So if I remember right thats like 3 of the 5 flying that have gone down not a good track recorded so far! sorry for the lose ez2, think I might ground mine for awhile till we get all the bugs worked out lol

Originally Posted by john_53_70

So if I remember right thats like 3 of the 5 flying that have gone down not a good track recorded so far! sorry for the lose ez2, think I might ground mine for awhile till we get all the bugs worked out lol

Uh, I don't think I would really jump to any conclusions about this airframe being defective or responsible for the crashes? Mine is still going strong, as I am sure are others? 3 of the 5 that folks are in this thread talking about this plane doesn't really make for the majority of how many may be out there.

can anyone tell me if this is the same aircraft that is being sold by RCcastle, it seems to have all the same specs.. and they sell them a bit cheaper if it is.also what is peoples opinion of the reliabilty of these planes when left stock?

Originally Posted by john_53_70

So if I remember right thats like 3 of the 5 flying that have gone down not a good track recorded so far! sorry for the lose ez2, think I might ground mine for awhile till we get all the bugs worked out lol

Well mine was a result of builder's error. I should have secured the battery better. When running a high power set up, the CG is crucial in a jet like the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The added weight of the upgraded fan/motor shifted the cg way back. At least I learned a valuable lesson. My next build will definitely have everything very secure so that no shifting can occur, especially once the power of the Cyclone motor kicks in.

Originally Posted by jb0005

can anyone tell me if this is the same aircraft that is being sold by RCcastle, it seems to have all the same specs.. and they sell them a bit cheaper if it is.also what is peoples opinion of the reliabilty of these planes when left stock?

There's another thread on here about the RC Castle version. I do believe it is the same model. When left stock and using the recommended 4S 2200mah or 4S 2650mah battery, she will fly fine. You won't have unlimited vetical, but it will perform well. Leave off all the missles and fuel tanks to reduce drag. With the stock motor, an 80A ESC, and a 4S 3000mah 40C lipo mine flew very well, even with the added weight of the bigger battery and 20 mph winds.

Originally Posted by ez2bgman

Well mine was a result of builder's error. I should have secured the battery better. When running a high power set up, the CG is crucial in a jet like the F/A-18 Super Hornet. The added weight of the upgraded fan/motor shifted the cg way back. At least I learned a valuable lesson. My next build will definitely have everything very secure so that no shifting can occur, especially once the power of the Cyclone motor kicks in.

No I understand what y'all mean it's just kinda sad to hear of the few crashes with the wing folding up and then yours with the battery, but yes I did see how sensitive this jet can be when the cg is even perfectly level, but on your battery did you remove any of the foam to make you battery fit or did it slide in nicely, Becuse in mine you really have to force it in there wondering if I should do something there with mine

Originally Posted by john_53_70

but on your battery did you remove any of the foam to make you battery fit or did it slide in nicely, Becuse in mine you really have to force it in there wondering if I should do something there with mine

My battery was also a very tight fit plus I had a velcro strap hot glued to the battery compartment as well. But as we know, that wasn't enough to hold the battery down with the extra thrust and hard climb that I did. But rest assured, it won't happen again.

Originally Posted by ez2bgman

My battery was also a very tight fit plus I had a velcro strap hot glued to the battery compartment as well. But as we know, that wasn't enough to hold the battery down with the extra thrust and hard climb that I did. But rest assured, it won't happen again.

Wow ok back to the drawing bored to figure out how I can keep my battery in, Thanks for the heads up

In almost all my planes, whether that be EDF's, pylons, etc, I cut out a small rectangle shape foam piece in front of and in back of the battery while it's at it's correct CG. I just hot glue these pieces in and there is no possible movement for the battery. I also use Velcro straps in addition to the foam stoppers. I can take a picture of what I'm describing if you would like.

Originally Posted by T-CAT

In almost all my planes, whether that be EDF's, pylons, etc, I cut out a small rectangle shape foam piece in front of and in back of the battery while it's at it's correct CG. I just hot glue thise pieces in and there is no possible movement for the battery. I also use Velcro straps in addition to the foam stoppers. I can take a picture of what I'm describing if you would like.

Please do I think I know what you mean tho but I would still like to see it

No problem at all. Here's some pics of one of my foam pylon racers. This plane has two foam holders hot glued in, but only one (the orange one) is visible, as the other is right up next to the firewall. It just happened to work out that way. As you can see, I also left just enough room to route the wires where I wanted them and they are very snug when in place. I hope this helps a bit.

Originally Posted by T-CAT

In almost all my planes, whether that be EDF's, pylons, etc, I cut out a small rectangle shape foam piece in front of and in back of the battery while it's at it's correct CG. I just hot glue thise pieces in and there is no possible movement for the battery. I also use Velcro straps in addition to the foam stoppers. I can take a picture of what I'm describing if you would like.

That's exactly what I did as well. But I made a last minute change the night before and shifted the battery as far forward as possible and forgot to move my "foam stopper".

Another thing that can be done is to make a battery tray out of light ply, attach some sticky back velcro to it, glue down a regular velcro strap, and then glue the tray down inside the battery compartment. Then attach the other part of the sticky velcro to the battery. When the battery is mounted, the battery is then velcroed to the tray and then the strap is tightened down over it. This is how we secure our batteries in our helicopters and I have yet to throw a battery during very rapid pirouettes or during a crash. This is how I'm going to secure the battery on the next build!

Great idea about the plywood battery tray ez2. Definitely post up pics of that when you're done building it on the next jet. That would be cool to see.

Originally Posted by T-CAT

Great idea about the plywood battery tray ez2. Definitely post up pics of that when you're done building it on the next jet. That would be cool to see.

I'm in the process of building another EDF now. The "battery tray" method is what I will be using to secure the battery in this plane as well, especially since I'm hopping it up from the start.

When I get to that area of the build, I'll take some pics of the battery compartment and post it here.

Originally Posted by ez2bgman

I'm in the process of building another EDF now. The "battery tray" method is what I will be using to secure the battery in this plane as well, especially since I'm hopping it up from the start.

When I get to that area of the build, I'll take some pics of the battery compartment and post it here.

Any luck on the new plane