DF foamie suggestions

[fllyer]

I'm wanting to get a DF foamie plank that I can goof off with and am having trouble deciding on what I want to get.

What I have in mind is something like the E-Flite F-15 (all control surfaces. ail, ele, thr, and maybe rudder). Also I want it to be pretty fast as well as being able to hand launch it or normal take offs (depending on how I want to get it in the air at that moment). It also has to use 3s lipos so I won't have to buy more batteries, just use the ones I have for my Rex.

Any and all suggestions are welcome and will be considered.

[invertmast]

the E-flight F-15 isn't exactly cheap to get flying.. rougly $800 not including batteries. Its not going to be fast (only about 50mph).
most DF foamies aren't fast at all, unless you get a kit and put alot of expensive stuff in it.

the phase 3 F-16 seems to be popular though.

[fllyer]

These are the main ones I'm looking at for the time being.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL7050

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=GWSAE0027F

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/redviper.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/a-10.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/su-27.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/a4.htm

Along with the E-Flite F-15 and the Phase 3 F-16.

I realize that I won't get blazing fast speeds from any of them without dropping some major coin and I don't expect to see triple digit speeds then (besides, I don't think they could handle the stresses of going that fast without major mods to the airframe).

As for cheap, I'm only looking at the repair cost/time for when there has been pilot error that I'm known for. :arggg:

It just sucks that foamies can't look as sweet as your F-18 invertmast.

[Mike Fortin]

You may want to look at the SAPAC line, they have some awesome planes that are RX Ready out of the box.

With models like the T-45, F-22 (twin edf) and EuroFighter you will see some awesome performance. I have one of each and they are awesome.

[invertmast]

These are the main ones I'm looking at for the time being.

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=EFL7050

http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=GWSAE0027F

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/redviper.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/a-10.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/su-27.htm

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/a4.htm

Along with the E-Flite F-15 and the Phase 3 F-16.

I realize that I won't get blazing fast speeds from any of them without dropping some major coin and I don't expect to see triple digit speeds then (besides, I don't think they could handle the stresses of going that fast without major mods to the airframe).

As for cheap, I'm only looking at the repair cost/time for when there has been pilot error that I'm known for. :arggg:

It just sucks that foamies can't look as sweet as your F-18 invertmast.



they "could" looks as sweet.. but then you'd have ALOT of time and money in a foamy.. haha

[Pinecone]

Probably the best starter DF is this:

http://www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/107312.asp

Flies well, uses Trex 450 packs. Only mod needed is to reinforce the tail area.

The Alfa EDFs from Hobby Lobby are very nice. The Flying Styro ones are a lot of work and are actually more like display models, than fliers. They fly well, but are a bit fragile.

The L-39 from Tower (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXRYJ9&P=ML) is also a nice flying EDF. Looks nice also.

The GWS aircraft fly well, but the power systems are pretty lousy. And many need mods to fly well.

Another great starter is:

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/twister.htm

And on sale for 20% off this weekend.

[fllyer]

I ended up getting the Phase 3 EF-16 and have it assembled/ready to fly. Now only if the weather and work will cooperate, I can go get the madien flight taken care of.

Thanks for the suggestions guys! :thumbup:

[Pinecone]

Did you reinforce the tail?

You need to add some ply or CF top and bottom over the area where the tailerons mount.

[fllyer]

Yea, I did. I used 1/32 ply on the bottom and the reinforcement tape on top. From the way it handled on it's maiden, that should be adequate for the stock set up.

As for how well it flew. It almost flies like an advanced trainer. Very smooth and predictable. Floats better than I thought it would given its wing loading and it just doesn't want to slow down like a prop plane does when the throttle is brought down to idle.

So needless to say, I was very impressed with the way it flys considering this plane is my first DF. Now all I have to do is play with the radio settings to see if I can get more of an axial roll at full throw. lol

[DierWolf]

Sapac all the way i say.... Eflight is expensive in general

[Pinecone]

Jets glide quite well. Remember is it lfit versus drag ratio, and the low drag helps.

[sandydr]

Got to agree with Dierwolf, the Sapac range is excellent (have heard good things about the Phase 3, F16). On my first flight on this plane, I got confident extremely quick on this and managed barrel rolls, loops and flew inverted on the first battery.

[invertmast]

Jets glide quite well. Remember is it lfit versus drag ratio, and the low drag helps.

Uhmmm...... you forgot something. Its Lift vs. Drag. vs weight. Jets Dont glide well at all!

They generally have a low lift ratio (small wings, which = high flying speeds to maintain level flight), very little CoD (Coefficient of drag) and High weights! So when the power is removed, their goes the high speeds, no high speeds = less lift = high sink rates = gliding like a brick lol

My Big F-18 is 98" long has about 700ish sq.in of wing area (if you include the LEX's) and weights 55lbs roughly. It glides like a brick and i haven't even flown it yet!

But if your referring to foamies, some of them do glide very well.