I just got this in the mail yesterday. I am thoroughly impressed by the completeness and the amount of pre assembly.

It has an extreme resemblance to Mulitplex ParkMaster. But, it has all the improvements that the PM needed incorporated.

I did not like the weak nose of the PM as it was intended for 3d training with some rough handling. The other was this FG rods on the surface.

Katana has insert molded CF within the frame and the wing. So, it has very clean appearance. The only downside to this is that surrounding foam is not glued to the CF tube. However, you can seep some thin CA though the molding support in the frame and the wing.

Dimensinallly, it is identical to PM with some cosmetic changes. I do like the painted wing and the wet transfer decals on the fuselage over the plastic decals on the PM.

As the 3d flying evolved over the years, the flight became more energy intensive. I was considering some braces on the wing and the tail but Katana comes ready for those.

I was flying the PM with stock 850kv motor and 17a esc with 12x6 prop. While Katana does come with 1250kv for smaller prop, it will require 20-30amp esc.

I will most likely put in a bigger motor with 30-35amp esc for more dynamic flight.

Since, the PM was Justin Jee's favorite foamy, it will be interesting to see what he will show with the Katana with upgraded power.

I started the assembly with the welder's glue, but it shows minor signs of melting. I do not want to use the CA due to brittleness, so I have used polyurethane glue (forgot the name) for the assembly.

It has an extreme resemblance to Mulitplex ParkMaster.

It's graphic design is also similar to 3DHS Aj Slick Orange scheme
America need something original and you've got to step it up!
Gotta love the show

methinks the Slick scheme is fast becoming the go-to scheme for being ripped off

Red,

Where did you get the EPO Katana. I haven't seen where anyone has it for sale?

I am trying to buy one of these but can't find a supplier. Techone claims they have shipped them to Nitro Planes. I have called them, emailed them etc and no answer for over 3 weeks.

Originally Posted by KE Spin

Red,

Where did you get the EPO Katana. I haven't seen where anyone has it for sale?

I was told Nitro Hobby is the place to get them. I received this model directly from TechOne for flight testing.

We (Justin and I) did the maiden at the 3DHS funfly in Washington, NJ yesterday. I used all the gear from the ParkMaster temporarily. I had forgotten that I left all the PM packs (1350) at home so I borrowed 1000mah from a neighbor to do it.

The major difference was felt during hard turns due to the cf reinforcements on the wing and stabs. Landing gear, however, seemed to have less support than the PM and got pushed back during the grass landing. There is some play and it causes the gear to get pushed back during landing and tiny bit of grass resistance is all that is needed to nose over. Some sort of support plate on the bottom of use to tie it to the landing gear plate will be needed for grass landings. Also, wheel pants may need to go to extend the life of the gear plate.

I will be switching to 1000kv (from 850) and go to 30amp esc from 17 to make it hotter. I believe this frame will handle it better than PM would. But, you can also do that to PM.

Thanks for the info.

do you have to put the landing gear on or is it even removable?
J

Originally Posted by jeff reeves

do you have to put the landing gear on or is it even removable?
J

You do not have to put them on. It has plastic center and each leg has metal rod that plugs in. But, due to CF reinforcements at the bottom, grass can catch on them.

Tail gear can catch so I might put carbon rod instead.

Surgery for the landing gear area.

The gear plate was molded into the frame so there were no glue holding it in place. So, with even the slightest load, the gear will flex and the hole start to get enlarged. Putting in plywood brace perpendicular will give support to the gear plate and prevent it from being pushed back.

Now I just need to slit the frame so the plywood can be slid in.

Looks like Nitroplanes has put them up on the website:

http://www.nitroplanes.com/02a-102-k...-blue-arf.html

I love my Tech One Venus so I ordered a Katana yesterday from NP as it's a bit bigger and should have more power with a 3s

After reinforcing the LG area, I also noticed flexing at the control horns. This is due to not enough surface area on the control on over the glued foam surface.

I've added some brace into the foam on the rudder to prevent flex. I will do similar on the elev and aileron.

Any videos yet this thing looks good almost like a park master will have to keep a eye on this one