I am looking for a good pattern plane.. I am considering the Calypso MK3 by Aviomodelli, what other planes are out there and good. I am looking for a 60 size plane. I there a good one out there that has retracts? any suggestions would be great!

The Calypso is a good design , just be aware this version has vinyl covered wings and
plastic fuselage.

tommy s

Tai Ji 60 from World models is ok, and has retracts. It flies ok on a powerful 60, but really needs a 90.

Of course, you didn't say anything specific other than the calypso (goals, what you want out of this plane etc) so it's a little difficult.

The Widebody 60 from CA models is pretty awesome too, I have one I'm finishing up as I type. I haven't flown it yet so I can't give a definitive yes or no, but so far so good. And it's a kit, and pretty inexpensive too. It needs a few minor mods to be a pattern only plane, but those are very very simple to do.

Just pick a design that lights your fire then fly it and trim it to your liking.

-Mike

I've had one Widebody 60 and I am currently putting together another one with a few
modifications for pattern. Awesome flying airplane and is availabe as a kit, ARC, or ARF.
Needs more power than a .60 though. There is a Widebody 40 available which would be
about right with a .60 for pattern.

tommy s

I am planning to put a ys 1.10 into the plane. I am getting the pattern plane to practice scat and imac type patterns.

Widebody 60 then, no question.


-Mike

what types of mods are required to make it a good pattern plane?

Not much.
Will make the ailerons a little smaller , counterbalance the rudder and elevators, add carbon
fiber landing gear and wheel pants, lighten it up in a few places , and put a larger engine on
this one. These are just personal preferences as it flys awful good in stock form.

tommy s

I wouldn't bother with much more than shortening the ailerons and changing the gear. Counterbalances are ok, but I'm not sure they're really necessary.

But those ailerons were obscene in stock form.

-Mike

I've flown a stock Widebody with a Saito 100 - flew great. I'm finishing one now (basically stock) with an OS 91FX. The big surfaces give you great control for snap maneuvers; exponential softens the response around neutral. I can't wait to fly mine!!
Will B.

I would hate to cut the ailerons down, I should be able to get the same change with just shortening the throws and adding expo, right?.... what changes need to be done to the gear.

I don't think you'd have a problem taking 4" off the inside of these ailerons. They go all the way into the side of the fuse. That makes it a little twitchy, but puts them directly in the prop wash...a good thing for 3d, too much for pattern type stability.

Yes, you could just add a ton of expo and shorten the throws to nada....but you'd be losing the resolution of your servo if you have to go down too much, and then you better have some high end digitals to hold these things centered.

I'd just cut them.

The gear: replace it with a bolly carbon fiber f3a standard swept. I haven't replaced mine yet, but I'm sure I will down the road. These durals only weigh 3.4 ozs, so the weight difference is there, but not enough to sweat over just yet. I'm waiting to see how much it weighs when I finish it, I replaced a lot of the wood with some spare contest balsa I had laying around.

-Mike

That's what I'm doing to my ailerons , just shortening them 6" from the inside.
I'm using the top hinging with Radio South CA hinges.
I've already got the Bolly swept gear and wheel pants and they really add to the
airplanes appearance as well as being lighter.
The counter balance on the elevators is just to lighten the load on the servos. I'm
not sure it makes that much difference in the flying although I hear a lot of the top
fliers say it makes for better snap entrys and exits.

tommy s