up your hands and if you feel like it explain two things to me. First, why whould you put an even bigger engine on it? How much throttle did it take for yours to hover? And second, what reinforcements did you make?

Thanks again. Here it has been raining all weekend. So, no flying for me [&o]

funflyerke

Hello again,

I could hover it, but I almost 90% throttle, so it wasn't so easy to keep it in that position.
I guess (and that's personal) that an even bigger engine with a larger prop on it would make it easier to
prophang.
I'm now flying a cougar from weston UK with a .46 2stroke on it.
The revious owner had a .46 4stroke on it, and he is now surprised what his plane is capable of.
It's a big difference when flying 3D.

But don't think everything is OK. Today and yesterday my engine wouldn't response quickly so then you've got a
problem when hovering.

Yeah it's a Tiger Shark engine, not the best off all engines in the world..
Perhaps I'll replace it with an O.S. , don't wanna crash a good plane caused by a stupid engine failure..


For reinforcements I made the servo trays for elevator and rudder stronger.
When mounting the servos I noticed that the place there is pretty soft.
If you press to hard on your screwdriver to mount the servos, you could press the fuse together.
I just cut away some covering at the underside, and glued two extra formers in where the servos are mounted.
Result : a stronger tail section, and I was sure that no servos would break out. (wouldn't be the first time with an ARF)

The firewall off mine wasn't properly glued, so I made it stronger with some epoxy and glass.
Better than having an engine that breaks away.

The rest is done like most ARF's


Hope it's a little help for you

SERAFIM

You've been much more than a little help. Thanks a lot. If I end up buying it I'll let you know my impressions. And you convinced me about the bigger engine.

Thanks again.

funflyerke

No Problem,

that's the reason for clubs and forums
Always good to help another modelflying-addict..


Enjoy your flying and for soon Happy X-mas and 2006.

Jean-Luc

funflyerke

AAAAAAAAArrrrrrghhhhhhh,


F'(!')'')Ã*ék,


IT's 2005 soon!!!!!!!!


It must be that its late or so...

Anyway HAPPY X-MAS and a HAPPY 2005

SERAFIM

I think your fingers are still too cold

Merry X-mas and happy new year to you too

P.S. I looked around and I'm propably getting the MVVS .91 for it. It's almost the same size and weight as a .60 but with more power. Propably put some smoke in it, too