djlyon

Looky here.

http://www.topmodelcz.cz/index.php?P...op=foto&id=166

a better entery is to go here.

http://www.rc-network.de/forum/showthread.php?t=60602

then go to post 8 then click on the topmodel site.

daven

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Looks very good, are you aware of anyone importing that to the U.S. ???

[email protected]

I spent some time a couple of days ago when I first spotted the model and according to a listing in France the following are listed as agents in the USA for the manufacturer. Hobby Lobby international www.hobby-lobby.com and also Espiritmodel: hobby shop
www.Espiritmodel.com I have ordered from the French supplier so will await delivery in due course, regards trevor henderson NZ

djlyon

Hobbylobby and Espiritmodels are listed by Topmodel as hobby outlets for the racer in the US but they don't show up on their sites.

djlyon

The only place I find it listed is.

www.topmodel.fr

For a 119.90 Euro

daven

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I just bought one off that site. Torquise looks good!

daven

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$119 euros doesn't sound too bad, but $86 more euros for shipping is

Total US dollars is about $271 so I hope its a nice plane.

djlyon

OOOffff. And to think if one follows the instructions at the bottom of your posts one can get a Seeker with painted composite wing for $325.

Denis

At least they didn't hose you on the exchange rate.

daven

My Feedback: (1)

Ohh well, I'm always curious to try something new.

I heard back from one of the listed distributors and they tried to sell me a Viper

djlyon

Dave If you haven't already looked here this will give you a better idea of what you are getting.

http://www.topmodel.fr/goodsdoc/0660...1166115640.pdf

Denis

daven

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Yep, I saw that.

Looks like another nice alternative to a Local Racer. I'm very curious to assemble and fly one, and if it works well, I would love to see another inexpensive ARF in the US market. I don't believe it will survive if everyone has to pay $271 for one, but if a US distributer picks it up, I think they could be offered at a similar price (maybe a hair more) than the Viper or Predator.

[email protected]

My charges are similar- will let you know when mine arrives, regards trevor henderson, new zealand[&o]

garys

I'd be willing to bet that the quality is good, I haven't seen any ARF's from the Czech that weren't very nice.

djlyon

Yes but a built up wing with a ply spar???. Certainly 424 stuff only. I think I would want to peal back a lot of that Oro cover and lay in a serious amount of fiber glass on the center section. I have some butt glued wings with and without spares without glass and they've held up but they're still scary. On a racer they are real scary. I've run some numbers in the last couple of days on racers at 150 mph and I see loads easily hitting a 120 lbs on a quickie wing. Scary.

Denis

HighPlains

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Well it looks draggy enough to only do 150 with a Nelson.

daven

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The built up wing does not bother me, I don't expect this to be competitive in 428, but if it can hold its own in local racing I think it will be a hit.

Another option is always a good thing, the plane looks great, if nothing else.

daven

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I am also curious to see the airfoil of this plane. From what I've seen, this airfoil is not one of th 3-4 popular airfoils of today!

garys

I believe it said it had a MH16. The MH airfoils are more popular overseas than they are here, I think mostly because of so many people jumping on the NACA 66012 bandwagon due to the Vortex's success.

cedarf5d

Hi guys perhaps i can throw a little more light on the chelem, we have a couple here in the uk, not test flown yet but will soon.
The wing section is the mh16 as youve stated, doesnt look as mean as the naca 66012.
Quality spot on, as good as any artf job availible and by all accounts possibly better than the viper!!!!!
The build is quick BUT it does look theres some teething problems, the distances they state for the control rods are aprox 40 mm out, and we have found that 70mm from the end to put a z bend in as this allows exit out the rear with no binding, there is a lot of lightning areas, actually too many and may cause a problem with front end strengh, the floor area to has the lightning holes which is a bit of a pain when strapping a battery down.
comparison to the viper the nose is quite long, at the moment weve found that all your radio gear etc has to be thrown back as far as possible to achieve the cg. we have asked them if they can supply the motor mount shown in thiere photos, it looks good, i use the viper mount but i have had to drill through it to get the throttle connection through, the one they show allow the cable and fuel pipes through with no drilling,
None of it is drastic and the kit does represent good value for money, the good news is we are in talks with the boss's at topmodels who are the desighners(company in france and built in cz) and at present are listning to our suggestions, we have some final points to discuss with them when our test flights are done.
Suggestions weve put forward is to shorten the nose lengh, fit the tank on the cg and possibly fit the servos further back in the fusalauge like the viper and to leave the lightning holes out of the floor area and the at the moment large tank area bot and sides. all up weight with a stock 40 is just under the 3 1/2 lb.
We've found this is the only European model commersially availible here, were putting a lot of support into this model as for us it is a good starting point, based on quality and cost, and is spot on for our 424 class, we dont want to push something if its not right, the company is listning so thats good.
you guys are up against the problem we have when we order from the states, postage cost!!!!, might be worth an e mail to topmodels asking them if they have a supplier planned for the states,

Daven i have the same coulour you have ordered, could you let me know how you get on with it, build and flight, again i can pass on the info the company. as for 428 youre possibly right, but once its been tested on the 40 46 motors i have a jett to go in and see if i can break it, we have asked the company to concider a beefed up version for the 428 or our sport(same) ill try and post some photos later,

Hope that helps, any questions just ask

cheers Darren ukQ500

daven

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Thanks Darren, I will definately post updates on my opinions, I'm hoping someone picks it up.

diggs_74

Geez Dave, wasn't I just at your house on Sunday helping you get rid of some of your quickies because you said you have too many?

daven

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What can I say, I'm weak and very very sick!

cedarf5d

Hi dave, ive come across the video on rcu where you were being chased down by a friend, your mate was using a helmet cam, what class was that 424 or 428 looked like 424

cheers

Darren

daven

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We call it NCPL 500, its really neither of those classes. More like 426 than anything.

We race on a shorter corse (475 feet) and use O.S. .46AX motors (any APC prop allowed). Composites are allowed, although the plane can not sell for more than $200.

Times are about 2-4 seconds slower than 428 Times.

Probabaly a little intimidating for the new guy, but still fun for the guys that like to go fast, but don't want to spend the money to participate in 428.

diggs_74

I don't know Dave, didn't we have some one race with us that was using a "true" 424 setup.. He wasn't giving up much.. It seems faster because of the short course I think.. The FL race was the first time I've seen 424 on the long course and it seemed much slower even though the actual speeds probably weren't much different..