U-can-do-3d-46 [Archive]

Paul Susbauer

Sep 04, 2003, 02:44 AM

Beef up the landing gear mount a little. Aside from that they're fine. I was helping some one new to flying get his going, and his engine wouldn't run very well inverted mounted, so I had him just mount it upright, you might consider that.

Other than that they are a fun plane, they float in for landings very nicely... I only wish I got to fly his on higer rates :D Even on the low rates he had it on, it would still do climbing knife edges, but couldn't quite do what I was after...

On a .50 SX and high rates though, she'd be a great performer.

--Paul

Aaron Modlin

Sep 07, 2003, 01:14 AM

Absolutly love mine! Its a wee bit over powered with the Saito 100. But with a low pitch prop and alittle throttle management it does great. Not to mention the pull-out when in a hover. Really lets you get low with confidence.

RonHill

Sep 11, 2003, 01:33 PM

What engine would be right?

I am thinking OS.46FX,

Or maybe 4stroke....If I go this route:
OS or satio?

And it says .70, but I have seen these fly with a .91...Any problems with the .91?

Ulf Rieder

Sep 11, 2003, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by RonHill
What engine would be right?

I am thinking OS.46FX,

Or maybe 4stroke....If I go this route:
OS or satio?

And it says .70, but I have seen these fly with a .91...Any problems with the .91?

I would not go with the 46FX, but a little stronger. Not that the 46FX ain't a good engine, but I think the UCD 46 needs a little more power due to the weight thrust ratio. I would go with a Irvine 53 or OS 50SX. If going 4 stroke, you can't go wrong with the YS 63 or Saito 72. The OS 70 has a little less power then the Saito, and the Saito a little less then the YS. A 91 will work too , but there is always a weight penalty. Remember that these type of planes like to fly with a light wing loading for optimal performance, and trust me, you can feel every ounce onj these planes. If you would ask me, I would go Irvine 53 with tower muffler for some extra rpm. Just my $0.02

Ulf

RonHill

Sep 17, 2003, 07:56 AM

If going 4 stroke,
you can't go wrong with the YS 63 or Saito 72. The OS 70 has a little less power then the Saito, and the Saito a
little less then the YS. A 91 will work too , but there is always a weight penalty. Remember that these type of
planes like to fly with a light wing loading for optimal performance, and trust me, you can feel every ounce onj these
planes.

Well the thing is I have only seen the .46 fly with a .91....I think it may be over powered, but the OS .91 only weighs 3 ounces more than the .70

Other things to consider for me is there is a hobby shop that has a Saito .91 in stock, and another that has a .72. (I like buying from small shops and supporting good customer service. Its worth a few extra bucks for me to have a relationship with a good shop.)

So it really seems to boil down to Saito 72, or 91.

And since I have never seen a UCD 46 with anything other than an OS .91 around here...I am thinking .91 unless someone can give me a really good reason. I would hate to spend 200.00 on a motor to be underpowered

But any thoughts are welcome.

Thannks,
Ron

Ulf Rieder

Sep 17, 2003, 09:57 AM

Originally posted by RonHill
[b]

So it really seems to boil down to Saito 72, or 91.

And since I have never seen a UCD 46 with anything other than an OS .91 around here...I am thinking .91 unless someone can give me a really good reason. I would hate to spend 200.00 on a motor to be underpowered

But any thoughts are welcome.

Thannks,
Ron

Go with the Saito 91 then. 3 oz, ain't the world. Just try to keep everything else light like then and use a 720 NIMH battery for example from radicalrc.com. Also be careful not to choose to heavy servos.
Let us know, what you choice was and how it fly's.

Ulf

RonHill

Oct 06, 2003, 10:08 AM

Well I flew my .46 UCD this weekend.

I put an OS.91 on it.The .91 is only 3 OZ more than the .70. And with the battery pack under the fuel tank I still needed to add a Heavy hub to the nose to put it close to the middle of the GC range. (GP has the range 4- 6 inches back from the leading edge. Mine is at 5" right now.)

I have a 14X6 prop on it....I had a 13.6, but the 14X6 hovers better.

This thing is amazing. It is probley the best flying plane I have ever flown.

As far as I am concerned I will always have one of these on my flight line.

I had a small problem when my kit arrived with some minor damage, but Great Planes has promised to make it right....I don't doubt they will.

Amazing plane.

Ron

jucava

Oct 17, 2003, 09:10 AM

It is a big, big 46, so think 70 four strokes

RCAviator23

Nov 02, 2004, 09:36 PM

I just got a U-Can-Do .46 a while back and I'm putting a O.S.46FX on it. So is it not going to pull it too well? I've already got the holes drilled and everything on the engine mount.

Fly-guy

Nov 03, 2004, 01:21 AM

It will pull it, but wont have the power to pull it vert as far as the eye can see.

You might think about whacking a tuned pipe on there as well, give you a bit of extra power.

I would say though it would be wortwhile going a saito 72 or even the OS50SX

Fly-guy

plumb

Nov 05, 2004, 10:56 PM

get the 91 and put it in the sig mayhem when you get tired of the ucd3d

Brad

Pilot_Scott

Nov 07, 2004, 10:58 AM

I fly mine with a surpas 70II swinging an apc 14x6 wide and it hovers at half throttle!!!

GREAT plane to fly!!

BeechSkipperDude

Nov 21, 2004, 12:26 PM

I'm in the process of building a U-Can-Do 46. unfortunately, all i have for a motor right now is a 46 FX. i am saving up and will try selling an old plane or two to get one of these three motors: O.S 70 surpass II, O.S FL 70, or the Saito .72. since you guys sound pretty knowledgable, would anyone think the cheaper FL 70 would be a problem? the thing is only 180 bucks at my LHS. and if some guy on here can hover his UCD with a surpass II at half throttle, i'm sure i'd be plenty happy with the FL.

Tram

Nov 22, 2004, 01:09 AM

I saw someone ask this same question on RCU.. The 72 would get it off the ground at full throttle.. was the answer...

I don't really see the 72 hovering this bird at half throttle, I'm not calling BS or anything, but the 46fx is supposed to be great for making the UCD a nice sport plane, hover at half throttle I don't think it will..

If you can swing 180 for a new motor, why not just just save a lil' longer and get a $200 dollar slightly used Saito 91 or something along those lines?

BeechSkipperDude

Nov 22, 2004, 10:08 PM

oh, i understand my 46 won't even come close to hovering my UCD at half throttle...my question was would an FL 70 be ok if some guy has a SURPASS II 70 that hovers at half throttle. my concern is that i might find the 91 to be too powerful

Tram

Nov 23, 2004, 03:17 AM

Ahh ok.. Well, too powerful is all in the mind annnd in the left thumb. :)

K.O.

Nov 26, 2004, 12:03 AM

If theres a doubt about an engine in this plane error on the over power side. I have a Saito i100 n mine and its a great combination. Unlimited verrticle, hovers at 1/2 trottle ( no engine over heating problems). A .70 will also fly it fine. It all boils down to engine availability and/or money
K.O.

sideways

Nov 26, 2004, 09:18 PM

all the guys at the locale club I have been to, fly there 46s with os or saito91s. I saw 12 at the field in one day. after that I and picked one up at the hobby shop. Now I need a engine, my buget is 200$ so Im thinking of going to the magnum 91 but they say in the ad that you can't use fuel with synthetic oil. I have never used anything else,what fuel do you guys use?

BeechSkipperDude

Nov 28, 2004, 06:28 PM

hey! what about that rcv .91 cd 4 stroke engine in the UCD? i've always noticed these neat motors. interesting. small. about an ounce heavier than the o.s 91 4 stroke. an inch longer. but i saw somewhere, they were advertised for $229.

Pilot_Scott

Nov 28, 2004, 06:47 PM

A friend of mine put a rcv in a plane...I didnt get to see it fly(he was still trying to get it to run right) but it was the worst sounding thing I have ever heard!!!!! The sound of the drive gear was louder than the prop and exhaust.
I'll stick with my 70II surpas

BeechSkipperDude

Nov 30, 2004, 11:44 PM

maybe the question i should be asking is: What will i be able to do with something like a surpass 90. or, what kind of maneuvers would i not be capable of with the 70 or saito 72?

superfly13_69

Dec 30, 2004, 02:25 AM

It's a magical trick called over power your plane and weight it down at the same time. That's the answer. C'mon, a .91 in a 40-sized 3D plane? Don't steer this guy wrong! Listen to the guy who mentioned light wing loading (a.k.a. a must for good 3D action.) A Saito 72 or OS70FSII will be plenty and then some with the right prop (14x4 or 14x6, for example.) Or save some money and go with the OS50SX. It gives you suggestions right in the manual. I just bought a UCD46 today, and plan to put my OS70FSII in it. I had it in a Twist 3D(similar size, weight & characteristics), and it would do anything my thumbs could do on a APC 14x4W.

Good luck.

Superfly

Tram

Dec 30, 2004, 02:29 AM

Mine's getting a Saito .91. :)

LuckyArmpit

Dec 30, 2004, 05:49 AM

I also have a U Can Do. .46 OS is going in mine. I don't care about hovering at half throttle. All I care about is if I can do rolls and loops etc. Mine has suffered hangar rash...a couple of rips in the covering on the rudder and I knocked off the main gear when going thru a doorway. Repairing it today....
Man I hope glue holds that piece in!!! (where the wing dowel goes in and main gear gets screwed in).
The 1st of Jan. is my club's annual New Year's Day Fly In....Supposed to be in the 40's....

Dave...

sideways

Jan 04, 2005, 10:19 PM

I just got mine it the air two weeks ago,WOW! I put 91 magnum four stroke take off!more like a carrier launch like 15 feet at full power mybe less. Only issues so fare are the the landing gear came loose and then fell off, landed perfict stalled noise up and shut engine off soft and no damage. Loctight all critical bolts! The other is prop,Im running a apc 14*6 it seems to pull to much and hard to hover with out climing. Should I go to a 15*4w or 14*4 14*5? Also I had to move my battery and rx right up the the tank to get cg at 4.5

Rumple

Jan 04, 2005, 10:31 PM

...C'mon, a .91 in a 40-sized 3D plane? Don't steer this guy wrong! Listen to the guy who mentioned light wing loading... I just bought a UCD46 today, and plan to put my OS70FSII in it....
Superfly

Perhaps you didn't realize that a Saito 91 weighs less than an OS70. The OS 70 weighs about the same as a Saito 100. That's why Saitos are a much more popular 4-stroke motor among 3D pilots - they are (in most cases) the lightest in their displacement class.

Saito 91 or 100 is the right choice for the UCD 46, since employment of the Saito 72 would likely require nose weight to achieve proper CG. Why not make it working weight? A good 3D pilot knows he must learn throttle management, and knowing you have the extra power available is comforting.

K

Tram

Jan 05, 2005, 12:22 AM

Rumple - you are dead on man..

Even the Saito 82 weighs less than the OS 70's... :)

superfly13_69

Jan 05, 2005, 05:42 PM

I see your point, Rumple, but just because OS's are a bit heavy doesn't mean the .91 isn't too much for it. Like Sideways said, the right prop for a 91 is too much for hovering without the rock with a rocket effect. If you don't like the weight, lighten it up and put a Saito 72 on it. Even a YS 63 would be enough, though it's then a struggle for proper 3D. I just don't like Saitos because of the long break-in time and constant adjusting. The only time I've adjusted my OS70 is when I decide to change props or planes.

The burr behind this argument is my belief that my urge to overpower a plane means I need more practice at the sticks. I've known mighty fine pilots that live by this philosophy and I've adopted it.

63, 70, 91, 100, 110, 120, whatever. As long as it flies how you want. I just wouldn't fly very well with a 91 in a UCD46. Just adding my 2 sense into it.

Superfly

Rumple

Jan 06, 2005, 06:31 PM

I'm sorry, your only argument in that earlier post was regarding wing loading, that's why it made no sense to me. As for "overpowering" - I use my throttle stick wisely. I've never lost a plane to overspeeding it. That doesn't mean somebody else wont - you're right about suggesting caution for this reason.

If you're siding with the arguments of the sponsored, professional pilots about the dangers of overpowering a plane, I offer these 3 arguments: 1: They HAVE to say don't do it because they are paid by the companies that manufacture the planes, and these companies don't want to be responsible for replacing planes that poor pilots wreck due to overspeeding the airframe - And 2: they get 30% nitro fuel for free - to run in those smaller engines on their planes. Most sport 3d flyers can't afford this luxury. And 3: Compare the thrust:weight ratio of the sponsored pilots TOC planes (i.e., 40%'ers) to the Saito 91-in-a-40-sized-3D plane's ratio. You would say that the latter is underpowered!

If you're going to put an OS 70 surpass in a 3D plane that you want to keep light, you're shooting yourself in the foot. Use a Saito 72 instead and save weight. On the other hand, if you are going to "overpower" your plane like I do, learn throttle management. I just don't see how anyone would recommend an OS 70 for a 3D plane.

Tram

Jan 06, 2005, 06:55 PM

I like extra power because I've become accustomed to needed it when I get down too low and need brute "umph" to pull me out. :)

3D'n4life

Jan 06, 2005, 09:14 PM

I would just like to chime in about this "overpowering" thing. I have owned a Funtana 40 for about a year now and i have a saito 91 in it. I flew it all summer and never had any problems with flutter or overspeeding the airframe. With the 91 it balanced out very good without any lead or any extra weight so you cant tell me that the bigger engine is weighting it down very much, sure it adds a little weight but the 91 only weighs 3 ounces more than the 72. I would say putting a OS surpas70 would be adding dead weight because it weighs more than the 91 i beleive, and doesn't have anywhere near the power. If you cant hover without climbing with a 91 then you need to practice your throttle managment... I am swinging a 15x4w APC on my 91 and i have had this engine in a 5.5 pound profile and had no problems hovering it down on the deck. You figure the ucando weighs around 6 pounds right? and the 91 with a 15x4w APC is doing about 12 pounds of thrust, once you take away the drag from the airplane your down to about 11 pounds or so and thats around a 2:1 thrust to weight ratio on the 20% fuel i use. 2:1 is just right becuase then you have plenty of punch out power for those low mistakes.

Also on the long break in period, i ran about 2 tanks on the bench then put it in the funtana just runing a bit rich and had no problems, as for messing with it so much, i set my needles once in the begining of the summer and haven't touched them since...

This is the most reliable engine i have ever owned and it has yet to let me down.

3DFlyin

Jan 16, 2005, 01:04 AM

I've read here that you need to beef up the landing gear mount on the UCD46. Can anyone explain and/or post a picture of how that is done?
Thanks in advance

3D'n4life

Jan 16, 2005, 01:33 AM

just sop up the inside of the nose with thinned epoxy(epoxy with just a little little bit of rubbing alcohol) use a little alcohol at first and add more if you want it more runny... Brush it on around the mount stick with a paint brush and also id put some on the back of the firewall to beef it up. I did this with my funtana and have never had any problems with the firewall or the landing gear.

Rumple

Jan 16, 2005, 09:40 PM

just sop up the inside of the nose with thinned epoxy(epoxy with just a little little bit of rubbing alcohol)...

I would recommend against rubbing alcohol because it contains water. Pick up isopropanol at Lowes, that would be better (same alcohol without the water).

sideways

Jan 17, 2005, 12:52 PM

hay also use some medium locktight on the landing gear bolt the tend to vibrate loose and fall off mid flight, still land just fine with out it

3DFlyin

Jan 17, 2005, 06:42 PM

Thanks everybody for the tips. my UCD46 is very close to being finnished now, can't wait to fly it. I put the saito 91 in it because I flew a friends UCD46 with the same engine and it kicked butt. I opted to double hinge all of the controll surfaces using dubro medium hinges due to the over powered engine for this plane. Good throttle management is definately in order on this one due to the large surfaces, the extra power is for control, not for speed.

P51B

Jan 17, 2005, 07:43 PM

I bought a UCD about 6 months ago and went with the recommended OS 70. It is the best flying plane I have ever had in 20 years of flying RC. Mine will also hover at 1/2 throttle, but I suspect I'm getting more than 50% power at the half stick position. I suppose it might be even better with a lighter more powerful engine. I've come to trust OS, so I tend to stay with them. Nothing like a problem engine to ruin a nice day at the field.

superfly13_69

Feb 03, 2005, 11:27 PM

I FINALLY had a chance to maiden mine today. That snow really put a hold on things there for a while. Anyway, the OS70 did pretty good at the hovering w/a 14x4w. I'm going to put a 14x6w on it though, cause I just didn't like the pullout power. Also, watch those landings, cause on about the 5th landing I flared a bit too much and the relatively low grass ripped the left elevator out of the hinges(cleanly, luckily). The fabric bit just peeled away clean from the plastic middle. A slight tear in the middle hinge on the stab was all the damage apart from sticking 3 new hinges in.

What prop are you running in your OS70, P51B?

Superfly

superfly13_69

Mar 15, 2005, 08:06 PM

Couldn't find a 14x6w, but I did find a 15x4w. I wasn't too sure the OS70 would pull it, but she handled it pretty good. It hovers on the low side of 1/2 throttle, with just a few blips here and there to keep it steady. Waterfalls are zippier also. I think this is the prop for me, which says alot. I don't find "perfect" props too often.

Superfly

Pilot_Scott

Mar 15, 2005, 09:13 PM

Hi:
I'm wondering if any one is using expo instead of daul rates???
I read an article a few years back saying expo instead of d/r.
I now fly my 3-D with -85% expo and I love it!!!
The first half of the stick flys the plane like a trainer. Then when you want to real make it move just use the last half of stick and hang on!!!!!
I have set all my planes up with this and I'm very happy.

Scott

Pilot_Scott

Mar 15, 2005, 09:16 PM

superfly13_69

Mar 15, 2005, 10:07 PM

It depends on which model whether or not I use dual rates. I fly my UCD on just high rates with -40% expo. I'm actually gradually converting to just using high rates on all my glow & electrics. It's just getting easier not flipping switches anymore.

Superfly

Tram

Mar 15, 2005, 11:54 PM

Well guys.. I lied.. I think my UCD will be going electric. :)

3DFlyin

Mar 16, 2005, 12:05 AM

Saito .91 and 15 x 4W APC.... Purrrrrfect :cool:

Tram

Mar 16, 2005, 12:28 AM

Yeh, it is a nice setup.. :) just too much cleanup.. I'm lazy. :) I've got the .91 sitting, just needs to be stuck in something.. orrr.. sold. ;)

Brad B.

Mar 17, 2005, 06:45 PM

Greetings all,

Just my 2 cents on the UCD46. I put a Saito 82 on mine. It's a perfect match. I've been using a 14x6 prop, just keeping the dive speed down. I have some 14x4W props, which should be ideal, just haven't swapped yet. Balance point is at the recommended max rear on empty tank. Some negative elevator expo helps, as others have mentioned. As far as construction, the landing gear area just plain stinks. Wait until it snaps off, and it will, and then rebuild stronger. There is some opposite roll coupling with rudder, which can catch you offguard, but it can be mostly mixed out. I haven't mastered good 3D yet, but I'm learning. I can't get this plane to elevator very well due to rocking, but otherwise it's pretty fun.

Brad

Merkaba

Mar 18, 2005, 01:58 AM

Just noticed this thread cause i have a ucd 46. Then i noticed the thread starter looked familiar. Its actually the guy who sold me the plane! I work with him and he sold me this plane a few weeks ago. We were supposed to buddy box but couldnt get the radios to work together so he just took it up and handed it over to me and i flew it around for a while. I had a few butterflies since this was my first flight in about 10 years since my first self taught solo and short lived flying career when i was in highschool. hehe. Anyways thanks to G2, after about one minute of getting used to the snappy throws i was flying inverted, rolling, looping, cuban eights, and even did a little high up short knife edge. I handed the controller over to him to land and he brought it in kinda harrier style ...a bit too hard and there goes the gear! He had broke them off so many times before that he didnt have the pants on and has a big block in it for the gear now....and we use nylon bolts so that if it does break they just break and dont rip the fuselage. So yea, reinforce the gear on these things! He fixed it up and we should be flying again next week. I plan on soloing. Got a four stroke saito 70 something I think in the plane. Any tips on landing? I know this thing kites but I dont think i will have much of a problem.

superfly13_69

Mar 18, 2005, 08:11 AM

Merk,

I have an OS70 on mine and here's my landing approach. As I'm making my last turn into the wind, I chop the throttle to 2 clicks. I coast down an easy decent, then right about the time it wants to stall 2ft off the deck, I blip the throttle once or twice to prevent the stall, and it lands a smooth 3 pointer. In fact, I think the tail wheel actually lands first.

Good luck. Saito72 is a good solid engine for this plane.

Superfly

Merkaba

Mar 18, 2005, 03:04 PM

Thanks superfly

Skypilot2370

Mar 21, 2005, 02:33 PM

Liked this plane alot ran an OS50SX on it and had plenty of power. Only problem I had was trimming it out at 3/4 throttle level flight the rear stabalizers failed and came off needless to say the plane was a total loss :(
If I were to get another I would defenitly consider putting wire support on those rear stabs ;)

Merkaba

Mar 21, 2005, 03:07 PM

woa...were you doing alot of extreme maneuvers or they just failed. I'm thinking about upping the engine in mine...I might have to support them if I do. I'm really just now getting back into flying.

Is that the funtana in your avatar? I like the looks of that plane. I was thinking about getting one later.

Skypilot2370

Mar 21, 2005, 03:43 PM

Was 1st flight of the day and the plane had only had about 5 flights on it, so really didn't ever get a chance to push it hard. Could have been just bad luck and got a kit with a weak peice of wood on those stabs.

Skypilot2370

Mar 21, 2005, 03:45 PM

And ya that is a FuntanaS, new one for this year hoping to take it up this upcoming Saturday if the weather holds out here till then, In Illinios so a tad cold still to stand out at the feild for any length of time :p One of the nicest arf's I've seen yet really went together well quality construction 2 thumbs up to Hanger 9. Hope it preforms as good as it looks.

ivanc

Mar 21, 2005, 04:55 PM

Hey Skypilot, I was out flying this weekend - as a friend of mine told me I must be flying crazy or addicted (I think it's both :p), but on Sunday I was at the field from 11AM till 5:15PM. Did a little "better" on Saturday - 10:30AM till 2:30PM.

MarioM

May 28, 2007, 02:00 PM

I bought the U Can Do .46 and opted for all the recommended parts including the metal gear BB high torque servo's(Futaba S9250), the O.S. FS-70 II Surpass with the aluminum spinner anb 14x6 carbon props, etc... All the parts recommended in the manual for the airplane. I will recieve the motor and servo's by the end of the week.
The price tag was very high for all this... What do you guys think, overkill?

jmbneaf

May 29, 2007, 11:49 AM

You'll be happy with the setup. I think that the Carbon Fiber Props are overkill. Balance is ok as long as the weight isn't too excessive.

I too have a Saito FA-82 on mine - definitely the way to go. The OS FS-70II is a little heavier (24 oz vs 18 oz on the Saito) and less power. I wasn't able to do unlimited vertical until I had the Saito FA-82 on my UCD 46.

Weight is the enemy - but I think with your setup you'll have no problems. I do suggest an on board glow system either home made or "all in one, store bought type" - makes for easier starts, and great idle control in flight or landing.

-J