RC planes/jets/heli

She breaks apart. Wings and all the stabs come off. The fuse can be broken down into two pieces. However, that would be for servicing. Barry

 

Sorry I missed your question - but see you've since bought a Gee Bee! Awesome plane, but make sure you check out the service bulletin HH put out on this. I was at the local hobby shop last weekend and they got a Gee Bee PCB board back from warranty repair, supposed HH is now strongly recommending you run the motor for something like 10-15 seconds, on the ground, before each flight, otherwise the PCB can be damaged. Don't quote me on that, give HH a call to confirm if they haven't contacted you already.
Anyway back to helis, I've been having a BALL flying my Blade 120SR around in the garage and outside lately. Being fixed pitch it can't do 3D or even extreme 2D moves like fast punch-outs, but it's EXTREMELY durable and with a 45degree flybar quite stable. It's basically a scaled-up MSR, which is sadly discontinued since the flybarless MSRX is out. Haven't flown one of these but reports are it's a real demon - requiring very fast thumbs to fly.
The latest flybarless, fixed pitch helis (like the MSRX) are a 'bridge' between FP and CP - they'll hold a direction until you change it or crash, whereas a 45 flybar will naturally want to go back to a hover unless you maintain some directional input. Hard core pilots scoff at FP, 45 flybar helis because of this but for scale flying or just whipping around they're great (and as I said much more durable, easier and cheaper to fix when something inevitably breaks).
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6poprOq2wk[/ame]

Personally IF I ever move up to a CP I'd definitely get a sim like Realflight or Phoenix and put in lots of practice, but when HH comes out with a flybarless 120-size heli will likely give that a try.
The new quad-rotor MQX is also calling my name....

1) The 4th channel is for 'sliding' or strafing left/right, and lets you make "coordinated" turns as well as just adjusting your position left/right for more precise landings and flying in general. 4-ch coaxes still won't really make banked turns like single-rotor helis can, but yes I'd say the addition of this extra control makes things more interesting and fun.
2) Both the 3-ch Syma S026 (small Chinook) and S022 (big Chinook) are GREAT. Strange thing though, only the little 'nook has a gyro, which makes it quite a bit easier to fly. The big 'nook is always wandering left and right, you have to be on top of it to keep it pointed in the direction you want. Syma supposedly has a gyro S022'G' version coming out, but it's been like 3 years....
The S026 is controlled by infrared, so good for indoors only, while the big S022 is RF so it'll go outside (but won't be able to fight more than ~5mph breezes!).
Here's my nephew with his S026g (at $22 there's just no excuse not to have at least one, and the same controller also works with the S108g Corba, hands-down one of the nicest looking and flying 3-ch coaxes out there):
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VjkavZq2tA[/ame]

And my S022 (for $46, even without a gyro, it's a deal)
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXxrZqA3mO0[/ame]

It will also easily lift a 15g "keychain" video camera
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Vjnm4CdOD8[/ame]
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Nice! Do you work for an RC company??
What brand is the P-38? Any more pics?
That's my dream plane right there....

+1!!!!!! Awesome!

 

P-38 is sold by hobbyking. It's also sold by banana hobby. All foam. Comes with retracts. 5ft wings, which do not come off, so you need a large car to move it. Very cheap at $140 with engines and ESC's. Only need battery and radio system. Very easy to fly, but the retracts require smooth landings, and hard surface(no grass). Very cool sound with two 3 blade props turning.

I make medical equipment for premature infants. We just need some entertainment late in the day, and it's so cool to not have to drive somewhere to fly. Just have to make sure no one crashes on the 308.

 

Thanks Chris. Sounds like a cool job, with cool coworkers!
Pretty incredible what $140 gets you:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__12143__1_4m_EPO_Warbird_w_Retracts_Plug_Fly_Camo_.html

Already have a Spektrum DX8 so would just need a receiver and batteries.
I've only flown RC helis, so my first RC plane will likely be a Champ or maybe a T-28, but someday....

 

Yep, $140(included shiping from USA warehouse). Champ is a good choice. Super cheap at $90(includes everything needed to fly), anyone can fly one. Also, so light that if you hit car/person/house it has no effect on plane or victim. I have one myself. Another option is Hobbyzone super cub(full size). It's easy to fly, can handle almost any wind, and hard landings. Optional floats only $30. See picture below.
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Some other interesting stuff. Spitfire, and Su-34(retracts, twin engine with vectored nozzles) Takes 8 channels to operate.
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I test flew my Comp ARF Corsair last Saturday. Thought you may like to see some photo's?
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That is some fantastic detail!

 

Jam - she's a beut!
Any higher res photos, or better yet videos?


Here's a model of a plane I'd never heard of: Savoia-Marchetti SM.55X

A squadron of TWENTY FOUR of these awesome seaplanes flew from Rome to Chicago in 1933 for the World's fair, landing in Lake Michigan.

Maiden flight of a scratchbuilt model:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6KO_4eU3_I[/ame]

some take offs, and one rather abrupt landing:
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfY87DZ-2yE[/ame]

Looks like he's coming in pretty hot!


I finally broke down and ordered my first non-heli RC airplane: a T-28 Micro 4-channel. Once I get proficient with this little guy, would love to get a S.E.5a: http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/s-e-5a-wwi-bnf-PKZ5580

Nathan - how's your Gee Bee??
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neat stuff and great looking c arf corsair. here is my latest. bae hawk. almost done.
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My current fleet consists of, Parkzone T-28 (with flaps ), Durafly T-28 (retracts + flaps) FMS T-28 (Flaps, cowls, retracts) I also have a Parkzone Icon A5, Micro T-28, Micro Mosquito and Micro Stryker

Lots of toys but no time to play with them!
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You're definitely a T-28 fan, but I'm a Mosquito fan. Any chance of seeing a larger photo of it?

And I love your "ute". Too bad they still don't sell them in the U.S. I actually saw an old Aussie Ford ute at a car show here today. I wondered if it was a version of the U.S. Ranchero that I hadn't seen before, until I noticed the right-hand drive.

 

Great looking collection there! We share a lot of the same taste in RC airplanes it seems. (LOVE my Stryker!) How do you like the Icon A5? I have been thinking about getting one. How would you compare the way it feels to, say, the Parkzone T-28? Have you tried to fly it off of water yet?
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Kurt- LOVE the Gee Bee. It flies wonderfully. Once you get proficient with the micro T-28 it would be a good next step. Similar manners, just faster and sportier. The gyro stabilization really does make a tangible difference, especially in wind. All in all, it is a very fun, and surprisingly not too difficult plane to fly.

One known defect is that the over-current protection circuit on the ESC is set too low from the factory. With a fresh battery (and only a fresh battery), if full throttle is applied on take off, the ESC will cut power to the motor after a few seconds. This is BAD, as the power cut is usually right after take off, so you do not have enough airspeed or altitude to recover from the resulting stall. If you are REALLY quick (and lucky), you can close the throttle, wait a split second for the ESC to reset, then add power back in time to not crash. This happened to me on my maiden flight (did not know of the defect), and luckily where I was flying had 10 foot or so drop off at the end of the runway, so I was able to nose down and recover.

The solution is simply to limit throttle to about 75% or so for the first minute or two of flight. After that the battery has drawn down enough to not trip the ESC at full throttle. The plane has MORE than enough power to take off at 50-75% throttle, so thrust is not an issue. Some people are just in the habit of "flooring it" on all takeoffs, and you cant do that with this plane. Obviously it's a flaw from the factory, and they have acknowledged as much. Supposedly they are/have fixed it and will let you return your plane if you have an early one. Some folks on the forums have fudged around with different props and stuff and had some improvement, but honestly as long as you can remember to not "floor it", its a non-issue.

 

On page 1 of this thread there are a few pics of my UM Mossie.

 

Not my car it's my flying buddies, seems to cart the planes alright the hard top is a little limiting at times a station wagon would be more appropriate IMO.

Never really been interesting in Aussie cars but I believe the top of the range ute has a Corvette engine? LS3/7 no idea.

T-28s rock! There's still at least another 4 brands that make T-28s which I don't have (yet)

 

Having put 5 flights on the Icon now it feels very twitchy for some reason, I've read on RCG forum that there is a tail flutter issue that can be fixed using a gyro for yaw.

It's also LOUD! Loudest brushless motor I've ever heard it does have a nice note though full throttle passes are amazing.

Flying characteristics it feels a little heavy but that makes it fly very scale like, the rudder has a massive amount of throw and is super effective in that there is no water rudder don't be afraid to let the wing tips touch the water in a turn as they are designed to aid in water manoeuvring.

Landing gear is great, couple of screws on/off plus steerable nose wheel.

I almost ripped the wings off doing a full throttle dive and pulling up too quickly forgetting I wasn't flying the T-28... scary moment lots of buffeting

Haven't mastered water landings so far, lot's of bouncing! Hope that helps


PS, micro Stryker is mental!

 

One co-worker just bought this. Parkzone spitfire mk IX. I flew it twice myself. Flys really nice. Sounds nice, and the ellipical wing looks really good from underside. Very unique. Takeoff and landing not bad, but taxiiing can be difficult, as the gear are so close together. For takeoff, I just go full throttle to avoid much rolling.

 

forgot pic
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Good info in the Icon. I actually LIKE planes that have character or quirks in the way they fly. While it's fun to fly a very stable sport plane you can just "bank-n-yank" all over the place, I also really enjoy the challenge of flying something that makes you think about what you are doing. I may have to pick one up.

I have a Parkzone bf-109 that has a god-awful high speed stall/snap spin reaction if you apply too much up elevator too quickly. If you are flying fast and level and yank back on the stick, it will pitch up about 45-60 degrees, then violently snap roll right onto its back and you are suddenly headed straight at the ground. I crashed the plane into a lake the first time I flew it because of this! Went to yank into a loop like I can with my PZ T-28, and before I knew it I was standing there admiring the bouyancy of a foam aircraft. Now, if you are steady and smooth with control inputs you can track it around the sky at high speed like its on rails. You just have to think about what you are doing.....and this isn't even mentioning lading the bf-109 with its narrow, twitchy landing gear!

 

Also thought I'd share another recent addition....the Flyzone Fokker dr1. This is a nimble, fun little aircraft. With so much wing area and being so light, flying in any wind is a no-no, but on a calm day it is a blast. It is noticeably more maneuverable than my Flyzone Albatross, in all three axis, but especially with pitch. It is a bit awkward flying what is essentially a tall, narrow wing that the tri-plane configuration results in. It rolls very quickly, but still has lots of lift and drag. It will loop in an amazingly small radius. It will also slow down nicely and fly along all day at a walking pace when you just want to cruise around.
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Maiden flight of the micro T-28 at the school around the corner from me today, also my first time flying an RC plane.
She flies great! Fairly gusty winds so she got tossed around pretty good, but I expected this so adjusted the control links for more throw so I was able to keep her pointed where I wanted for the most part. Assigned the gear switch for hi/low (60%) rates, but ended up flying on 'High' most of the time.
Having a good amount of stick time with helis helped quite a bit with orientation.
Only augered into the grass once trying a barrel roll on the third battery
Tried it with and without the gear - and made a few gentle dead stick landings on both grass and blacktop when the battery ran out.
Nathan - what batteries are you using for your micros?
I was getting ~5 minutes out of the Eflight 120mAHs, but have 5 of these on the way:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__11893__Turnigy_nano_tech_160mah_1S_25_40C_Lipo_Pack_Kyosho_E_flite_Parkzone_Etc_.html
We don't get too many dead-calm days here relatively close to Lake Michigan, thinking a Gee Bee would handle it better?

Man now I want a Spitfire, they're tits!
Chris - how does that Parkzone Spit (1100mm wing span) handle the wind? Surely better than the micro T-28 I'm sure. And only $20 more than the much smaller Gee-Bee (but without the fancy AS3X stuff), just need battery and receiver: http://www.horizonhobby.com/products/spitfire-mk-ix-pnp-PKZ5775
What receiver would y'all recommend to bind with a Spektrum DX8? I know there are several knock-offs of Spektrum 6-ch for much less $$ than the originals. Is this something you would or wouldn't skimp on? It does get pricy when you add $90 retracts though!
Hobby King birds are sooooo cheap, it is fair to say they use lower quality servos, ESC, motor etc than the Parkzones?
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__12143__1_4m_EPO_Warbird_w_Retracts_Plug_Fly_Camo_.html

Fun stuff!
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Those same Turnigy batteries are mostly what I use. You will notice a bit more power than the stock eflites, and a little longer run time. I try not to fly to LVC every time though, just to try to make them last longer.

As for handling the wind, bigger is better. ANY of these 1-2 ounce micro planes will get tossed around pretty good. I usually fly the micros early morning or late afternoon when it is calmer. The Gee Bee is a bit bigger and heavier than the T-28, plus has the AS3X, so it is a lot better in wind. Of all my micro models, the UM Stryker probably handles wind the best. Being a swept wing, very aerodynamically slick design it cuts right through it. I would definitely get some more T-28 stick time before getting one, they are pretty damn fast and can get away from you if you aren't thinking far enough ahead of it. But they do handle slow flight pretty well, so you don't HAVE to fly it fast (but you WILL want to).

As for the bigger planes like the Spitfire, they will be better in a given wind than any micro model. Again, at any scale, "slicker" designs like ducted fan jets will generally handle wind better than, say, a Piper Cub.

AFAIK, the knock off "orange" spektrum compatible receivers are fine. Some people even think they are better. Ditto for Hobbyking or other cheap electric retracts. Horizon is a great company with good customer service, but some of their prices are literally 2-10 times greater for similar stuff.

This guy tests a lot of stuff. He pretty much HATES Horizon, and can get a bit biased, but he does reviews of a lot of the cheap Chinese stuff from Hobbyking and Banana Hobby with mostly positive results. He seems to think the Hobbyking etc stuff is usually BETTER quality than Horizon. Honestly, it is all probably made in the same factory in China. The advantage with Horizon is they will replace defective parts no questions asked, you get stuff quickly, and they always have a good stock of parts for repairs. http://z8rc.blogspot.com/

 

Nathan is correct. As long as you read the reviews HobbyKing can be a steel. I buy ALL batteries from them. Better than parkzone batteries. I buy ALL servos from them. They are like $2 each. I usually buy 12 at a time. Just read the reviews because they make some great servos and some bad servos. Got some retracts from them for p-38 and they are great. However the factory retracts which came with p-38(also from HK) are junk. I use their spektrum compatible receivers with no issues($7!!!!). I also use tunigy brand 9ch programmable transmitter with great luck. Very cheap($90). The only transmitter I have ever had fail on me was a DX5e spektrum.

Bigger and FASTER is critical to flying in high wind. HZ super cub is big, but has light wing loading so bouncy in wind. I have a 17oz ducted fan with almost no wing area, and it can fly in some very high wind. Spitfire is somewhere in between. Generally, high wind is do-able, but reduces enjoyment. The only micro I have is the Champ. It is no fun flying in wind. I once had it in my hand in high wind, and the wing snapped in two.

BTW, the toughest plane I have ever had is a PZ corsair. I must have put 100 hours on it(a lot for an rc plane). It was desstroyed when my friends super cub locked landing gear with it in flight, and the two locked together and helicoptered down into really high tree. Got them out with 120ft pole, but distroyed in process. Only flaw is landing gear has to be re-glued to wing. Factory "caulk" glue is too weak for gear.

 

Thanks for the info guys! Saturday morning was perfectly calm so walked up to the school with 3 fully charged batteies for some early morning micro T-28 flights. Was really having a great time carving lovely turns and WOT low speed passes, and did my first rolls and loops.
Was having a grand old time until midway through my 3rd and last battery when I got really cocky and tried an inverted low pass.... got my up/down mixed up and nose dived straight into the blacktop at speed from ~6'. Tomorrow a trip to the local hobby shop for foam-safe CA is in order. :/

Last week I read Z8RC's enthusiastic review of the J-Power P-38, and much of the monster thread on RCGRoup , so went ahead and ordered one from HK Saturday night :O
It's green "Version 1" so will have spotty fit and finish, dodgy gear doors and the crappy retracts but I plan to take off on blacktop and belly land her in the grass, for the first dozen flights at least.

Chris - which retracts did you retrofit? These are recommended on RCG: http://www.valuehobby.com/accessories/landing-gears/power-hd-rc-electric-retract-system-landing-gear-a.html, and also these http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=12883
The fist ones look like they come with wheels (larger than stock?) and struts also, so may be a good deal at a few more bucks. HK shipping is pricy though....
I believe that the P-38's wheels shouldn't rotate 90degrees when retracted, are the upgraded, servo-less retracts like this also?

Do you run a BEC/LVC in the P-38?
This one was discussed on RCG: http://www.dimensionengineering.com/products/smartbec

I also ordered 2 cheapo Zippy and one Turnigy 2200MAH batteries, a Turnigy balance charger, two Orange 6-ch receivers (so cheap, one spare), and as suggested by Z8RC a set of pusher/puller props from Tower.

Going to take it slow with the P-38. I want this to be not only fun to fly but it'll look damn good hanging on my garage wall, as long as it's not too bashed up....