Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I was thinking 6S - two 3S wired in series. After going through all my packs, I could just as easily go for 8S. The packs I would use are 4000mah so that is making me think more about 8 than 6 now. I wished I took a look at them before leaving for vacation! The last option is for 10S which seems a little ridiculous, but I could use the Neu 1512 I have that isn't being used for anything, spin a 16x12 prop like mad and get 10-12min flights.

The VII will be my back-up plane so I don't want to spend too much ca$h on it, hence using batteries I have and maybe the Neu. The Hacker A50-16S would work on 6S with a 17x12 and also on 8S with a 16x10, so that is the other path. I have a gift award that I can use at Amazon so I can get the motor for basically nothing (sacrificing maybe a new pair of shoes or a nice Shun Premier kitchen knife, LOL).

Anyway, the two 'good' options for converting are 1) fabricating a removable canopy hatch and 2) removable belly pan. It's a little work but if you have the time to do it, it doesn't appear difficult.

There are reports of this plane running on everything from 6S to 10S and all seem positive (at least for lower classes). With a 6S setup you end up pulling 80-90amps, 8S 60-70A, and it looks like 10S would be 45-55A, limited by prop size.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I sold my Venus 'so I could go electric' - I had regretted it ever since. It should be an easy enough conversion, and I recall the plane flying really well. I never got the same 'locked in feeling' with the plane I ended up with. At the time there were not a lot of 90-110 size pattern planes to choose from. Now there are at least a few but for Intermediate I believe I will be very happy flying a converted Venus.

My plan is to build in a little positive wing angle, possibly remove a touch of dihedral, and do the canopy hatch conversion. If I'm still feeling adventurous when I start the build I go for a re-cover but I've really been struggling to find time for RC lately, so we'll see.

corch

My Feedback: (1)

you lost me when you said the "e" word. Keep leaving nitro guys, th emore fuel on the market for me to burn! I am going to attempt to return to patter this season. Hope to see y'all in muncie.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Hopefully you mean for the D4 season opener and finale, along with the Nats! C'mon back!!

wildwillie3

That would be great hope to see you there.

Bill

RC_Fanatic

My Feedback: (1)

RIP Mine bit the dust yesterday. I got disoriented in a slow roll and thought I was upright when I was inverted, Nothing left, even broke a mounting lug off the OS 120AX.

So, what's next? That was the best flyer I ever had. Anything similar at a reasonable price?

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I think the Monolog 70 is a similar size, quality replacement. There is an electric VII for sale in Virginia, I posted the link in a new thread.

Does anyone have a link to a good set of composite gear for this plane? I haven't found the perfect set yet, although I was thinking of something like this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/F3A-100-Carb...item4acd719937

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I think if it were me, I'd look at the Extreme Flight 70" Extra, and consider a 2M Vanquish if I wanted a new pattern plane. The EF Extra is elongated, 70" wingspan and 70" length. It has a good reputation and I'd love to own one. It near the top of the list for next airplane for me.

RC_Fanatic

My Feedback: (1)

Well, the Monolog is out of stock and I don't want to invest the $$$$ in a 2m pattern as I'm not into competition, just in improving my flying (and it takes a lot more than an OS 120AX). The Extreme Flight Extra would need a new motor which means more $$$.

What about the WM Groovy 90 3d (http://www.airborne-models.com/html/...ProductID=78)? I prefer it to the 3A as it is a little larger. I've built a few WM planes and thought they were pretty good in terms of design and construction. I had a 40-size Tai-Ji a few years ago that flew great, but the retracts are a hassle on a rough field. I'm not sure I'm into their color schemes but they seem typical of what is out there. I'm looking for an ARF as I'm so slow building.

corch

My Feedback: (1)

If you can find a BJ Craft Monolog 110 it might be worth your while. 120ax should do fine with this model.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

I'm not sure what happened to the Monolog 110, I haven't seen it in a while.

The 120AX might be enough for the EF Extra 70", but maybe not worth taking a gamble. I can't find much on it with a 1.20 other than people saying it 'should' fly well. The listed weight is 9.5-10.5, and the Venus II is around 9lb I think.

I was thinking a Funtana or Showtime but I see they are discontinued ... what is happening to all the good planes?!

My other thought is Aeroworks .90-1.20 Yak? The 120AX is a great motor, there's got to be something

rcpollo

My Feedback: (6)

Two Venus planes at the field yesterday. 112 Flights later and I still love the way mine flies with the YS 120.

JCINTEXAS

Quote: "what is happening to all the good planes?!"
That's a very good question Joe. Seems like every time I get a new plane and really like it...they stop making it. I love the Balsa Nova...can't get them any more. I love the Venus II with the OS 1.20AX (which by the way has more than enough power to pull mine vertical forever). I have a Funtana and a Showtime 90...of course they are no longer available. So what did I fly today? My electric VisionAire.

Best Regards
JC

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

Here it is folks! The Venus III, aka Sequence 1.20
http://www.towerhobbies.com/products.../gpma1232.html

CustomPC

Yeeeesssssss !!!!!!!!! :-)

I've been researching 1.20 sized models for several weeks. This will do me nicely.

I hope it will take a 20cc gas engine.

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

It will be good to find out. I don't know enough about gas engines. I would imagine the gas option would be at the upper end of the published weight. 20CC enough for 10.5-11lbs?

Jetdesign

My Feedback: (8)

There is a pair of NIB Venus II's for sale on the other 'groups' forum - $260/ea.

BeauMiller

My Feedback: (18)

Did not see your post first, but based on this thread I made a deal with the seller for those two Venus II ARFs for sale. Also picked up a OS 120 AX with Bisson muffler. Won't get to them until fire season is over, but looking forward to getting back into the hobby with one this fall. Figured I'd keep the other as a future replacement. I'll post here when I get to it...

corch

My Feedback: (1)

I wouldn't mess with the bisson muffler. Go stock muffler with the extension. With a 15-10APC or 16-8APC you will get unlimited vertical. I've just started using a 16-7APC and really like it, I feel like I have better low to mid speed control with this prop, and it's not quite so fast. I've been flying the Venus with a 120AX almost every flying session for the past 3 years and other than changing glow plugs and props, and the yearly fuel tank plumbing change, it is a "set it and forget it" combination.

One mod I would recommend is moving the fuel tank to the CG. Much more consistent flier. Doesn't matter a lot for sportsman as it is a relatively short pattern but when flying the longer patterns you do notice it.

BeauMiller

My Feedback: (18)

Ok...I'll look into the stock muffler option once everything arrives and I get the chance to piece it together. The engine I'm buying is lightly used and comes with the Bisson, so I'll probably just try that first without the cowl and see how it works before cutting the cowling. Can't exactly buy a new one from Tower these days!

FSFLYER

My Feedback: (12)

Wow!!!...$500.00????!!!.....not going to be doing that anytime soon.

corch

My Feedback: (1)

Seems to be alot of entry level pattern planes coming in late september.....15 up to 120 size.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXENFU&P=0
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXENFR&P=0
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXENFS&P=0
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXENFT&P=0

And if you think $500 is too steep for a quality? 120 size pattern flier, check this out:

http://www.f3aunlimited.com/bj-craft-fantasista-120-arf

It's all about what you like and what you care to spend. There's a plane for every budget

corch

My Feedback: (1)

Sure you can:
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXLPK9&P=0
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXLPL2&P=V

You may want to replace the bearings too. If the 120AX still has the original bearings, you'll probably want to change those too. PM me for a part number. I'll have to go look for it.

Whoops, I bet you're talking about the cowling, my mistake!

JCINTEXAS

If Volkswagen had not halted production of the VW Beetle, and they were still making it today....it would still be selling and making them money.
If Great Planes had not halted production of the Venus II ARF, and they were still making it today...it would still be selling and making them money.
The Venus is just one of those planes which doesn't 'go out of style'.
Top Flite is still selling the Nobler control line model. They started selling the Nobler kit somewhere back around 1955-56.
Best Regards
JC

I don't always fly R/C....but when I do, I fly FASST. Fly well my friends.

BeauMiller

My Feedback: (18)

yeah...I was talking about the cowling.