Could this plane be a good move from the Cub?

[retiredbri]

I have seen the many mods for the Super Cub, particularly ailerons.
I didn't want to go to the trouble of new Tx, new Rx, servos etc and so this plane, the Top Gun Park Flite Cessna EP RTF, priced as low as £91 UK caught my eye.
www.rcmodelcentre.co.uk/aircraft/trainers/top-gun-park-flite-cessna-ep-rtf/prod_49.html

The write up/data from the retailers is below.
I believe it has a 35MHz 4 channel TX and the plane has throttle, ailerons, elevator and rudder.

It would seem to be a good plane to move onto from the HobbyZone Super Cub but the wingspan seems to be small and the weight a low that could mean not good for windy days (lots in the UK).

Has any one any views on this plane:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Enjoy the thrill of R/C model flying with this Ready-To-Fly semiscale Cessna 400. In a matter of minutes you can be ready to take off as all electronics are pre-installed at the factory and adjusted for ease of use.

The Cessna is the ideal choice for beginners or scale enthusiasts alike. Pleasing on the eye, its gentle and forgiving flight characteristics are perfect for pilots to enjoy flying, while coming to terms with a completely new experience.



Features
Ready-To-Fly with all electronics pre-installed
Powerful brushless direct drive system
25 amp brushless speed control
4 channel F.M. proportional radio system
11.1v 1250mAh Lipo battery
90 minute auto peak detection charger
Steer-able nose wheel for greater control on the ground
Radio: 4 Channel
Servos: 8.4g, 1.5kg torque/0.12 sec
Motor: Brushless motor
Battery: 11.1v 1250mAh 10c Lipo
ESC: 25amp Brushless
Charger: Lipo 12v
FREE RealityCraft Trainer Simulator


Spec Check:
Wingspan: 960 mm
Length: 762 mm
Wing Area: 15.3 dm²
Weight: 430g
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++

Regards
retiredbri

[flydiver]

Another new flier caught in the headlights of cheap, ailerons, lipo, brushless.....
Happens a lot. My buddy bought one. They come in a bunch of different names from different sellers:
Cessna EP 400 - www.ritehobby.com/Cessna-EP-400
Dynam (same) - www.dynam-rc.com/products/airplane/cessna.htm
DMZ9550 Cessna - www.imex-model.com/DMZ1.htm

My short and prejudiced review with links to others:
www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543314&page=4#post10352145

If you don't want to read all that - It flies nice. It's fast. It's WAY powered. And it's made out of REALLY crappy foam and one hit that the Cub walks away from will have you picking up Styrofoam pieces. Very fragile.

New fliers should have 3 criteria: flies well, durable, fixes easily.

Do not believe the marketing s**t. These are the same kind of people that brought you ACT.
There's a reason it's so cheap-cuz it's cheap.

BTW-it does fly well in the wind. I've been flying for 2 years, have no trouble with a Stryker, Funjet, and can mostly keep a flat foamy in the air and I find the Cessna a handful. It tames down on a good TX with Expo and limits. On the stock TX it's very twitchy.

fly

[retiredbri]

Thanks for the info - guess I couldn't find the reviews because of the different names.

I'll get a look at one when out next to see how flimsy it looks.

The alternative is to get a proper set-up with good trainer/TX/Li-Po/charger/balancer etc but believe it could cost over £250 ($480) and that's too pricey for my part time hobby.

I'm very pleased with the Cub and with it being so tough, I have accumulated some flying experience without too many repairs.

A relatively low cost to 4 channel seemed to be a reasonable way to go.

Regards
retiredbri

[flydiver]

Oct 3, 2008 23:41:44 GMT 1 retiredbri said:

A relatively low cost to 4 channel seemed to be a reasonable way to go.

Regards
retiredbri

It would be if you really could find such a thing. Trouble is the next step up from the cub really should be quality electrics (New TX important) and a still pretty durable flier. The TX alone is is a chunk of change. You'll make a whole new batch of mistakes on the next step so durability is still important.
That's why lots of folks gut the cub, buy the parts and make their own next step.
OTOH, buying something like you found is close to throwing the money away.

[retiredbri]

Having read the reviews and studied the pictures, I now understand.
I wrongly assumed that because the cub is such good value and very strong that similar priced planes would be the same.
Obviously not - I wouldn't like to give the Cessna the same punishment that I've given the cub.

I can also understand why so many people modify the cub - it's a tough chassis to build on.

I wonder if hobbyzone have ever considered adding the ailerons and the extra channels to the cub?

I'll save my cash for now and just play around with 9.6V cells and the E-Flite 11x4.7 SF prop to see how they pan out.

Thanks for the words of wisdom

retiredbri

[duck9191]

being that your in the uk, i don't know how much shipping would be but the sports flyers simple stick sold at hobbypeople.net is a 4 channel, very simple plane that can be powered with 100-500 watts lol. only thing is its not rtf, is arf and you need to get 4 servos, motor, speed control and rx. you can fly its as slow as you like, or nice and fast. ive had mine up to 76mph, but it didnt fair to well lol.

its kinda like the cub but it has ailerons, same flight characteristics though other then it has a flat wing, so you have to fly out of turns. no biggie though.

[admiralev]

hey duck what brushless do you run on that simple stick? what mah on the lipos?

[flydiver]

There are a lot of options. The Multiplex Minimag works well and is a good step up from the SC. That's the route I went. Stable tough plane, flies well, reasonable price. You bring your own electrics. Dump the brushed motor for something better. You can even build without ailerons at first but I wouldn't recommend it-flies poorly on rudder alone.

GWS E-starter is a known good aileron trainer. Again, you build.

Many people familiar with PZ stuff and not sure where to go get the next 'box up'. Not necessarily a bad option if you are uncertain about building but you end up with PZ electrics that are only a step up from the SC and not entirely suitable for much more than what they come with-so, another kind of dead end. Some of them can be bought plug-n-play.

fly

[duck9191]

Oct 5, 2008 4:31:00 GMT 1 @admiralev said:

hey duck what brushless do you run on that simple stick? what mah on the lipos?

im using the old motor off my cub, its a wow-rc 28-36-10, was rated at like 180 watts but it handle 250 no problem and 300 in short burst. right now im using 1500mah 20c or rhino 2150mahs.

the simple stick is a cheap, fun and simple plane.

[SCC]

Hi Bri.
Keep an eye on the classifieds at BMFA. I have picked up some good bargains there.
www.bmfaclassifieds.co.uk/latestads.php

[retiredbri]

Thanks - I'll keep an eye out.
Just got 9.6V cells for the Cub and it goes like a dream and flies much longer - 16mins mostly 70% throttle.
Awaiting the E-Flite 11x4.7 SF prop (JoeFlyer reviews) and hope for even longer times.

Regards
retiredbri