Sebart Avanti S Build Thread w/KT 180
 

While in the hospital with our second baby, I was on RCU a lot. I have been following the Avanti closely. I started out in helis and flying 3D was my focus. The thought of being able to do tumbles and flat spins with a jet, let alone hover, was intriguing. I have the Skymaster Mig-29 with vectored thrust, but it wasn't purpose designed to do 3D, the Avanti obviously is.

I called Jason and we talked for about half an hour, two days later, I have the Avanti in my shop! The instruction manual for this plane is outstanding. I'm not going to show how to install every servo, but give a detailed look at what think are nice design features and anything else I learned along the way. You receive a printed version of the manual in black and white. I strongly suggest downloading the PDF so you have it in color. They obviously spent a lot of time making the manual.

I cleared my work bench, unpackaged everything and got organized. I plan on using the Kingtech 180 and all futaba servos with S.bus. In this first post, I am just going to post the pics I took of individual items, then I will comment as I go.

First impression. This Seba character is very clever. There is a tremendous amount of thought into this design. From the all in one fuel tank, to the conduit channels to run wires and tubing, there are a lot of very nice design features that just make a lot of sense. The included stand is a very nice touch!

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1956797http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1956801http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1956804http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1956776http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1956793http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1956777Many pics to come.

The kingtech 180 consumes 19oz a minute at full throttle. With the included tank, thats five minutes of flight time. I know full throttle won't be used for the whole flight, but still too tight for my comfort. If installing a smaller turbine, I'm sure the 100oz tank will suffice. Dreamworks sells a 34oz header tank that will fit perfectly under the main tank. There is room to put a slightly larger tank, but this is the largest one I could find that would fit. This bumps it up to seven minutes, I am looking for a good 6-7 minute flight with time to go around once. The UAT included is different than I'm used to, but I know the Europeans use a similar style with no problems. My tomahawk Viper came with a very similar UAT. This tank system is going to make plumbing a breeze and a very clean install.

It will be cool to see if someone makes a custom fitted tank that fits.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1956819

I'll be "watching you" to steal Dick Hanson's avatar caption....

Still waiting on an engine from Ultimate Jets, hopefully it won't be too long before their 180's show up. I was interested in Kevin's explanation of why the tank size and while I guess he's got a point, one could fly some fuel off before indulging in hovering or such. I like that tank from what I can see, you have any intention of getting us a pic of it sitting in the model when you get it? Oh, did you buy the combination tank from those guys with the model? I'm guessing that's what you have but not sure.

Here it is: yes, its the one they sell. It might be my favorite part of the plane! I love smoke, hate plumbing tanks. My bobcat has three tanks and you have to do gymnastics to get them all in, this is easy. I may have to raise the main tank to get the second one under it, gonna do a mock up and check it out. I found Gary Muellers site, he might have a larger capacity one that will fit. Need to get away from changing diapers for a few minutes and get in the shop.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1956849

awesome Mike mine should be here next week other scheme and no vector so we can tell them apart:)

Kevin

Awesome. I'm looking forward to you guys putting on a show like u did with the helis. Mike will hover his while Kev-o does vertical rolling circles around him - at night!!! :cool:

PaulD

LOL Paul. Trust me, I've been thinking about the heli-type tricks this thing will be able to do. With gyro on the rudder and elev, a death spiral should be doable. Falling tic tocks…

The first time I saw this plane, I was wowed by the video of it flying and thought it looked good…except for the blue canopy. Obviously personal preference, but I couldn't wait to paint it. I'm not a fan of cockpits in sport jets anyway, would not have used the cockpit that comes with the plane. I was worried that, even painted black, the blue hue would show. As I was wiping down the inside of the canopy with denatured alcohol, the paper towels were turning blue! So, I got back to a clear canopy, then painted it black inside. Very happy with the result.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957125http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957126http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957127

Also got radio program roughed in and all the subs servos programmed in one Thomas the train episode...;)http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957128

The canopy looks way better with the black tint.

+1 What'd you use on the thing for paint, that stuff you can get from the LHS for car bodies?

I'm not sure the blue/white version would look better, but I think this one definitely does. I think a chrome or silver canopy on the blue/white one would look nice. Honestly, I wanted this plane because of the flight characteristics, not its looks… coloring the canopy changed that for me. Now I love the way it looks. I keep popping into the garage to check it out…. :p

It's the polycarboxylate carbonate?? sp? paint for rc car bodies. I have the same stuff in a tint, but I wanted it black. I almost bought the metallic black, I think that would look cool as well, but couldn't figure out how to do a test run.

My turbine will be here this week, some of the sbus cables are back ordered, other than that, I just need time. Anyone wanna come over and help me change diapers?

Well I like that darker color on the canopy of the jet, but on the other hand a solid medium blue metallic "canopy" seems to work on a similar scheme/coloring from SebArt....

I have a quick question: how many Festo fittings are you planning to use in this airframe? Are they special 3D Festos?

bb

Well, I saw the plane and it is nice. Too bad is getting ruined with the 3D stuff. :cool: I am not sure about the comments from Kevin and Paul as they might remember some other Mike!! or this one much younger and 2 babies ago!!. Since we fly together, I am ordering a hard hat and some armored clothing and might rent a U-Hall with full insurance coverage to take to the field to eliminate bodily injuries or any loss while 3D routine is performed!!!:mad:

Behzad

Bill, Funny you should ask. I have been working closely with the good people at Festo, and we are working on a special line of fittings for the aggressive pilot who is seeking a little more out of his festo's.

Behzad, If I come to the field with a plane outfitted with fireworks…. you might have cause for concern.


http://<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/buLOoamfYgw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The great Festo Crown shall be yours.

Oh Great. isn't Fireworks why you were shipped to us ? then we can ship you back!! But, we would miss the heater in a cold day at the field.

B

Those were the days eh Mike. I'll try the other tint on mine I like the way yours turned out. I might huck a few pics up too as my build moves along but I've got a turbo raven jetcat powered too finish first. I remember fire in the sky like it was yesterday. It was a fun build that day for you. :)

Little more progress. I painted the G10 control horns. Mocked up a second fuel tank to go under the main. Gary at jet-tech is making it for me. It will be 6.25x4.5x3.25. This will give about 50oz more. I probably won't fly this plane off our bumpy grass field with the smoke and both fuel tanks full, but if I want to get in a longer flight, I'll leave smoke empty.

I think this is the first plane I have owned where I didn't have to build little brackets or shelves to mount components. This kit is designed really well. I covered the two mounting plates with fake carbon, the front tray will hold the smoke and turbine pumps, and I will wait to drill mounting holes until I check CG. I've got about 2" I can go to alter balance.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957691http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957692http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957693http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957694http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1957695

Lookin good Mike mine should arrive Friday hopefully

u need to search devil bay attack on utube. Every percent should see that video. :)

I painted my Elan canopy black but used a "Lame Flake" first coat which is like a chrome flake clear for polycarbonate that when backed with black looks really cool. Too it's too late for yours....

PaulD

Not for mine lame flake it is :)
And Mike you change I'll build if ya have the room we can visit

I placed my order for a Y/B scheme !

Thanks to Jason at SebartRc

Trial fit of the big block… gonnna need a little trimming ;-) I bought one of those dremel reciprocating disk things a long time ago for one project, it will be perfect for cutting the plywood back there.http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/atta...mentid=1958019

good build thread mine turns up today .