Contributed by: Michael Parsons | Published: March 2006 | Views: 84563 |  Email this Article
|
|
|
Article
by: Michael Parsons: email me
|
|
|
When
I was asked if I would like to introduce the latest of the Flatout
series, it couldn't have come at a better time. My current front yard
flyer is all but in shambles as I tend to work it every evening after
work should Mother Nature and the remaining daylight allow.
I was
surprised to see that the latest to be released was not only a Biplane,
but branded by none other than our very own RCUniverse. The color
scheme is stunning and I knew it would represent well in the air.
And if one wing is good, two is twice as nice.
Now,
I call this a product introduction as we can't morally nor can we
ethically review our own product. This introduction article will cover
some of the build highlights common in our reviews as well as flight
video. I however will not be rating it nor providing the debriefings
that I usually include. Instead I will let the media included in this
article speak for itself. I hope you enjoy! |
 |
|
|
|
With
all of the parts being in good order, they are laid out for inventory.
The graphics are printed directly to the foam on both sides and
no bleed over exists. Everything was neatly printed within the lines.
The
power package that will be outfitting the RCU-Bipe
is the RIMFIRE 22-1000 swinging a 10X3.8 APC SF, Electrifly Silver
Series ESC and an Electrifly 3S 640 mah pack. The control surfaces
will be directed by three Futaba 3110 Micro servos.
|
|
|
|
The
hinge system was unique to me. The system consists of installing
C-clip retainers into pre-cut slots on the control stab. A mating
CF rod is glued on the opposing surface and this snaps into the
C-clip retainers. This provided an almost frictionless hinge as
well as some insane throw rates.
Authors
Tip:
Ensure
you go slow with mating the C-clip's and Carbon rod, as well as
the Control rod Z-Bend connectors. If you get into a hurry or force
the fit, these can fail (don't ask how I know!). Take your time,
follow the expert tips in the manual and all should be well.
|
|
|
|
The
fuse gets its center strength from a Carbon Rod that is doubled
at the front. There are two Servo trays that attach to it as well
as two star brackets that hold all four fuse pieces in place and
90 degrees to each other.
Assembling
the fuse is simply a matter of sliding it into the star bracket,
ensuring 90 degree angles and securing it with Medium foam safe
CA.
The
Tail feathers that we assembled earlier go on as well as the front
fuse doublers.
|
|
|
|
The
Wings are braced with a CF rod at the LE as well as the TE. The
TE brace doubles as the hinge system for the ailerons. C-clips are
installed in the ailerons in the same fashion as the tail feathers
were.
The
bottom wing, cabane struts and top wing are tabbed into each other
and secured with CA. Carbon Fiber braces (and lots of them) are
used to stiffen up the wing and fuse. I used this step to ensure
everything was 90 degrees.
The
Futaba 3110 servos slip nicely in the mounts and the tailwheel is
a nice little addition if you are flying off of gym floors.
|
|
|
|
The
mount included with the kit is predrilled for the RIMFIRE line of
motors. Other motor patterns can be drilled into the mount if using
anything other than the RIMFIRE. Everything is tucked away per the
instruction manual from the ESC to the RX as well as the battery
location.
The
last order of business is to give her new shoes. The wheelpants
are assembled and attached to the landing gear struts. These struts
also double as braces up through the bottom wing and into the fuse
itself.
Electrifly
provides a high and low rate template. This can be used to setup
up your throws per the instructions as well as ensuring you are
getting exactly the amount of throw you need.
|
 |
|
|
|
FREE FLIGHT SIMULATOR DOWNLOADS!
Check out the Great Planes RC Universe Biplane now in both AeroFlyPro and Realflight G3!
RCU Bipe RealFlight G3 Simulator | RCU Bipe AeroFlyPro Simulator
|
|
|
|
Distributed
Exclusively by:
Great Planes Model Distributors
P.O. Box 9021
Champaign,
IL 61826-9021
Futaba
3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite #1
Champaign, IL 61822
FMA
Direct
5716A
Industry Lane
Frederick, MD 21704
800.343.2934
Fax: 301.668.7619
Tech/Service: 301.668.4280
Sales@fmadirect.com
|
|
|
|
|
The comments, observations and conclusions made in this review are solely with respect to the particular item the editor reviewed and may not apply generally to similar products by the manufacturer. We cannot be responsible for any manufacturer defects in workmanship or other deficiencies in products like the one featured in the review. |
|
|
EMAIL THIS ARTICLE OR CHECK OUT THESE OTHER GREAT REVIEWS! |
| |
| Photo | | Manufacturer | Product | Summary | Reviewed |
 | Minnflyer on: | Takes a CLOSER look at CA Hinges! | The very first "How-To" article I did for RCUniverse was on installing CA Hinges. The article was very helpful to many people... | 11/21/2009
 |
 | AeroWorks | 50cc Extra 300 ARF-QB | Aeroworks continues to come out with new designs in their QB series. In case you haven't heard yet, the QB stands for Quick B... | 11/08/2009 |
 | Great Planes | Sequence F3A | The Great Planes Sequence F3A is an Almost-Ready-to-Fly 50" class E-Performance XLC Series pattern ship. It features a light ... | 11/08/2009 |
 | E-Flite | Stearman PT-17 15e | The E-flite Stearman PT-17 has a light wing loading that provides exceptionally scale-like flight characteristics for pilots ... | 10/25/2009 |
 | AirBorne Models, LLC | P-47D Thunderbolt EP | Fast forward to today, and the P-47 is one of the most popular warbirds of all time in model form. While there are literally ... | 10/25/2009 |
 | Seagull | Decathlon ARF 120 | Since the maiden flight I have flown the Decathlon several times in a variety of weather and wind conditions (including once,... | 10/17/2009 |
 | HobbyCNC | Foam Cutting Machine | With a CNC Hot-wire Foam cutter you will be able to make many complex shapes including wing cores and fuselage parts quickly ... | 10/17/2009 |
 | The Wings Maker | DF-032 Panther EDF | This plane is not for the faint of heart! If you like screaming-fast airplanes, for under $80, the Panther is hard to beat! ... | 10/04/2009 |
 | ParkZone | Sukhoi Su-26m BNF | The ParkZone Sukhoi Su-26m BNF is the first 4-channel Ultra-Micro flyer to utilize Bind-N-Fly™ DSM2™ technology that will thr... | 10/04/2009 |
 | Hangar 9 | Saratoga ARF on Floats! | The design team at Hangar 9 decided they wanted a different look, drawing back to an early years racer, so they created a mid... | 10/04/2009 |
 | Fliton | Extra 260 Mini | The Extra 260 needs no introduction. Though a little old, the marketing for the Fliton mini 260 promises it to be a an airpla... | 10/04/2009 |
 | Greg Covey's | Amp'd Issue 13: Higher Power EDF's | If you want a larger model with more power or maybe a good building fix, you don't need to spend thousands of dollars on an R... | 09/20/2009 |
 | Hangar 9 | P-51 Mustang MKII PTS | Hanger 9 introduced an update to their P-51 Trainer PTS, called the MkII. This airplane is designed to be both a primary trai... | 09/19/2009 |
 | Great Planes | Reactor Biplane .61 GP/EP | The new Reactor Biplane has a 48" span, semi-symmetrical airfoil and can be powered with a 61 2-stroke, 70 - 91 4-stroke, or ... | 09/19/2009 |
 | Top Flite | P-47D Thunderbolt ARF | The maiden flight was taken at a Fun-Fly I was invited to at the TCRC field in Jordan, MN. Now, I have a rule when it comes t... | 09/05/2009 |
| |
|
|
|
