Oh yes... I guess I've seen too many Yaks. The Sukhoi is a nice change, isn't it?

So basically, you should end up somewhere last week.

Keep yourself safe.

I installed a 2800 mah Li-ion with a regulator for the receiver/flight pack. The ignition battery is a 1500 mah nickel-metal. I drilled a small hole in the cowl for a "L" shaped wire to attach to a ball link on the choke lever. The throttle and choke arms that Tom puts on the TOC 53 really make the hookup a snap.

The assembly of this plane is the easiest I've ever done. All of the bolt holes, hinge holes, and wing retainer pins lined up perfectly. The plane turned out super square. The only misalignment I coud find is as you stand back in front of the plane and eye-ball the top of the wing and the stabalizers/elevators; the stab is about 1/8th" lower on one side. I will sand the stab sleeve and use a tape shim on one side of the stab tube.

After the completion of the plane, I got out the digital scale. FYI, I never use the wheel pants; we have a rough field. It has the stock aluminum wing-tube and Tom's wheels and tailwheel. I weighed it without a spinner. I haven't balanced it yet, but I'm hoping it will balance without the spinner. It ended up weighing 16 pounds, 7 ounces. That will surely make the plane a floater for landings, and an awesome performer.

I should be able to run and tune the engine today. I may not be able to fly until the weekend. It'll be pretty tough to see the Sukhoi sitting there and not be able to fly it until the weekend. I'll keep you posted.

The red and white on this plane looks great. Any trim scheme will look great on this plane. I'll have a friend of mine cut some vinyl for the wings and fuse.

I want to state again how happy I am with this plane. It is without a doubt, the easiest, and the most accurate ARF I've ever built. I spent about an hour unpacking and inspecting the plane. I had about an hour tri-stocking the engine box. It took another hour to fix the broken ribs in both wings. (evil brown truck) I did the entire assembly of the plane in one full day of work. So, it only took about 12 hours total. Some may take longer, some may build quicker than I do.

I just had a guy tell me he didn't want this plane because he likes Yaks better.

I'll call him back and let him know.

TF

-)

Terry:

The Honda graphics sheet is on the way to you, you should have it this week.

<16.5 lbs is lighter than I expected, good news. I think the production planes will actually be a few ounces ligter still because the cowl mounting is different. Use a CF wing tube and you are under 16 lbs.

What a rocket that will be. The TOC-53 pulls my 17 lb. 4 oz. Kap with authority, so the 16 lb. Sukhoi should be awesone.

I attribute some of the quick building time to the 3mm engine's being easy to mount. I have often spend 2-3 hours just figuring out how to mount the engine and hook up the controls for it. Try a ZDZ-80 some time, it's an all day effort to set up the engine.

TF

Tom, That will be AWESOME!

Yes, the plane will be great. I'm super happy with the final weight too. This weight will be easy to make. It's all of your stock hardware with no efforts to lighten it up.

I just started the TOC 53cc. A shot of 32:1 premium in the carb and it popped off for about 5 seconds. Two more flips and the fuel was to the carb, and it fired up again. I'm going to start it and let it run 5 minutes of so, then shut it down for a cool off. I can't wait to get this machine into the air.

Tom, Thanks for all of the great products, and customer support. If the quality of flight is anywhere near the quality of the plane, it'll be tough for anyone to top this plane/deal.

For anyone interested, a full scale Sukhoi does not have wheel pants....

Ya know .... I have never been able to get that far when looking at a picture of a Sukhoi

Tom you know the Sukhoi in the Honda scheme is screaming at me to get one and have my own Honda Magna graphics designed for it! I almost think you planned it that way hehehehehehe.

Greg:

This is pretty much the same plane as the one you bought from me.

TF

Oh hell, when they were first introduced in the U.S. they didn't have any. Obviously things changed............

Well at least we all are agreed that it's NOT a YAK. I had a couple of SU-31s in a 50 size and they did NOT like flying slow. How's this one Tom? No comparison I know but it keeps sticking in the back of my mind. Got any video of it flying yet? If this thing comes in at under 16 pounds the 3MM will be ridiculous power. My Edge is 16 pounds 10 ounces and the 3MM pulls it around like a foamy. Pat, don't feel too bad about the wheel pants thing. Half the time Red Baron flies their Super Stearmen with them and half the time they don't. Just depends on the day and how they feel. I have videos of SU-s flying without them but not sure if they are 26s or 31s.

I just did that to keep you off your game. Most of the Sukhoi photos I have do not have wheel pants, and a few of them had the little spats in back, so I think they come in all flavors.

But I learned never (there it is) to use words like never, always, best, worst, etc. As soon as you do someone will step up to prove you wrong just because he can.

Somebody told me once that if someone bets you that he can pick up a rock and it will squirt grape juice in my ear, don't take the bet. There are no easy wins.

TF

I like the look of the pants....plus it allows the builder to put them on or not. Less of a headache for you Tom.....love your planes![8D]

Trust me, I'm well off my game at the moment. Flying out from the office tomorrow and didn't have plane tickets, visas, or hotel rooms until a few minutes ago. Started the process this morning and updating every tech manual we had along the way. Too much work, too little time.....

Tom, yeah I know but this one has the whole HONDA thing going on hehehehehe. For those scratching their heads, www.magnaownersoftexas.org all about Honda Magna's.

Yesterday, I ran the TOC/3MM 53cc that I got from Tom. This engine is very nice! It is the easiest starting engine I own. After adjusting the needles a bit, transition is instantaneous and flawless. It increases rpm fro 1650 to WOT as fast as you can move the stick. I ran about 40 ounces of fuel through it, running it and letting it cool. A couple of short WOT bursts showed 6850 rpm on a MSC 22x8, which is a wide blade. That's strong. I'm sure I'm not leaned all the way on top, which is o.k. for now. It'll get better too. This engine should easily turn a lesser loaded blade (NX, Bolly, WH, 3W, etc.) 22x8 over 7000 rpm. Purdy darn good, eh?

The only bad thing about the honda graphics is I can't fly it at next month's big scale meet at Twin Ring Motegi. Honda owns the race track and last year would not allow one of the Japanese guys to fly his Sukhoi with the Honda scheme on it.

At 6850 with the MSC you're hitting as good as I usually get with a Brison 3.2 and a Taurus 3.2. Those numbers are equal or better to what you obtain with a DA-50. The 3mm-53 is turning out to be quite a performer for a real good price. What's great is the 3mm, like the old Brison and Taurus, you don't have to worry about what happens when you go from idle to hover power. It doesn't "stumble" when you make those quick changes.

Yup, I'm pretty sure there will be few more rpm to come. I haven't tried to lean for max rpm. The transition is amazing.

I keep telling people it's a good solid engine.

I guess I'm understating things.

TF

I'm looking at this plane seriously and am putting together a construction list for the project. Does everyone feel like the Hitec 5645MG is enough servo for the wings and elevators? I am definitely going with the 5955 on the rudder.


Oh Yeah - One more thing... What about trying some smoke on this dude?


THanks in Advance.

Chris

The servo's mentioned would fly the plane.. Smoke would be no problem, I have the prototype (when it was a Yak) and there is plenty of room for 2 20-24 oz tanks and a smoke pump. Dont think the extra weight would hurt its flying performance at all!
GO FOR IT!!!
I plan to add smoke to some of my 50cc birds in the future, just been lazy and enjoying flying too much to add hehehe.