I have been flying a viper 500 and D dust with a Sport Jett 50. I am interested in getting started with a QM-40. Any suggestion on a plane and engine and where do I find a supplier. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nick

[email protected]

Nick,

I was in your exact position two years ago. I bought a Kangke F3D ARF for $135 and put an old Nelson Q500 motor in it (with a few minor modifications). The Kangke F3D is not a legal Q40 plane BUT it flies almost as fast as a Q40 and grooves just like one - and even better than a Q500 with a Nelson on it! It is a great way to get a taste of a Q40 plane without having to spend $500. I still use it as a practice Q40 plane. I can elaborate on the required modifications if you are interested. www.kangkeusa.com.

Kurt Bozarth

Go To Pylonworld.com explore the site. There is a whole range of links and sources for racing stuff.

Ed S

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a good way to start, The modifications, have they to do with the engine or the plane. Love to know. Thanks.

Nick

I will check out pylon world

Modifications would be to the plane. No need to modify a Nelson, all you'll do is lose speed

Around here, its pretty easy to find a used Nelson .40 Q500 motor for $150-$200 tops that still has some life in it. Perfect for sport flying.

Kangke offers two versions of their "F3D" ARF. One is for electrics and one is for gas. Same plane though. The gas version has a firewall installed and possibly some type of motor mount. From what I've heard, you can get a Nelson in it with lots of dremel-tooling. The electric version has no firewall - thise is the version I purchased. I simply had to make a 1/4" firewall and glue it in. I then reinforced it with fiberglass and resin. The fiberglass fuselage is not epoxy, but instead it is polyester resin - similar to some of the old pattern kits. Polyester resin is cheaper than epoxy and is easily found at hobby shops (K&B makes some) or at Home Depot / Lowe's.

The 2nd modification consists of simply running a 1" wide fiberglass tape along the inside seam of the fuselage. Evidently Kangke did not add glass when they glue the two fuselage halves together. Probably not an issue if you plane to fly it with an OS 25. Samething here - you have to use polyester resin. I used a acid brush squeezed on a dowel to lay the glass tape down inside the fuse back near the horizontal tail.

The 3rd and final mod that I did was to throw away the landing gear and wheels that were included in the kit and put on some standard Q500 L-1 aluminum gear with pizza cutter type wheels.

I've made two so far using these modifications and the planes fly great. I did not discover these modifications on my own - Don Stegall told me about them. This cheap but fast kit got me going in Q40 without a doubt.

Speaking of getting started , look

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=284465

Somebody please buy these before I do. The doghouse is mighty cold at night

I appreciate all the help guys, Sounds like I might have a winter project.

Orv Stienmetz from Rockford IL, has two Larson Napiers ready to fly. They are old but in decent condition. Both airplanes have engines and radios in them. I believe, he was looking to sell them reasonably cheap. If interested I can provide his contact information.

Dan Kane

I saw Orv's Napiers and one of them looked real nice. The other had a bit more wear, but still in decent shape.

i might be interested in your offer Dan. You can send me the contact info at my email address
[email protected]

Thanks