Chistmas comes early for me (QQ Python has arrived)

[pepatrick]

Christmas comes early at the Patrick household. Actually..this was more of a swap of parts from one of the best hobby shops in in the country (Ray Labonte)...so in the spirit of our lovely economy...only small amount of cash came out of my pocket.

So..my plug for Ray and Robbins hobby shop...Ray Labonte is the absolutely the best guy to deal with in this industry. I will purchase most of my products from him going forward (other than Extreme Flight RC products since they are in my back yard) So...after scrapping the Krill Yak project..I knew I wanted another airplane to keep my Yak company. I purchased a another 40% plane and cancelled...I just could not figure out what I wanted...so..I started researching on the QQ Python and found that it would fill the gap of something cool..and keep the overall cost down..I had a Balsa USA Stearman and loved the biplane except it was not real aerobatic. I cant stand the looks of the Ultimate so the round nosed (Yak Like) Python should give me something different enough to keep it exciting...(waiting for a really good 170cc version but this will do for now)

Ray calls QQ aircraft and places the order and 4 days later..I have a Python..and new DA-100 to the door..MTW R2Es are in transit and will be here next week to complete...

My first impression when I got the box is...how did this thing make it without any damage. But..it did..no damage to the plane which makes me quite happy. It will need a little attention to the covering to reshrink and retrim some things..but over all..not too bad..The ARF quality is great..but the covering job is definately NOT up to par with Extreme Flight or Aero-Works...It will get there..I already worked on one wing..it turned out pretty nice...just a little TLC needed..thats all.

All the parts are top notch..Cowl looks fantastic and all the colors from ultra-cote and paint match up nicely. It includes titanium turnbuckles and all the fixings and trimmings to make a nice plane...Carbon Fiber wing tubes top and bottom are beautiful..the fit nicely (not too tight or too loose). All the hardware is there to complete the plane and cant wait to get this thing in the air. Other than the hinges..this should be a pretty quick plane to put together.

It did not include the wheels for the mains or tail, but i new that going into it. It also did not include control horns which works out well. Ray included the good Dubro stuff when he shipped me the motor, fuel tank and other little odds and ends. I am sure I paid for it..just have not seen the bill yet..but he did include the good stuff.

The plane will be setup up like this.

DA-100L
MTW R2E tuned pipes
Mezjlik 28x10 prop
8711s everywhere H9 / JR 1.5" aluminum arms
8611a on the trottle
3 x Duralite A123 2300 pack batteries going into a R1222 receiver and ignition.
Custom Python graphics from Bad Brad Graphics
Wingbags from Eagle Wing Bags.
SWB tray...maybe..have not decided on this yet...
No regulators..not matchboxes and no powerboxes...

Here are few pics..everything fit really nice...cant wait to get it in the air.

[reyn3545]

	Quote: Originally Posted by pepatrick
	I cant stand the looks of the Ultimate .

Them's fighting words, brudda!

Oh, and I didn't see any mention of what tailwheel you plan to use!

After you get it done, we gotta dogfight to see whether an Ultimate or a Python wins!

Merry Christmas, see you guys next year!

[UflyWhat]

Looks great, I'm looking for a backup plane for my h9 extra so keeping an eye on your thread! Thanks for posting!!!

BTW, where did you order the mtw pipes from, how long are they?

[txtoby]

Congrats on the Python! You can't go wrong with a QQ. My good buddy just finished his and flew it today for the first time.

Sounds like Ray is the way- I bought a Yak from Qui Que a few months ago and let me tell you what.... their customer service is second to none. I've had a nightmare time with several vendors but Alicia & QQ answer all calls and emails promptly and will do whatever it takes to make it right..

Send some pics of you DOD'n it

[pepatrick]

Alecia sent me an email with tracking information...I found out the plane was already in GA on the 22nd...I called Bax Global and they said a local carrier had it would deliver it on the 30th...UUHHH!!!No..I will come and get it...I will have the thing nearly built by the 30th....minus the tuned pipes, and those will be soon enough..I may pay to have them over nighted just so i can get this thing going. By the way..the tuned pipes are coming directly from Desert Aircraft...I would have purchased from Ray..but had a credit there...so DA it is.

I have purchased many items from Ray Labontes hobby shop in Maine. While he is on the opposite end of the country from me, he ships very quickly. Most of the stuff I have bought has been small, but I have purchased a DA-150, DA-170 and now a DA-100 from him and very pleased with the service. I have purchased replacement parts for my Comp Arf Yak and he gets them to me as fast as you can think of...this is great since I have a custom scheme on the Yak. I cant say enough about his service...just absolutely the best there is.

Updates on the QQ..After dinner I went through and ironed and heat gunned the entire plane. Apparently the guy that covered my plane was the covering trainee for the day. The trim was fine and everything looked good, but none of the silver was tacked down real well. The iron took care of that problem and all is well. Just make sure you go over this plane very closely before you fly it or the trim might exit the plane in flight...Im not complaining..as any ARF needs special attention...even when they look good...This one just happened to be real bad...but I am pleased now...It didnt take that long and again..everything matched up fine..just needed a little ironing down...On a positive note...everything fits together on this plane perfectly...You can tell the guys that put these things together know what they are doing...except the guy ironing on the ultracote.

[superdave1963]

Luke have you finished your 260........I have had mine since they first hit the market.......I LOVE IT

[VooDoo Child]

[3D-Seth]

You'll love your Python! I absolutely love mine!

Let us know what you think of it once you get it going.

Merry Christmas too!

[pepatrick]

	Quote: Originally Posted by reyn3545
	Them's fighting words, brudda! Oh, and I didn't see any mention of what tailwheel you plan to use! After you get it done, we gotta dogfight to see whether an Ultimate or a Python wins! Merry Christmas, see you guys next year!

Come on Mike..you know I love you...It will be interesting to compare the Python and the Ultimate. Yours is bigger so it will probably present better...but this plane on tuned pipes should be balistic.

Merry Christmas..and tell everyone in Monroe I said hi...

[2walla]

Yours looks much better than mine does. I still am disappointed when I look at mine...

[pepatrick]

	Quote: Originally Posted by 2walla
	Yours looks much better than mine does. I still am disappointed when I look at mine...

Whats wrong with yours? Even after the iron down, mine is still far from perfect, but is good enough. The yellow and blue are fine..its the silver that could have been done a little better..worse case scenario I get someone who actually knows how to cover and redo the silver..but probably not..Mine will get new graphics on it next week and should improve the looks quite a bit and maybe hide some of the imperfections in the covering.

I hinged the ailerons last night while (working in santa's workshop). I used Pacer Hinge Glue on this plane. I have used it a couple of times before and really pleased with the results. There is not much surface for the glue, so I saturated the slot with glue, placed the hinge in it and then set it up where the glue would puddle around the hinge where it is in the aileron..Pics will show what I am talking about. All 4 wings were done...so now this plane should go together pretty quickly...well quick as in my standards which is usually pretty slow.

Picture 1: shows the aileron sitting up...glue hopefully puddeling around the hinge where it enters the slot.
Picture 2: Cabanes are pretty easy to install..about a 5 minute job..I did use small washers where the bolts go into the cabane..probably not necessary but a little piece of mind.
Picutre 3: Shot down the motor mount into the fuse. It looks pretty straight down there..good build quality from our 3rd world brothers that make .24 a day to build these things.

[reyn3545]

	Quote: Originally Posted by pepatrick
	Come on Mike..you know I love you...It will be interesting to compare the Python and the Ultimate. Yours is bigger so it will probably present better...but this plane on tuned pipes should be balistic. Merry Christmas..and tell everyone in Monroe I said hi...

I agree, the Pyton on a set of pipes should be a rocket.. can't wait to see it.

I ordered the PA Ultimate (yep, another ugly ultimate) for my own little Christmas present... It should go together pretty quickly if I ever start on it.

I MIGHT be able to sneak up to the field tomorrow (Friday).. depends on how much I can get done around the house today.

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Mike