Is smaller better?

[19000rpm]

There are a few new 50mm fan planes out there from Nitro Planes and Banana Hobby. I'm not a big fan of either company, especially BH, but these planes are hard to resist.

These things are only 11-12 oz and the flight videos look good. They seem to have plenty of power.

EPO Airframes start at 39, Arf's at 79 and PNP including radio, less battery, for only 99 and an RTF for 119.

www.nitroplanes.com/69a03-50-m15-silver-24g-no-battery.html

If I buy one it won't be from BH!!!

[Gabe]

Just bought the BlitzRCWorks Mini AMX from Banana Hobby. Never bought anything from these guys and I figured it would be a minimal casualty if something was screwed up.

Just looking for something small to hand launch in the back of my apartment complex in that narrow corridor/ grass field. Since my Stryker is Darksided out right now, that's out of the question. My mini Stryker project is frustrating me, so this seems like the logical step.

I'll report back after I get it.

[19000rpm]

That's the way to do it. Smaller purchase limits the exposure for sure.

Look forward to hearing how ot works out.

[akent]

I have looked at several of those smaller EDF's and the ones from Nitroplanes just don't sound that good to me, at least from what I looked at.

Take the Mig for instance. It has landing bombs instead of drop tanks to land on. They don't appear to have any protective cover on them. One of the bomb fins even sticks down.
The wingspan is only 2" less than the F86 from Hobby Lobby. It is lighter, but humm...50mm fan vs. 64mm fan.

Are these built from the more forgiving foam type?

I don't know. It will be interesting to see what you think when you get one.

There are also a series of mini EDF's from HC. I wonder how those are?
Humm...
Kent

[Gabe]

A lot of them are the same as the ones at BH. Mine's supposed to arrive tomorrow, but I gotta fly out sink won't even touch it until Wednesday.

[19000rpm]

I think you're right on with those comments kent. It appears that they cut some corners and even though the vids they have at nitro on the mig look like it flies well it's hard to believe it goes that well stock. I guess we'll wait and see what Gabe thinks.

[Gabe]

Well, received the AMX mini today. Mind you, BH advertised this as 100% assembled....ah...no. Sure the servos are in and the wires are run but you have to put the kit together.

No biggie right? I throw the wings and the horizontal stabs on there and then attach the servo pushrods. Everything fits on the elevators but on the ailerons, the pushrods are way too long and the bends don't fit. It's a two servo plane so it's a delta wing setup with the ailerons doubling as a second set of elevons.

I've spent an hour trying to bend the rods into the right shape, but they keep moving around on the servo horn and I couldn't get enough deflection - terrible design.

I had to take a break to pick up the wifey, but I did manage to get some deflection on the ailerons. I have a feeling the fan isn't aligned fright either. I spooled it up briefly and it sounded like it the blades were scratching.

More to come...

[Gabe]

I don't like it, I don't trust it, but when the wind dies I will see how she flies. The aileron pushrod setup is really flimsy and I don't think there's a way to properly make it work without adding two servos.

So, the mini AMX takes her place amidst the fleet - for now:

[19000rpm]

Doesn't sound too promising. Good luck.

[Gabe]

Well she flew surprisingly well! It's a little quick on the rolls so I added 30% expo which was too much. I think 10-15% would be perfect.

With a good toss at full throttle she needs about 30 yards of gentle climbing to get her going safely. On a full dive you have to watch the up elevator - I've been flying the Stryker and the Mini AMX doesn't pull up nearly as fast, but it's definitely acceptable.

She lands easy too - just floats right in. I gave it about 50 to 75 yards of glide off WOT and flared the landing. She just plopped lightly on the grass each time.

Definitely not to be flown on winds. I'd say 5-8 mph winds is the max. It's just a very light plane.

At WOT I'd say she's pushing 40-45 mph, maybe slightly more. Low voltage cutoff with throttle management was at 3:42. I set the timer for 3 minutes now.

I hate to say it, but it's a good little plane- especially for a first edf.vOverall I am surprisingly pleased. 3 stars.

[19000rpm]

Great to hear you're happy with it.

[Gabe]

Yup, I've had about 5 flights on it now. Some of these were with some decent 5-8mph winds. She handles decently in wind- which surprised me. I'm still pleased

[19000rpm]

Guess I'll try one. The season for anything that doesn't land on skis is fast approaching.

[Gabe]

Just be prepared to finagle the pushrods a little bit on the ailerons like I did. Some careful bending and patience got me through it. Also, the ailerons really don't deflect that much anyways and its more the elevons that are driving the plane.

[19000rpm]

I'm not sure which plane to get. The AMX looks cool. How are the rockets holding up on landings? ;D