Dave Elam Posted February 7 Posted February 7 I'm thinking of investing in a Circle Dancer 3.6m. I think they look great with their open structure and I'm sure I'd enjoy owning such a model. It will be used primarily as a sports electric glider to fly from my club flying field but I may well feel inclined to delve into the world of F5J competitions as well. I already have an F5L model that I intend to fly in those events too. The one thing I'm curious about is how competitive a full house Circle Dancer 3600 will be compared to more expensive all moulded machinery? Any thoughts welcome.
wixy Posted February 7 Posted February 7 Hi Dave though I,m sure the circle dancer will be a pleasant model to fly . looking on HF site they are quite expensive, by the time you add equipment costs will escalate . If you are considering F5J you might be better to look for a second hand model . G 2
John Minchell Posted February 8 Posted February 8 I'm with Wixy on this, by the time you've spent £900 on the model, a couple of hundred or more on motor & ESC then Rx and servos another say £150 you may as well look for a good older F5j which will cost less and outperform the CD in all ways. John M 1
Mr_SMO Posted February 8 Posted February 8 You don't say what skill level you are. If you are up with the best, then I concur with the above. If on the other hand you are starting out, or not yet an expert, then I see no reason why the CD shouldn't give you loads of fun at a saving to a new mouldie. I've had loads of enjoyment from my Arthobbies, and don't feel that any extra expenditure would provide extra rewards. But that's just my (lack of) skill level. I feel the same way about my radio gear too. (DX6) Come and join us, hope to see you this year.
MikeE Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Hi Dave, I recently got hold of a used Pike Prestige. The fist problem I had was finding a suitable flying site. Luckily Malvern Club and Fish Meadow came to my rescue. Great big flat field with no close by disrupters to the air, and a great group of regular F5j models being flown. My more local option, although a great field for sports models would not have been very practical. It would have meant competing for airspace with fast flying sports models, tree line and a landing strip regime. I understand your view on the looks of open structure, but having a model that you know is competitive is imo worth that loss. Hopefully your field is a good option for you. If you want to at least compare your flying against others that fly F5j, buy a pre loved mouldie.
Graham Lorimer Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Hi Dave, One of the club members at Malvern club has a very nice F5J Hawke NG Spark for sale and it is fully fitted out, just needing a receiver and battery. I think he wants £1,000 for it, great value and perfect for sport flying or dipping your toes into competitions. Let me know if interested, I can put you in touch with him Graham
Dave Elam Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 (edited) Thanks for that Graham. I've just done a Google search and can't find any results for a Hamke. Is that the correct spelling? Edited February 8 by Dave Elam
Dave Elam Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 Thanks for the replies. More welcome! My club field will be fine for flying such a model and a few club colleagues have 4m Avas that they successfully fly there. I must stress that I 'may' delve into competing in F5J and if that did happen it would only be an occasional foray as I have many other flying disciplines that I enjoy. I do understand the argument for a good used moulded F5J model but I also like the idea of having something new and with my personal set up as opposed to a used model that invariably will have had some mishaps with the inevitable visual repairs. So, for those occasions that I may compete I'd still be curious to know if a Circle Dancer would give me a good chance of at least not coming last! 1
MikeE Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Like you Dave, my availability for F5j comps is limited, but I like being able to fly a model I know is competitive, and my sports flying can be viewed in my head at least, against a set of parameters.
Graham Lorimer Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Sorry, spelling mistake Should be Hawke NG Spark Check it out here https://classifieds.bmfa.org/acadp_listings/hawk-ng-spark-2 Graham, 1
Mr_SMO Posted February 8 Posted February 8 2 hours ago, Dave Elam said: So, for those occasions that I may compete I'd still be curious to know if a Circle Dancer would give me a good chance of at least not coming last! Yes, I can speak with some certainty that you won't have to come last. If I don't always come last with Arthobby, I'm sure you'll manage better with a CD. Besides, IMHO, so long as you enjoy yourself, you're a winner. 2
Dave Elam Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 4 minutes ago, Mr_SMO said: Yes, I can speak with some certainty that you won't have to come last. If I don't always come last with Arthobby, I'm sure you'll manage better with a CD. Besides, IMHO, so long as you enjoy yourself, you're a winner. Correct Answer!!!! 1
Ian Purcell Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Dave, if you fancy a Circle Dancer then go for it! I started F5j, flying with a 4mtr Pulsar which is a similar aircraft and it was not uncompetitive with the composite guys at all. I also even used an AVA as a backup! Hopefully you have the magic feel on the sticks for thermals. You need to fly, fly and fly getting to know the C.D. inside out And as Simon says enter a comp and enjoy yourself. If you get one and are unsure of the power train ESC and other bits just ask on the site. Best of luck Ian P 2
Mr_SMO Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Just checked the blogs on Hyperflight, and even at the heavy end, wing loading is about 22 g /dm2, which looks pretty respectable to me. Might need some ballast if it's blowing a bit. My Arthobby Avatar is 29g/dm2. I think the CD would be a great way to start F5J. Good flight reports too. Hope to see you at Fish Meadows. (Then you won't come last.) 1
Al Lipscombe Posted February 8 Posted February 8 Hi, I had a circle dancer, looked good and it flew well, However it all fell apart on a heavy landing. The open structure flexed forward. It was repairable, but a lot of work. The fus has been re used with a set of Graphite D box wings. Cheers Al
Dave Elam Posted February 8 Author Posted February 8 21 minutes ago, Al Lipscombe said: Hi, I had a circle dancer, looked good and it flew well, However it all fell apart on a heavy landing. The open structure flexed forward. It was repairable, but a lot of work. The fus has been re used with a set of Graphite D box wings. Cheers Al Blimey. I bet that wasn't very pretty! I presume it was a pretty heavy landing though?
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