Are The World Models's F3A planes any good?

[martseger63]

The ones im talking about are the
Groovy 50
(http://www.theworldmodels.com/para/products/airplanedetails.php?airplaneid=88)

and

Spot On 50
(http://www.theworldmodels.com/para/products/airplanedetails.php?airplaneid=175)

[martseger63]

A little bump?

[Curare]

Yeah, they're both good, The Spot on is the newer version, but the Groovy isn't a bad little pattern trainer either.

Both are good, but the spot on is better designed for the newer slower rolling maneuvres for the FAI pattern.

[JN=RCflyer!]

I don't think you can get Groovys' anymore. I have a Groovy 90, I am very pleased with it. Although the Groovy design tip-stalls very easily.

[Curare]

That's strange, It shouldn't.

Did you check the wing for warps? perhaps drooped ailerons? I've flown one and I could tootle along at walking pace with no hint of a tip-stall

[martseger63]

Good to hear, as i recently ordered the Spot On 50, also ordered and already received the OS Max .55AX thats gonna power it. :)

[martseger63]

I got my plane, put it together and am facing a little disturbing fact- high weight/wingloading. AUW came in at 2900grams/103oz's with full tank (320cc). The wing area is 34.4sq dm/538sq in/3.7sq foot, should i be worried of the wing loading of 83g/dm^2 / 27.8 oz/sq ft ? :S

Edit: I started thinking that maybe the scale is bad(old kitchen springscale..),
checked on another scale, it says 2.6kg/91oz's, that comes down to a wingloading of 75g/dm2 / 25 oz/sq feet. That's still on the heavy side, but more manageable. :)

[Curare]

What gear have you got in it?


At 91oz it's a bit heavy but it should still perfom.

[martseger63]

It has an OS MAX .55AX, four SCANNER RC 48g / 9.7kg-cm / .12sec MG servos, one futaba 3004 for throttle, futaba r136 receiver,Robbe 6v 2000mah AA battery pack, voltage display and a power switch. Pretty standard.

I maidened it yesterday, it flies like dream, totally spot on. :) The high(ish) wingloading helps to wind penetration, and landings are still quite slow as its stall is very gentle and gives you a warning before it does actually stalls. I used 12x5 prop, clearly too little.Still the performance was good enough for VERY big loops and other figures. The motor also got better with every flight.
I wanna try a 13x6 later, when motor fully broken in.

[Curare]

A 2000mAh 6v pack is a lot of wieght for a small plane. I'm running one of those in my 2m F3A ship.

Perhaps you might want to consider going for a 900mAh AAA pack, to save a little weight.

[martseger63]

Haha, even with a cheap 4.8v AA 2300mah pack it dropped the voltage too much..
The voltage display showed me red led's when moving servos without any load..
The battery stays,it flies very good right as is, it crushed my concerns.

[Curare]

That's very strange that you're having such a strong voltage drop. But if you're happy with the way it is, fly it and love it.

[hairymuffin]

I love my Spot On 50. I am running a Saito 72 with a 12x6 prop. Does anyone have another suggestion for a prop. I love it but, I am just open to suggestions. Any more threads on this plane?

[Wing-span]

Looks like a good plane. Not sure of any other info out there though.

You may have to start an owners club.