30% 50CC Katana by Nitro Models/Planes - Harris & Anderson

[HTSkywalker]

Will surely have a movie for next time, if you decide to get it then let me tell you what needs to be addressed. Very important. All in all it's a nice bird once setup properly.

[hilli]

Bought mine without a canopy, cowl or instructions which gave me a challenge. Set up cg similar to my WM extra 60. First flight tail was hanging down about 15 degrees on landing and liucky to just spread the UC a little. Added 4oz weight on the fire wall, moved the wing right back on the slots and a added little up thrust on the engine and now she is a great light flyer.
Needs a little throttle for nice easy landings with 22x8 prop other wise it slows up to much and starts to sink quickly.
This plane is built light for good flying performance and landing gear strong enough if handled gently.

[HTSkywalker]

Maybe the model you have is the older version with variable wing position. whih engine you are using ?

[hilli]

Slots in the main wing mount was a handy feature to adjust CG position on this version of the model before having to add extra balancing weight if required. Down side is the wing incidence is fixed.

Engine used is a DL50 with J'tec large volume pitts style muffler. Heaps of power for a full roll on a vertical climb and anything else in the sportsman IMAC sequence. Engine abit quieter than with a standard muffler but still loud.

[HTSkywalker]

I am finishing reinforcements of the Firewall, still some painting on the cowling where the paint cracked (paint used is the hard one with 0 flexibility) and I should be heading back to the runway. Hope this time all would go fine, at least i am sure this time no matter how hard the landing is the Firewall and the Landing gear would take it.

[HTSkywalker]

This is a list of must-do before the plane should go airborne:
1- The canopy is only poorly fixed (beside the 2 bolts) to the fuselage by a very thin tongue
Fix: I have inserted 2 dowells through the firewall and drilled 2 holes in the canopy for fitting
2- I used 1 rudder servo so I glued an additional ply servo tray to the exisiting ones
3- Firewall has to be strengthened, I glued 1/4 Ply all over (this helped in less nose balast)
4- The LG block is very weak, I removed the Blind Nuts glued a 1/4 Ply block and re-attached the BN as well as gluing an extra block
for ground clearance. Additional 1/4 ply strips were also added from z inside to strengthen where the LG block is inserted
5- I mixed 30 mn Epoxy with alcohol and went all over the joints
6- Wheel pants are only held by 1 screw, I drilled a lower hole for the wheel axis to gain more ground clearance and used the original
hole for another screw to prevent the wheel pant from moving
7- I had to add a ply joiner inside the canopy to gain more strengh and I used it a s well to glue the pilot to
8- I have installed a DL50 and the plane was way tail heavy, A pull pull is recommended and strengthening the Firewall would help as well
Those are the points I remembered but I would be happy to answer any questions in any part of the plane

[hilli]

Looks like it is about ready to fly again HTSkywalker. Remember to thread lock any metal threads. Good luck with the flight.

Folks on other threads are demanding and suggesting a 50cc plane at around 14lb for good power to weight ratio and we have one right here.

Anyone else out there making this plane dance or can tell us about their experiences?

[HTSkywalker]

Well to be honest, the GP Peformance series 27% scale are a good option as well and priced around $400 with a total weight of 15/16 lbs DL/DA 50 mounted. I have the EDGE and I am expecting great performance with unlimited vertical. The included HW with the GP is worth the extra $100 you will end up upgrading the Katana with and the Performance series are rock solid. With a 50cc gasser those planes will kick asses.
If Katana 50CC is what you are looing for the 3D Hobby Shop is a nice performer priced @ $600 +$100 S&H and the Krill Katana is a killer but way over priced.

[extra330ss]

get any video yet?

[HTSkywalker]

Will have a movie as as soon as it will be airborne again. probably by next week

[HTSkywalker]

Picture of my Katana, all setup and in Flying conditions

[extra330ss]

cool

[HTSkywalker]

Another picture, the DL is pulling it with authority and unlimited verticals. Many modifications were carried on this plane to make it air worthy. will be happy to assist

[andy74rc]

Hi everybody! I'm looking to buy one myself and planning to mount a DL50 too. Been searching the net longtime looking for the best deal in the 2m class, and it seems this is the one. I also have a spare SPE40 but not sure would be enough for good 3D.
Could you please let me know the total weight of your plane in your configuration? I've seen you have 2 servos in the tailplane, are those standard measure? BTW, I like the rudder servo withou pull-pull cable like yours. Just wondering if would be possible to link the 2 elevator halves to save the weight of a servo, being the model tail heavy accordingly to your post.
Do you have the servos directly connected to the receiver or do you use any powerbox?

Cheers from Italy

Andrea

[HTSkywalker]

	Quote: Originally Posted by andy74rc
	Hi everybody! I'm looking to buy one myself and planning to mount a DL50 too. Been searching the net longtime looking for the best deal in the 2m class, and it seems this is the one. I also have a spare SPE40 but not sure would be enough for good 3D. Could you please let me know the total weight of your plane in your configuration? I've seen you have 2 servos in the tailplane, are those standard measure? BTW, I like the rudder servo withou pull-pull cable like yours. Just wondering if would be possible to link the 2 elevator halves to save the weight of a servo, being the model tail heavy accordingly to your post. Do you have the servos directly connected to the receiver or do you use any powerbox? Cheers from Italy Andrea

Ciao Andrea,
The first thing you should do is to reinforce the firewall, I did so by webbing and gluing (glue is not enough alone) 1/4" plywood all over the firewall as well as moving all 4 NICD batteries all he way to the front fo the firewall as well as moving the smoke pump. I you would be mounting a DL50 in the nose then note that the included stand-offs are very tall and the engine would proturd outside the cowling. what i did is milling new standoffs after you measure what is the best length so that the backplate of the spinner would be clear from the cowling. After that you would only have to add a max of 100grams which is acceptable.
A 50cc engine is a must for this airplane, are you flying on the sea level ?
No way to use 1 servo for both elevator halves.
I had to use a JR 8911 (8711 equivalent in the US - the most powerful in the JR line) for the rudder so i can eliminate the use of another servo. I hate the pull-pull myself as well.
I used JR 8511 for the Ailerons, 8411 for the Elev. I only used 1 receiver with 2 switches and 2 NICD 1400mah, another 1500mah NICD for the Ignition.
No Powebox no regulators no Li Batts. I try to keep it simple dull = very reliable
Weight is around 7Kgs (15.5 lbs)
Nearly all the Hardware included should be changed (you can only use the tail wheel assembly)
I would be happy to assist you if you have other questions.
BTW did you check the price of a Krill KAtana 50cc ? It is European made and excellent flyer but way too expensive in the US

Cheers from Lebanon
www.amazrc.com