What to choose for a noob?

[SleepyC]

That weight for the evolution probably does not include the muffler and ignition battery and switch...

QQ tried to fly a 73" Yak with the 26 on a tuned pipe and it was OK for him sort of...
the power was mediocer at best.. and this is QQ flying it.... he could make a brick with wings hover...

[Rotary R/C]

Well, then maybe I will opt for the OS160, besides the Evolution is B/O until March. The weight I gave you for the Evolution is motor and ignition, no muffler or batt. I just wanted to stray from nitro, I guess that will happen with a bigger plane later on.

Thanks
Marc

[SleepyC]

You will really be happy with that decision.

Here are a few things I have learned over the years, I hope they save you some money.

This all only applies to 3D/ aerobatic planes

1) anything under 80" should not be gas... (at least with the currently available engines)

2) Conversion motors are NOT a good idea - don't care how little they cost

3) If no one else is running a motor there is probably a reason

4) cheap servos are just not worth it. Get the best you can afford.

5) Lighter the better... even 1/2 lb can make a difference!

Good luck!

[toprudder]

SleepyC is right on!

IMHO, an 80 inch span is the break-even point where gas engines start to be viable. Sure, you can do them on smaller airframes, but the weight penalty of gas-vs-glow will hurt you. (The ignition module and battery does not get smaller as you go down in displacement).

50cc is the smallest size gasoline engine I would consider.

From what I have seen, the OS 1.60 is an awesome engine. I suspect it will be more economical in fuel since it runs well on low nitro, as compared to a four-stroke.

[Rotary R/C]

Thanks for all the advice so far, It'll be nice to have a good plane to fly with this spring. I've been wearing out the simulator in the meantime I can now do harrier rolls on the sim, albeit my tail needs some work still, it seems to be funneling (making a "cone" shape). That will be solved with more stick time. I've been doing about two hours a night about 4-5 times a week. I guess there are some advantages to being on opposite shifts from my wife.

What do you think of the hitec HS5625S? I wanted a very fast servo, so I figured I'd run it at 6volts for a transition time of 0.14sec. They are pushing the enveloppe of my budget a bit but they seem like they will be pretty good. I've also been practicing my recovery a lot from maneuvers and randomly cutting power and making landings from wherever I'm at in the sky. Not point in flying if I can't save the plane and it's not like autoing a heli


Marc

[Jaybird]

I would bet the OS is stronger than the Evolution 26 on a pitts muffler. I ran mine on 5% cool power and used an APC 18-6w. It doesn't burn as much fuel as you would think.

[Rotary R/C]

Ok,

So now I have the plane! It arrived this morning. It seems to be well built.

I came on here looking for help, and I got it. I might not have liked hearing everything I heard but I am taking the advice of going with the OS engine. I'm not a pro at planes and I appreciate the input from you guys. I'll leave the gas for the larger planes.

Now that the engine and plane are out of the way (I'm going to look into the pitts muffler courtesy of the money I will save going to the OS 160 as opposed to the Evolution, here in Canada there is a $200 difference between the two engines). I am leaning towards the Hitec HS5625S for the servos(at $47 a pop for digitals doesn't seem to bad). As far the Rx not sure yet. Someone mentioned I may not have the right mixes for this plane with my 6EX-H so I am looking into a 7cap. I just don't know what I am going to need for mixes yet. There are two aileron servos and two elevator servos on this plane so that is four channels to mix right off the top. And I do not want to use Y-harnesses because I will not be able to match my throws properly with that configuration IMO. I'm not worried about the upgrade to an "awesome radio now" and be done with it. I can always sell and upgrade that down the road once my skills get better unless a good deal comes along for a 9cap or something.


Marc

[SleepyC]

Hey , check into a Futaba 9Chp, you can find them used for like $250 and you can do anything include fly the crap out of your helis. And they will do more mixes that you will probably need, and you would never have to use a Y harness.

If you like Hitecs (I do) look into the Hitec HS-5985MG High Torque Metal Gear Digital BB they just replaced the ones we all use. They are around $90 each - but they can grow with your planes... (meaning you can use them on 35% and up even) if not the Hitec HS-5645MG Servo Torque Metal Gear would be a great choice (around $50)
Or the ones you mentioned would work fine.

Once again- good luck!

[Rotary R/C]

Thanks SleepyC,

The 5645's are the same price as the 5625's (CAD47.00 here) I was originally going to go with, a little slower but deffinately stronger at 168 Oz on 6volts. Those look like a good option. 5985's are a little too rich for my blood at the moment :s

[Jaybird]

Sleepy is right on the radio. A 9C is a great radio that will cover your needs for a long time. I love mine, it is easy to program and does everything I need. Probably the most radio for the money out there. I believe a 7c does not support dual elevator servos, which is a big deal on larger planes.

BTW, I have a bisson pitts for an OS160, PM me if interested.

[Rotary R/C]

Huh, I opened the package yesterday in the presence of my wife and the weirdest thing happened: She actually likes this plane! She hates my helis, but she seems to have an affinity to the Gilles 202, must be the colours, lol.

Would you guys recommend a specific elevator stab set up? ie, permanent or removable? I like the thought of being able to remove the stabs if needed, but permanent (the way they show how to do it anyway) seems a heck of a lot stronger of a set up.


Marc

[Rotary R/C]

Well, I have the ailerons installed now and the Dihedral brace assembled and epoxied into one of the wings so far. Since I have the time I have been using the regular-set epoxy where possible instead of the quick-set and keeping a descriptive build log on my computer.

I am having a problem with the right aileron binding. It’s not the hinges, because it travels smoothly to full throw in one direction but seems progressively stiff after about ¾ travel in the other direction. I can probably trim away some material, I’m just worried about this damaging the aileron. Any suggestions?


Marc