Krill 39% Katana-build/finish

[xtra330]

Well, I have been putting this off long enough, so I have decided to start a build/finish thread of my new Krill Models Katana, done in the Seba C scheme. I have watched this plane for many years now, ecspecially when Sebastiano Silvestri teamed up with Ivo Krill from the Czech Republic. Ivo took Seba's model of the Katana and converted it to a fully composite airframe with some minor changes along the way. I remember reading about this composite bird many years ago and watching Sebastiano fly it at the Masters...with smoke on the wing tips...simply awsome!

BUT...Like many, did not want to be the giny pig in buying a new design from a company I have never heard of...so I decided to just wait and watch what happens. And then all of a sudden...BAMMM...Jason Noll was flying one, John Glezellis was flying one, and then a fellow named Gernot Bruckman showed up at the XFC flying one, and Ido Segv flying one at the XFC...totally proving that the design was a capable one of winning a major competition....not to mention that Gernot was already proving this across the ocean!

So, I decided to take a serious look at these models at the end of last years Regional Championships...and guess what I saw? John Glezellis was selling his here on FG...the one he flew in the XFC last year, and as a back up at the Masters. He was selling his "Xtreme" (paint job) because Krill is now offering the Katana done in Johns personal scheme...which he was getting ready for the 2007 season. So after conversing with John about the plane, I decided it was for me and purchased it.

John was very helpful in getting me setup with this plane...but with most planes...one persons set up will not be to the likings of others, and this was no different. I had set the plane up exactly as John had it when he was competeing with it...and let me tell you...this plane would flat out perform 3D! Almost effortlessly, needless to say, this set up was tail heavy, too much for me, as I was wanting to compete in IMAC with it...so off to the drawing boards in setting the plane up my way.

I ended up moving the batteries as far forward as I could, from the front of the turtle deck, added a heavy backplate spinner, and added quite a bit of lead to the nose....after that...it was there! But even in doing this, the plane would still 3D very well..with the 1.5" servo arms. I have since moved the elevator rods in on the servo arms to about an 1", and about 1 1/8" on the ailerons. Still plenty of throw to do some mild 3D manuevers.

So, without going into more detail...which will eventaully come out later in this thread...the million dollar question is..."am I happy with the plane?" YES..I am...to the extent to where I have purchased another Katana done in the Seba C scheme. Last year, I had covered an Extra done in this scheme and was very happy with the way it showed up in the air...so, I figured I cant go wrong with the scheme of choice.

I had purchased the model from Phillip Barnett of Skyline Aviation...

http://www.krill-model.com/usa/shop/shop.php

Phillip is a very nice gentleman to talk to and will always make time for you and answer every question the best he can and to the best of his knowledge. If he does not know the answers, he will find out and get back with you ASAP...this is what I have experienced so far with my dealings with him. He is the only US distributor for the Krill aircraft, and he is also very good friends with Ivo Krill. John Glezellis is also willing to give advice and offer assistance when he can...that is one busy man!!!

So, lets get started. Anybody who has built, owned or flown the Krill Aircraft before, please feel free to jump in and share your expierence...good or bad, everyone can benefit from others experiences in life, and maybe we can even get some concerns resolved. Thanks for taking the time to read and I hope you enjoy the thread.

Joe

[xtra330]

First few shots are of my Katana I am currently flying, nothing major, just some shots of where I have things laid out in the fuse to get the plane dialed in for that 'warm fuzzy' feeling while flying IMAC.

[xtra330]

In the pics above, you can see where the batteries used to be...just in front of the pilot...they are now mounted just behind the firewall...where the black velcro is. Those are two 4800 mah batteries from Fromeco along with a 2800 pack for the ignition.

I also started out with two recievers and have since gone back to just one...flying the new JR2000 scan select reciever....my range went up considerably when going back to just one reciever as well as the responsivness of the servos.

[xtra330]

Here are some shots of my new plane..right of the box.

[xtra330]

As you can see...the fuse is absolutley fantastic, the cowl is very light weight and well made.

[xtra330]

Here are some shots of the stabs...the downfall here is that you have to cut the slots in the stabs for the servo arms to protrude the skin, as well as cut the slots for the elevator horns...I will go over this procedure here ina few...not hard, just a little time consuming...but definetly would be nice if Krill would consider doing this in future kits.

Two servos in each stab...the elevators are HUGE on this plane.

[xtra330]

Here you can see the stabs are prealigned from the factory, with two stab tubes. A shot of the fin post, and some shots of the wing showing how thin this airfoil is...that is at the thickest part of the wing! Pattern guys would love this plane!

[xtra330]

These shots show how I mounted the Duralite Powerbox, the Reciever, as well as two Matchboxes on a simple yet effective tray. It also removable by 4ea 4-40 allen head screws and blind nuts. Also, you can see the fuel tank tray, this is mounted directly over the spar and is also removable by 4ea 4-40 allen head screws and blind nuts. Provisions were made for the Powerbox switch, I had also installed some birch on the inside of the fuse, to add some stiffness and to also give the mounting screws something to bite into.

[whers my finger]

hi extra 330 do have any info on this plane regarding wingspan measurements and moter recomendations am waiting on first shipment to aus approx 3-4 months away currantly fly 35% extra 330lx wildhair and thinking of updating there is only one in the country bought in privatly and distributercan not offer any other info as yet

[whers my finger]

ps have xfc dvd awsome

[xtra330]

Wing spain 117,7 inch
Length 107,8 inch
RTF weigh 16,5 lb.
Wing loading 85,48 g/dm2
Wing area 216,4 dm2
Total weight (DA150) 39,3 lb.


If you click on the link above in the first post you will see more info on Krill's website.

Thanks

[tl3]

Lookin good Joe . . .
t