Post by bigtone on Aug 20, 2007 13:13:01 GMT 1
I came across this RC many times on ebay and other sites for sale. I searched and read as much about this plane as I could before buying it. I noticed there wasn't much about it online. Some forums were two pages long with someone asking if anybody had one. Greg Covery of RCU did a good review but, it would have been nice to see more about this plane from others.
When I first opened the box, the wing was the first thing I seen. The wing was in a sealed plastic bag with aileron control horns capped with foam cubes. This keeps the rods from poking holes in the boxed parts. The fuselage was also in a sealed plastic bag, with the control rods in stalled already. The instructions seemed to be for a earlier model. Because this plane came with most of the build steps completed out of the box. All of the parts were neatly packed in sealed plastic bags. I was amazed how how organized the item were.
Airframe & Control Surfaces
I've seen full size decathlons at airports and airshows. The lines on this model lives up to the look so far. The paint scheme is dead on with stars and stripes. The wing is not like the PZ decathlon, the wind has some thickness to it. After a closer look at the wing, it seems to be built like the PZ Warbirds with a spar in the middle of the wing. the ailerons are a bit flimsy away from the control arms. Carbon fiber rods can be used to strengthen the rudder, elevator and ailerons. Just by looking at this model you can see these parts will need some reinforcements, like the cabin area were the wing meets. There should be balsa spars in the window sides.
Power Plant & Motor Options
The plane comes with firewall mounts for brushed & brushless motors with gearboxes and stick mounts. The supplied 370 brushed motor comes installed in a gearbox. There was a 9X4.7 prop and spinner included (pain in the ass). I even thought about using my HZ 480 motor and gearbox. I think that can be a bit of a overkill for the little plane's control surfaces.
Radio & ESC
I chose to use the ESC and Radio form my HPI/456mb Hana. The 3ch plane comes with a 4ch radio. The ESC can handle 7 To 9 cell PZ/HZ batteries while pushing a 380 direct drive motor. I should not have a power issue.
The Maiden Flight
I decided to hand launch instead of ROG (roll off ground). I was flying off a paved parking lot and it seemed to be vary squirly to ROG in a straight line with the tail skid. After a slight toss, it was climbing at about 15deg. I had to add some down trim to level it out. I quickly found out that I had to much control throw on the elevator and rudder. After getting high enough I decided to do some control checks. This little plane surprise me with it's stableness at high speeds. I pulled up for a loop and it tipped stalled quickly. Because, the control horn side reacted and the opposite side went limp. I then tried again with smaller stick movements, it completed the loop in scale fashion. I then tried aileron rolls, they were pretty nice and scale like also. I even got bold enough to try some knife edge flight. It passed with flying colors. I started by getting some speed and then did a 1/4 roll to the left, then I added right rudder. It flew at level flight until I let it go. Inverted flight was stable and hammerheads were scale like also. Now it's time to check the slow flight and stall habits. I cut the power to see how it stalls. The plane flew forward and almost stayed level. The plane then slowed to a creep and tried to tip stall. If I had some nose down it would have been a good landing approach. I brong it back around for a landing and this event turned into a handful. I tipped stalled just feet above the ground. I then added power for another try. I let her glide at 1/4 power down to a foot or less, then added some flare. The wheels touched down, I then cut the power. This plane needs a tailwheel, steerable or freewheel. When landing this plane, I strongly advise you to fly it down to the landing.
Finally Thoughts
This plane can be really fun to fly, once you get use to it's flight habits. Plus don't forget to strengthen the elevator. This is a must because, when you pull up the control horn side will respond more the the other side. This will make the elevator uneven causing the plane to do a tip stall. You can recover form the spin but, Will not from the dive. When you try to pull up, it will turn into a flatspin until you hit the ground.
Radio: 4ch HPI/456mb From RTF Hana
ESC: HPI/456mb From RTF Hana
Motor: Stock 370 Brushed
Servos: 4 Hitec HS-55
Battery: 8 and 9 cell HZ/PZ
Thanks to!
Greg Covey His Vid
HPI / 456mb Hana RTF
DMZ / IMX Model Company