I got the 480. Still think it's smallish for a 1.20

Hey guys GREAT THREAD!on this plane.My LHS just put in a order and it will be here next thursday.What servos are being used? hd bb? digital? Mine will be a little different in that I will be using electric power[8D] I like the discussion on the different power plants being used.From what I gather I will need about 2 hp to be equil power to you glow guys.Anyhow once I start I'll chime back in.Thanxs for looking,stefanP

I've been reading this thread for a while now and thought I'd go ahead and jump in. I've beed putting a new Venus II together for the past week and should have it ready to fly this weekend. I'm just getting back into the hobby after years away. I flew an Ultra Stik with one of the local club members to see if I remember how to fly, and I still do! I used to fly Kaos's and sport/ pattern types of years ago, so hopefully this plane will be a good fit.
As far as the Venus II goes, I'm setting it up pretty much stock. I'm using an O.S. Surpass III 4 stroke w/pump, and JR radio. The only mod I've done is to move the fuel tank toward the C.G. similar to RobertC's post above except I didn't cut away the bulkhead, and just installed between the two bulkheads. I also changed to a 16 oz. tank which is perfect fit in that position. The rear of the tank is positioned on the estimated C.G. Hopefully I will have some pictures and a flight report soon.

Its a cool plane! Don't know if moving the fuel tank has any benefit since building it stock with the servos in the rear and with a 125 four stroke you still need to add a little weight in the rear. Bear in mind that I used a Saito 125 which weighs only 24.69 oz. on a Du bro soft mount that also adds some weight to the nose.

Hi, I finished my Venus 2 and now have 15 flights. I made a few mods. along the way. Lowered the tank 1 1/2 inches and rotated it 90 degrees to get a flat profile. This put the tank CL 3/8 inches below the needle valve. I made the rudder pull-pull with the connections in the mid point of the rudder (above the elevator). I made a doubler plate to cover the two piece landing gear attachment to the fus. for added strength. I added an on board heater for the glow plug for reliability at idle. The engine in a Saito 125 mounted in the inverted position. This engine gives excelent vertical performance. The total dry weight including all of the mods. is 8lbs 7oz.
This is my first pattern model and it flys just way I expected. It tracks on a wire and knife edges at about 50 percent rudder. I have 50% exponential on the transmitter which is just right for my flying abilities and still gives roll rate that will knock your hat off. This model is easy to fly and a piece of cake to land.
I hope you all have as much satisfaction with the Venus 2 as I have so far.

any pics to mount the 120ax on this plane?

I flew the Venus II yesterday, and all I can say is WOW! I wasn't expecting anything unusual, but it is a new plane (to me), not to mention a fairly new design, but my hat's off to Great Planes on this one.
After a few taxi tests, which were arrow straight and very controllable, I lined it up and eased the throttle open. I never touched the rudder and the plane was in the air with just a touch of elevator. One beep of up elevator trim and it was hands off level flight. All the throws were set up per the manual and for the most part seem to be a good starting point. Roll rate is very fast, and I needed to add some expo to soften the neutral. I used the full rudder throw recommended in the manual and needed allot of expo to calm it down. Without expo, I was tail wagging in my turns, not out of control, but just a bit sensitive. The full rudder throw does make hammerheads almost too easy. Yes, after a dozen or so years, I nailed a nice one on about my third attempt, and most of that was learning the throttle on the O.S. 120 4 stroke that you can't hear when you cut at the top of a vertical (I'm used to the screaming 60's on the old KAOS's).
Speaking of power, the 120 should be a good match for this plane. It was still on the rich side and the 15x8 prop keeps the revs down, but it will still pull into a nice long upline. I really like being able to cross the field at about 2/3 throttle, open it to full and pull a nice sharp corner into an upline and have the power to maintain the speed. With the right prop, and full break in period this engine should be perfect for this plane.
After shooting a few low speed approaches up high to check the handling, I lined it up for landing. Missed the first one, as it just floated right on by. As it turns out I had my idle trim all the way up, and with near zero headwind, it wouldn't come down. I went around, reduced the trim and lined it up again, this time was better, still floated, but very controllable to near walking pace. Flair and touchdown was nice, although too much elevator will cause it to balloon (a little expo would help here too).
I got four good test flights on the plane and I'm extremely happy with it so far. I can't wait to get it fully trimmed out. If you're on the fence about this plane, get off now!

"Which servo's are being used?" Digital? BB? MG? Thanxs for the info.My plane is in and now I need to pay for it[X(][X(]

stefanP

I'm using JR equipment. 8231 digitals on everything. The Tx is the 9303 w/synthesized module. RX is the R2000 scanning receiver, 6 volt system. One note about the freq. change. JR makes it easy, yet deliberate. To change freqs. you must change the rotary DIP sw. on the back of the transmitter THEN turn on the transmitter. If you change the setting with the transmitter on, it will have no effect until the power is cycled. Then you just press a small button on the receiver with the transmitter close-by and the receiver "locks in" to the new freq.

Sounds like everyone is enjoying this plane. I've seen one at my field the last several weeks I've been out (have not flown it). I have a H9 Showtime which is the same size and will add both are great looking planes.

Venus has a YS91FZ which seams like a great match for this plane, great power, verticle uplines, knife edge has no coupling, good sound

Showtime has a OS 120AX 2 stroke a good match for this plane I'm sure it would be great on the Venus II, combo provides amazing power and verticle, Knife edge loops are possible with the SFGs installed (winglets) though it has had a bad belly-up coupling. I have since found the cause was an imporperly installed soft mount (nose down) and warped elevator half. I'm not much of a 3D pilot but power and potential is a plenty, and choose this plane because I want to fly pattern and practice 3D if I want.

I'm still working out some of the tendancies on the ST, if I can't get them fixed I am look into this plane as it looks and flies so well.

For those using a 120AX here I am using a 17x6 prop spinning at 9100 RPM, want to keep the pitch low as the huge ailerons have reportedly failed do to flutter on some of these planes. I had a modified (shortened) inverted Bisson pitts muffler installed but was lossing 600 RPMs so switched to the included horizontal Pitts setup which also improved throttle response.

If you have'nt seen it Tower has a short video of the OS 120 AX in a Venus II.

See video link in the middle of the page:
http://www.towerhobbies.com/products...osmg0650m.html

I now have the .40 venus and after reading this feed, I am going to buy the venus II and send back the venus.40. I have just have to warn you about that new 1.20 os engine. I would'nt want to be some of the 1st to try this engine. There track record hasn't been to good with new engines released. Unfortunately OS is still riding out there good engine story from 20 yrs ago. I have just begun to realize that they are not all what they used to be like. Look up the forum on the 1.20 os engine and you may want to change your mind. Dr. Nitro has convinced me not to want a os engine again. I am going for the webra 120 or the saito 125. Not trying to step on anyone's toes but I thought I would just share this info with you.

Does anyone have a picture of the webra muffler on the 1.20\??

disregard..... say in hon horizon hobby....

Good choice on the Venus II

Unfortunately the 120 AX forum is extremely negative, if you read through 90% of all the negative feedback is from under ten guys and none of their feedback is about THIS engine. These guys turned that forum into a referendum on OS by stating grotesque generalizations about previous experiences founded or not. It's also unfortunate that the majority of the information posted on RCU lately is coming from the field idiot that spends more time typing than flying. To each there own but I choose to listen to feedback from folks that have actual hands on experience with the product they are using.

Listen guys, I have an OS 1.20AX on the Excelleron 90. There is no finer engine than that. First thing on flying day, I fuel up, check everything (preflight the aircraft) then get ready to fly. I hook up the glow driver but do not turn it on. I use the electric starter and turn the engine through so I see fuel flowing through the fuel feed line then I stop. I then turn on the glow driver, set the throttle at about 1/8th and flip it by hand. It always... ALWAYS starts on the first flip. I let it warm up a bit, then check the mixture at full throttle, then back to idle and make sure it's ready to fly, then carry it out and fly it all day long. Each and every start after is always one flip and it's running.

Vertical on the Excelleron 90 is unbelievable using a 16-8 prop. This is why I decided to use it on the Venus II. Mine is finished, got it done today. I will charge batteries (dual 1200 mah NiMH 6 volt packages) then head out tomorrow or Friday. I will have to run the engine through about three tanks on the ground, mostly at very rich mixture, then after that, will fly it for the first time. I expect it will fly as good if not better than the Excelleron because I spent a lot of time in this build using the experience I gained from building the Excelleron.

The 1.20 AZ is a great engine. Very powerful, responsive, and very user friendly. That's an opinion based on the fact that I have one and have had absolutely no problems with it, at all.

DS.

Cool CGretired....

Let us know how it flies..
Is there anyone that has the ability to post some fly video with venus II.....

It would be cool to see someone flying this plane \(not just the \GP video)

I have chosen to put the saito 180 GK in the plane......
I will build after I finish repairs on my piper cub on floats, and my old modeltech p51 mustang... soon though

Buy the way, I have a .46 fx, and a 21buggy engine and new .12 off road engine and all of them have ran great.... not one problem with them. ... All OS.... I think mr Nitro is blowing smoke...... not trying to make this a engine post I just couldn't figure out why he slammed OS so bad,.....

fun flying all...

Well, all of my engines are OS with the exception of one which is a Super Tigre 75. I like them all, but the Super Tigre leaks fuel and I had to replace the muffler twice.. the insides, the baffle, came loose on two mufflers, brand new mufflers, brand new engine.. so I put a tuned pipe on it. Definitely woke that plane up (Tiger 60), now if I could only keep nose-wheel gear on that plane.. ha.. it was my second plane after solo, I still have it, but that nose wheel took a beating. Anyway, this is a Venus II thread so I apologize for straying. I just wanted to say that all of my OS's run just great, I have absolutely no complaints about them. Can't say much about my former Evolutions.. had the 40, 61, and 100. All had problems.

Now the Venus II. Ok, I finished it yesterday. I am using Sullivan Composite rods with a 2-56 steel rod in the last six inches of the Sullivans on the control surface end. What I did was grabbed the Sullivan, not tight but tight enough to prevent it from twisting, using a pair of channel lock pliers. Previously, I marked the 2-56 rod for length (how far to push it into the Sullivan Rod) then I put the 2-56 rod in the chuck of a variable speed reversable drill. I put the rod at the opening in the center of the Sullivan, put a drop or two of thick CA on the rod, then powered up the drill. Then I pushed the rod into the center hole up to the mark. The CA actually acted as a lube but you have to work quickly, but when done, that 2-56 rod is not going anyplace and it stiffens the last 6 inches or so of the rods so they don't flex or bend under strain. I did that for both sides of the elevator and the rudder. My servos are located under the wing in the servo tray. I did not opt to put the servo's in the rear. I just don't like that look.

I was going to use the tube supplied for the antenna, but there is no real way to secure the antenna in that tube. Previous experience found that the vibration causes the antenna to dance around in that tube and it will work it's way back out if not secured. Then you end up with a ball of antenna under the servo tray and that ain't good at all. You all MUST know that the antenna needs to be stretched out to work.. won't go in to the antenna theory of that, but it MUST be stretched out it's full length. So, what I did was drill a small hole in the bottom of the fuselage about an eighth of an inch behind where the wing goes (there is a flat piece of balsa there) and stiffened it up with CA. Then I took a piece of plastic that was tear-drop shaped and about a half inch long, drilled a hole through that then CA'ed it to the spot on the fuselage (I used the teardrop piece as a template and cut the covering to match.. looked nice when done). Then I fed the antenna carefully through the hole, hit it with a spot of CA, then led the antenna rearward along the bottom of the fuselage. I then took a 1 inch wide by 24 inches long piece of red covering, believe it was monocoat, tightened the antenna so it would be straight, centered the strip of covering over the antenna wire, then ironed the covering over the antenna. It just looks like a trim strip and matches the color scheme and you cannot tell it's an antenna under there. This works well. I did that on my Excelleron 90 and have had 0 that's ZERO problems with this setup.

I am using a pair of 1200 mah NiMH 5 cell batteries and a matching switches (so two batts two switches). One goes to the battery input channel on the RX the other goes to an un-used channel on the RX, I had one free, channel 7. That will give me plenty of redundancy in the battery department for sure.

The motor is mounted on an angle as the plans suggested. I did that so the muffler goes into that port in the bottom of the fuselage, that ramp area.. you guys with the plane know what I am talking about. I put a coating of resin (very thin epoxy resin) over the firewall, that ramp area, and anywhere I thought fuel may get on or in based on my experience with the Excelleron... however, with this plane, the exhaust will be out the bottom and under so I only really have to be concerned about the area directly behind the ramp area. Will fuel proof it further tonite because there is an area that may need it.

I am going to put a light coating of clear RTV along the belly pan where it adjoins the fuselage. I don't like the way it joined according to the build plans.

Other than that, I built it according to the plans. It came out about a half pound lighter than the Excelleron. I was surprised. And I don't see any compromises in the Venus II that made it lighter, but it is.

I intend to break in the engine tomorrow eve after work (Friday) and, if time, I will put it in the air and get a report back to you all on how it did. I would imagine, I will take it easy with it for the first few tanks fulls, doing some basic maneuvers and some boring race-track orbits just to make sure all is well.

DS.

DS, I have had several more flights on my Venus (YS 91 for power) and like it more every time! Good luck with your 1.20. I look forward to hearing about your maiden flight!

I agree with you that I don't like the look of the servos mounted outside the fuselage (in the rear) but this resulted in NO additional weight required for balance. I have not noticed any negative effect while flying and it certainly makes installation simple! I like your process for using composite rods.

While I was hesitant to use the internal antenna tube, I found a very simple solution for both installation and "keeping the wire in place." If you take small piece of paper, "ball it up" and stuff the antenna wire down the tube with a long piece of wire (pushrods work great here) the antenna will stay very secure and yet still allow easy removal.

Hi.

Simple solutions are great. Now why didn't I think of that!!

I was thinking of flying this evening.. or perhaps at least getting a few tanks through the engine before I actually fly it. The weather has improved but there is still a chance of t-storms this afternoon so it will be a wait and see thing. Tomorrow, though, I will be out there for sure.

Thanks for the info.

DS.

I'm thinking of using a YS-140 FZ, will I have any construction problems you think?

Hi guys.

Well, I flew it today. First I ran the engine through a couple of tanks of fuel. What can I say.. it's an OS. I fueled it up, turned the engine over with the electric starter without the glow driver till I could see fuel flow in the fuel line to the carb, then turned on the glow driver, flipped it one time with my chicken stick and it started right up. I made it real rich and ran it through, as I said, two tanks, then put it in the air.

It needed some minor trim, it was rather blustery out, wind was somewhat unpredictable and gusty, so the trim might have been because of that. But, no problem, it flew just great. I put it up 5 flights this afternoon, will fly it again tomorrow.

Great plane, great engine. Great combination Venus II and the OS 1.20 AX 15-10 APC prop.

DS.

CG Retired great news on getting her airborne I don't have one but they sure seem to fly nice, pretty in the air too.

- I know it's still a baby but what RPM are you getting out of the 120AX and the 15/10 (what brand prop too)?
- Are you using one of the stock muffler set ups or an aftermarket?

I'm getting about 9200 with mine spinning a APC 17/6 and the stock muffler + 90 adapter. Mine didn't really come alive until about 1 gallon went through.

hello all
One of you takled about using a Saito 125 Inverted I was wondering what you did with the muffler ? Will it stick straight down and come outnthe bottom or what ?

what have you all been using for control horns . I would like to have a horn with threaded post and not holes. Any Ideas ?

These are stock numbers for 2- kinds of dubro threaded control links that are available on towerhobbies.com . They have always worked well for me.

LXGWD8, LXD932

Justin