Author Topic: Inexpensive Expert level Stunt Ship (Read 4545 times)

Bob Reeves · « **on:** September 24, 2009, 05:05:25 AM »

If you are a high Intermediate or middle Advanced flyer and wondering what it's like to have a stunt ship capable of taking you to the top of Expert this is for you...

Everyone knows, to compete at the expert level you need the right equipment. Most have chosen to build one of the many great stunt designs with a $500.00 engine & pipe power package ending up with a $1,000.00+ investment. This obviously works and if you can afford it more power to you. However if you would like to have a stunt ship capable of competing with the big boys under most conditions at a much lower cost listen up..

Brodak just received it's first shipment of the T-Rex, ARC retails for $149.99 and ARF retails for $199.99. The ARF is covered with UltraKote and has good controls, no worries about the covering being junk or replacing the controls. It is a large (675 sq/in) high end stunt ship that should be easily assembled at under 65 ounces. This takes care of the airframe..

For power, start searching the RC forums classified for a good used Saito 56 or 62. Two of our club members just bought really nice Saitos, a 62 for $150.00 and a 56 for $130.00 so lets say the engine is going to cost $150.00. Of course you will need a tank, spinner or spinner nut, epoxy etc so lets throw in $50.00 for accessories.

You will also need to either modify the RC carb that comes on your engine or purchase the CL intake from Horizon. I believe the CL Intake is around $40.00 or if you have the tools see this....

http://www.tulsacl.com/SaitoCarb.html

If we add all this up we come up with a total investment of about $440.00, less than half the cost of a full blown pipe stunt ship. Depending on what you have laying around it could easily even be less.

Just food for thought, I do not proffit from any of this with maybe the possible exception of modifying a carb or two which ends up less than minimum wage for my time.

Richard Grogan · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2009, 05:17:05 AM »

And as a shameless plug for Joe Mader, SS Hobbies offers it for 10 bucks less than Bob mentioned. And I don't get anything for this endorsement!

http://www.sshobbies.com/trex.html

edit:I just showed my wife the ARC and she said "NO"...dangit! I hope it gets kitted soon.Good job Brad.

dave siegler · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2009, 07:56:33 AM »

here is a 56 for a $100 new in box

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/for/1385950048.html

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2009, 08:25:29 AM »

Quote from: dave siegler on September 24, 2009, 07:56:33 AM

here is a 56 for a $100 new in box

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/for/1385950048.html

Dang!!!

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2009, 08:34:46 AM »

The T-Rex is very easy to pull around. I do not think you will find that is requires a super powerful engine to stay on the end of the lines.

I like the PA 65 sans pipe the best so far, but if I wanted the extra weight I could go back to the pipe setup also to get more power. The T-Rex will easily accept a pipe tunnel.

It would also do very nicely, I believe with a good old ST 60, or DS 60, or one of the new ST 51's.

I would be really shocked if I did not see some all trimmed ARF versions in the high 50 oz range. Certainly, the low 60's should be pretty easy with a muffled two stroke, and keep in mind it flies very nimbly at 70 oz even in the heat of the summer.

Howard Rush · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2009, 08:49:42 AM »

I haven't paid much attention to costs--I'd rather not know-- but I'd guess that my biggest stunt expenses are: 1) gas and lodging for contest trips, 2) fuel, even though I mix my own cheap, and 3) car paint for the airplanes. Plastic covering and a four-stroke engine reduce the second and third a lot. As for the first, get an airplane that fits in a Prius and stay with friends along the way to the contest. Your airplane and engine choice shouldn't affect the latter unless you fly a diesel.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2009, 11:33:20 AM »

I'm just not into ARFs, but a picture of T-Rex would be informative. Can't seem to find any more about it.

Floyd

Joe Yau · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2009, 12:19:17 PM »

Quote from: FLOYD CARTER on September 24, 2009, 11:33:20 AM

but a picture of T-Rex would be informative. Can't seem to find any more about it.

Floyd

Some good infos in this post..

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=11176.0

Steve Fitton · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2009, 03:42:30 PM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on September 24, 2009, 08:49:42 AM

I haven't paid much attention to costs--I'd rather not know-- but I'd guess that my biggest stunt expenses are: 1) gas and lodging for contest trips, 2) fuel, even though I mix my own cheap, and 3) car paint for the airplanes. Plastic covering and a four-stroke engine reduce the second and third a lot. As for the first, get an airplane that fits in a Prius and stay with friends along the way to the contest. Your airplane and engine choice shouldn't affect the latter unless you fly a diesel.

You forgot beer to drink while at the hotel at the contest....that can add up.

Clancy Arnold · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2009, 05:11:04 PM »

Steve
Does that mean that if I stay away from the alcoholic beverages, I can fly Stunt for FREE???

Clancy

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2009, 05:57:42 PM »

Quote from: Clancy Arnold on September 24, 2009, 05:11:04 PM

Steve
Does that mean that if I stay away from the alcoholic beverages, I can fly Stunt for FREE???

Clancy

screw that...

John Sunderland · « **Reply #11 on:** September 28, 2009, 01:38:33 PM »

Mmmm Beeer......Goooooooood!

LOL, especially at the end of a long hot day of flying. Some days, for no apparent reason.....while doing nothing!

The best time! Hoppy Harvest and October Fest to all!

catdaddy · « **Reply #12 on:** September 28, 2009, 02:19:48 PM »

Quote from: Steve Fitton on September 24, 2009, 03:42:30 PM

You forgot beer to drink while at the hotel at the contest....that can add up.

Especially if you're with Mike Danford and me

Derek Barry · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2009, 02:31:45 PM »

I had to check out this post; I thought I smelled beer!

Howard Rush · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2009, 02:34:50 PM »

The Jive Combat Team does not drink, smoke, cuss, or chew,
And we don't go with girls that do.

catdaddy · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2009, 02:59:33 PM »

Quote from: Howard Rush on September 28, 2009, 02:34:50 PM

The Jive Combat Team does not drink, smoke, cuss, or chew,
And we don't go with girls that do.

Then the JCT is missing out on a lot of fun stuff

Bradley Walker · « **Reply #16 on:** September 28, 2009, 03:24:30 PM »

Quote from: catdaddy on September 28, 2009, 02:59:33 PM

Then the JCT is missing out on a lot of fun stuff

I am out.

Randy Powell · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2009, 03:54:29 PM »

Back to the topic at hand. I watched Pat Johnston be very competitive in expert using an RSM P-40 and LA46. Very good flying combination and pretty cheap as such planes go.

proparc · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:14:51 PM »

Dave Fitzgerald scored over 500 points with a Ringmaster,(it is on video). It is not so much about having an Expert level ship, as it is being able to conduct expert level setup and trimming. Igor Burger scored in the top 10 at the World Championships with his LA 46 powered Max. The guy had a smoking setup!!

Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that this business of setup and trimming is a hard thing to teach. If I had a dollar for every plane that I have ever flown that seemed to have a problem with either setup, trim or both. One of the best flights I have ever seen remains to this day, was Gene Schaeffer flying a very well set up Magician 15 with a Fox 15,(go figure).

Setup and trim is key

Matt Colan · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2009, 04:36:27 PM »

Here is Dave Fitz flying a Ringmaster in classic at VSC.

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john e. holliday · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2009, 05:57:11 PM »

Thanks for the video. I didn't know we were being filmed. I am the fat old man in my favorite suspenders and white hat I used to have. DOC Holliday

Peter Ferguson · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2009, 08:19:38 PM »

I think its pretty hard to beat a Vector kit at $85 from S&S. Get a LA46 for it and your in.

Bob Reeves · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2009, 07:39:54 AM »

Everybody has an opinion and the other airplanes mentioned are good but you won't see anything resembling a Vector 40 or Ringmaster in the NATS top 20. The T-Rex powered with a Saito is top 20 capable, all I was saying is the guys that are saying they would love to fly a top 20 ship can do so with less than a $500.00 investment.

I just unpacked a T-Rex ARF, this airplane is a giant step forward and will change the whole market. Everything is better than any other ARF/ARC, even the wheels are better quality. I figure with a Saito 56/62 the RTF weight of this ARC is going to be right at 57 ounces and that is allowing 5 ounces for tank, tip weight and glue. Pretty respectable for a 675 sq/in stunt ship that can be in the air in a weekend.

Bryan Higgins · « **Reply #23 on:** October 05, 2009, 11:58:33 AM »

Bob

I see what your saying. The T-Rex would be a great plane for someone wanting a
Top Competition Plane. And it is already 95% built.

For an adult or young person who does not have the building skills or time, Here
is there one chance to get that Nat's Winning plane for a small fee compaired to
the one thousand dollars they usally cost to build.

Any of the new mid sized four strokes by saito or even the supertiger .51 would
be a great finish to this great plane. BH.