3D Planes

[Gabe]

Well guys, as most of you know I'm moving back to California in the middle of June. I've held off buying any new planes because shipping a fully built plane is a PAIN.

Anyways, I think I'm gonna venture into the 3D category an have been eyeing the Eratix from E-Flite. Any key have any feedback on this plank?

[19000rpm]

I don't have any first hand experience with the plane, but from experience I can tell you; you probably don't want to start with a wood and film plane for your first 3D. Not so easy to fix.

This is what I would recommend. This plane rocks and it's built of Z foam and carbon. You can fix it.
secure.hobbyzone.com/catalog/hz/EFL10075.html?media=video

[Gabe]

Ah, the good old Yak. Good recommendation. I'll probably order it right after the move then.

[19000rpm]

I think you'll like it gabe.

One thing you may want to do first, is build a flat EPP 3D plane and get used to the 3D flying style & capabilities before going to the Yak. It's not going to be as fast as the Carbon Z Yak, but that's good. You learn the moves in slow-mo. Something like one of these. budget-rc.com/products-page/precision-f3p-3d/

[Gabe]

I'll take your advice and do that then. Sounds like there may be a learning curve with some crashes.

[akent]

Ever since I got into 3d planks, I have been in love!

I have 6 of em flying now!

I agree that if you don't want to be repairing all the time that you should get/build an EPP plane. I think I put up some plans here somewhere for a Yak that flies great. It's a good indoors or outdoors in mild winds. The power system is super cheap from Hobby King.

If you want something that is just incredible for 3d, you should look at the Hyperion Sniper II. The airframe is 80 bucks. This thing is WICKED for 3d!
Here's a link:
www.allerc.com/hyperion-sniper-ii-super-3d-full-color-
all-epp-arf-model-p-5229.html

I fly mine every time I fly anything! This is my favorite 3d plane by far. It will fly great even in up to the 40mph winds we have here! You just need to use a lot of power to get it back once you hover it in winds like that! And if you smack it, 9 times out of 10 there is no damage! If there is, then you just glue it right there and fly it again! I have mentioned the best glue for EPP (that I have found) below.

With this plane, I'm running a Turnigy 2836-1000kv spinning a slow fly APC 10x4.7, a 30 amp ESC I had laying around (you could go smaller), and all HXT-900 servos. I am running 3s 1300 25c Lipos. I have yet to break or lose a servo after dozens of crashes!
This setup will hover at about 1/2 throttle and punch outs are STRONG!

If you get a Sniper, I can give you the mechanical and radio setup that I use that flies great.

With EPP, you really need to get some Welder glue. You can always use hot melt, but that gets heavy. You want a light airframe for 3d. Welder is sold at Lowes. It comes in two red tubes. This glue is like a contact cement, and glues EPP as strongly as the foam ever was. I have torn the nose completely off the Sniper on 3 occasions. Just put some Welder on there, and you are flying again in half an hour! It dries flexible and basically invisible. If you tear a hinge, just dab Welder on there and you have a new hinge! It's magic for EPP. Note that this glue does not work with Depron.

I would recommend staying away from Depron foam. It is far too brittle, but it is very light.

Crunchies (balsa and composite planes) are best stayed away from until you are an expert! I don't have any of these, as I really enjoy hovering on the deck! Blenders pulled out at <10 feet are not for crunchies!

You're gunna love 3d, Gabe!!
Kent

[akent]

Oh, and the Yak that 19k mentions is a BEAST! It is the first ARF plane I have ever seen that actually has a TON of power!
The problem is that it doesn't like to crash. It's not as repairable as an EPP profile like the Sniper.
A friend here has one that crashed, not too hard, but it was torn up. It was fixable, but it is not pretty. It's crumpled in places. EPP doesn't do that.

I would place that plane between an EPP 3d plane and a crunchie. It's far better than a crunchie, but more fragile and less repairable than EPP profiles.

Just my opinion.
Kent

[akent]

These guys design and sell some of the very best 3d planes on the planet.
Most are crunchies, but they have a new EPP Edge. I have heard that it flies great, but I have not seen one.
www.3dhobbyshop.com/

[Gabe]

These are great Kent. Thanks! I think I'll end up building either the sniper or the yak that you built. I know from experience how things go, and I'm good with glue!

[19000rpm]

Glad kent finally chimed in

I had forgotten about the sniper. I was going to get one of those and then just got off track with all the EDF's and warbirds. Thanks for the reminder. This is really a fly anywhere, anytime plane.

[19000rpm]

So I go to order a sniper and it's on backorder. They have an X model which is larger, but I couldn't see any specs on it. What gives?

[akent]

May 20, 2011 5:35:12 GMT -6 19000rpm said:

So I go to order a sniper and it's on backorder. They have an X model which is larger, but I couldn't see any specs on it. What gives?

I have both Snipers. I prefer the smaller one. It's lighter and seems to like being abused more.
But, I put stupid power on the big Sniper. It's running 850 watts on 4s spinning an APC 12x6E. It is so fast that the whole thing shudders at WOT, even vertical!

These guys show stock on the Sniper (I have never done business with these folks):
www.bigrcmodels.com/
Kent

[19000rpm]

Hey kent thanks for the reply. Just how big is the X II? I can't seem to find any data on it. I like your approach to power.

There's a guy I talked to here locally that can get it to me for 10% over cost. I was going to order it monday. I might try to get the smaller one from big RC.

[akent]

The X II has a 47" wingspan and is 48" long!
It is a BIG foamie! And like the smaller Sniper, the ailerons are almost half the wing and the tail control surfaces are also HUGE! Heehee!

Are you ordering the big one or the small one?

If you get the big one, then maybe I'll get mine dialed in soon enough to be able to give you some info there. Mine just doesn't fly nearly as well as the smaller one, as I mentioned.
I think the reasons are:
1. It's too heavy with this high powered setup.
2. I am running HS-225BB servos that are big and also heavy. Maybe overkill? I do know you do NOT want to use HXT-900's or similar small ones, especially in the tail. This plane is HARD on both tail servos. You might be able to get by with metal geared micros. I think the Turnigy D-MG16's would probably be perfect, and they are cheap.
3. I have stupid throws on the ailerons. They are almost at 90 degrees! I can't overcome those with the tail during radical maneuvers such as blenders, knife edge spins, etc. But it looks cool when the ailerons at full throw tip the plane on it's side!

So, I plan on playing with the throws first. If I can't get anywhere there, then I'll start to lighten it up.

There are a couple of folks at the field here with the big Snipers. Theirs fly well enough.
Kent

[Gabe]

Nothing like a 4' wingspan to get me on the "sold" bus!