Guys

Just returned from a nice day at Chalgrove where several new models were test flown.
Trevor Skedge test flew his Comp ARF Flash (review model for RCJi)
Powered by a spare JetCat P80 his smile said it all after the first flight.

I'm sure he will chime in more info

Dave Wilshere

Nice one Dave/Trev...bring the model and weather to Winter Jets!

Cheers,

Dick

Hi Dave, Great photos I like the look of the flash and the colour skeams that are available. I fly boomerangs at the moment would this make a good second jet.

How does it compare to the feel of flying the Lightning in general, apart from the obvious size deferences

Hi Dave, glad all went well with test flight.I also test flew my Flash today with the C/G set at factory recommed place it was tail heavy to the point that i was only just able to land it.I have a jet central Falcon in it[ 22lbs thrust] set as far forward as possable with two 2500 li-polys in battery bays with a 4000mah above the nose leg.The Falcon only weighs a bit more than a P80 so how did you balance yours with a 120 and where is your C/G?? Once i had added 5 ozes lead in the nose it was GREAT and flew very well i am delighted with the performance but why can,t the factory get the C/G right i could have damaged it or even worse regards Keith Whiddett

I flew mine for the first time yesterday too! Using a P80 with three Fromeco 2400 packs up front! It was slightly nose heavy using the factory measurements. I used the cockpit with pilot! Plane flew great! I had a nosegear problem but that was my fault! Again, the plane flies great!!!!

Well done Trev. Nice flying gret model ....what can i say.
Well done mate looked great

Paul

One guy says the factory CG is tail heavy and one says the factory CG is nose heavy[sm=confused.gif][sm=confused.gif]

and the truth is always somewhere in the middle
mine flew perfect with the suggested CG

Guys

Both mine and Trevors are set at 365mm...with no weight...and its the perfect position.

Trevor has a P80, std JC 1250 ECU pack in the nose and 2 x 2100 TP 2s1p Rx (in battery boxes) with a Powerbox sensor switch

Mine has a P120 3700mAh ECU in Battery box and 2 x 2100 / PB switch in battery box.

Dave

I didn't mean the factory figures are wrong! I simply said it was slightly nose heavy! If I only used two batteries instead of three it would be perfectly balanced at the factory specs!! I'm not using the stock landing gear either so there is some difference there too I'm sure! Don't try to make it sound like I was complaining about it being slightly nose heavy!! I was just statig the way mine turned out! It flies great the way it is!!!

Oh, OK. So it was slightly nose heavy compared to the factory specs.

Yes!!

I personnally prefer it to be slightly nose heavy but that's just me!

The kit was a very good kit to build without any surprises! I used Jet1A gear and struts instead of the stock gear! As a matter of fact I have the stock set if anyones needs a set! Everything went together without a problem. Instructions were good! Finish was good! (I'm not advertising for them) It's my first fully enclosed turbine and so far it's been a good experience!

Great! Do you have an accurate weight as she sits?

Dave

Dave,
Sorry to say I don't know how much it weighs and I'm at work.(or suppose to be) I'll weigh it tonight and get back with you. The Jet1A gear is about the same weight as stock or less and everything else is done according to Comp/ARFs specs so it should around what they claim! My guess is around 19.5lbs with the UAT full !

uhhmmm do me a favour put the full original gear on the scale
and weight it , as i am curious....

and the weight you claim could be correct , i have the same..

Hi Dave thanks for the info.Looking at my installtion the front of the starter is around 20mm past the back end of the tank i can only think that your engine sits further forward than mine.i have weighed the lead that i put in the nose to get it to fly nice and it is 18oz!!!! i can only move the engine forward with some ali plates like the jet cat mount to cure the lead in the nose problem.The Falcon weighs 3 lbs which cannot be more than a 120 regards Keith

Keith

There must be something odd for a 1lb plus of weight! lead servos?

C of G at 365mm forward from rear of tip tank?

Regards

Dave

Original retracts for the Flash weigh 2 lb 7.5 oz.

I was way off on my plane weight though!! It weighs 24.5 lbs. !!!! With the UAT full!!

Fuselage 16 lb. 2 oz
Wing 7 lb. 13 oz
Canopy, cockpit with MGA pilot 11.5 oz.

Full of fuel it will be pushing 28 lbs!!!!!! Holy Smokes!!!!

MC

It's a little heavier than norm, mine is 23lb dry, either way it will fly great at 24.5...just would have been really nice at 19.5!

Enjoy the test flight, ensure you add expo on the elevator, its a sharp control and needs softning for smooth flight...even if you don't think you like expo. I have 42% on my JR set up and the dozen or so people who have flown it all like the feel.

Regards

Dave

I have already flown it the first times last weekend. Got five flights on it! I did notice it was touchy on the elevator. I will add the expo and try it ! With the P80 it is a little slow taking off but once the gear is up it picks up speed pretty fast. I was on pavement so I want to see how it does in grass with the P80! It doesn't have unlimited vertical by any means but I'm not into that!! It flies good, looks good and lands good! What more could I ask for??

Mike

Mike

How much flap are you using on take off?

First shot of Trevor's P80 example the nose is off at 60 yards/M unstick was 90-100

Regards

Dave

@ dave

one needs flaps on take off?
it seemed to me it needed more space with a bit of flaps deployed.

I didn't use any on these first flights! Is the recommended amount ok or do you recommend something different?

Guys

I use less than stated

For take off 15mm (5/8") measured at TE
For landing in windy conditions I use the same as TO, but calm/moderate I use 25mm.

Definately less distance with some flap.

Dave