AC Eclipse....
 

Hello all...

Has anyone here built and flown the Eclipse from ACModels?
The quality of the kit? Flight performance? Weight?

The price seem pretty good, and their customer service is also good so I am really interested in getting one. Just wondering if anyone know anything about it.

Thanks

AC Eclipse....
 

I'm waiting for them to arrive from Brazil actually. Reports I've heard compare if favorably to the Smaragd. Marcello Colombo used to fly the Smaragd, and now prefers his Eclipse, although I admit it would be bad marketing to NOT prefer his own design :D

As far as kit quality, my information says it's as good as there is on the market today. Again.. I'll know more as soon as I get mine.

Kits & ARC's should be arriving in about a week. Don Kanak (Planes Plus) has recently made me a rep for the line, so if you're interested in getting one, let me know and I can give you a bit of a discount over the normal price.

-Doug

AC Eclipse....
 

Sure....what is your price for both the kit, and ARC version...you can PM me...or email to [email protected]

Eclipse pricing
 

Hi Doug,

I remember you from the H-list. Please e-mail me with your pricing on the "Eclipse". Here's my e-mail address: [email protected]


Thanks,

Don

AC Eclipse....
 

anybody know the diff between arc and kit?

AC Eclipse....
 

Sure.. the Kit is just that.. a kit. The only prefabrication is the pre-sheeted surfaces.

The ARC is built, aligned, all surfaces are completed including wing and stab adjusters. It is setup for a Hyde mount. I'm told it is literally ready for final sanding and painting/covering. This is the version I'm getting and I'll be able to post 1st hand info as soon as it arrives.

-Doug Cronkhite

Arrival?
 

Did they ever make it to planes plus from CA?

AC Eclipse....
 

Yep.. they've arrived and are ready to ship.

-Doug

AC Eclipse....
 

I had heard the ARF was going to be $1495, did anyone else hear that?

AC Eclipse....
 

Correct.. but I don't think there are any ARF's in this shipment.

-Doug

AC Eclipse....
 

Actually, there were some ARF Eclipse's but they are all accounted for. I'll be getting an ARC Eclipse, power by a Webra 1.45.

AC Eclipse....
 

That's the same combo I'm going with Tony.. I got the Webra just the other day.. NICE piece of work IMO..

-Doug

AC Eclipse....
 

Hey Tony,
Are you getting back into pattern? Good Luck - show those young whippersnappers how it's done :D

Hey Doug,
Now that I've gone and bought your 3D Dancer - tell me about the Eclipse kit and the price (of course). I have Webra that I was going to put in a Focus.
What is the construction? Plug or 1-piece wing/stab? Wood or Glass/composite fuse?
Thanks,
Will

AC Eclipse....
 

Hi (again) Doug,
I went to the PlanesPlus website and checked out the Eclipse. How does the fuselage compare to the ZNLine kits? Is there a pipe tunnel on the bottom or is it a trough (like the Hyde designs) and can it accomodate a stock OS 1.40 pipe? I assume the landing gear is included - is it aluminum or composite? Are the photos of a kit?
Very nice looking airplane!!
-Will

AC Eclipse....
 

Hi Will,

I flew a friends modified Hanson EMC-2, and it reminded me how much fun a great pattern model is to fly, so I'm getting one together. If I compete it will be in Masters, I lost all my interest in F3A when they added the unknown to it. IMO that makes it too much of a "team" sport. Frankly, I had got to where everything was fun about pattern except going to contests!

I don't know much more about the Eclipse then what's on the website, I'll know a lot more when the ARC arrives. I do know that the prototype was flying with an O.S. 1.40, but I don't know what pipe. I'm hoping it has a big enough space for a long pipe. Marcel was flying a Smaragd before he did the Eclipse, so it may be similar to that.

I'll let you know more when my kit arrives.

AC Eclipse....
 

Flywilly, I have seen a couple, and I have noted that:
It is a plug in wing and stab, and it is fully composite, with foam wing a tail, and rudder probably. The wing and tail are already sheeted.
The glass work is very nice, and very light. Not a plane you will repair after a crash.
It can take a stock OS setup, as the designer is sponsered by OS, and works for them, so his plane was obviously set up around the RX-F1.
I am pretty sure that it is a pipe tunnel, alot like the PL designs.
Not sure about the gear.
Hope this helps,
Robert.

Go Tony
 

Hey Tony I'm happy to hear that you are thinking about pattern again. I used to fly when you were just getting started in the 70's. I got back into the hobby 2 years ago after a 15 year absence. I'll be flying Masters by mid season this year. I have 1 suggestion and that is take it slow and enjoy the ride. I lowered my expectations and decided not to be too serious and it has allowed me to enjoy it better than ever. Besides their sure is some nice equipment to work with today. Good luck. Mike Mueller

AC Eclipse....
 

Hey Tony I finally moved back to Indiana, then got back into pattern then I found you had went to jets and so cal.My luck!Your not going with the variable pritch prop on this are you.LOL.(that was you playing with that in the mid to late 80's wasn't it.

Glad to see you interested again. as the name states pattern rules.


Steve Maxwell

Eclipse...
 

Yeh...I finally got a hold of Doug and ordered my Eclipse today - can't wait to get it. Talking to Doug, I've decided to go with the OS1.40 too...can't affort $799 for a YS! :rolleyes:

Thanks Doug.

AC Eclipse....
 

Anyone know the wing tube size the Eclipse is coming with?