Competition aeroplane for precision aerobatics

Competition aeroplane for precision aerobatics

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iiyama

Original Poster:

2,201 posts

208 months

Saturday 1st December 2018
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My weapon of choice for the 2019 season. 1680mm span with Q80 power.









DIW35

4,158 posts

207 months

Sunday 2nd December 2018
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Very nice. I gave up flying competitive aerobatics when the rules changed to allow bigger planes with engines bigger than the then maximum of .60.
I thought my OS Hanno engine was expensive, but costs really started to get beyond me when they started to allow the bigger engines and associated bigger airframes.

iiyama

Original Poster:

2,201 posts

208 months

Sunday 2nd December 2018
quotequote all
Pretty much all electric now with the odd exception. Rules dictate 10s batteries, (lithium polymer), but the motors differ widely. This is powered by a Q80-13xs, (German made Hacker), but there are plenty of others to chose from.

I used to use an OS .61 Prettner in an LA-1 back in the late 80's, walked away from it in '91 though and didn't fly for twenty five years. Interest got the better of me in 2015 though and I really got bitten again. Won the Nationals at P-17 last year but didn't compete much this year for all sorts of reasons, looking to pick it up again next year.

Edited by iiyama on Sunday 2nd December 10:15

DIW35

4,158 posts

207 months

Sunday 2nd December 2018
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Amazing coincidence. I have an LA-1 in the loft. I bought it just before the regulations changed, and when they did, I didn't bother building it. Colin Fretwell, the designer of the LA-1, flew with our club for a short while.

iiyama

Original Poster:

2,201 posts

208 months

Sunday 2nd December 2018
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Probably some money sat there then as there is a resurgence in "old school". Certainly the Prettner Specials can change handes for silly money if in good nick.

DIW35

4,158 posts

207 months

Sunday 2nd December 2018
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I actually sold my Prettner some time ago when I gave up competitive aerobatics. My interest in flying R/C died not too long after when our club lost it's flying field. As a result I also have an unbuilt 1/4 scale Sukoi Su26. The Zenoah petrol engine I have to power it has never been run.

Just recently I've been looking at the large electric ARTF scale foam models like the 1700mm Spitfire and 1900mm F4U Corsair, but they all seem to be out of stock. Probably just as well as I would need all new radio gear too, as mine is the old 35mHz stuff.

Edited by DIW35 on Sunday 2nd December 17:22

iiyama

Original Poster:

2,201 posts

208 months

Sunday 2nd December 2018
quotequote all
35mhz is stil lbeing used by quite a few, although I found that even with really good 35mhz, interference could be an issue with the electric stuff. The other downside with larger electric is the cost of batteries. Cheap stuff just doesn't last and is false economy.

Jediworrier

434 posts

195 months

Sunday 2nd December 2018
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Nice plane, good luck with the season.

I was recently given a Graupner Yak 54 with a 1620mm wingspan that I'm looking to put together but would like to go electic. A two stroke motor of up to 20cc is recommended on the box (os max 120 ax). Any chance you could point me in the direction of a suitable motor/ speed controller and batteries?


iiyama

Original Poster:

2,201 posts

208 months

Sunday 2nd December 2018
quotequote all
Thanks fella.

You'll be looking at a similar set up to what I Have. 10S with minimum of 99A ESC and Q80. I use Optipower batteries because they are light and produce good consistant power. However you could try HRB batteries from Ebay, I have heard of reasonable results but they are heavier. (Rules of F3a dictate a 5Kg weight limit).

I use Jeti Mezon ESC's namely a Mezon 130.