Sunday I flew my 57 Oz T-Rex with Stalker 66 RE.  An Electric T- Rex with nearly the same C/G  63oz, flew much ,much better corner and came out of squares no bobble etc. WOW! I have watched the Electric Forum that Bob Hunt, Mike Palco, and Dean Pappas  put on several years ago and Bob Hunt spoke to this issue. Sure seems to be true  after what I saw Sunday. This was however only one design and one day of watching. Anyone else observe the same. The Electric T- Rex was 6 Oz heavier than mine . The prop was a 12x6 and ,mine was 13" maby this was why?

What you noticed can be true. My Mustang has a wing loading of 14.6oz/sq' and it will turn with the best of them, probably tighter. I have been told by many people it "looks" like it weighs 55oz in the air. A lot of variables go into the turn, airframe design, CG, battery in relation to the CG, motor weight, prop dia, handle settings etc.....

I know a lot of people won't agree, but I believe heavier planes also out perform there light weight counterparts, within reason. Maybe not so much in calm air (that never happens anyway where I fly ), but in windy and turbulent conditions the penetration is better and will give a more locked on presentation (less bouncing and buffeting). Of course windy conditions can reach a point to where nothing will perform well or comfortably (03, 04 Nats!).

Both of these statements are my opinion from personal experience.

Mike

 

I usually come down in favor of higher weights - cuz I can't build light!  Finally got a couple light birds built last year, and if I had my choice of too light or too heavy, I'll take light in all conditions.  Naturally my new bird is coming out HEAVY so I will have to change my story soon..

I think if we REALLY wanted the weight to be a non-factor we would be buidling Sopwith Camels, that is a relatively heavy engine on a very short nose moment with super light tails and wings.

BTW you said your 57 oz T-Rex was 6 oz lighter than the E-Rex you saw - but I'll bet you carry around 6 oz of fuel too - so your take-off weight is probably pretty close to the electric.

As for your comment on 12 " versus 13" prop, I'll say that the APC-E 12x6 pusher is a terrific CLPA prop.  I am also fond of the 13x4.5P   It could be just a question of going through some prop selections to find the one that works best on your IC-T-Rex.