*Focus Sport*
 

I just come across a smaller version of the Focus 11. The [link=http://www.piedmontmodels.com/Focus%20Sport.html]Focus Sport[/link] looks like it may due well with a 120 4 stroke. Has anyone ordered one of these that can give a comment and what engine they plan on running? The color scheme and price are not to bad compaired to a lot of other pattern planes.

Specifications

Wing span - 66 in.

Wing area - 780 sq in.

Fuse length - 72 in
Weight - 7¾ - 8½ lbs

Engine:

75 - 100 2stroke
91 - 110 4stroke

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_52...tm.htm#5228859

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Thanks jlkonn. I did a search and came up with nothing.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

This is a great looking and flying airplane...Piedmont has come up with another winner with this one...

Arch

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

I've got one in the garage - just took it out of the box. Everything looks pretty good. I plan on running the new YS-110 w/ a stock muffler.
My first impression is that it is not built light. I haven't weighed it yet but the fiberglass cowling and canopy are real beefy. The fuse and wings are very solid. I hope to get some photos published soon.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

I'm curious to know if the fuel tank is set back over the CG and a fuel pump will be needed. I would be thinking about using an OS 120 4 stroke.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

The fuel tank mounts, according to Dave are loose, so that you can mount the tank over the CG if running a motor equipped with a pump, or behind the firewall for non-pumped applications.

I honestly was surprised at how well the airplane flew. I got most of flight number two on the prototype, and it behaved very well, even in 20 mph winds.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Is there any video of the Focus sport or Focus 2?

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

I have a Focus II and really like it.
I fly Intermediate this year and the plane does very well.
I started with a 1.40 Sport but soon put a 1.60DZ on it.
I highly recommend the DZ.
About 150 flights on it now and it's holding up nicely.
I wouldn't mind putting another one together to do some things I didn't and not do some things that I did.
But you know how that goes...[sm=spinnyeyes.gif]
JLK

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Its been so long since I've flown a nice smooth flying airplane that I don't remember how good they fly. Years ago I use to fly the Super kaos, Curare, Aurora, Tipo, etc. Everything now a days That I fly has such hugh control surfaces and the planes are just not very stable. Can't wait to get something good to fly again. For you older guys like myself that have flown the mentioned planes, how do they compare to the pattern planes of today?

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Zippi,
I flew back in the early/mid '80s.
I had Arrows, Phoenix's and Dick Hanson Dalotels.
I quit pattern around '85 and RC altogether around '88.
I started back flying Oct. '05 and pattern this month a year ago.
In my opinion there is no comparison.
I enjoy the flow of "turnaround" much more than the single maneuver per pass of the old AMA pattern.
The planes fly so much better now too...
And the power...
Wow!
I would never vote to go back to the way it was.
I have two Arrow's and a Dalotel sitting unfinished.
I doubt I will ever complete them.
If you get a true 2M plane you won't be sorry.
Just my opinion.
JLK

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

jlkonn,

Glad to hear from someone who's been there and done that. I just may have to sell one of my gassers and get a good pattern plane. I never did compete but I always bought the pattern planes because they looked fast setting still and they flew so much cleaner.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Zippi,
You might enjoy this site:
http://www.nsrca.org/default.htm
JLK

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Hey guys I have a Focus Sport coming. Likely be here tomorrow from Central Hobbies.

I going to doa build thread and talk about how to make this a good pattern plane for a guy that likes pattern planes. I don't care if you ever fly it in contest, or if you join the NSRCA or anything else.

I just want to use my experience to help a guy geta good flying pattern airplane that doesn't cost a bunch and flies as good as the big planes.

I flew the production Prototype back in early July. Dave Guerin designer of the model had it out. The model was very new with a new engine and everything...but I flew it so long I ran it out of fuel. This was after Dave put just a couple mins on it to test a trim change he made and then handed me the sticks. I was happy with the results of a basically off the board model. SO when they came in I ordered one. I was really please with the snaps and the way it point rolled. We'll see what I can do with one in my shop and tweaking that I love to do.

Personally I think this model has super huge potential to make pattern fun available to lots of people. There are ton of YS 110's out there today. And this plane at the weight I flew the production model with heavier wing tube (aluminum) and so on was perfect in the power department. It had plenty for anything in the FAI sequences in my opinion.

I'm going to do it stock stock stock...then we'll add in some upgrades for those that want to see what the upgrades do and just how awesome we can make it. I think a stock version of the model will be perfect size, weight and performance for lost fo pattern capable folks.

I'm going to document everythign and tell you why I did it that way so you guys that have not experienced it can do it the same way and get the same results as me.

Rusty Dose has one of these little models and he says its awesome. His has more time on it as a test model that the first production model I flew. I'll keep soemthing going here on RCU or maybe we'll come up with alternative way to do it for a build thread. A Blog or maybe a website or something.

I'm excited about this project.

Troy Newman

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Troy,

Can't wait to see this project get going as I'm seriously thinking of getting a Focus. I have an OS 120 4 stroke looking to catch some air time.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Thanks for doing this Troy. I'll follow your lead.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

This should be cool. A REAL 72" pattern plane. One of my buds has one here (the one he won at the nats) and I can't wait to check it out Monday. I keep hearing about how good it flies.

Where's that popcorn?

-Mike

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

It was only a matter of time.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Still haven't made up my mind on a Pattern plane yet. Besides the Focus Sport I also like the Ultra RC Icepoint 2-meter 1.40 , 3D Quest .90 , and the Spot On 120. I really like the Focus 2 but it's a little pricy for me.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Zippi,
Of those you list only the Focus Sport and the Spot On 1.20 are available. Ultra RC is out of stock on the Icepoint and the Quest and probably won't get them any time soon.

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

I know that Ultra RC is out of stock and I can't even get a reply on my email to them. Does anyone know if "Bad Brads" has a graphic layout for the Focus Sport yet?

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Zippi,

I got my Focus Sport on Saturday. It looks really good. I have a couple other projects I trying to finish up....before I get too deep in the Focus.

But I spoke to Rusty Dose and Bad Brad is doing a graphics package...I will have it on my Focus Sport.

I'll get into the details of the kit in a couple days. For now I can say I'm very pleased.

I will start a new thread for the build. But it will likely be the end of the week or so before I get to it and can put my energy on the project.



For those of you interested in getting a Focus Sport and building along with me....I'm going to document the entire process and what I'm doing to the model. From what I see everything is good so far. The hinge job and covering is quite nice. I have not done a fit together yet...but have all the bits out of the box and sitting on a spare table right now.

I have an engine and servos sitting here but I have not made up my mind yet on servos, engine mount or anything.

Right now it will have a

YS 110S on a Hyde Mount
Central Hobbies hardware
Bad Brad Graphics
JR radio gear

...likely dual servos in the tail for the elevator as it whats its setup for. Likely 3421SA...Then likely 9411SA on the wings and an 8411 SA on the rudder. This is the Expert setup. I'm going to be looking at a good setup with lower priced servos to help keep the costs in line. Its easy to spend lots of money on servos....The goal here is to get a model that is pattern plane capable but yet maintain the budget and get folks hyped up about a good pattern plane. We all know you can get really good quality out of a Oxai or similar model. I want to get a similar performance or as close as we can from a airframe that is geared toward the guys in the trenches. I think this will be a really fast build. I'm anxious to get it in the air.

Troy

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

Troy Newman,

Sounds good. You said " The hinge job is quite nice". Do you mean that it all fits nice or is it pre-hinged?

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

The hinge slots are cut for the CA hinges but they are not glued. The hinge work is nicely done. If I had a fresh bottle of thin CA it would be glued in justa few mins work.

Troy

RE: *Focus Sport*
 

I got an email from Brad at "Bad Brad Graphics" and he said he should have some nice graphics for the Focus Sport in about a week.

Is the rudder on a pull-pull setup and does all the hardware come with the plane?