Topmodel Honda Giles

[JPHen]

Completed my TopModel Giles and it's really beautiful, but have a few questions before maiden. I am running a Hacker A60-16m and also have 12s Evo 30 3200's. 1. What prop would be a good combination? I was thinking 18x8 but wasn't sure.

2. Also, with an AR6200, can I keep the stock 6 inch satellite receiver wire or should I go with a longer distance?

3. I have a question about my single servo elevator for a plane this size. It comprises of a carbon rod that 'T's to each elevator pushrod. The servo - I'm trying the Hyperion Digital Atlas servos (14 kg torque) are pretty strong. Should I just go with two servos?

BTW, here is the link to the manuf site: http://www.topmodelcz.cz/index.php?&desktop_back=eshop&action_back=&id_back=&desktop=eshop&action=zbozi_detail&id=2518 and here are the pics of the finished plane - sorry for the quality. Weight is only 12 lbs (1014 sq in) and I can probably drop a little more by changing out the 3200 K2 (A123 clone) rx pack for a smaller one and switching to carbon wing and stab tubes.

Joe

[kmp647]

I am running ar6200s in same size 10s planes and no issues , just orient the snd antenna at 90 to the first
looks very nice, giles is a great flyer!

I have no idea what size prop, but I do know a 10" pitch is prob best

whats the rpm per v on the a60?

[JPHen]

kv for the 16m is 215. Got it on the 90 degrees. Thanks.

[kmp647]

you could fly that on 10s and save some weight it your packs are config that way
if you have room for a 19" or 20" prop

[JPHen]

That is an option, but I already have two 6s packs. I'd have to buy a 4s pack. Or I could see about trading out the 16m for an 18m.

[JPHen]

Been messing around with other projects but I decided to try a Neu 1915 3y - 6mm shaft. It's mounted on an A50 Esprit mount. Now my weight is down to 11 lbs 4 oz, but my watts have gone down to 2200 (from around 3000) using a 19x10 APC. I'd like to convert to Xoar props but I've heard you can go up an inch in diameter with approximately the same amp draw. Is this correct?

[mpope1]

:cool:

[mpope1]

Yes thats true, xoar props seem to be very efficient. What is the w.s. on the giles. Nice looking plane.

[JPHen]

Thanks. WS is 78 inches.

[mpope1]

Where did you get it, on the website there is not alot of info?

[JPHen]

I got it through Etienne from Icare (www.icare-rc.com). If I recall correctly I paid about as much as a Sebart SU-29 140 (around $700). I'll bet it would be a bit cheaper at the current exchange rate. I hope to get some better pics this weekend if the weather (and work) cooperates.

[JPHen]

Maiden set for this weekend... Switched back to a Hacker A60-18M on 12s and a 19x9 Xoar.

[mexico]

Very nice plane. 78" span and sub - 12 lbs - 12s sounds like over kill to me. I have an EF Yak 54 (74") span that weighs 12 1/2 lbs. I am flying on the 10s equivalent of A123 cells with a 20x10 Xoar prop producing 2200 watts - more than enough power to 3d well (176 watts/lb). Vertical climb is very good. Why did you choose to go 12s?

[JPHen]

Thanks. The KV of the motor is only 190, plus I had 2 6s 3200 packs available. I can also keep the amps down to around 55-60 so I won't stress the packs too much. Are you flying with an 18m also? I would have stayed with the Neu, but the efficiency of these big hackers is too high to ignore.

[mexico]

I am flying with a Hyperion - 5035-24 (I think). I am also at 55-60 amps on a 14s1p A123 pack. Flight times are approx 6 1/2 minutes. Recharge 12-15 min.

[JPHen]

Wow - sounds good. I think that's basically the same motor. It's your 12-15 minute turn around that's really impressive.

[mexico]

If not for the fast recharge I would not have been able to do this size plane. I was not going to be able to swing the cost of 2 or 3 - 10s lipo packs. I was lucky - I did this while Dewalt packs were still really cheap on ebay. I think the 14s main and 2s rx pack cells cost me less than $150 total and I can get in 2-3 flights in an hour depending on how crowded the pin board is.

[JPHen]

Yeah, 123's aren't as cost-effective as they once were. I've seen some 5c lipos come out (Neu) that may change the need of having multiple lipo packs.

[mexico]

Not as cheap as they were but you can still do my 16 cells for less than $250 and fly all day. Still cheaper than Lipos. I can deal with the weight penalty. I just wish the voltage was higher so you could use fewer cells.

By 5C I assume you mean charging at 5C? That sounds great. The problem becomes being able to provide enough juice at the field to actually charge large packs at 5C.
If my field had AC power I would be golden but it does not. I use a small generator and a Mastech variable power supply (20 amps 50V )

[JPHen]

Yeah, my field has AC power at each station. I can run my TP1010 and FMA Charger and not worry about needing a jump start at the end of the day.

[mexico]

We don't actually have "stations". Just concrete pads at the flying positions. I'm not complaining. At least I have a place to fly something larger than a parky. I couldn't always say that.

[bwh998]

what an awesome plane. is it available in a smaller version?

[JPHen]

I wish they did. Would have saved me some $$.

[bwh998]

I wish they did. Would have saved me some $$.


ah that sucks, too much plane for me, but its beautiful.

[bwh998]

what kinda bike is that in your av, btw?

[JPHen]

Triumph Daytona Centennial. Black Widow pipe, Sato rearsets... Wifey wants me to sell... :(

[kmp647]

That plane is beautiful, I still recomend a 18x10
It will be a great flyer, the 10 pitch will prob match better to the airspeed
Kevin

[JPHen]

Kevin, I'll probably try that also.

[JPHen]

Kevin, finally maidened the plane today (forgot my camera). The plane was frighteningly tail heavy. I was close to the recommended CG on the plan (about 1/4 inch behind the spar) but needed 2/3 of down trim on my Spektrum to fly level. That, coupled with a prop with not enough pitch (next time I'll listen more to you Kevin) meant that I needed to keep about 2/3 throttle, otherwise the Giles started to snap. Luckily you could see it happening, but it made for an exciting landing. I needed about three go arounds and luckily my spotter helped to give me a little less down trim on my approach, but I still hit a little hard and collapsed one side of the gear. Surprisingly it sprung back to it's original shape, so I just used some carbon tow and thinned epoxy to reinforce the gear area. The damage is minimal. Neat plane, but a heart stopper. Here's a pic I took with my camera phone before the maiden. I'll bring a camera next time to see if I can get some in-flight pics.

Once I straighten the CG out, fly on a 19x10 or 18x10, it should be a fun plane to fly and is beautiful in the air.


Joe

[kmp647]

Glad to hear you saved it! It will easy to fly once the cg is right.

makes me want to put my Giles up , but I need to buy some new 5s packs first.

looks great

Kevin

[JPHen]

Yeah, I think this plane will be fun once I get it sorted. Never flown a Giles before. And I'm glad it was light - I think it would have been dead if it was much heavier. Pretty cool, but quite a difference from my 70 inch Edge.

[JPHen]

Does anyone know the amp draw for a Hacker A60-18m on 12s with a Xoar 20x10?

Joe

[JPHen]

Here is a pic from flying this past week. I have about 10 flights on the Giles. I had one rough landing (my maiden) where I bent the gear back. Hard to describe, but it creased the FG, but didn't break it off. I spent some time strengthening with carbon tow and epoxy. It's solid, I just need to refinish the gear area and match the paint. You can't even see the crease. I'm also probably going to look to sell/trade this plane for a gas 50cc. I really need to increase my stick time. The Edge is 70 inches, and the Yak you see in the back is my friends CARF Yak 55 2.6.

[Sid3ways]

More importantly where can I get one of those Edges? I want it!

[JPHen]

www.3dfly.co.kr. They have the Edge in Red also. I had the one you see in the pic shipped over from Korea. I think it's the same airframe as a Peak Model, I only wish the elevator was airfoiled. Otherwise, it's a really good plane.

Joe

[Sid3ways]

www.3dfly.co.kr. They have the Edge in Red also. I had the one you see in the pic shipped over from Korea. I think it's the same airframe as a Peak Model, I only wish the elevator was airfoiled. Otherwise, it's a really good plane.

Joe
Excellent! My company's headquarters is in Seoul, so I have friends there. I'm going to certainly see if I can get him to send me one. It almost looks like a Flying Giants scheme. Sorry for barging in on your thread. Good luck on your sale and it is an extremely good deal.