Giant Scale Planes Sukhoi-31

[brycesteenburg]

I was wondering if anybody has built and flown the 35% size Giant Scale Planes Sukhoi-31. Tried to do a search but really nothing came up. Or is everyone too embarassed to say they have,had one? I know about the bad rap over the planes and especially the distributor, but I have one new and have put off assembly for quite awhile. Doesn't seem that bad for a cheap ARF. Nothing compared to the name brand quality here but also not too hard to see were it needs some beefing up. I think I am going to just turn my head, cough and build it, fly it. Anyone else have any thoughts or opinions?

[50%plane]

How about a build thread!

[brycesteenburg]

I already have it to the point of installing servos, switches, batts, etc... But I can tell everyone the instructions are poor but you can put it together by looking at the pics closely. I was very surprised that the wing incidence was pretty close to 0. (1\4 degree positive). The tailfeathers were way off 0 and had to trim fuse tube holes to get them to fit at 0. Was a little trying to get them to stay while drying. The canopy is very flimsy but light. I removed the bottom fuse covering to expose the insides for a better look at the very sparse formers inside the gel coated fiberglass fuse. Found sparse glue joints and so-so fits but reglued them. The firewall, landing gear mount, and surrounding areas were the same. Just added some tri corner balsa with 30 min. epoxy to all joints. Has fiberglass wing and tail tubes with doublers. Feel confident that critical areas now appear strong. The control surfaces have radiused hinge pockets. I really wanted to do this type of hinge but got frustrated in attempting to make it right and look good. Sooo, cut the wing trailing edge "c" flush to the wing and left the 1\2 ball control surface side alone and did the conventional Robart hinges. Came out pretty good with alot of throw. (approx. 55deg). The looks and scheme is nice, but the rudder is a different shade of white. Servo mounting in the horizontal stabs are strong and the same on each half. The wing is set up for 2 servos per half and they look strong too. The landing gear is 2 piece and a thick carbon fiber look alike but is fiberglass. Has a top hatch in front of the canopy that gives ample room to work on wing tube and install batts, rx., fuel tank, etc... The fuel tank area can hold a 32oz tank but it is just in front of the wing tube. I have installed a 3w 80 twin up front and it just fits inside the cowl. This is about as far as I got and so far I'd have to say it's not too bad. I weighed it put together with servos (5955's), one 5735 for rudder in the rear bottom hatch, batts, switches, wheels and everthing else set in it's relative places and it came out close to 25.5lbs. All in all it seems decent, just nothing in the contemporary high dollar cool factor. It does look good though. Probably won't fly it right away, but ya never know!
Thanks, Bryce

[3DCrazy516]

Id check ur wing loading and try to get the plane as light as possible. My dad had their 42% Giles 202 and it was horrible. The plane was just a pig he even lightened it by 2 pounds and it was still bad.

[SleepyC]

	Quote:
	I weighed it put together with servos (5955's), one 5735 for rudder in the rear bottom hatch, batts, switches, wheels and everthing else set in it's relative places and it came out close to 25.5lbs.

Is this the 80" version?
If so.. OMG thats heavy.
if its not the 80" version, what are the specs?

[les2097]

Had one with a "lightened G-62" ... it was a brick... and flew like one... landed like one...

Sold it to a masonry company to help deliver bricks to new homes..... and the hype about GSP is correct....!

[brycesteenburg]

This is the 96" w\s 35% Sukhoi. I hope it doesn't fly with that "heavy" feel!!! I would like to see it around 22-23 lbs. If it flies half way decent then I'll go for the carbon fiber wing tube and gear to bring the weight down then see how it does. I guess I will just have to find out for myself. I know that the Hanger 9 Sukhoi can come out a little heavy sometimes too but they seem to fly good. Will have to see if this is comparable to that.
Bryce

[SleepyC]

	Quote:
	This is the 96" ws 35% Sukhoi.

OK.. scheeeeWheew... I thought you had the 80" version.

25lbs won't be a floater, but you should be able to get it to "fly".

Decent aerobatics will be fine.
Check the glue joints and save weight where you can.
Some of my best planes were considered "junk" or "bricks" in many people's minds.
Good luck, hope it works out for you. If not.. keep the nose up to save the motor and move on to the next airframe!

[RED]

Had a 540 and it was ok... not great, but ok. A little heavy and did not want to stop after maneuvers.
It sounds like you might get what your looking for, a decent plane, not a rocket ship or top notch 3D
machine, but a fun to fly plane with a minimal investment.

[brycesteenburg]

Sleepyc, Red, should be ok for flying just for fun. If it warrants throwing a couple hundred in it to lighten it up, I will. If it doesn't get a little "more fun" after that then on to others. Thanks guys.
Bryce