Quite sure you all believed I would never do this, but it is all checked out, preflighted, assembled, in the van, wx is okay, and I'm off to the FF with the ST2300-Excelleron.

If it stays together, I'll post a note back. If it doesn't, I'll try to figure out what happened, THEN post a note.

I'm pretty optimistic; it's a great airplane, already flown, trimmed, now just the new powerplant.

It's a "three smile day"..... boys 'n girls, this puppy HUNTS....( Southern expression - means the dog is a "good 'un", take him huntin' EVERY time)....man, oh, man.

The good things - INCREDIBLE vertical authority (duh). Because it is flown in the sequence at 1/3rd or lower, the 16 x 10 and KS canister makes it sound like a small electric. Yee ha! There is hardly ANY additional ruddering, although I did note I needed a bit more TRIM in the rudder.

It is just a very, very, good combo. I had to dial in a REAL flat throttle curve, and add a bunch of expo, but at the slower speeds, it is solid, hands off, wonderful line tracking. Fly it faster, still solid. For the TOTAL investment, this combo rocks.

Needed some differential, couldn't really dial that in today, but other than that, and a little expo on everything, she was dead stock. Dean Pappas had recommended 1/16" pos incidence in the wing (shimmed the TE with a popsicle stick), and that took care of up trim, which then neutralized the verticals. she will go a LONG way dead straight, up, or down.

It's only fitting to end this post with

Glad to hear it Bob,

I can't wait to start on mine. I pulled everything out of the box last week, and the first thing I need is the aileron servos. Wouldn't you know it, the four main servos are the only things I don't have yet. I ordered Hitec 6965 HB's and their not in until sometime this coming week. I've got Karl's header and the KS cannister ready for install. On the header I went with the 1 3/4" drop.

After your flight report, I'm really itchin' now.

Ken

HI,
I'm using JR 4131's all around and I'd like to know what size (length) JR servo arms are being used. I really don't think I can find any large enough that would fit in the plane to make the parallelogram according to the info OLDDOG 60 made available but I would like to know what size JR arms are being used. If non Jr arms are being used could you let me know where I could get them. Any info would be appreciated.

thanks

Vince

Vince, with the pre-installed cables, getting a long rudder servo arm would be a bad thing, and you definitely do NOT need more elevator travel. I'm flying with 15 degrees right now, and it's too much for sequence work. They are just huge, so need less throw.

JR standard "X" arms, that have two lengths on them is what I used... cutoff the short arm parts, and you're good for all the surfaces.

The rudder is ALSO VERY, VERY effective, and you don't want large throws for it, either!

Thanks Bob,

There is so much info out there on Pull-Pull that it really gets boggling as to which regimen to follow. Thanks again for the info

Regards

vince

The simple answer is the stock set up works just fine , no need to change it.

tommy s

The ONLY caution I have about the stock setup is the sleeve crimps....they are VERY low quality tin, and will split if you over-crimp (yes, I know). Also - it's REALLY important to orient the servo output shafts in the correct direction!!! AND - double check that you're putting the rudder servo where it is supposed to be (yep - made that one, too).

Who sells the Thunder Tiger rear exhaust engine?

Hi

www.sussex-model-centre.co.uk

They have them for only £70, unfortnnately its in the United kingdom, but it's verry cheap ~ 120$

Kjeld

Thanks, I went by my local hobby shop and they quoted $240 which I thought was high. I am still surfing the net looking.
John

JPBIII

Try Sheldon's Hobby on line. This is the link, sheldonshobbies.com/listing/thu04.html

they quote $229.

Hope this helps

Vince

Thanks, that is a better deal than what I have found.

Bob,
If you happen to check this thread, I think I'm going to change directions for the power in my Excelleron. Since my mishap this afternoon with my Quest, I now have an OS 120 w/pump available. I was thinking that the OS would be a good selection for this plane and maybe an easier install. I will then have to decide on the Dream or the Icepoint, for the primary plane, you've flown both, watcha' think?

Ken

Mishap? WHAT happened?
The Excelleron on the 4C 1.20 probably will be sort of ho-hum, actually. All things being equal, after flying the Icepoint today....it reinforces that a 2M airplane flies pretty darn well, and handles the wind more easily than smaller airframes.

In the 90 size, I have to say the Dream is really very, very precise, and would be my "pattern" choice in the 90 size. The Excelleron would be the "3D Pattern" airplane, with insane power.

If I was leaving for a contest in the morning - It would be Icepoint first, Dream second.

Well Bob, it's like this, I was playing with my CG in an attempt to get the dive out of it when I rolled inverted, just trying to make it more neutral. I moved it back 2 days ago by changing battery location, it flew fine but still had a little dive. My bright idea of moving my tank back as close to the CG as possible seemed good at the time. Last night around 10:30 I got the tank moved and re-plumbed, all ready to go. The brain fart happened when I neglected to move the battery back to the original location.
Checking the balance this morning before I loaded the van, obviously with the tank empty, it was just where I flew it the day before, no sweat, I'm ready to go!
Problem was, as I'm sure you already figured out, I no longer had the 14 oz. of fuel in the nose, 10 feet of takeoff roll and I'm airborne.

This is not going to be good!! I bled off about half a tank of fuel and tried twice to get it down without running out of room. On the third attempt the bank to final looked sweet, about 10 feet off the deck, all that's left to do is a little left rudder, bring the tail around and let her settle in, can't go wrong. Slide in a little rudder and &$#%@& what the heck was that!!! Snap and Bam, the crackle and pop came right after that.

Well over 100 flights in practice, plus last years contest's.

Painful, just painful. I need another bird.

Ken

Ken,
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how good the Excelleron flies as long as you
load it with enough power and keep the weight around 8 lbs. The CG seems to be very
important also. It flies OK at other settings but it "grooves" best at the 7 1/4" mark.
I haven't flown the Dream but I have flown a Quest and the Excelleron is much smoother.
I agree with Bob about the 2 meter ships , they DO fly better. If you're going to spend
money on a new ship you might as well go for the real deal, that's what I'm doing. I finally
talked myself into an OTOP, can't wait till it arrives. I really like my Excelleron but I'm sure
looking forward to the OTOP.

tommy s

Hello,

I'm looking for some euroean supplier of this airplane (Excelleron90).
I already spent 3 hours searching the web to no avail.
Some useful information would be appreciated.

TIA

regards,

Zaquron (from Hungary)

Zaquron,
check www.macgregor.co.uk they don't list the Excelleron (Explorer here in the UK) but they can supply them to order! Contact Kevin Krozier "[email protected]"

Hope this helps,

Andy.

Thanks a lot Andy P.!
I'll try that.

regards,

Zaquron

Please let us know of the price if you ask them.

/Erik

Erik

Sure i will.

regards,

Zaquron

Slough Models advertise them but they are not on their web site

Bob,

Well, I've got the engine mounted, ST-2300, I decided I want the power. I'll find a nice 7 to 8 lb. bird for my pumped 120.

My question for today is, do you think I'll have any problems if I put my pressure tap in the header, near the outlet? My reason for asking is, I don't want the tubing just hanging around when I don't have the wing on. I think we talked about this before but I can't find it.

Ken

I've not ever personally done that, though for years, lots of folks tapped right at the engine exhaust flange of the header. I think some still do. I think the pressure is supposed to be more constant at the widest volume point of the pipe, as the shape balances the coming and goings of the pulses and dampens out variations in pressure.

I have no idea whether it would make a difference or not; I have a in-line nylon fitting just in front of the wing cutout, and a short line on the pipe. When installing, just plug the line onto the coupler. Works fine, too.

You will be shocked at the authority the ST will give you on this airplane!