Sukhoi 26M and Sukhoi 26XP hybrid

[19000rpm]

Well, this isn't really a scratch built and not quite a parkflyer. It's a hybrid of two ultra micros. I'll leave it to Gabe where it should go. ;D

I really love the ultra micros from Parkzone and Eflite. The 4 channel birds are really fun.

I've flown my PKZ Sukhoi 26M a lot and it's a little "tired" now...Make that: "exhausted".

I had lots of fun indoors last winter with the 26M and want to have something like it in the squadron for this winter.

Also it's lots of fun outdoors in low winds. I flew it off the ice road quite a bit and it's perfect for the park in front of the condo year round.

The only problem with the 26M is that it has always been a bit low on power, even when new, hampering the aerobatic potential. The 26XP, however, has plenty of power from all reports.

So, I was planning to pick up a 26XP. Then, it occurred to me that there wasn't much difference between the 26M and 26XP except the bigger motor, gearbox, prop, paint scheme and decals. So why not just spruce up the ol' 26M? ;D

I picked up the parts, with the exception of the motor the other day. The motor's on backorder 'til mid Nov.

In addition; I picked up the 26XP tail assembly. They made a vast improvement in the Horizontal Stab for the 26XP. The 26M horizontal stab was always getting banged up. The XP uses a CF reinforcement.

I'm going to change the wing a bit and do a little bit here and there with the paint scheme and decals.

I'll post some pics as the project gets in motion.

[Gabe]

This sounds like a great project! Can't wait for the build!

[akent]

Sounds great!

[19000rpm]

I got tired of waiting for the XP motor so I used a Champ motor, gearbox and prop. I haven't tested it but it feels like plenty of thrust.



I clipped the wings a bit and tapered them back.



I used some of the paint scheme and graphics from the XP. Looks pretty nice, but I made a mistake and didn't use water based paint. The foam didn't like the enamel. Oh, well.

[akent]

That looks great!
It will be fun to hear how well it flies...

Nice!
Kent

[19000rpm]

Well, the darn things flies pretty good. Better than the M version for sure. I've just flown it in the Gym at about 1/4 throttle. Outside it should be pretty neat.

[Gabe]

That's great to hear! Always nice when a project goes smooth. Especially after you spend some time customizing it!

[19000rpm]

I've been having a ot of fun with it. I had it out on the lake last week in some pretty stiff winds and it did great. Indoors it's fun and I found it flies really well with a minimum of aileron and a lot of rudder at about 1/3 throttle in such a tight environment. It still isn't a real 3D bird, but a lot more fun then it used to be.

[scarface26]

19K; Horizon Hobby finally has the SU-26 motor back in stock, if you are still interested.

[19000rpm]

Thanks scar. I think I'll just stick to the current set up for now. It rocks!

[19000rpm]

Two years of flying on the original airframe has taken its toll. I scrapped it this weekend and now I have a bag full of electronics. What to do, what to do?

[canewalker]

I know this is an old thread but my Sukhoi 26xp does spirals like I've never seen. I go up to about 150 feet, chop the thottle, full left rudder and full left aileron and just watch is go nutz. My wife loves to watch it tumble!

I recently got a Pole Cat and tried the same thing but it was a tad bit disappointing. It just couldn't hold a candle to the 26xp on that manuever. However, that Pole Cat is one smooth flying maching. Cudo's to 'em for making it.