Great Planes U-Can-Do 3D
Bill has decided he needs a 3D machine that is a bit more, umm, "disposable" than his 33% Staudacher.  We'll track progress here.  There are about a millon UCD3D threads on RCU already, so we are just going to do a simple overview of a typical setup.  No fancy mods or super-detailed write ups, just the facts, Ma'am.
 

 

Home

 

History

 

Projects/Reviews

Aeroworks 29% Edge 540
Carl Goldberg Falcon 56 MkII

 Updated 3/1/06: Colombo Andersson 38% Extra

FlyFan 40% Extra
Great Planes Big Stik .40

Great Planes Christen Eagle

Great Planes Extra 300S .60

Great Planes RV-4

Great Planes U Can Do 3D

 Hangar 9 33% Cap 232

Hangar 9 1.20 Cap 232 (Bob's)

Hangar 9 1.20 Cap 232 (Bill's)

Hirobo Freya .60

  Lanier 80" Cap 232

Lanier 31.5% Staudacher S600

Sig Kadet Mk II

Sterling Ringmaster

Thunder Tiger Fun Tiger

Trick R/C Zagi 400x

Wild Hare 35% Extra 330L

 

Friends

 

Events
 2004 Tucson Aerobatic Shootout
2005Tucson Spring IMAC

 

Crash Pictures

 

Full Scale
 Quinn's Aeronca Champ Flight

HiperBipe SNS-7 N777HT

Full Scale Pictures

 

Car Stuff

Updated 3/06/07: 1989 Jaguar XJS

 

Random Thoughts
 

Links
Stuff for Sale
 

Contact
 Bob

Bill

 

 Year Built:

2003
Weight:

7.5 lbs.
CG:

Fwd. limit per manual
Engine:

Saito FA91S
Prop:

APC 15x6
Muffler:

Stock Saito
Fuel:

Cool Power 30%
Radio:

JR 8103
TBD Receiver
Servos:

Hitec 605MG on ailerons and elevators
Hitec 5625 on rudder
Hitec HS81 on throttle
Battery:

JR 1100 Mah NiCd
Color Scheme:

ARF Monokote
Initial Impressions:

*This is a nice looking ARF.  The Monokote finish is pretty decent, just a few wrinkles on the elevators, which will iron out easily.  This is a fairly complex color scheme, yet there are just a couple small bubbles under the stripes.  The folks at the ARF factory in China are definitely getting the hang of using a sealing iron.
*No shipping damage as has been reported elsewhere.
*As far as the overall shape of the plane, we are pretty sure it won't win any beauty contests.  It is definitely a purpose-built 3D design.  The wing is very thick, symmetrical with no taper, and has no dihedral.  The fuse is quite tall and skinny.  But, Bill didn't buy it for the looks.
Flying Impressions:

*Did the maiden flight on Sunday, March 23rd.  We were short on time so we only got 3 flights in.
*This plane is light for its size, right at 7.5 lbs dry.  Takes off easily at half throttle.
*Saito 91 fired right up, put 3 tanks through it on the ground.  Idle at about 2500, should drop to 2000 or less once things loosen up.  A bit concerned about the inverted four-stroke flameout problem, will have to see how it goes.
*Very little trim required, just a couple into the aileron to get it squared up.
*Great slow speed characteristics, lands at walking speed, stalls straight ahead.
*Almost no coupling in knife-edge.  Half throttle and about 2/3 rudder produce a low-pitch, level knife-edge.  Adding throttle pitches to belly a bit.
*Tracks pretty darn well, considering the proportions of the control surfaces.
As of May 28th:
*We've put about another 10 flights on the plane.  The Saito is breaking in nicely.
*Bounced it in on one landing, cracked the side of the fuse right above the main spar.  Minor fix, the stringer wasn't glued very well in the first place.
*This plane takes off and lands like a trainer.  Now that the motor is working well we'll try to get to some 3D stuff this week...
 



 

Bill checks the charge before the first flight of the UCD3D..



 

Decided to opaque the canopy.  I think it looks better this way.  Cowl fits nice.  No major mods were required during assembly, parts fit was decent throughout.