Today I got the opportunity to fly a new 73" span Edge 540. This plane was not one of my designs, it came from my builder who originated this plane.

This thing is so light, at first I thought it was just too light. But apparenlt they know what to put in and what to leave out, because it made it through 2 long flights, a half dozen landings and some real high speed runs. It even survived when I had high rate elevators on and dis some pretty abrupt stuff at good speed.

This airplane weighs 8.8 pounds RTF without fuel, and we actually added some reinforcement around the firewall and support structure. That's with an OS 1.60 with a Perry pump and Slimline muffler, using JR DS 821 servos. I figure I can add another half pound of strengtheneing and still have a plane that's 2 pounds lighter than the old baby Edge.

Have you ever seen what an OS 1.60 can do on a 9 pound airplane. You can point it straight up from ground level and it's out of sight in under 10 seconds. The power to weight ratio is ridiculous. It's more like a rocket than an airplane. I think that a good strong .61 will fly it for sport, a .91 FX will probably hover it, and this is the perfect plane for an electric motor.

Photos soon, I just forgot to take them.

All you guys who have been looking for a replacement for the baby Edge, stay tuned, it will be here soon. Maybe an Extra 260 version also.


TF

Hey Tom, It just so happens I have a 160FX sitting around waiting to go vertical. Keep me informed on this one buddy!!!

Wow! I was thinking of selling my OS 1.60. Now I have a reason to keep it! This is a great in-between size plane. I hope you sell a million of them!

I was thinking of selling my Saito 1.80, may also have to rethink this hehehehe.

been waiting on this news !!! I have a 1.60fx in an airframe atm, and have been waiting to put it in a 540, my favorite plane.

Wonder if she would do ok with a Saito 150 hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

At 8.8 pounds i think youll be just fine lol you would be good up to 11.5 me thinks.

I bet the E-coversion guys would love that kind or weight on a 73 incher

Extra 260? Put me down for one! Just tell me where to send the $$...[sm=lol.gif]

Based on a previous thread I wonder if this plane could use a YS 110. I'm thinking it would be a just a tad heavy or big for this engine.

What does a YS110 weigh?

TF

YS 110 = 730 Grams or 25.7oz

I flew it on a OS 1.60 which weighs 36 oz. Your engine might almost be too light.

TF

My OS 1.60 weighs more like 42 oz with the muffler, and 44 with the pump. The YS 1.10 will have monster power if the weight is under 8#, but you will probably want a bit more power if the weight is higher.

Of course, the 1.10 has much more power than the old YS 1.20 series and weighs much less.

OK that's a good benchmark. I have a friend with a YS 1.20 on the old baby Edge at about 11.5 lbs. It flies just great, has plentyof power for any sort of flying.

If the 110 is more power, and less weight, and take 2 pounds off the airframe, it should be ballistic.,

TF

any idea when they might be available? any pics?

You promised photos and I am still holding my breath for 4 days now. You have not crashed it, have you?

Tom,
Does the plane have provision for a pipe of any kind. I have an OS 160 with pump running a Chip Hyde pipe and moose can that is 6 onces lighter than with the standard muffler and turns a APC 18x6 wide at 9000 rpm. Right now it is on a 80 inch wingspan Tunnel Vision. I can only imagine the little Edge would really "Shred" (a new word I learned from Silversurfer) With this engine combination. And I would just have to get one since I don't have a Little Bunny.

The one i had was made with a slimline pits muffler on the old version edge WH had and it swung the 18/6w apc prop at 9600 with no pump. I just tell you this because you might want to try a good pitts muffler get more rpms and not have to mount a pipe. Plus i like the 2 pipes sticking out the bottom of the cowl it looks a lot like full scale.

I'm sorry I mentioned using an OS 1.60. It's far too much power for this plane (new Baby Edge) and is better suited to the Yak.

I have a 1.60, and I am getting an Edge 540 as my next plane... there within lies my delima

Yea, I can actually tune it to about 10,500 on the ground with a good wooden 18x6 and I can get around 10,000 on the APC but the engine tends to lean out and pull more RPM in the air so I always tune it back to a rich state on the ground hoping for about 9,500 in the air with a good smoke trail. The main point is I can pull about 1000 more RPM with the header and can AND save 6 real onces of weight.

And Tom, shame on you teasing us with a flight report on a possible new plane with an OS 160 then telling us it is way to much engine. We are real men, Tim Talor men, Drive her till she blows men, Men who have sold all of our little engines. Guess I will just leave it on the Tunnel Vision (which is way to much fun anyway) and live without a Baby Bunny for a while longer.

Sorry. It actually is OK with the 1.60, but I didn't want to give the impression that it's needed.

Real men (the tool time type) always want to put more power on. If I say the 1.60 is OK, then everyone will want to use a gas engine. If I say 1.20, they will use a 1.60, etc.

So when I say a 1.60 is too much, maybe a few people will use something sensible.

Maybe not.

TF

I know -- just having fun. I still want Pics and I still what a Baby Bunny. After building on the Sukhoi and Edge I find I want another project. And there are all those new 5625s laying around that should be just right for this model. And, it might fit in the back of my truck with the wings on, or not. And I do have the engine. Hey, I have a spare 148 DF that would work OK on a Glow model. And you have all that new control hardware that I haven't tried. And -- I think I can hide it in my garage.

Well Hell, it mets all of the guy logic tests -- I gotta have one. Taking orders yet?????

Not yet, waiting for the engineering chnages to be installed.

TF