A New Step in F5J

My model weighs 1110g ready to fly. For a 4mtr plane this is pretty light.

It is only just above the FAI permitted minimum wing loading.

I also thought it would be too light for most conditions.But even though I had balanced it nose heavy for the first flights, and it is no way trimmed properly yet, it easily coped 

with 10mph wind. At the Tonbridge comp the wind was very light at first but gradually increased during the day. It probably got to about 15mph with gusting well over that.

I tried using ballast for the first time, started with 100g which did not help much, but when I got to 300g of ballast the model coped really well.

But the gusts stopped the model moving, I think mostly because I had it nose heavy and it was trimmed with a bit of unwanted up elevator. Once I gave the model a dab of down it accelerated easily.

I have now moved the balance back by 10mm to where other pilots say it is best and am waiting to try it again. I was hoping to fly it at the Ashurst event this weekend but unfortunately I have had to withdraw from this at the last minute.

6 hours ago, kayaken said:

Hi Pete,

lovely plane!  I've read what you said above about the robustness of the plane.  I'd be grateful if you'd say a little more, specifically how susceptible is it to hangar rash in comparison to a (mythical) typical F3X plane?  Also. how do you reckon it would cope with the inevitable 'a gust of wind blew the plane over as it landed' incident?

I guess the bottom line is, for someone who doesn't expect to win comps but enjoys them nonetheless, is this an option you'd recommend or would you suggest something a little heavier and more robust?

Cheers,

Ken

The model is no more subject to hanger rash bumps and dents than a hollow molded hard surface model. If you drop something on the wing or tail feathers, or bang it on the car door it will mark. But these smallish type marks are easily removed using a heat iron with a wet or damp layer of paper towel laid over the damaged area. The heat from the iron steams the foam core back to shape, magic.

This method will mark the painted areas, but everywhere else it usually results in a perfect surface again, and you can’t do that so easily with a hollow molded model.

The fus is very strong and I think is unlikely to be damaged by just heavy handedness. 

If the wind blows it over, it will get damaged so don’t do that.

Overall it is much stronger than you think.

I have to say that I am having difficulty getting to know this model. I find it’s very low weight makes it easy to fly, but I have yet to find the best trim to suit me, and get the best out of the model.