Marauder or Bigbird XL

[dwells]

I've been reading the build logs on both of these planes. I want to build a pure woody. I like what I see in both of these ships but would like opinions from those who have built and piloted both. Not really interested in other planes right now so need for other suggestions...these two fit my budget. Looking for info on kit quality, documentation, durability and of course flight performance comparisons. I'm teetered and need a push in one direction or the other.

[bobby legue]

Quality for the Marauder is pretty good, only needing a little sanding here and there. The BB kit is laser cut and you can take pieces out of the box and glue it togather. The Maurader is heavier and carries the weight well, the BB can penetrate in moderate wind without ballast and can really float on those light lift days. So I wont reccomend either as you didnt give us your flying conditions nor your capabilities. I dont hesitate to suggest either of those planes as they are both good flyers.
I own both and fly both regularly.
Bob

[schrederman]

I've only built a Skybird, but since you're not having a flood of opinions... I voted... :eek: ... I based it on my experience with the 3014 airfoil and Ray's excellent kits.

Jack

[aeajr]

I've been reading the build logs on both of these planes. I want to build a pure woody. I like what I see in both of these ships but would like opinions from those who have built and piloted both. Not really interested in other planes right now so need for other suggestions...these two fit my budget. Looking for info on kit quality, documentation, durability and of course flight performance comparisons. I'm teetered and need a push in one direction or the other.

Did you buy? Did you build? Did you fly?

[dwells]

Hey Ed,

Not yet, but soon I hope. Got other stuff to buy first, college, HS grad, and a 16y daughter who is sucking the life blood out of my financial fun bucks :( . I was reading today some threads on the Marauder, and like you had mentioned the other day, the bottom spoiler is not permitted in RES comp. But I like everything that has been published about it. I read that it's heavy and has good penatration without adding ballast but floats very well which would be perfect with the wind here. But, It's also die cut so you don't get what you get Ray's stuff which I read is flawless so I'm reading up on the Oly's too. Nope, still flying/learning my Spirit 2m ARF and gettin better every trip but I really want to build a good quality woody RES kit, 110" plus span (need a bigger bird). I'll get one...somehow :cool:

[aeajr]

Well, if you will be flying the Spirit for a while, you can always make some improvements. I don't recall if you have the spoilers working but if you don't, that makes a great upgrade.

And, if you take the time to move the electroncis forward, as shown below, you can reduce the weight of the plane by about 10% and that makes a difference.

Just little stuff you can do while you are waiting to do big stuff. :)

[FrogChief]

Hey Ed,

Not yet, but soon I hope. Got other stuff to buy first, college, HS grad, and a 16y daughter who is sucking the life blood out of my financial fun bucks :( . I was reading today some threads on the Marauder, and like you had mentioned the other day, the bottom spoiler is not permitted in RES comp. But I like everything that has been published about it. I read that it's heavy and has good penatration without adding ballast but floats very well which would be perfect with the wind here. But, It's also die cut so you don't get what you get Ray's stuff which I read is flawless so I'm reading up on the Oly's too. Nope, still flying/learning my Spirit 2m ARF and gettin better every trip but I really want to build a good quality woody RES kit, 110" plus span (need a bigger bird). I'll get one...somehow :cool:

Well, I'll pipe up just to let everyone know that Merril's die-cutting is VERY accurate. Not die-crunch like an old Guillows kit. The ribs just fall out with a quick swipe of a sanding block.

Many simply build the Marauder without the bottom spoilers and dial in a bit of elevator compensation. However the *quad laser (I mean spoilers, Aqua-teen Hunger Force joke) is extremely effective in getting her down in a hurry with a neutral feel.

Literally, with the quads, you pop 'em and she's dropping like a Stuka!


I must say that I love the OlyIII though. A very pretty ship with a modern look to it. If I was gonna get any Ray Hayes ship, the OlyIII would be it.

http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=300c87500ece510591392b1d1a02050d

[dwells]

Yes Ed, I do have spoilers and they work great. They really seem to stabilize the plane upon approach. Mine is an ARF with standard servos and the push rods that came with the kit. I haven't weighed the plane but it floats very nicely and seems to have good penatration, it's a lot of fun to fly. With smaller gear, I could probably move forward some but would I be shooting myself in the foot with the constant wind here?

[dwells]

Thanks Frog. Your Marauder build is what has me interested. I have looked into the OlyIII and it has that good looking woody profile also. Something about the Nos woody look that floats my boat.

[aeajr]

Yes Ed, I do have spoilers and they work great. They really seem to stabilize the plane upon approach. Mine is an ARF with standard servos and the push rods that came with the kit. I haven't weighed the plane but it floats very nicely and seems to have good penatration, it's a lot of fun to fly. With smaller gear, I could probably move forward some but would I be shooting myself in the foot with the constant wind here?

If you are happy, I am happy. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! :D

[onethermal]

[QUOTE=FrogChief]Well, I'll pipe up just to let everyone know that Merril's die-cutting is VERY accurate. Not die-crunch like an old Guillows kit. The ribs just fall out with a quick swipe of a sanding block.

Many simply build the Marauder without the bottom spoilers and dial in a bit of elevator compensation.

The Marauder can be built many ways as far as the spoilers go. When Merrill designed the Marauder he left the spoilers as a option for you to choose...Yes you need to do a little work to put them in but it is so simple that you don't need to think about how to do them because they are drawn out on the plans.
I have done both versions top only and top with bottom spoilers and they are simple to install (I have two Marauders) if you do install both top & bottom according to the plans it is very easy to disable the bottom spoilers with tape and then add some elevator comp so you can compete at any RES event.

I love the stopping power of both top and bottom spoilers, when you have them open and you are a little dot in the sky because you worked it up there the return to earth in a very controlled vertical dive is one of the best parts of the spoilers.

My vote would also be for the Marauder due to how many times I have hit the landing zones so hard that I cringe at the sound and think I have broken something and find that I just re-adjust the rubber bands on the wing and I am back in the air.

I cant speak for the Oly III but I know there are some great woody kits out there.

Let's Get Building

Clarence

[dwells]

I actually ordered an Oly III today. Talked to Ray and he said he's been swamped with orders on the III going over to Europe. Told him to be sure and pencil me in. Can't hardly wait to get it and get started, my bench is primed and ready. I guess when it comes in I'll kiss the wife and kids goodbye and hire me a yard man :D .

[Wylie Shaw]

Mate, You will not be disappointed. Oly III rules...


Best Regards,


Wylie S. :D :D :D :D

[bobby legue]

[ Heard in a low voice ] oooooohhh yeahhhhhhhh

[dwells]

Bobby, is it yours that is pictured on Ray's site?

[bobby legue]

Yes it is. Ray took a chance on me to create a set of instructions also. That was a lot of fun. Ed [aeajr] used it in his article for RCSD too boot. :D
Bobby

[dwells]

good lookin plane. I really like the color scheme and will do something similar with mine. You got any more pics of her?

[dwells]

Also, do folks paint this fus or cover it?

[bobby legue]

Thank you. No other pictures. Its covered with monokote.

[bobby legue]

This is a solid sided fuse so a light glass covering would be very easy to do.

[dwells]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind...

[ozmo01]

I am in the midst of a Big Bird XL build ( they build very similarly) and am enjoying it a lot. Can't wait to grab some air with it soon. The quality of this kit is pretty darn good so far. I am adding poor man's carbon fiber (bundle strapping) to the spars and I laid in some very lite FG into the TE. Other than that its stock. I do have a thermal Snifler that will live in it so I will add some lite wire(before covering) to the TEs and save the antennae that come with the Sniffler.
Ozmo01

[dwells]

Hey Oz,

The BBXL is a very good looking plane and I was torn between it and the Marauder but ordered the OLY III...I'm a Gemini :p . Ray told me today that my III will ship next week and I'm totally stoked and waiting. I read about your mishap with the joiner tube and will be very careful of that on my Oly as I hear they do build very much alike. Would really like to see some pics of your build if you have any.